Spektrum
Home Up Futaba Spektrum

 

Last update, December 16, 2009

 

 

Spektrum was the first introduce the Spread Spectrum radios in the hobby business. In doing so, they have designed a system very different than Futaba and others now emerging from China. They too have not been without issues but the industry is settling down, as the hobbyists have beat up the products and better equipment is the result.

 

The use of the SS band was approached technically in how it seeks and locks onto a secure operating link to the boat. This is for others to chat about. The key thing you notice with Spektrum is that it uses two antenna receiver links to a receiver that manages the onboard operations. This is the heart of their claim that this creates a “bulletproof” RF link in all conditions. What is noticed in further reading is the system can begin the boot up process by powering either the TX or the RX. The system is equipment safe till all components have communicated.

 

The manual does not present the features in a listing but introduces them in the process of programming. It is very detailed in the manual that is in book form with 137 pages. You can get the listings online at their website and are far too long to present here and speaks to RC pilots. The essence is they have what everyone else has just a different slant on it.

 

Also, there are no specifications listed in the manual. I am sure specifics are available somewhere. The TX operates on 4.8vdc and from individual batteries. The four battery compartment is not suited for packs. It has been reported that 2600mA batteries will last all day. The RX system functions on 6.0vdc, as provided by a five pack battery in the packaging.

 

The RX weighs 7.5 grams. It will operate in a range of 3.5vdc and 9.0vdc but has an operational floor of 4.8vdc under load.

 

This is all that is known about the system, as one is not in operation here. It is still in the box awaiting a system board.