With the shortage of 75MHz options on the market, I sourced a couple of radios from a company called VEX Robotics and took a few minutes yesterday to play with them a bit to see how they'd work for our application.
VEX Robotics Website
I tried pairing it to a Sombra Labs SL-8 and it worked like a charm (like... pairing within 2 seconds!) All outputs seem to work well based on my bench test with servos and a speed controller. Cost is only $129 plus shipping.
A perfect solution, perhaps not, but for simple control of all of the major functions of a boat with a couple of spare channels left over... it should work well. If you're in need of one or just want to experiment, get them while they last. Mark Green called them and apparently they have a ton in stock, but they're not being produced any more, so this is a temporary fix for us at best.
Summary from the VEX Robotics website:

This Signal Splitter can be used to drive up to (6) PWM devices, including VEX EDR 2-Wire Motors with a Motor Controller 29 & VEX Servos. Since this device is capable of directly taking the signal output from the VEX EDR Receiver Module and driving motors, it is possible to build robots without a VEX Microcontroller.
VEX Robotics Website
I tried pairing it to a Sombra Labs SL-8 and it worked like a charm (like... pairing within 2 seconds!) All outputs seem to work well based on my bench test with servos and a speed controller. Cost is only $129 plus shipping.
A perfect solution, perhaps not, but for simple control of all of the major functions of a boat with a couple of spare channels left over... it should work well. If you're in need of one or just want to experiment, get them while they last. Mark Green called them and apparently they have a ton in stock, but they're not being produced any more, so this is a temporary fix for us at best.
Summary from the VEX Robotics website:
- This kit includes a VEX EDR 75 Mhz Transmitter and Receiver. It provides the radio control link which allows human operators direct control of a VEX EDR robot. Transmitter is a 6-channel (4-analog, 2-digital) hobby grade FM unit, custom configured for VEX.
- 6 Input Channels (4-analog, 2-digital).
- 75Mhz, multi-frequency via RF crystals. 10 Channels.
- Two transmitters can connect to one robot.
- Multi-configuration with digital trim and channel mixing.
- Includes robot tether port.
- Channel 89, 75.970 MHz
- 8 AA batteries (not included)
- 6 Channels (4 Analog and 2 Digital)
- Analog Channels = 2 potentiometers, each with an X and Y axis.
- Digital Channels = 4 momentary switches (located on the backside)
- Discontinued. Available while supplies last.
This Signal Splitter can be used to drive up to (6) PWM devices, including VEX EDR 2-Wire Motors with a Motor Controller 29 & VEX Servos. Since this device is capable of directly taking the signal output from the VEX EDR Receiver Module and driving motors, it is possible to build robots without a VEX Microcontroller.
- No Programming Needed
- Up to (6) Motors or Servos
- Uses standard VEX EDR 7.2V Batteries
- Discontinued. Available while supplies last.
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