| When the RC frequency spectrum was first | | | | choice as the packages give you a choice of |
| introduced to provide controlled facilities | | | | only 3 or 4 channels, some FM, some AM. |
| for radio control (RC) modelers, it was | | | | Channel conflicts in a RC park flying |
| limited to a set of just six. These | | | | situation are less common due to the large |
| frequencies were not labeled with channel | | | | number of parks and flying areas available to |
| numbers as they are today, but were | | | | the casual pilot. But if you do invest in a |
| represented by multi-colored flags; purple | | | | park flyer then be aware that there may well |
| white for 72.320 MHz (megahertz), red/white | | | | be other pilots out there in the park using |
| for 72.240 MHz, etc. Having only 6 | | | | the same frequency as you - and that can mean |
| frequencies to choose from was quite | | | | expensive trouble when you lose control of |
| restrictive and meant a lot of RC airplane | | | | your airplane, or even worse if some stranger |
| pilots had to be grounded, waiting to take | | | | accuses you of causing his airplane to crash. |
| their turn on a given frequency. | | | | |
| | | | Second, if you are going for 72 MHz then |
| The RC model airplane frequency spectrum | | | | visit your flying field and find out what |
| today is much broader, consisting of a much | | | | other people are using. Imagine arriving to |
| larger batch of 50 channels in the 72 MHz | | | | your favorite RC model airplane flying field |
| band in the USA, a similar batch in the 35Mhz | | | | only to find someone else already using the |
| band in the UK and other bands according to | | | | channel you have just paid out good money |
| country. In addition, there remain a few 27 | | | | for. Some clubs have rules pertaining to what |
| MHz channels shared across many uses | | | | happens in this situation. As only one pilot |
| including for 'park flyer' model airplanes, | | | | can operate at a time on a given frequency |
| and a handful of other more specialized | | | | this usually means pilots having to switch |
| channels reserved for licensed amateur radio | | | | off and take turns using the frequency - and |
| operators. For convenience, I'm just going | | | | some means of the club controlling the |
| to refer to the 72Mhz band as the band | | | | changeover process either by physically |
| allocated for model airplane use in the USA. | | | | taking control of the transmitter or just |
| You will need to read that as the band | | | | having a procedure written into the club |
| allocated for model airplane use in your own | | | | rules. If you are flying at a busy site that |
| country. | | | | is not a sanctioned flying club with rules |
| | | | and bylaws, you might find yourself sitting |
| So now you've decided to buy your RC model | | | | out and unable to fly for the day. |
| and radio equipment you also need to decide | | | | |
| which radio frequency you are going to | | | | The smartest way to choose an RC frequency |
| operate on. Unlike most other features of | | | | for your radio is to do some legwork first. |
| the sport, choosing a popular channel which | | | | Visit the field where you will do most of |
| is used by lots of other people is not a good | | | | your flying. Investigate what channels are |
| idea. Choosing a standard 72 MHz frequency | | | | already in use and which channels are seldom |
| for your radio can be as simple as going to | | | | used. Finding one that is infrequently used |
| the local hobby store andpurchasing one with | | | | or not used at all will allow you to buy, |
| a standard radio setup. But randomly choosing | | | | secure in the nowledge that you will be able |
| a channel can result in a problem if you | | | | to fly with minimum interruption. |
| don't do a little investigation first. | | | | |
| | | | Third, make sure you can change the frequency |
| Firstly, decide whether you are going to be a | | | | after you have bought the equipment. If you |
| park flyer using 27 MHz or going for a more | | | | take care to check before you buy whether the |
| advanced setup on 72 MHz. The 27 MHz | | | | system will allow you to do a manual crystal |
| channels are primarily dedicated to what are | | | | replacement then if you run into a problem |
| considered "park flyers". These pre-packaged | | | | you can change later to a channel which is |
| systems usually come with everything you need | | | | less busy. Some crystal changes you can do |
| to get up and flying and are intended for the | | | | yourself while others have to go back to the |
| casual flyer that just wants to get out, get | | | | factory to have the work done. Regardless of |
| in the air, and not mess with the higher cost | | | | your current situation, if you already have |
| of a more complex airplane and radio setup. | | | | an RC radio setup, or just thinking about |
| Choosing a RC model airplane park flyer | | | | getting one, doing a little footwork up front |
| package with a pre-set frequency needs little | | | | can go a long way. |
| to no investigation since you have little | | | | |