no more Sombra Labs Receivers

[bigdave]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

BTW The WC-2 is the best of the 9Z series of radios.
It is actually better than the standard 9Z.
Don and Kevin know more about the differences.

[thor]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

Thanks for the help and advice, Dave!

Matt

[JWLaRue]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

I just bought one....now only one left!

Grumble, grumble....

I just received an automated e-mail from eBay informing me that the seller wants to cancel the transaction as there aren't any more in stock. And to allow a refund to occur.

....grumble, grumble...

-Jeff

[thor]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

Jeff,

I got the very same thing! However, he put some non-synth modules up cheap this morning. Those are in stock.


Matt

[Guest]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

Some the current crop of new 2.4ghz transmitters are backwards compatible.

If you want real top end stuff the Jeti DC16 and DS16 have a PPM out allowing the connection of a low frequency module for sub aquatic use.



But if you don't fancy dropping hundreds of dollars on a transmitter (I don't) then you could have look at the Turnigy 9XR http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__ ... dule_.html



$50 for a TX with free mixing, knobs, switches all built in, and open source software, which means it can be adapted for custom requirments. The TX is compatible with many JR format plug-in modules. I dare say with little fettling most other brands woul fit too. it would require minor case modification to fit an external aerial, but at these prices I'd be happy to take a punt on voiding the warranty.

Can't imagine a model submariner would require more than what this offers?

[JWLaRue]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

The Turnigy looks interesting. However, I suspect (i.e. I'm guessing) that modifying the unit to use an antenna to support 75MHz here in the U.S. would run into FCC issues unless one were a licensed/certified Rf technician.

-Jeff

[chips]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

We need the return of Heathkit electronics.

[jonel]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

Having just started into submarines, seeing radio manufacturers discontinuing both 72 and 75 mhz gear and only offering 2.4 gear paints a bleak future. I may be wrong and I hope I am but with no commercial interest in these bands from companies that can influence politicians, I wonder how long it will take the FCC to notice that fact and decide to reallocate these frequencies to the fixed and mobile wireless service or whatever they think is a better use of scare and valuable spectrum.


Jon

[Guest]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

I think the rules are bit stiffer in the US than here in the UK.

[giovanni]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

Some the current crop of new 2.4ghz transmitters are backwards compatible.

If you want real top end stuff the Jeti DC16 and DS16 have a PPM out allowing the connection of a low frequency module for sub aquatic use.



But if you don't fancy dropping hundreds of dollars on a transmitter (I don't) then you could have look at the Turnigy 9XR http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__ ... dule_.html



$50 for a TX with free mixing, knobs, switches all built in, and open source software, which means it can be adapted for custom requirments. The TX is compatible with many JR format plug-in modules. I dare say with little fettling most other brands woul fit too. it would require minor case modification to fit an external aerial, but at these prices I'd be happy to take a punt on voiding the warranty.

Can't imagine a model submariner would require more than what this offers?

This sounds too good to be true!
The Jeti DC-16 can be converted to 75MHz?
Can you explain how it can be?

[JWLaRue]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

This sounds too good to be true!
The Jeti DC-16 can be converted to 75MHz?
Can you explain how it can be?

I spent some time looking at their web site and doing some searching on rcgroups.com today. So far, I *think* the PPM is used for a low data rate telemetry link from the aircraft back to the transmitter? More research is needed...but at $1200 each, I can think of better ways to spend money on radios right now.

But this is an impressive radio system!

-Jeff

[giovanni]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

I think that $1,200.00 is a high retail price and these radios will begin to drop in price by next January. The case is milled out of solid metal and Jeti electronic designs are some of the best.
It will be interesting to find out if the radio can be converted. This would temp me to buy the radio, but I might wait until the price does drop.

[Guest]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

I spent some time looking at their web site and doing some searching on rcgroups.com today. So far, I *think* the PPM is used for a low data rate telemetry link from the aircraft back to the transmitter?

Check out page 21 (22 onthe actual PDF) of the manual, standard PPM out. Hook that into a 75mhz module, and you're good to go.

http://file.espritmodel.com/documents/p ... -dc-16.pdf

I don't know the intracacies of the FCC regs in your country, all sounds a bit barmy to me, I'm pretty sure someone creative could exploit a loop hole to get around it. Would it flout the regs if no mods are made to the transmitter casing I wonder? If so, you could run the aerial externally, not quite so neat, but if it works...

[giovanni]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

I just spoke with an independent RC radio technician and he said that the Jeti DC-16 ppm can be cabled to a 75MHz synthesized transmitter module and it would work. It is illegal for a radio technician to perform the work but if you are hacking yourself not a problem.
Now, where to put the antenna? Maybe use a Graupner whip antenna with a articulated base connector.

[JWLaRue]

Re: no more Sombra Labs Receivers

...an even better question: how would one connect an antenna to this set-up?

-Jeff