FM radios versus AM
10-29-2007, 11:06 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
FM radios versus AM
Hi guys i was wondering why FM radios are better than AM for boats,i have a cpl of nitro trucks with AM radios and have never had any glitches so far and looking at the prices of AM versus FM i can see why people might want to try them.My question is do any of you guys use AM for boats and if so have you had problems,ive seen the suggestions before that AM can have glitches with gas boats and just wondered how true this is as ive seen lots of gas cars come rtr with AM radios as well as do some rtr gas boats.
10-29-2007, 11:49 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Snellville,
GA
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Are you sure they are gas and not nitro??? gas engines run an iignition system on them, which am raido is far more susseptable to interferince from than fm ... that is why most people use fm over am.
10-29-2007, 11:58 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
the trucks ive seen were gas as were the boats,the ignition system shouldnt interfere sureley so long as you run a resistor plug?.I could be wrong but thats my thinking on it,any system will get interference from ignition unless you run a resistor plug i think?.
10-29-2007, 12:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Not wanting to name names but i know of two guys running am on gas boats and no probs so far this is why im asking .If the only interference issues are from the ignition system surely the resistor plug solves that one?,so what are the other issues?.Range seems about the same on my fm and am radios or i at least havent noticed any differences so far.I just wondered if the reason peolpe are saying not to use AM is because of actual problems (proven) experiences etc rather than just because they read it somewhere ?.
10-29-2007, 12:43 PM
#7
RE: FM radios versus AM
I used to run AM radios in my cars and trucks, both indoors and out. The only problem that I had back then was from fluorescent lights at the indoor track as the drivers stand was high up. I still run AM in some of my nitro boats but I'm going FM in my gassers. With the cost of FM radios now getting to be just a little more than AM's, I'd rather play it safe.
When gas boats first appeared on the scene some clubs would not allow them to run for fear of radio interference and loss of control.
When gas boats first appeared on the scene some clubs would not allow them to run for fear of radio interference and loss of control.
10-29-2007, 12:44 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEW PORT RICHEY,
FL
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Having been in the r/c hobby for almost 30 years i can tell without a shdow of a doubt am radios will glitch! the reason you see rtr's of any kind with a am radio is to keep the overall cost down, and to get more people into the hobby. If you take a look at any higher end models even rtr's you will see they come with fm radios, this goes for cars, trucks, buggies, or boats. I raced for several companies when i was younger, and then moved into giant scale planes and helicopters. I would never rish a 150 model nor my 3000 boat on a "AM" radio system trust me it will only take you once to change your mind. I have a jr 10x for my planes and helis, and futaba 3pks for my cars, trucks, buggies, and boats, and never had a single glitch.
.
10-30-2007, 10:30 AM
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
I think the answer you're looking for is fairly clear. Don't run an AM radio in a boat. Range problems, water refraction, interference with a lot of devices. Why put a $1000+ boat in the water with a $50 radio? You can typically get the identical model radio available in FM for a few bucks more.
10-30-2007, 12:18 PM
#11
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: derby,
KS
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
I have ran AM in my boat and had some problems but the other people had
problems to with FM at the same part of the lake
But most of the time I do not.
problems to with FM at the same part of the lake
But most of the time I do not.
10-30-2007, 05:09 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: , NY
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Even with nitro not having a RF generator on board, you still can have a substantial amount of RF interference coming from metallic parts parts vibrating on a boat. This can and will cause problems with AM.
FM is the only way to go with internal combustion engines.
FM is the only way to go with internal combustion engines.
10-30-2007, 07:03 PM
#14
My Feedback: (20)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Myerstown,
PA
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
I'd say your absolute best bet is to lay down the 2 bills to buy a futaba 3pk 2.4GHz FASST system, 200 w/o servos from tower, best radio I have ever owned and for the price you cant beat it...only gripe was for 200 bucks it didnt have a ni-cad pack in it from factory, but its ready to accept one so I just popped in one that I had for a plane radio...but it works flawlessly and response time is great, people complain about lag time on 2.4GHz systems but this one def. doesnt have any...
10-31-2007, 05:04 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Well i decided to stick to fm and ive just got one cheap from fleabay its a himoto racing radio its 2 channel on 27 meg same as i have on a nitro buggy but its FM it should work fine for me i dont really want to spend a fortune on a radio at this moment in time.
10-31-2007, 06:51 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Santa Fe,,
TX
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Hi WATER_BUG. Semper Fi! You hit thr nail on the head! 
ORIGINAL: WATER_BUGG
Having been in the r/c hobby for almost 30 years i can tell without a shdow of a doubt am radios will glitch! the reason you see rtr's of any kind with a am radio is to keep the overall cost down, and to get more people into the hobby. If you take a look at any higher end models even rtr's you will see they come with fm radios, this goes for cars, trucks, buggies, or boats. I raced for several companies when i was younger, and then moved into giant scale planes and helicopters. I would never rish a 150 model nor my 3000 boat on a "AM" radio system trust me it will only take you once to change your mind. I have a jr 10x for my planes and helis, and futaba 3pks for my cars, trucks, buggies, and boats, and never had a single glitch.
Having been in the r/c hobby for almost 30 years i can tell without a shdow of a doubt am radios will glitch! the reason you see rtr's of any kind with a am radio is to keep the overall cost down, and to get more people into the hobby. If you take a look at any higher end models even rtr's you will see they come with fm radios, this goes for cars, trucks, buggies, or boats. I raced for several companies when i was younger, and then moved into giant scale planes and helicopters. I would never rish a 150 model nor my 3000 boat on a "AM" radio system trust me it will only take you once to change your mind. I have a jr 10x for my planes and helis, and futaba 3pks for my cars, trucks, buggies, and boats, and never had a single glitch.
10-31-2007, 07:23 AM
#18
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Broomfield, Co. CO
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Mart, In my GAS boats I use a JR-R1, PCM radio. I'm not takeing any chances with radio interference, I got too much $$ invested in those boats to go on the cheap. On the other hand, in my scale electric Cabin Cruiser, I'm running a 27mhz AM radio. That boat only goes just above walking speed! I guess the choice is yours, huh? Brian
10-31-2007, 07:33 AM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
im currently running a cheap hitech zebra in my seaquel with good results i took it out of my woody but ive since given the woody to my 11 yr old son so thats what i need this one for.i think the one i bought will be fine it came in a gas powered truck but the guy allready had a radio hence the sale its unused apart from a testrun.
10-31-2007, 10:36 AM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: blackpool, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 11,390
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
ORIGINAL: hse32
We think it was a norther radio
It was only one day
We think it was a norther radio
It was only one day
10-31-2007, 11:12 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Uppsala/Ö²egrund, SWEDEN
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: FM radios versus AM
Stop fooling about Martin and just buy this one now for your son.
The range is a million feet, for those concerned with range.
The range is a million feet, for those concerned with range.
