| Chad,
if you're at all seriously into R/C, you should definately bring your stuff!
Well, it depends how long you plan to stay, but at least for more than 3 months
I suppose you start building boxes for the planes...
1. radio -- do I just need new crystals to fit into the
the German channels? What do I need to do legally
to operate RC radio equipment? Register the radio (like
everything else there :-)?
New crystals won't do. In Germany, there are four legal bands for controlling
models. Any equipment (TX and RX) must have an FTZ certificate and number -
which FUTABA probably has and JR as well, at least on the systems they are
selling here through GRAUPNER.
First band is 27 MHz (all models), it is generally not recommended for planes
because of the CBs. With the FTZ number, there is a general license to use the
system legally for free.
Second band is 35 MHz (airplanes only). The system must have the FTZ number and
must be registered at the Bundespost. License costs DM 50.- for 10 years. Of
course, I haven't been asked for my license ever yet, but you need it for
contests and insurance coverage (insurance will not pay if you don't have the
license for your R/C system).
Third band is 40 MHz. Some channels here are for all kinds of models, some for
surface models only. General license as with 27 MHz, but safer (no CB).
Fourth band is 434 MHz (UHF). It's for all kinds of models, equipment must be
registered for DM 50/10 years. Very rarely seen because expensive with the UHF
technology.
If you have equipment from a brand that is sold here, too, you can probably
just bring your stuff and get a new 35 MHz TX module and a new receiver. That's
what I would recommend. Very far spread these days here is GRAUPNER/JR. They
even have the X-347 in the catalogue here. As far as I can tell, the RF modules
even with the genuine (GRAUPNER design) JR transmitters are compatible to the
US ones. The FTZ certificate belongs to the TX RF module.
FUTABA is available here as well (although they have a bad reputation). The
other big brand in Germany is MULTIPLEX, known in the US probably mostly for
their glider kits. I assume there are not many MULTIPLEX R/C systems around
elsewhere in the world - although they would deserve it.
2. What about places to fly -- what are the laws? Can I just
fly out in a field somewhwre (with property owner permission)
like they do here in Utah? (I am considering living in
Landshut or the area there).
Yes, you can just go out and fly (with property owner permission), and in fact,
that's the only way I do it. If you use combustion engines, you've got to stay
away 1.5 km (about 1 mile) from villages, airports and Naturschutzgebieten
(protected nature areas). To accomplish all of this is virtually impossible.
Even most of the fields don't follow these lines. That's why many have timely
restrictions for glow planes. No problems with gliders or electrics, though.
3. Prices -- what does a radio like the JR x347 cost?
a Futaba Super 7, or a Conquest 4 channel FM? Engines? What
about an OS 46Sf class engine? (Are Austrian HP engines any
good?)
I don't have any prices handy. GRAUPNER still didn't fulfill their promise to
bring out a new catalogue (they carry JR and OS). But from personal
experience: get what you can in the US. Even German made WEBRA engines are
cheaper there! And radios as well. I think it's only worth to consider buying
a radio here if you're into the hi-end stuff. As far as I know, there is
nothing in the US to be compared with GRAUPNER/JR mc-18 or mc-20. And the
MULTIPLEX mc3030 is state of the art as well. But here, we are talking systems
for > DM 1200.- For a good 4 channel system I would expect the price to be
around DM 300.-
Other articles that might be worth looking into here are composite gliders
and electric motors. Superior to ASTRO, but a lot more expensive (but probably
still cheaper than the same are in the US).
For the ordinary stuff, the market in the US is magnitudes bigger, therefore
the prices are unbeatable. I don't know about the new HP engine series, I seem
to recall they were pretty good 10 years ago when I had glow engines, too.
Okay, WEBRA and OS were better names, but HP was fine. Unfortunately, they
were out of business for some years because they had dealt with some denied
country (maybe Libya or so) with ammunition. That's what they really make
their money with (not sure if this is still true or if that business is still
closed). HP means Hirtenberger (name) Patronenfabrik (cartridge plant).
4. Anything else I should know (like what about my cars?)
What cars? R/C cars? No experience here. Or do you want to bring your 'full
scale' car(s)? I'm afraid there is no German R/C car noter around.
Hope this helps some. If you need any further information, don't hesitate to
contact me.
Best regards,
Hartmut
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