| When the RC frequency spectrum was first | | | | a choice of only 3 or 4 channels, some FM, some AM. |
| introduced to provide controlled facilities for radio | | | | Channel conflicts in a RC park flying situation are less |
| control (RC) modelers, it was limited to a set of just | | | | common due to the large number of parks and flying |
| six. These frequencies were not labeled with channel | | | | areas available to the casual pilot. But if you do invest |
| numbers as they are today, but were represented | | | | in a park flyer then be aware that there may well be |
| by multi-colored flags; purple/white for 72.320 MHz | | | | other pilots out there in the park using the same |
| (megahertz), red/white for 72.240 MHz, etc. Having | | | | frequency as you - and that can mean expensive |
| only 6 frequencies to choose from was quite | | | | trouble when you lose control of your airplane, or |
| restrictive and meant a lot of RC airplane pilots had | | | | even worse if some stranger accuses you of causing |
| to be grounded, waiting to take their turn on a given | | | | his airplane to crash. |
| frequency. | | | | Second, if you are going for 72 MHz then visit your |
| The RC model airplane frequency spectrum today is | | | | flying field and find out what other people are using. |
| much broader, consisting of a much larger batch of | | | | Imagine arriving to your favorite RC model airplane |
| 50 channels in the 72 MHz band in the USA, a similar | | | | flying field only to find someone else already using |
| batch in the 35Mhz band in the UK and other bands | | | | the channel you have just paid out good money for. |
| according to country. In addition, there remain a few | | | | Some clubs have rules pertaining to what happens in |
| 27 MHz channels shared across many uses including | | | | this situation. As only one pilot can operate at a time |
| for 'park flyer' model airplanes, and a handful of other | | | | on a given frequency this usually means pilots having |
| more specialized channels reserved for licensed | | | | to switch off and take turns using the frequency - |
| amateur radio operators. For convenience, I'm just | | | | and some means of the club controlling the |
| going to refer to the 72Mhz band as the band | | | | changeover process either by physically taking control |
| allocated for model airplane use in the USA. You will | | | | of the transmitter or just having a procedure written |
| need to read that as the band allocated for model | | | | into the club rules. If you are flying at a busy site |
| airplane use in your own country. | | | | that is not a sanctioned flying club with rules and |
| So now you've decided to buy your RC model and | | | | bylaws, you might find yourself sitting out and unable |
| radio equipment you also need to decide which radio | | | | to fly for the day. |
| frequency you are going to operate on. Unlike most | | | | The smartest way to choose an RC frequency for |
| other features of the sport, choosing a popular | | | | your radio is to do some legwork first. Visit the field |
| channel which is used by lots of other people is not a | | | | where you will do most of your flying. Investigate |
| good idea. Choosing a standard 72 MHz frequency for | | | | what channels are already in use and which channels |
| your radio can be as simple as going to the local | | | | are seldom used. Finding one that is infrequently used |
| hobby store andpurchasing one with a standard radio | | | | or not used at all will allow you to buy, secure in the |
| setup. But randomly choosing a channel can result in a | | | | nowledge that you will be able to fly with minimum |
| problem if you don't do a little investigation first. | | | | interruption. |
| Firstly, decide whether you are going to be a park | | | | Third, make sure you can change the frequency |
| flyer using 27 MHz or going for a more advanced | | | | after you have bought the equipment. If you take |
| setup on 72 MHz. The 27 MHz channels are primarily | | | | care to check before you buy whether the system |
| dedicated to what are considered "park flyers". | | | | will allow you to do a manual crystal replacement |
| These pre-packaged systems usually come with | | | | then if you run into a problem you can change later |
| everything you need to get up and flying and are | | | | to a channel which is less busy. Some crystal changes |
| intended for the casual flyer that just wants to get | | | | you can do yourself while others have to go back to |
| out, get in the air, and not mess with the higher cost | | | | the factory to have the work done. Regardless of |
| of a more complex airplane and radio setup. Choosing | | | | your current situation, if you already have an RC |
| a RC model airplane park flyer package with a | | | | radio setup, or just thinking about getting one, doing |
| pre-set frequency needs little to no investigation | | | | a little footwork up front can go a long way. |
| since you have little choice as the packages give you | | | | |