Hi All,
This exact question was raised to me recently. I myself had a futaba 2.4ghz 3pm radio for about 1 week and returned it because of some wording that stated the radios range was like 200ft or something like that (I have been proved wrong on that, but i was going on the directions). We also need to understand this is a forum and the actual rules should be in the rule book for all to see, not a hear say "Ohhh he said this or she said that". As of last season in D4 I would say there is no less than 10% and no more than 20% of the racers are using the 2.4ghz radio (we are the second largest District). I actually was planning on calling futaba and getting the info required to make a proposal for these radio's. Yes there is a Frequency Chart in the (March 2008 rule book Page M-2 Information and Forms) and there is nothing worded that says the system is accepted. Yes the rule book also states (March 2008 page F-4 General Rules of Competition) :
B. Radio Compliance
1. All radio equipment shall be in accordance with rules and regulations of the
communications governing body; i.e. United States shall comply with existing FCC
(Federal Communications Commission) regulations.
2. Frequency flags as approved by IMPBA are mandatory at all times to be displayed
on the transmitters.
The information I was planning on getting from Futaba would be that there radio is compliant with the FCC regulations? I also checked futaba website to see if there radios manuals stated anything to this affect, I didn't see anything that was a for sure, I did find this on page 1 I assume(page wasn't numbered) of the futaba 2.4ghz 3pm radio :
Compliance Information Statement (for U.S.A.)
This device, trade name Futaba Corporation of America, model number R603FF, complies with part
15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
I myself am not sure this is the FCC requirements IMPBA needs. I also found this very interesting reading thru the manual (2.4ghz 3pm page 6 instructions) :
Warning
Prohibited Procedures
Special attention should be paid before turning on the system while other cars are running
or other airplanes are flying because the 2.4GHz RC system could potentially affect
them.
Now that is something that needs to be addressed. Some how I was under the impression that there was No worries with these radios and there is like 1 in a million or so chance of interference.
Like I said i will call and speak with futaba today and hopefully get some documentation emailed to me, and that will be forwarded to the appropriate parties.
*note I did only check the 2.4ghz 3pm radio I figured that I am looking for FCC requirements (this shouldn't be based on the cost of the radio or model). I am also assuming the Spectrum radios are following the same guide lines as the futaba.
All in all I think these points that are mentioned need to be addressed, I am not saying I cant be wrong but this is what I found so far. Please Please prove these points wrong, there is alot of money invested in these radios and really nothing says they are ok to use or a procedure on how they should be treated at the races.
Thank You,
Paul
