Radio Range

[OBX OSE]

I have a shockwave 26 and it runs off by its self after about 100-150ft.I have tried a differnt radio out of a traxxas blast and it still runs off at the same range??The cappacitors are good on new motor.Could this be caused by interferece from the esc?I have run at two different locations and still have the same problem.I have tried different radios and crystals.I have no clue what is goinig on.I appreciate any help iam out of ideas!LOL

[Rex R]

range is dependant on a number of factors...signal strength, signal pattern. make sure the tx antenna is clean(where it screws in) and firmly screwed in, hold the tx with the antenna straight up and down(do not point it at the boat), be sure you have good batteries in the tx.

[OBX OSE]

Thanks for the reply Rex.The boat and tx (transmitter iam guessing)are new.The batteries in tx are new and show full strength on led light.Antenna is screwed in tight and it does not matter what way iam holding the controller it loses control at 150' range.Could i have a bad esc that works intermitantly?I have my blast nautica esc i will try that after work and see if that does anything.I have gotten luky when it has run off for like 6 times no damage but how long can luck hold out?If anyone has any ideas please help.Thanks

[Flying Scotsman]

As Rex has stated it may be a local situation where you run. have you done a range check in a different area? Have you tried an FM system?
Douggie

[ReddyWatts]

Is your boat antenna wire not vertical, slipped down the tube or laying in the hull? I have seen this decrease the distance.

[OBX OSE]

I have tried to run at different locations still have the same problem.The traxxas blast i have run at these locations and never had a problem.The anntena is in the tube vertical about 20" tall.Both radio systems are A.M. i believe. Like i said i have run the blast with no problem in these same locations.I am guessing it could be an inside problem in the proboat transmitter or maybe the ESC.Has anyone had a problem like this in the ESC or should i look elesewhere?Thanks for the replies iam stumped.

[Flying Scotsman]

To eliminate radio problems, replace with a friends fm tx and rx system or even another total am system. If you have the same problem you have an RFI problem. Possibly a bad motor etc.
Douggie

[Darin Jordan]

The boats I've had the used an AM system (AquaCraft ProFisherman, SV27), wouldn't get much more than 150-200ft from the shore before it'd lose radio signal... I swapped out these systems for a good (Hitec) FM RX and used them with my JR radio and never had a problem again...

AM seems to work fine in my Traxxas Stampede, but that's usually running fairly close to me... I would never use an AM radio in a high-performance boat, personally... Just too many glitches and range issues...

I know it's sometimes a tough pill to swallow having to pony up for a new radio... but for about $125.00 or so, you can get yourself a nice multi-model radio setup that will allow you to program 3 or 5 or even 10 models into the radio... then all you have to do is get an RX for each boat programmed... It's money well spent in terms of being trouble free.... Trouble free usually equates to much more FUN times...

[OBX OSE]

Hi ,So the range that my system is getting sounds about right? .I will test both boats this weekend if the weather is descent Could a bad crystal contribute to this.I had never heard that A.m. systems do not work well in boats.I gues i'll look into an FM radio the future. Thanks for the information.

[rcmaster1029]

For not much more you could make the jump to 2.4GHz which I recommend. Better than both AM and FM and the antennas are smaller.

[OBX OSE]

Hello all,I think i found the problem.I tried my proboat transmitter and noticed even at close range the steering servo was glitching like crazy out of the water.I decided to try my traxxas tx and bingo no glitching:).I tried changing the crystal in the proboat tx and still glitching like crazy.So proboat tx must be bad.I can use the taxxas transmitter but when i push throttle stick forward prop turns backwards, and push down on stick it goes forward.I installed the traxxas radio also and still had control reversal problem. Is there a way to change this?Thanks

[Darin Jordan]

.I installed the traxxas radio also and still had control reversal problem. Is there a way to change this?Thanks

I'll have to check when I get home, but I believe that my Traxxas radios have servo reversing on them...

Check on the radio and see if there is a way to reverse the throttle channel... I think it's a switch on the back of the radio...

[rcmaster1029]

There is a switch on the front of the radio at the bottom.

[OBX OSE]

Wow, you are right rcmaster i can't beleive i missed that.lol I was hitting the button to the right of the throttle joystick neutral control switch i guess.I hit the switch on the bottom and it works right now!Thanks rcmaster.This weekend i will test on the water and hopefully it will have better range now!I will post my results this weekend.Maybe proboat will warranty their transmitter without having to send the whole boat back? thanks to everyone for their help!!:)

[rcmaster1029]

I'm glad you got it working, man! I hope it works well for you when you go run it.