end of an old friend

[Paul Savage 1568]

I've Just read that next year both the LMA and the BMFA will only be allowing 2.4 ghz equipped models to fly at public shows.

Shakespeare it ain't but here is my response.

Goodbye to 35 meg r/c equipment...

Farewell old friend, you’ve served me well.
But upon your passing I should not dwell.

All those years that we’ve played together.
Flying at Cosford in any weather.

But now you’re finished, or so I’ve just read
There are no more shows for 35 meg.

A sign of the times as progress is made,
You’re no longer wanted at shows, I’m afraid

You won’t be guiding our models anymore
As we have to change them to 2.4.

But don’t be disheartened, it’s worth taking note.
That you may still have a future in a model boat.

Yes, 2.4 has stolen your crown.
So to the pond you go where you'll hopefully drown.

Sooner of later you’ll go to radio heaven.
Just like your predecessors did, on frequency 27.

I wont' lose sleep over a frequency lost.
But converting to 2.4 incurs a hell of a cost.

My models are many and my pennies so few.
I really don't know what best to do.

I place a new radio on my Christmas list.
but I suspect it'll remain just a wish.

So I'll look towards China to help me convert.
My old 388's that still work.

If you have any suggestions to make to me'.
Of available equipment's suitability.

I'm standing by, just waiting for you.
To offer me a suggestion or two.

To stay in the game then I must make the change.
so I'll use equipment within my price range.

It's just LMA orders that I'm trying to obey.
So the search for equipment starts today.



Bumbum... Merry Christmas All.

Anyone out there daft enough to respond in ryhme?????







Paul.

[Andy Boylett]

The thing about 2.4
Is its just better than those before
35 gave us elec lads glitches
Where 2.4 has no hitches
And as I get old
And fly out in the cold
I can rely on my new tranny
With its model match memory

[Tony Collins 1073]

I AM A TX AERIAL, SO LONG AND THIN AND SHY,

AND EVERY TIME THAT I WAS USED I WENT HIGH IN THE SKY.

THE AIRYPLANE THAT I CONTROLLED WAS SOMETIMES VERY BIG

AND WHEN I WENT AND MISBEHAVED A GREAT BIG HOLE IT DIG [ged]

IT REALLY IS A ROTTEN JOB, I WISH I HAD ANOTHER

OR, IF I HAD ONE, I COULD BLAME MY REALLY LITTLE BROTHER

THEN CAME THE DAY WHEN HE WAS BORN AND CAME OUT BY MY SIDE

HE SAID "I CAN DO BETTER" SOME HOPE BRUV I REPLIED.

LETS HAVE A CONTEST THEN HE SAID WE'LL TRY IT AT A SHOW

SO ALL AGREED WE PACKED OUR BOX AND TO MUCH MARCLE WE DID GO.

THE DAY DAWNED BRIGHT THE AIR WAS CALM SO LTTLEUN SAID "LOOK HERE"

HE CAME BACK SMILING , ALL WENT WELL, BUT NOT FOR ME I FEAR
.
I TWISTED AND I TURNED AND WENT HIGHER IN THE SKY

BUT MY EFFORTS WERE JUST SPURNED AND MY BOMBER WENT AWRY.

YOU LOST THE CONTEST LITTLEUN SAID. THEN TO HIM ALL EYES TURNED.

EVEN THOUGH HE WAS A TIDDLER, EVERYONE HAD LEARNED

THAT SIZE IS NOT JUST EVERYTHING- A BIT OF OF OLD FOLK LORE

AND NOW HE'S CHANGE HIS NAME FROM THIRTY FIVE TO TWO POINT FOUR.

[Bob Thompson1894]

I bow to the inevitable with 2.4, but was just wondering- how DID we survive the last thirty years or so of 35mhz, if it is just so inherently dangerous? Seem to remember the same things being said about 27, on which I never had a glitch!

[Paul Savage 1568]

by Bob Thompson1894 » December 17th, 2010, 7:43 am

I bow to the inevitable with 2.4, but was just wondering- how DID we survive the last thirty years or so of 35mhz, if it is just so inherently dangerous? Seem to remember the same things being said about 27, on which I never had a glitch! Bob Thompson1894

I hear what you are saying and have to agree with you Bob. I have also experienced very few problems with my 35 Mz equipment over the past 20 years. But just as video tape players gave way to dvd players which are now giving way to HDD media players, change is as inevitable as it is unstoppable. If it isn't happening already then it's only a matter of time before we're frowned upon by the masses for still using " that old stuff". It happened when 35 meg was first introduced and it'll happen again with the arrival of 2.4.

Since the arrival of the new kid on the block ( 2.4g ) some aspects of the hobby are actually becoming that little bit safer.

Being shot down by someone else turning their radio's on (on the same channel ) should become a thing of the past, which when it comes to public shows, can only be a good thing. The unique broadcasting credentials of 2.4 equipment is also the answer to all show slot controllers dreams ( only those who have undertaken this task can fully appreciate that statement). This is just two of the advantages, there are many more i'm sure.

