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