[RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Thank you for the in you given, I might have to cancel my order. This unit might give you a false sense of security. Thanks for being the straight man Brian! :-) I was waiting for this response. I mentioned the Freq Checker's real value is in the pits. You can get one that has a range equaling the transmitter's...for about $500:-) As far as a false sense of security... we all have that now...frogs could fall from heaven at any momentbut that doesn't devalue the Freq Checker's importance at least in my mind. and keep in mind that my mind flys at most sites in the world using 72mhz and some that don't. I have been shot down once and that was on a uncontrolled slope in Vegas, but I had shot someone down that the freq checker would have avoided. I'm in with all 50 Cylon eyes blinking when it comes to this thing. Lets see what an antenna does, who knows it might do what you think you need :-) Gordy I'm in Denver this week and you're not!
RE: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Where do you all find these? I'd like to propose one to the DARTS. Thanks, Brent RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
RE: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
At 9:55 AM -0400 5/23/05, Douglas, Brent wrote: Where do you all find these? I'd like to propose one to the DARTS. Thanks, Brent http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?I=LXJUP2P=ML -- -- * Brian Chan, * AFDD Instrumentation Group, US Army Research Support * Ames Research Center, Mail Stop-215-2, * Bldg 215 Room 120 * Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 * 650-604-0389 FAX 650-604-5173 * e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
REply: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
I purchased one of the Aerospectra Channel Analyzers when they first hit the market and have used mine for years ... it travels to all the contests I attend by driving. Unfortunately, this weekend at OVSS #1 where Gordy was showing off the so-so performance of the Hobbico LED box, my Channel Analyzer was in the parcel post on its way back to me after a tune-up. In speaking with Jim Hauser of AeroSpectra on the tuneup for my unit, he mentioned that demand for this high-end unit has dropped off and he is considering ceasing the manufacture of it. This would be a huge loss to the the R/C community, as you can actually eyeball if a Tx is clean or not without a scope and an advanced degree. Yes, the price tag takes it out of the buy one and throw it in your flight box category, but any club serious about safety and/or running major contests should consider picking up one of these while you still can. If you don't have a real scanner, the Hobbico unit might be OK and is certainly better than nothing, but it is not something I would use to decide if it's OK to fly a kilo-buck model based on what it sees. One man's opinion, your mileage may vary. tk --- John Derstine [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If your goal is safe flying, a real investment in a quality scanner is a must for any club or serious end user. The Aerospectra is a commercial grade hand held unit that gives meaningful info. Not only what frequencies are on, but their db and bleed over into adjacent channels. You can zoom in and analyze a small section of the frequency band, or view the whole spectrum for interference. Of course the only accurate way to measure is with an antenna that can accurately scan the entire area. The price is beyond the budget of most individuals at $895.00, but for a club it makes a great investment. We used one at all our events in Elmira, and saved many aircraft with it, as well as track down offending transmitters with splatter. http://www.aerospectra.com/ JD Endless Mountain Models http://www.scalesoaring.com email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Discover Yahoo! Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
[RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Since the external antenna is back ordered, I only had the unit itself. The advertised range is 'up to 300 feet' but in fact that is an accurate statement...it is 'possible' for it to work at that but everything has to be just right. Its real range is about 50' on the field with cars, tents, trees in the its line of sight. It works GREAT and everyone should own one, but be clear, it is not for checking the general flying site for competing signals...at least not without the external antenna. There was a guy about half way to the turn arounds on flying an electric and it did not read it, and I was at my truck on the parking area and about 100' away there were TX's on and I was not reading it. Inspite of all that, pretty much everyone there is ordering one, very tiny and easy to use before you turn on anything else and a nice device to verify your TX synth module dial is reading a 6 not an 8 :-) Gordy
Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Gordy, if I'm not mistaken the Multiplex Evo with scanner module will do this and more. Ed - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Soaring@airage.com Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 3:52 PM Subject: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend Since the external antenna is back ordered, I only had the unit itself. The advertised range is 'up to 300 feet' but in fact that is an accurate statement...it is 'possible' for it to work at that but everything has to be just right. Its real range is about 50' on the field with cars, tents, trees in the its line of sight. It works GREAT and everyone should own one, but be clear, it is not for checking the general flying site for competing signals...at least not without the external antenna. There was a guy about half way to the turn arounds on flying an electric and it did not read it, and I was at my truck on the parking area and about 100' away there were TX's on and I was not reading it. Inspite of all that, pretty much everyone there is ordering one, very tiny and easy to use before you turn on anything else and a nice device to verify your TX synth module dial is reading a 6 not an 8 :-) Gordy
Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Since the external antenna is back ordered, I only had the unit itself. The advertised range is 'up to 300 feet' but in fact that is an accurate statement...it is 'possible' for it to work at that but everything has to be just right. Its real range is about 50' on the field with cars, tents, trees in its line of sight. It sounds to me like the antenna isn't particularly complicated. You can probably improvise your own. Try this advice from KillerWatt of RCGroups.com: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3783493postcount=29 btw..A 1/8 inch stereo-to-stereo right angle audio adapter, when plugged into the scanner's external socket, and the exposed ground-shield held in contact to your turned-off TX's extended antenna makes a dandy pick-up range extender.I found the adapter (# 274-372) at local RadioShack store kw Mike -- Winch Solenoid Safety Buzzer - http://www.vvsss.com/buzzer/ _ \__|__/ (O) RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
[RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Gordy, if I'm not mistaken the Multiplex Evo with scanner module will do this and more. Thanks for theEvoinfo, but I was posting information about the Hobbico Frequency Checker. Evo owners will be happy to know that they don't need one, if they have paid a few hundred for the Evo option :-) The Frequency Checker is a cool and tiny 'tool' that everyone should have including Evo owners with the option installed Fits in any flight kit and with the flick of a switch gives the looker an at a glance view of all 50 freqs busy or open...'nearby'. If anyone else has tried one with an external antenna hooked up, post us your findings. Pretty sure you could find an antenna to fit at Radio Shack. Might need a little mod to plug in but its just a single point connection. Likely a piece of coat hanger would do it :-) Gordy
Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Gordy, I'm sure the Hobbico unit is everything you say it is but I guess you just aren't familiar with the Royal Evo scanner option. First, it doesn't cost a few hundred. It's about $100. Second, it not only scans all the frequencies but it also won't allow you to transmit if one of the 50 frequencies is occupied. I guess the Hobbico unit would be good for anyone that doesn't have an Evo with the Scanner unit which would probably be most of the market. Ed - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Soaring@airage.com Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 8:24 PM Subject: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend Gordy, if I'm not mistaken the Multiplex Evo with scanner module will do this and more. Thanks for theEvoinfo, but I was posting information about the Hobbico Frequency Checker. Evo owners will be happy to know that they don't need one, if they have paid a few hundred for the Evo option :-) The Frequency Checker is a cool and tiny 'tool' that everyone should have including Evo owners with the option installed Fits in any flight kit and with the flick of a switch gives the looker an at a glance view of all 50 freqs busy or open...'nearby'. If anyone else has tried one with an external antenna hooked up, post us your findings. Pretty sure you could find an antenna to fit at Radio Shack. Might need a little mod to plug in but its just a single point connection. Likely a piece of coat hanger would do it :-) Gordy
RE: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
If your goal is safe flying, a real investment in a quality scanner is a must for any club or serious end user. The Aerospectra is a commercial grade hand held unit that gives meaningful info. Not only what frequencies are on, but their db and bleed over into adjacent channels. You can zoom in and analyze a small section of the frequency band, or view the whole spectrum for interference. Of course the only accurate way to measure is with an antenna that can accurately scan the entire area. The price is beyond the budget of most individuals at $895.00, but for a club it makes a great investment. We used one at all our events in Elmira, and saved many aircraft with it, as well as track down offending transmitters with splatter. http://www.aerospectra.com/ JD Endless Mountain Models http://www.scalesoaring.com email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 9:24 PM To: Soaring@airage.com Subject: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend Gordy, if I'm not mistaken the Multiplex Evo with scanner module will do this and more. Thanks for the Evo info, but I was posting information about the Hobbico Frequency Checker. Evo owners will be happy to know that they don't need one, if they have paid a few hundred for the Evo option :-) The Frequency Checker is a cool and tiny 'tool' that everyone should have including Evo owners with the option installed Fits in any flight kit and with the flick of a switch gives the looker an at a glance view of all 50 freqs busy or open...'nearby'. If anyone else has tried one with an external antenna hooked up, post us your findings. Pretty sure you could find an antenna to fit at Radio Shack. Might need a little mod to plug in but its just a single point connection. Likely a piece of coat hanger would do it :-) Gordy RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
for anyone that doesn't have an Evo with the Scanner unit which would probably be most of the market. And why doesn't the legion of Multiplex lovers EVER ask themselves why this is so??? RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
Title: Re: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weeke Since the external antenna is back ordered, I only had the unit itself. The advertised range is 'up to 300 feet' but in fact that is an accurate statement...it is 'possible' for it to work at that but everything has to be just right. Its real range is about 50' on the field with cars, tents, trees in the its line of sight. It works GREAT and everyone should own one, but be clear, it is not for checking the general flying site for competing signals...at least not without the external antenna. There was a guy about half way to the turn arounds on flying an electric and it did not read it, and I was at my truck on the parking area and about 100' away there were TX's on and I was not reading it. Inspite of all that, pretty much everyone there is ordering one, very tiny and easy to use before you turn on anything else and a nice device to verify your TX synth module dial is reading a 6 not an 8 :-) Gordy Gordy, 300 ft is not a whole lot since your receiver( even a indoor receivers can do better than that) will see a signal from over 2000 feet. This unit might give you a false sense of security. I fly in a lot of off field places to take pictures. I would like to know if there is anything remotely (pun) near my freq before I will fly. I have been using an Icom IC-R2 receiver before to check for freq. I would say a spare receiver , a servo and a battery pack can do just as well to detect any transmission on your frequency. It probably is good for looking for transmitter in the impound which has accidentally left on, or freq check at the impound to make sure the flag shown is actually the correct channel. no the transmitter is transmitting on! Thank you for the info you given, I might have to cancel my order. Brian