Unfortunately, the down side of the rapid up take of 2.4 g equipment means that the UK is now being swamped with unwanted but otherwise fully working, full range, 35 Mhz equipment. The laws in place will not stop this glut of R/C equipment from getting into the wrong hands and being used for the wrong purposes. So in a way, the arrival of 2.4g has actually inadvertently increased the risks to those of us ( like myself) who still fly on 35Mhz. In fact, some otherwise responsible flyers who have long since converted to 2.4g are probably unaware that by flogging their old equipment off cheaply or giving it away are probably fueling this growing problem for us. So in the short term at least, especially during this cross over period, I don't think that it is an option anymore, we simply have little choice but to follow the pack and make the change. I guess We're effectively becoming innocent victims of the advancements in technology. Who is to say that in another ten years time someone launches an even better broadcasting system than 2.4GHz. Imagine just how much unwanted equpiment will be available. History really does have a habit of repeating itself. 35 Mhz r/c equipment was a big step forward for us and in itself is not inherrently dangerous. But the combination of the arrival of better equipment resulting in a glut of 35 Mhz radio equipment in addition to human ignorance is creating a danger. I feel that the LMA and BMFA are right to act on this in order to protect us all.

Paul.

[Dave Hayfield]

I suppose that I shouldn't worry about 2.4Ghz systems, all seems to be working well but one thing that does cause me some apprehension is that the frequency is used for just about everything, not just flying models. My car is fairly typical of most and it has at least 4 transmitters at 2.4 working away and as for the number of computers and remote security and switching systems using this band.....the mind boggles!.... I know there is plenty of bandwidth available to accommodate a stack of operations but there will be a finite number of simultaneous transmissions someday. The thing about 35Mhz is that it was our frequency and ours alone and it served me and most of us admirably for many years. Not quite Goodbye old friend, you will still be in use somewhere out there!

[Rob Cavell 529]

Sorry to bring a somewhat sour note to this decision to go 2.4 for all show aircraft but as a 2.4 man since day one of the revolution and long since now committed for all my electric models at least, am I the only one with a rueful smirk on my face about last year’s LMA BAN on 2.4 for show models?
I was outraged at the time of that ban for all of 24hrs, before the decision was almost immediately rescinded. However during those 24hrs it did have the effect of my questioning my membership.

I can’t help wondering if this decision is not a similar knee jerk reaction and if like the admittedly quickly rescinded 2.4 ban, is not a bit premature and hasty.

Personally since I started with my bog standard Spekky system (3 years is it?) I have been totally free of glitches but recently have experienced a couple of crashes due to unquestionable and unexplained loss of radio link.
A couple of my friends have not had crashes but have experienced loss of control or signal which came back after a few seconds.
I am perfectly happy with both the 2.4 technology and equipment I have invested in and would not go back to 35mhz for my electric models but as yet I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it is defiantly more reliable than 35mhz, after all how do I know how many glitches and/ or crashes I would have experienced on 35mhz, if pressed I would err on the side of 2.4 but for me really, the jury is still out.

Last but not least I feel we are somewhat devoid of LMA magazine articles and diagrams of association approved/suggested radio installation layouts for 2.4 if only for example to put straight the closing down of a Forum thread questioning a particular 2.4 installation which seemed to me and my friends to be perfectly legitimate.

Rob Cavell

[Bob Thompson1894]

Got to agree, Rob. A sudden decision, with no information backup. I foresee a number of incidents at shows this year, as pilots grapple with new technology with little info. I also forsee a shortage of pilots/models as those who have complicated setups on 35 decide not to change.....

[Andy Boylett]

I agree with your points re 2.4 reliability. Myself and my son had to change to 2.4 because we were having too many glitches wth our elec planes.We have not had a single glitch in 2 years now. However, we did have one total loss of control resulting in a spectacular crash and LiPo explosion/fire. There have also been other club members who have had total loss of control with 2.4. I have started a discussion under another thread asking about reliability. One question raised is rearding Tx reliability. I actually find the 2.4 receivers (with multiple satelites) so good now that I perosnally think the PowerBox system with dual receivers adds very little. What would however be an excelent addition would be a similr PowerBox system that would allow the use of 2 transmitters so that if one signal is lost the ther an instantly take over. I am looking into this.

[Rob Cavell 529]

Got to agree, Rob. A sudden decision, with no information backup. I foresee a number of incidents at shows this year, as pilots grapple with new technology with little info. I also forsee a shortage of pilots/models as those who have complicated setups on 35 decide not to change.....

I must have my ugly head on Bob because I am somewhat bursting with indignation about it all, and I gave up show flying when 'pigs were little apples' as my old Mum used to say.
Goodness knows what I would think if I had only a single model to convert for the coming season let alone several.
I ask myself why should I care, but unfortunately I do!