Recent synth module comments from:
Gordy:
....a couple of times I hadn't brought my xtals along and I didn't the
luxury of having a clear channel at a contest or slope...and it cost me
planes
Martin:
Those rotary switches on the synth modules are not designed for
continuous use.
****************
AMEN brothers G&M. A while back I switched to the synth module for the
9C for precisely the reason Gordy mentioned. [Wow, it is REALLY
worrisome that I actually agree with Gordy on something :)]. I had been
traveling with multiple modules for the Tx and a bag full of crystals
but even that was a bit limiting on some of my travels. The only time
I've been shot down in the last 20 years was when I couldn't get on a
clear channel last year. I'll admit it was not entirely the other guys
fault - I should have been more pro-active in tracking down the missing
pin that round. However, for those who travel a lot to contests or
fun-flys, having a frequency agile capability is a major asset. It's not
for everyone, and due caution must be exercised to be sure you're on the
frequency you intended. But when it works, it works very well and takes
away one more thing to worry about while you're on the road.
That said, there are problems with some of the current implementations.
Martin's comments are right on the money and the frequency settings on
my module have misfired once already, The solution was to run the dial
one step past where you want and then bring it back. Switch contacts
will be the weak link on the modules with physical settings like this.
Mine hasn't been switched all that often so I was surprised when this
happened a few weeks ago.
The electronic setting (as in the high-end equipment) is a great
improvement but not readily deployable in older platforms. And the Rx
end of the system is not quite as reliable as I'd like (my opinion
only). The demands of DLG put a high premium on weight and size and the
few that might meet this requirement haven't worked out real well in
that environment.
So we're really dealing with a technology in transition, Hopefully the
more automated units such as the 14MZ and some of the Seeker
technologies will evolve into a reliable and affordable package which
will become standardized enough that it will be generally affordable to
most users. It's a bit like the ongoing thread about radio and servo
evolution. Many of the concepts we take for granted now were
experimental and flown only by guys who had a high risk tolerance. I
think we're a little further down the risk path with current synth
capability but hopefully there's more good stuff coming.
- Dave R
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
