What You Need To Know About Receivers

[pattern14]

Originally Posted by ONETENOR

I asked a few days ago about converting Txs/Rxs from whatever freq. they are now 35 27 40 .6 etc to 2,4 Ghz. Only suggestion i got was but new kit. Yes that is the obvious solution but expensive. I am om pension so want to avoid undue costs hence my question. Do you have any ideas ed/ Cheers john M. ( onetenor)

There are 2.4 radios and receivers from the big online stores for less than $50.00 that work quite well. I have 3 "Radiolink" 2.4 Tx's that cost that amount, and work better than my $300.00 Hitec or JR 36mhz set ups' ever did.

[AEAJR]

Originally Posted by ONETENOR

I asked a few days ago about converting Txs/Rxs from whatever freq. they are now 35 27 40 .6 etc to 2,4 Ghz. Only suggestion i got was but new kit. Yes that is the obvious solution but expensive. I am om pension so want to avoid undue costs hence my question. Do you have any ideas ed/ Cheers john M. ( onetenor)

If the radio is module based, conversion to 2.4 is very easy. If it is not module based it is still possible but may take more work.

Upgrading your 72 MHz radio to 2.4 GHz –
If you don't fly sailplanes, just ignore that part of the discussion
This applies to most 72 Mhz, 75 MHz, 35 MHz, 40 MHz and others

RC Soaring Digest
Two part series – July and August 2012

Upgrading 72 MH Radios to 2.4 GHz
http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com/pdfs/RCSD-2012/RCSD-2012-07.pdf

Low Cost Radio based on open software
http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com/pdfs/RCSD-2012/RCSD-2012-08.pdf

Receivers, on the other hand can not be converted. But new receivers can be as little as $10 each or as much as $200. Depends on which 2.4 system you go to and what your receiver requirements may be.

There is no reason to change your whole fleet over all at once. I have my main planes switched from 72 MHz to 2.4 Ghz, but a lot of my less frequently used planes are still on 72 MHz and I would have no hesitation flying them on 72 MHz until such time as I decide to move them over to 2.4.

Even if you have to solder in one of the DIY kits to convert your radio, I have seen them implemented with a switch so you can go back and forth between your old frequency and 2.4 GHz.

[A.T.]

Originally Posted by ONETENOR

I asked a few days ago about converting Txs/Rxs from whatever freq. they are now 35 27 40 .6 etc to 2,4 Ghz.
Only suggestion i got was but new kit. Yes that is the obvious solution but expensive.
I am om pension so want to avoid undue costs hence my question.
Do you have any ideas ed/ Cheers john M. ( onetenor)

Hi John, your country of domicile is not shown under your profile.
These forums have multi national posters & readers so the answers can and do vary accordingly,
especially in regard to providing links regarding mail order and even top brand name items common
in one country are often unknown in another country.

Much easier to convert your Tx if a modular unit, most being made to either JR or Futaba/Hitec
measurements and operation will simply plug in.
Receivers are not economic to convert.

Besides the sub sections:
"Transmitter - Convert old Hitec, Futaba, JR, Sanwa, Airtronics to 2.4GHz"
"Transmitter - FAQ - Additions, Adjustments, Mode Change, Clonepacs & Repairs."
with more below
"Radio Systems, Accessories, Alterations and FAQ" at
Alan's Hobby, Model & RC FAQ Web Links

Whilst headed for the Hitec Spectra, the same idea suits dual operation with other brands
- keep old PPM & new 2.4GHz flying same Tx:
. Spectra 2.4GHz Antenna Mast DIY easy install / remove remote mounts for single or multiple antenna on Aurora and other TX.
DIY with photo instructions x 3 examples post#2.

Alan T.

[firemanbill]

I am with the rest, with the cost of todays radios and receivers I don't see why you would want to try converting all the old stuff.

Seems much easier and cheaper just to replace the gear, not to mention all the time savings of trying to convert everything.

Unless you are just into that kind of stuff and like a challenge!

[AEAJR]

Originally Posted by firemanbill

I am with the rest, with the cost of todays radios and receivers I don't see why you would want to try converting all the old stuff.

Seems much easier and cheaper just to replace the gear, not to mention all the time savings of trying to convert everything.

Unless you are just into that kind of stuff and like a challenge!

A lot depends on what you have. Converting a module based unit takes a few seconds. Swapping receivers is the same no matter what you use.

But I would agree that it makes sense to evaluate a new radio system as part of the analysis. The new radios have a lot of capability for very reasonable prices. And they are downright cheap compared to radios of years ago for the functionality you get.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by AEAJR

A lot depends on what you have. Converting a module based unit takes a few seconds. Swapping receivers is the same no matter what you use.

But I would agree that it makes sense to evaluate a new radio system as part of the analysis. The new radios have a lot of capability for very reasonable prices. And they are downright cheap compared to radios of years ago for the functionality you get.

And, these new receivers are far more reliable than the stuff used 20 years or so ago. A lot of this improvement can be directly traced to the surface mounting technology used in the 2.4 Ghz RC radios along with the Cellphones, Ipads, Ipods, USB memory sticks and on and on.

[Rodneh]

You can replace the RF section in an older receiver and retain the encodeing hardware/electronics to modulate a new 2.4GHz RF. There are several different brands of RF modules that you can purchase to do this. Just do a little surfing on the web for the different sources along with their specifications. I will cost you in the neighborhood of 20 to 30 $ for the module. Of course you must then get a compatible receiver for that brand of module. Other brands are available but I know the FrSky equipment works well.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Rodneh

You can replace the RF section in an older receiver and retain the encodeing hardware/electronics to modulate a new 2.4GHz RF. .

Just to clarify

Did you mean transmitter??

[AEAJR]

Friends,

I would really prefer we don't turn this into an engineering debate. The topic is What You Need to Know About Receivers. That doesn't include how to reengineer them.

OK?

[pattern14]

Originally Posted by AEAJR

Friends,

I would really prefer we don't turn this into an engineering debate. The topic is What You Need to Know About Receivers. That doesn't include how to reengineer them.

OK?

Maybe you could re=label the title 'What you need to know about recievers except anything too technical" The original poster was only trying to figure out some way of converting his existing gear inexpensively, and so people responded accordingly. if the subject matter went off on a bit of a tangent, it still retained relevance to the enquiry. I, for one, found the tech advice valuable and interesting My personal input was to circumvent the issue and simply go with the very inexpensive and affordable new 2.4 gear being offered. If others wanted to offer advice about conversion, everyone benefits. No knowledge is wasted