I've been on 2.4 since September. No problems. Flew on 2.4 at the Visalia contest and everything worked perfect (JR9303). I plan on flying the F3J world champs next year on 2.4. I guess that means I'm sold on the technology. I think I'll be posting some VHF stuff for sale soon (real cheap).
One point does need to be made and that is the receiver installation will impact the range performance. For this reason, it is important to read the instructions and to carefully range check a new installation (and periodically double check it). There is a small "glitch counter" that records the lost "frames" of information during a particular flight. Actually, the receiver itself records the performance data and the "counter" just reads the info. You can improve your receiver installation and see data from not only the main receiver, but the aux receivers as well. I've seen at least one, (slightly problematic) installation that was improved big time by just moving the aux Rx a couple inches to a new location. I've been flying the 2.4 in a Zenith 3.7 It has a CF fuse with a fiberglass nose. I helped "the other Joe" (Joe Rodriguez) install a 2.4 receiver in his Artemis Light for the Visalia contest. It has a full CF fuse, so we poked the main Rx antanna out each side of the fuse (they stick out about an inch on each side) and mounted the aux Rx behind the flap servo since the wing has a fiberglass skin (not a CF skin). The only CF in the wing is the spar (which could block it from the front, but then the fuse antenna would still pick up the signal). No problems. None. He also flies it in a Zenith. The aux (satellite) receiver is important. It actually does most of the reception work if you can get it away from the rest of the radio. If you're flying a plane with CF, I'd recommend the 9 series receiver with the satellite receiver. You can actually plug in two aux receivers instead of just one. I'll probably do that. Not that I've had any problems, but just as a warm fuzzy. They hardly weigh anything, so why not? Have you ever been to Visalia on a friday with the chaos and everyone shooting each other down? Imagine that not being a problem with 2.4? Imagine contests that no longer need TX impounds, frequency pins or a matrix that takes frequencies into account (and the manpower needed to deal with all that)? 2.4 is here to stay. Start learning about it and talking with those who use it. I think you'll find that it works. Make the switch when you're comfortable or looking for your next radio. Fly it in your "beater" airplane to gain confidence (if it range checks good, it will work. So, I didn't have any worries about testing it in my primary contest ship). If anyone has any horror stories, post them along with all the details. I think you'll find nearly all the problems to be installation or operator errors. I'm assuming everyone is talking about the JR/Spektrum equipment. There are other manufacturers of 2.4/0.9/non VHF equipment. I haven't tried them, so I can't comment. The only thing I do know about them at the moment is that not all of "their" stuff works.....yet. When picking out your next radio, look at what everyone else is flying. Hope these comments help Ben Clerx ************************************** Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
