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General Notes
Radio controlled models are a great source of pleasure. Unfortunately, they can
also pose a potential hazard if not operated and maintained properly. It is imperative
to install your radio control system correctly. Additionally, your level of operating
competency must be high enough to ensure you are able to control your model under
all conditions. If you are a newcomer to radio controlled models, please seek help
from an experienced modeler or your local hobby shop.
Safety Points to Obey for Modelers
Ensure your batteries (both transmitter and receiver) have been properly
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charged for your model.
Check all servos and their connections prior to each run.
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Do not operate your model near spectators, parking areas or any other area
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that could result in injury to people or damage of property.
Do not operate your model during adverse weather conditions. Poor visibility
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can cause disorientation and loss of control of your model.
Do not point the transmitter antenna directly toward the model. The radiation
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pattern from the tip of the antenna is inherently low.
Do not take chances. If at any time during the operation of your model you
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observe any erratic or abnormal operation, immediately stop operation of your
model until the cause of the problem has been ascertained and corrected.
Safety can never be taken lightly.
Tips on Using 2.4GHz Systems
Your Spektrum Marine equipped 2.4GHz system is intuitive to operate, functioning
nearly identically to FM systems. Following are a few common questions from
customers.
1. Q: Which do I turn on first, the transmitter or the receiver?
A: It doesn’t matter, although it is suggested to turn the transmitter on first. If
the receiver is turned on first, all channels will be driven to the failsafe
position set during binding. When the transmitter is then turned on the transmit-
ter scans the 2.4GHz band and acquires two open channels. Then the receiver
that was previously bound to the transmitter scans the band and finds the GUID
(Globally Unique Identifier code) stored during binding. The system then con-
nects and operates normally. If the transmitter is turned on first, the transmitter
scans the 2.4GHz band and acquires two open channels. When the receiver is
turned on, the receiver scans the 2.4GHz band looking for the previously stored
GUID. When it locates the specific GUID code and confirms uncorrupted repeat-
able packet information, the system connects and normal operation takes
place. Typically this takes 2 to 6 seconds.
2. Q: Sometimes the system takes longer to connect and sometimes it doesn’t
connect at all. Why?
A. In order for the system to connect (after the receiver is bound), the receiver
must receive a large number of continuous (one after the other) uninterrupted
perfect packets from the transmitter. This process is purposely critical of the
environment ensuring that it’s safe to fly when the system does connect. If the
transmitter is too close to the receiver (less than 4 feet) or if the transmitter
is located near metal objects (inside or around a pit trailer, metal transmitter
case, the bed of a truck, the top of a metal work bench, etc.) connection will
take longer. In some cases connection will not occur as the system is
receiving reflected 2.4GHz energy from itself and is interpreting this as un-
friendly noise. Moving the system away from metal objects or moving the trans-
mitter away from the receiver and powering the system up again will cause
a connection to occur. This only happens during the initial connection. Once
connected the system is locked, and should a loss of signal occur
(failsafe), the system connects immediately (4ms) when signal is regained.
3. Q: I’ve heard that the Spektrum system is less tolerant of low voltage.
Is this correct?
A: All Spektrum receivers have an operational voltage range of 3.5 to 9 volts.
With most systems this is not a problem as in fact most servos cease to oper-
ate at around 3.8 volts. When using multiple high-current draw servos with a
single or inadequate battery/power source, heavy momentary loads can cause
the voltage to dip below this 3.5-volt threshold causing the entire system (ser-
vos and receiver) to brown out. When the voltage drops below the low voltage
threshold (3.5 volts), the receiver must reboot (go through the start up process
of scanning the band and finding the transmitter) and this can take several
seconds.
4. Q: Sometimes my receiver loses its bind and won’t connect, requiring
rebinding. What happens if the bind is lost in use?
A: The receiver will never lose its bind unless it’s instructed to. It’s important
to understand that during the binding process the receiver not only learns the
GUID (code) of the transmitter but the transmitter learns and stores the type of
receiver that it’s bound to.
5. If the system fails to connect, the following more than likely may have
occurred:
• The transmitter is near conductive material (transmitter case, truck bed, etc.)
and the reflected 2.4GHz energy is preventing the system from
connecting. (See #2 on this page)