Actual FAQ’s for RDS8000 Airtronics

Previously I posted asking all of you for some pertinent questions you want to know about 2.4GHz equipment.

After giving my speech about 2.4GHz radios at the Toledo Show, I could see I need to light a fire under this subject. So, I’m trying it out here first…I’ll throw up a few, then you all can comment and we’ll build this database up!

RDS8000 FAQ’s

1. Why 2.4GHz? Why not 5.8GHz, 900MHz, etc.

2.4GHz is in a open consumer band that has many benefits. For example:

-There is simply less ‘model airplane’ interference through the 2.4GHz band. Most interference from vibrating metal parts, motor controllers, brushless motors, etc. all seem to be under 100MHz or so, thus making 2.4GHz very resistent to typical interference in our applications.

-This band is becoming more universal world-wide. For the first time, we benefit from the development of big industry electronics. And while “over the counter” components do not really work on their own for our applications, there is some much great support and technology already in existence it makes for better and faster development of the technology adjusted for our application. So, there’s equipment and technology available world wide AND when our pilots travel around the world, more and more countries use this same band, thus making the radios useful without modification world-wide.

-The FCC rules are different! The band is designed around preventing interference, thus the radios are working to keep your model safe from interference. It’s a whole different way of looking at how to use digital technology to work for the user.

2. What is FHSS?

-This stands for Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. What is means, in effect, is that the radio frequency is actually jumping around all the time. The idea is if the radio is transmitting on a specific radio frequency for a moment that has interfering transmissions, by the time these radio waves might have an affect, the radio has already switch to another frequency. It happens several times per second.

3. Can the radio loose it’s unique code?

-The Airtronics RDS8000 is written such a way that the code cannot be lost.

4. What about antenna placement?

-Antenna placement is important. The two antenna portions (the last inch of what looks like antenna..the black part is just an extension) at the end of each extension must be perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to each other. But they can be right next to each other or far apart, that is up to you. Why the extensions? So that you can position the antennas away from wires, carbon fibre parts, etc.

5. What is the range?

-As near as we can tell, no one is claiming a specific range. Why? Because so many factors can affect range! We tested the radio side by side with other brands and found it to be as good or better. Our empirical test was run on the ground and we had over 4000 feet of range. As you may know radio range will be vastly less on the ground than it is in the air. Also, keep in mind that at 4000 feet, you generally can’t see a 60 size plane well enough to tell orientation. 40 size planes tend to disappear.

Ok, Here’s 5 to get started. Give me some more questions and I’ll answer them! We can build the FAQ for RDS8000 together!

Mike

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Tags: 2.4GHz, FAQ Airtronics, R/C, RDS8000