Let's Talk Radios

[nickdepirro]

I want to know what radio gear yacht racers and casual sailboaters are using.

I am more of a offroad car guy, but I just picked up a Kyosho SeaDolphin 770 from Tower as a scratch and dent demo model or whatever, but the futaba transmitter that was supposed to ship with it is nowhere to be found. I tried to get them to give me another radio as a customer service, but they only offered to credit me for what I paid for it- 50 bucks. A pretty good price, but no transmitter. It was supposed to have a Futaba AM- at least I got the receiver and two servos- one is a nice big sail servo.

I looked in my Horizon catalog and the Hitec Ranger III FM looks pretty good, and not too expensive.

I think it would be useful to all of us to get a rough list of what people on this fourm are using currently to sail- and why they picked their gear, of course.

[Doc]

Nick,
Not all, but most radio gear have about the same abilities, electrical characteristics, the biggest difference being in the 'packaging'/style. That assumes you stay roughly in the same $$$ ball-park. The different modes, AM/FM/PCM/etc. have their own plus and minuses, just depends on where you live mostly, and who/what's around that might interfere with you.
Having said all that, it's a lot like the 'Ford'/'Chevy' thing, which do you like the most. Also, what's available locally. (Friends don't let friends drive Dodges!) One of the 'big' name radio systems is probably your best bet. Just like 'Fords'/'Chevys' some radio systems have qwerks of their own. Not really something to worry about particularly, just a not always 100% compatible with other systems sort of thing.
My choice was an AM/27 Mhz Futaba. Available locally, not all that expensive, does what it's supposed to do, as much 'range' as I can use (small ponds, less than perfect eye sight). Is it the most absolute bestest system around? Uh, not really, but it suits me. Would I get another one? Sure, if I didn't find a better deal on something else...
- 'Doc

[skipgall]

you do cars/trucks off road. use the radio you used for the off road. get a set of crystals and put the tx in the radio and the rx in the reciver that came in the boat.
good luck sailing.
wingnut
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[nickdepirro]

I have an M8 from airtronics- a totally awesome radio. One of the best out there. Because I am not a sailboat guy, I am not really sure, but it strikes me that yacht racers use stick radios and powered boat racing is done with a radio like mine.

Is there an advantage to the stick?

My airtronics has massive adjustments that can be made and it can remember numerous models. As long as I remember to switch to "Sailboat" when I put the boat in the water, I will be set. It is FM also, so the signal is better.

How about this? I know many airplane radios allow you to leave the throttle stick in a fixed position once you move it there- no pistol radio allows this. Would this kind of thing be an advantage in a boat: you would not have to hold the sail in position for "throttle" the entire time- more like a real sailboat- you could "tie off" the lines on the sail and relax for a few minutes.

This is what I need to know. I will probably sail my boat with my Airtronics first, but if a stick radio is better for this, eventually I will pick one up.

I have no experience with Hitec, but they are good radios like any other in the price range- it is FM, which for me is a very good thing. I don't know if the throttle stick will snap back when you let go or if it can rest wherever you place it. Anybody know about that detail for this radio or any other?

-n

[RickE]

A stick radio like the FM Hitec Ranger II is a good sailboat unit. The advantage of the sticks is that you'll be using the same type system as all R/C yacht racers and most sport runners as well. The sail control will go on the left stick and rudder on the right, and removing the internal ratchets from the sticks will be good idea to eliminate the glitch you mentioned.

RickE

[blizard05]

I would get an AM radio,that way wou will have extra rx.if you get FM,RX in boat won't work.like Rick said,get stick radio. I have 2 sail boats, 1 hitec-1 futaba both AM both good radios

[skipgall]

the stick with the ratch is good to keep the sail were you want. as you said. the radio you like is the radio you should use. the controls your use to will work. maybe if your racing the ratch needs to be removed this i don't know since i don't race. i don't like the pistal grip, i like stick. i use both AM and FM. my dream is to get a twin stick left side for twin screws. a natical commender or f-14 robby.
wingnut
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[nickdepirro]

I have plenty of FM gear already- and I don't really care about that AM unit that will become orphaned if I switch the boat to FM. FM is way better- a bit more expensive, but the performance is much sweeter and much more accurate when it comes to stray radio signals disrupting your fun.

I have a good grip on the radio thing, its the sailing and stuff related to sailing that I am clueless about. I went up to Zeppelin Hobbies in NJ yesterday because they had some Teflon lines that I used to replace some of the nylon stuff that looked sloppy on my little Kyosho. Nice stuff, that Teflon. Now all my control lines are Teflon- anything that moves is Teflon. I am not going to replace all the lines until some of them break.

I think eventually I will get the Hitec and open it up to disconnect that spring so the stick stays put. Until then, I will try my pistol radio just to get the boat around the pond once or twice. It rained like crazy here for the past two days, so I can even get the boat into the little swamp down the hill from my place. Usually its a bit shallow.

Does anybody know a good source of sailboat hardware? For example, I need some little metal hooks.

[RickE]

Sullivan Products sells both threaded and screw-type small metal hooks that the R/C airplane guys use and they'll work on sailboats too.

Another source is Great Basin Model Yachting at: http://gbmy.com.

RickE

[Doc]

Nick,
Pistol-type or 'stick'-type just depends on what you prefer. There's a thing or two that's inconvenient but either can be used for sailing. The throttle or sail control is nice if it's the ratchet type or stays put when you turn loose of it. I put the sail control and rudder control on one 'stick'. Only need one hand for control, the other for something else (holding a can, actually). I learned on a 'stick' radio so prefer that kind of radio. Doesn't make it 'better' than a pistol-type, just 'better' for me. What brand? Whichever you like the best. 'Pistol' or 'stick'? Same thing, whichever you like the best. How many channels? Five or six dozen sounds good! But, two channels will handle most boats (just depends on how many bells-n-whistles you got). Up to you...
- 'Doc