Kit advice for a beginner -please

[JWLaRue]

Gene,

......I'm not sure I understand......we're

Gene,

......I'm not sure I understand......we're talking the same equipment that the flyboys and tankers use?

So the standard Futaba gear is what we're talking about. For the Multiplex Evo, try http://www.multiplexusa.com

* note - you may have to get the rf boards converted to ground frequency.

If we're talking about the Polk Tracker III, it can be purchased already on 75MHz......

Am I close?

-Jeff

[tmsmalley]

Matt Spade had a great

Matt Spade had a great set of articles about his ballast system back in 2000 or so. That would be a good "Blast from the past" article as well. It was a nice simple arrangment that didn't require lathes or any special tools. I built one for my Hunley - it was fine until my vent valve shorted out and started a small fire on the disply table when SubRon 6 was doing a demo for the US Sub Vets national convention in Duluth! Not tooooo embarrasing.

Wasn't the fault of the plans, I had been sloppy waterproofing the solenoid. DOH!

[noney]

Jeff, you mentioned that you

Jeff, you mentioned that you replaced your 8UAF with a Multiplexer EVO. I assumed this was a Futaba controller for submarines and was trying to look it up. See, this points out how little I know, but I am learning. I cannot believe how much I have learned about this particular hobby in just two days reading your posts and asking you questions. I stumbled in to submarines when I originally was looking at surface warships and a submarine website came up. That was Monday. I now have a U47 on order and am preparing to buy a controller for it, and I am even thinking about making it a static dive boat. I didn't even know what that was two days ago.

I am going to look at the site you listed. I do know to make sure that the controller is for submarines.

Gene

[JWLaRue]

Gene,

Ahh...got it. That's correct....my original

Gene,

Ahh...got it. That's correct....my original transmitter was a Futaba 8UAF, which hasn't been made for a number of years. (I bought it around 12 years ago!) I replaced it with the Multiplex because I knew that there was a person here in the U.S. that did the conversion from 72MHz to 75MHz.

What you will find is that the selection of radios on ground frequency is very limited for anything over 4 channels. The market just doesn't support it....after all, how many channels do you need for a car or tank? (answer: 2 to 4)

Before the Tracker II (and III) a lot of folks paid to have an air transmitter converted or bought one of the 2 (?) radios that our sub vendors were importing directly as 75MHz systems. (You may see references to Airtronics and of course the F-14)

To my knowledge, the only synthesized system that you can buy that is on 75MHz is the Tracker II/III. There are also one or two folks making synth receivers separate from Polk.....

These days most of the r/c radio vendors are moving rapidly to the 2.4GHz systems as they can be used for both air and ground, have some interesting features like no channel conflicts, dual-pathing of the signal, etc. This is going to have an impact on the availability of 75MHz systems at some point. And for those of us who are interested in r/c subs, we cannot use these new systems as the 2.4GHz signal does not penetrate water.

The upside is that one can find excellent deals on 2nd hand radios from the folks who have moved to the 2.4GHz systems these days!

So....all that aside and hopefully we've not totally confused you in the process.....either go with the Tracker III or find an air radio that you can get converted. (I think this is a U.S. only problem?)

-Jeff

[noney]

I don't want to do

I don't want to do any converting Jeff. Where can I see on-line the Tracker III?

In an earlier post I asked what the difference was between CA and Stablite Express and which was preferred? While I have your attention can you answer that?

Thanks, Gene

[petn7]

Most Futaba radios, old and

Most Futaba radios, old and new, can be used for surface vehicles. However, a 75 MHz (if in the USA) transmitter module will need to be purchased.

I use a Futaba 8UHFS for my subs and boat.

[JWLaRue]

Most Futaba radios, old and

Most Futaba radios, old and new, can be used for surface vehicles. However, a 75 MHz (if in the USA) transmitter module will need to be purchased.

I use a Futaba 8UHFS for my subs and boat.

....that assumes that the/a particular Futaba radio uses a modular rf deck......which is exactly what my original Futaba did! Otherwise the radio itself needs to be tuned by a qualified technician.

-Jeff

[JWLaRue]

I don't want to do

I don't want to do any converting Jeff. Where can I see on-line the Tracker III?

In an earlier post I asked what the difference was between CA and Stablite Express and which was preferred? While I have your attention can you answer that?

Thanks, Gene

Gene,

For build something like the U-47 kit, definitely go with the Stablite. CA doesn't hold up well in long-term exposure to water. I think that CA is also more brittle....less forgiving to the flexing of the hull.

-Jeff

[noney]

Thanks Jeff, I was seriously

Thanks Jeff, I was seriously leaning that way. I am glad you confirmed my thoughts on the Stabilite.

Richard, did you decide yet?

Gene

[bonky]

did i decide?

Thanks Jeff, I was seriously leaning that way. I am glad you confirmed my thoughts on the Stabilite.

Richard, did you decide yet?

Gene

Hi Gene, ...just off to Ireland for 4 days so will have to postpone the decision. I'm tempted by both - so why not buy - both ? (I think I'm joking).

Thanks for asking some of the questions that I had in my mind too.

Will log on Sunday night.

BW

Richard

[KevinMC]

Jeff,

I haven't looked in a

Jeff,

I haven't looked in a while, but there is another option for a synthesized transmitter- Hitec makes a Tx module which they call the Spectra and is (or was) available on 75MHz. It will fit into both Hitec and Futaba radios, and is how I "converted" my (otherwise) aircraft radio for sub use.

KMc

[JWLaRue]

Kevin,

Great find! I like how

Kevin,

Great find! I like how Hitec has the disclaimer that the module isn't certified by the FCC to be used in Futaba radios. ....I think I'll need to get one for my old Futaba! (the rf deck died in it)

-Jeff

[JWLaRue]

I don't want to do

I don't want to do any converting Jeff. Where can I see on-line the Tracker III?

In an earlier post I asked what the difference was between CA and Stablite Express and which was preferred? While I have your attention can you answer that?

Thanks, Gene

The web site for Polk Hobbies (and the Tracker III) is at]http://www.polkshobby.com/index1.html[/url]

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Gene,
CA is an almost

Gene,
CA is an almost instant one part cement (super glue). Stablite Express is a two part cement. It has about a 8 minute work time. Stablite Express is with out question the best cement I have ever used.
It will almost glue anything to anything!! It has only two drawbacks it is very $$$$$$$ and has a very limited shelf life. BD.

[noney]

Hi BigDave, yeah, I've used

Hi BigDave, yeah, I've used CA before, both the thin and thicker stuff. I really did not think it was appropriate for underwater crafts. I have never used the Stabiite Express before so I thought I would purchase an inexpensive plastic model and practice with it. The stablite cost me 26 or 27 dollars and is on order. I am not sure just how much is in the package.

Thanks for the info.

Gene