Our club use Planet and other supposedly reduced range sets and have never had a problem with range.

It may be more of a problem with model planes where it is more likely the model will require greater range but for most model boats the model would be beyond visual control long before the tx range was reached.

It is important that the rx installation is correct with the aerial above the water line and not shielded by any metal objects, also the motor and electrical gear should be suppressed and the heavy current wiring routed away from the radio wiring.

Very fast electric models should have a full spec radio as loss of control could pose a H&S risk.

zippot - if you are near the Model Boat Convention, at Haydock Park, is at the end of the month and their bring and buy section may provide you with a cheap 40Mhz rx.

Dave

HI Guy's
Been following this blog, if you require something decent and can splash a bit of cash, go for Multiplex, awesome kit, never had a failure, reliable, no problem with range and if you pick the digital kit no need for Xtal's, dial in what you want and it stays till you change, been running this make for over 20 years.
Regards to you all, Pete D.

If your running fast boats then I agree go for futaba etc. The top manufacturers have enviable reputations.

if on the other hand your running scale type where if you lose radio link its no big deal the wind will eventually bring your model to shore if there is no other help.

The planet gear seems to have a good reputation and excellent reviews, if you accept the reduced range ( app 100yds).

At £70 for a 7 function Tx/Rx I see no downside.

NB/ Howes price for 7 function is £79:99

Cornwall £64:99 same setup

I did see a post somewhere re the 40Mhz/35Mhz from someone who worked at Futaba. I have tried it and never had any bother to be honest range wise.

Another reason for going to 2.4Ghz is less interference from other users or electrical noise from the motor or speed controller.

You can pick up Planet RC systems from Ebay or Howes Models sometimes a little lower than Cornwall model Boats. That said though the customer service at Cornwall MB is excellent. Personally I would go with a more known manufacturer such as Futaba, Spektrum, JR, Graupner etc if you feel you will get the bug and continue with modelling

the planet 7 function ( pedantic I know but it is functions not channels) Tx/Rx set can be bought for £60-£70 2.4GHz so no xtals to worry about

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/P7710212.html

I have never tried BUT I suspect putting a 40MHz xtal into a 35MHz receiver would at best give a much reduced range.

NB/ I have no connection with the company mentioned I just use them to order my stuff.

Don't bother, just look for a 35mhz but put a 40mhz crystal in it. The receivers are exactly the same just with different badges on them, it is the crystal that
Is different. Plenty 35mhz on ebay. However you can pick up a 2.4ghz set so cheaply nowadays it will probably cost you more to buy a receiver and crystals than it will to buy than a complete 2.4ghz set without servos or batteries

Good luck with your search for a 6 channel Futaba AM 40Mhz receiver. Many are switching to new 2.4Ghz equipment so you may find someone who has what you want.
A few years ago I used to source 40Mhz rx from e-bay and you may find what you are looking for at a reasonable price. Many of the model shows have bring and buy and this could provide a source.
Cheers
Dave

it has 6 channels I have done what you suggested with another boat I know most people havw gone over to 2.4 ghz me to but thought someone may have a older type receiver laid about that I could use.

Ok so we can assume it is a 40Mhz AM transmitter. I should have asked how many channels the TX supports. The basic sets were two channel with the right stick moving vertical and the left moving horizontal but the direction could be the other way round. if the stick moves in both a horizontal and vertical direction then it is a four channel set and if there are other knobs and switched this could expand the set to even more channels.
Depending on your set you will need either a two, four or more channel receiver for 40Mhz AM plus a set of Futaba crystals.

The cost of buying is going to be nearly as expensive a a cheap system at 2.4GHz and I suggest you consider exploring this option. if you look on the Howes website you can price Futaba receivers and crystals and then compare their cheap 2.4Ghz offerings. if you were to ring you will find them both knowledgeable and helpful and it just may help you avoid a costly mistake.
Also you can only operate one crystal frequency at a time so if another modeller is using your frequency you have to swop crystals or wait. 2.4Ghz eliminates this problem and cost so is well worth considering.

A picture of your Tx would help as Futaba have been making sets for a long time and some of the earlier sets were not compatible with the more recent equipment.
Hope this helps and good luck with your search
Dave

HI I have checked and the transmitter is a Am transmitter with either 27 29 40 41 72 or 75 mhz it does have one 40.695 mhz crystal in it but is missing the receiver.
If I get a futaba receiver that takes any of these crystals do I just need two of the same crystals to be able to work the thing
Thanks Dave

HI Welcome to the site
I assume you mean 40Mhz not 40ghz in which case is this am AM or FM set? if you can find any markings on the Tx it should say which type.
cheers
Dave