DF Transmitter

[Barrie Norman]

JasonSeptember 1, 2013 at 7:22 am

Can you tell me what range I can expect from a the transceiver that comes with the Joysway 8805 V2 Dragon Force RG65 Class RC Yacht? Some forums suggest it’s about 20m?

[Barrie Norman]

Tim LongPost authorSeptember 1, 2013 at 3:22 pm

Hi Jason,
Thanks for you question. There are many different factors that affect the range of the supplied rc equipment for the Dragon Force yacht. The main factor is the positioning of the rx within the boat. If you have a Mk1 boat (the one with an eye on the bow for the elastic) then the rx is under the deck between the battery opening and the main deck opening and the aerial is usually quite low down in the boat. The solution is to get the aerial up to deck level somewhere in the centre of the boat and stick it there.
If you have a Mk2 boat then the rx is in the main deck opening and the aerial is stuck to the deck already.
In either case it should offer you much more than 20m of range once the mod is done.
Hope that helps.
Tim

[tony...@elmclose.co.uk]

This Transmitter/Receiver is a superb piece of electronics and mechanical engineering. The electronics are the size of a credit card. The joystick mechanism is tiny and makes other systems outdated.

I had to stop the range test at 100m as woods got in the way. Can anybody sail at this distance?
I think I have discovered why people have been complaining about the range.
The antenna is a thin PCB strip running along the front edge of the casing so you have to hold your transmitter horizontal for max power. My Antenna signal strength tester shows the power from the antenna is similar to my Dx5e provided it was horizontal. The power dropped off as soon as you lifted up the front edge. This makes sense because of the antenna design.

Binding.
Forget the manufacturers instructions. Hold the throttle stick fully up and turn on the transmitter. That's all there is to it.
It does not matter if you turn off the Tx or Rx first. When you turn on the transmitter it reconfigures itself.

You only need to bind the receiver the first time you use it.

Run the receiver aerial along the top of the tray either in a tube or tape it on. Direction does not matter. The actual position of the aerial does not matter as my test have shown that some can work 40mm under water. My two years research into servos, transmitters and receiver is really paying off.

Tony

[Chuck LeMahieu]

I agree Tony we tested the range on our  DFs today, our of the box  with no mods ( believe it was a Mk2 boat) and we had control form about 150M away with no issues..

[David Foster]

It isn't just a matter of how good the radio is. The crucial thing is where the last 3cm of a 2.4 GHz is.

We sometimes sail on a large lake (Windermere - 10 miles by 1 mile) and it can get quite rough. The problem is that unlike 27 & 40 MHz, 2.4 GHz doesn't work under water. Unless your aerial is high up, when the boat is heeled over and in the trough of a wave the aerial is, effectively, under water and the signal can be lost.

I use Spektrum radio with one of their MR200 receivers which have 2 long aerials (one is 20cm and run forwards, just under the deck in a tube, the other is 30cm long and routed to the stern and up the backstay about 12cm) resulting in no range problems.

Whatever the make of receiver, get the tip of the aerial as high as you can and range should then be at its best.

David

[ChewbeeDoo]

I need help the transmitter is blinking green and servos are no longer responding !

anyone as an idea ? 

many thanks  

[David Foster]

Switch off both receiver and transmitter.

Switch on transmitter, then adjust the sheeting trim back to the middle or lower, then switch on the receiver and it should bind.

It's probably a bit of a spin-off from the fact the radio is intended for use in other models and powerboats require it not to work if the throttle isn't closed when the radio is switched on. If the trim had been adjusted (upwards) it can have the effect of stopping it binding as it sees the throttle as being partially open.

Hopefully, that will sort it. It did for me and a couple of others I know who had the same problem.

David

[Richard Baker]

My toggles fall off on occasion. I've pushed onto the rectangular pins as firmly as I dare. Any suggestions , please.
Richard

[David Foster]

I don't use the supplied transmitter, but most people I know have put just a drop of superglue in the slot of the stick and pushed it on again. Seems to do the trick, BUT make sure you only put a single drop as too much might ooze out and stick the whole gimbal up!!

David

[tony...@elmclose.co.uk]

My main sail sheet snapped today in a strong gust. The Dragon sailed beautifully across the lake for 200m. I checked the rudder movement and it worked.

The secret is to point the front of the Joysway transmitter directly at the boat. If you tilt it up or down you loose range rapidly. The direction of the antenna is not that important however I glue a cotton bud stick to the top of the servo tray running fore/aft. I checked the antenna strength against a Specktrum Dx5 and they were similar.

If you take the Joysway transmitter apart you will find the electronics are no bigger than a credit card. The joysticks are built directly on the board. This is why it is so small and light.

Tony