| George,
yes, Germany is listening... A buddy here at work used to have Becker
radio equipment and still dreams about it. It is probably among the
best you could buy, but it's VERY expensive, and therefore, rarely seen
even here. I do remember their big ads in the mags of the 1970s, there
are no ads any more, but they are still in the market and from what I
hear, they are still excellent. The friend here is only sometimes
following the notesfile, you might want to contact him via mail. His
name is Reinhard Wolff (KBOMFG::RWOLFF), but is first hand experience
is a few years old. Maybe he knows others who still fly Becker (and
maybe even on 434 MHz). Reinhard is out this week, so don't expect an
answer before next.
I used to own a Multiplex Professional Radio on 434 MHz back in
1978/79. I was happy with it because there usually was noone at the
field in the whole band!! Unfortunately, it had some bugs. First, the
receiver had a problem, probably a bad contact. Just refused to work
one weekend where it had worked fine the weekend before, and there was
no 'incident' in between, just sitting on the shelf. Sent it back to
Multiplex, they claimed to have it repaired, and a few weeks later, I
lost a plane due to the very same failure. Took the receiver apart and
got it working by hitting a coil with a screwdriver! Wrote an angry
letter and got the receiver exchanged and two new servos to compensate
for the loss of the plane. Can't complain over Multiplex service!
Although they should have fixed the problem in the first place.
Some weeks later, the transmitter failed for bad contact of the
crystal (on the ground, fortuinately). The Multiplex was the only
radio on 434 MHz with user-interchangeable crystals. Possibly the
wrong way to go with UHF. Not sure whether the Becker crystals are
soldered in. I got fed up with the radio, and Multiplex exchanged
it for a 35 MHz system that is working ever since.
What I liked about the 434 MHz radio: It had these nice short antennas
(TX, about 10", receiver maybe 16"). No range problems at all, no
'searching for oil' with the TX antenna, no problems to put the RX
antenna into small planes. The receiver was a bit bigger, though, maybe
comparable to todays dual conversion receiver. I liked the system a
lot, if only it had worked reliably. But this was possibly only one of
the first of Multiplex' systems (demo system from our dealer) with some
bugs not sorted out.
Nevertheless, all big brands in Germany (ROBBE/FUTABA, GRAUPNER/JR and
MULTIPLEX) don't carry the 434 MHz systems any more. Maybe it's because
of technical problems, maybe because of low demand (and customer
conservativity). I once heard that most of the new systems had gone
to Berlin because it was a tough place to fly (restricted area and many
modellers). All other bands were full, 434 MHz seemed to be the solution.
It was not. The modellers soon learned the hard way that some East Block
military services used this band. So, it was (at least for big parts of
Germany close to the former border) at least as risky as the other bands.
Don't know about this situation in France. In Germany, the 35 MHz is
restricted for model aircraft use only and is therefore probably as safe
as we can get (there are jerks everywhere that will use anything for
purposes it's not intended for, right?).
So - before you consider using a new (unknown) band, try to find out
what other services are there (or close). And maybe you can get safer
just by using a more conventional band (is there an 'aircraft only'
band in France?) and a better technology (dual conversion). I'm pretty
sure, Becker can help you out in this area as well.
Hope this helps,
Hartmut
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| gruss gott Hartmut,
tks for the info and news.
Yes I agree with your colleague's opinion of Becker radio. I bought
one of the first batch (50) of sets off his production line way back in
1976. Not one failure since when using his equipment.
I have visited him several times to buy bit and pieces and found out
that Horst is a real modeller who built his first radio for a fellow
club member and developed from there. What is sure is that he is first
and foremost a damned good specialist engineer in this field. He sells
a great deal of his equipment professionall e.g. Swiss defence force
etc.
A matter of interest: his servos must be seen and heard to be believed.
They are both Rotary and Linear output, more powerful than any other
equivalent size that I have seen, run bearing and all have metal gears
and pinions (since the start).
If this seems a promotion of Horst Becker's gear.....it is. I would put
his gear up against ANY system worldwide. Its Rolls quality.
Cost is high yes. I was offered a new Rx and Tx (466MHz) for around the
1800DM price. Now if I am not going to be hassled at that frequency, I
am happy since I know that I will continue using his gear for the next
10 - 15 years trouble free. No need to buy new servos, my originals are
still in superb condition.
In France 41MHz is reserved for modellers (aircraft) only. However,
even with double conversion we are very crowded and a lot of us fly in
the 'General Modelling' bands. Hence my research for a safe report in
the 433MHz band. Are there any other French Modellers out there who
read this notes file.
tks for the news and lets keep in touch. I shall contact
your colleague asap.
regards George Frost
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