2.4 ghz over 72 mhz radio systems

by todd winter
(marion kansas)

I'v been flying off and on for 18 years, but never have had an electric plane yet. So I bought a great planes 330 extra and used a brushless turnigy motor.

I headed out to the field and started its maiden flight. I was flying at half throttle and it just cruised right along. Then I decided to give it full throttle and that's when I lost control.

I lost radio signal with the plane and down she went. When I went over to the plane every thing was working fine. I know I wasn't out of range because I was about 30 feet from the plane when I lost control.

I was told to buy a 2.4 g radio system, but I was using a 72mh jr radio. Is that the problem? I had someone tell me that all the electronic will mess with my older radio signals.

Is that right?

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2.4 ghz over 72 mhz radio systems

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new plane
by: Anonymous

I would suspect a battery problem. everything worked at half throttle. when you put a heavy load on the system (full throttle),the voltage sagged to a low level and the plane lost control.

2.4 ghz over 72 mhz radio systems
by: todd winter

thanks for the info. I'm not going to repair this one, because it is too easy to just go buy a new one for $110. There are still a lot of good parts off this plane though. The wings and back are still good, but the rest is now toothpics.

how is the plane?
by: Matt

How is your plane? Is it repairable?

Shot Down?
by: wayne carter boonville indiana.

sounds like you got shot down dude from someone who got on your same channel.

Not exactly true...
by: Matt

Hi Todd,

No, that is not exactly right.

While 2.4Ghz radio systems are much less prone to interference, people (including myself) use 72Mhz radio systems with electric airplanes all the time with no problems.

Here is an article that explains the difference between 2.4 Ghz and 72 Mhz

Is it possible that someone else turned on their radio on your frequency? This would not affect a 2.4Ghz system, but is devastating with a 72Mhz.

It is completely true that 72mhz systems may encounter some interference with esc, motors, etc, and 2.4 Ghz will not. But I've never heard of complete control loss like you are speaking of.

Something else must have happened. Something must have come loose, maybe interference from an outside source. But bottom line is people use 72Mhz systems with electric airplanes all the time.

I hope this helps...

Matt