Strange Building Interference

[tomjkear]

OK, so I have just tested my car in a large carpark not far from my flat. I can now confirm that the car will keep going and stay under control well into the distance, to the point that I can't see it clearly enough to control it.

However...

When I turn the car on in the flat, but without the transmitter turned on, the car is jittering all over the place. I have also discovered that the cars range is not that great when using it in the small carpark just outside the flat. I must be getting some kind of interference in and around the flat.

What kinds of things could be causing this to happen, or do I have dodgy radio gear?

Cheers

[markbt73]

I think your radio gear is fine. AM radio signals are always a little "dirty" and you'll always get the best reception in a wide-open space. If you're close to power lines, fluorescent lights, or anything like that, you'll get a little interference. Futaba makes excellent ratio gear, but there are limits to what a small AM transmitter can do.

The only real way around it is to buy a much more expensive radio, FM or PCM or one of the new FASST ones, but they'll cost at least twice as much as your 2PL.

As for turning on the car without turning on the transmitter, don't. Just don't. The receiver will pick up whatever junk signals are flying around the room and make the servos freak out. If you have a gas car, or an electric car with a mechanical speed controller, this can cause a runaway. So get in the habit of always turning on the transmitter first.

[tomjkear]

I think your radio gear is fine. AM radio signals are always a little "dirty" and you'll always get the best reception in a wide-open space. If you're close to power lines, fluorescent lights, or anything like that, you'll get a little interference. Futaba makes excellent ratio gear, but there are limits to what a small AM transmitter can do.

The only real way around it is to buy a much more expensive radio, FM or PCM or one of the new FASST ones, but they'll cost at least twice as much as your 2PL.

As for turning on the car without turning on the transmitter, don't. Just don't. The receiver will pick up whatever junk signals are flying around the room and make the servos freak out. If you have a gas car, or an electric car with a mechanical speed controller, this can cause a runaway. So get in the habit of always turning on the transmitter first.

Cheers mate. It's replies like that which put me at ease. I'm always a little "sketchy" with new things. Being a student I don't have a lot of spare cash so I'd hate to buy some kit that goes faulty on me soon after purchase.

When I get a chance and a friend to come with me I am going to take the car into some less built up areas.

I would like to join a club but not sure on that one. My ability is not great being new to the game and wouldn't want to embarress myself in front of the "pros".

[ryanbored]

Without a signal from your transmitter the reciever will pick up pretty much anything that transmits a radiowave, and thus move the servo. It's normal, don't worry!