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On
October 20, 2005, Horizon Hobby and Spektrum RC announced the release of a
new 2.4 GHz radio control system utilizing digital spread spectrum (DSS)
technology. This system is
designed for flying smaller park flyer and micro/mini helicopter-type
aircraft. This is exciting technology that we will see integrated
seamlessly into our flying site operations.
It is very important for AMA members to understand that the
operation of this type of system has no effect on the operation of
our other systems operating on 72 MHz. Additionally,
it is very important for members to understand that there is no plan to
phase out the 72 MHz band or any other bands currently authorized for
radio control air and surface models.
It
is our hope and apparently that of Horizon and Spektrum that this use of
the spread spectrum technology will grow within the park flyer, foamie and
micro/mini helicopter ranks with the release of this current system.
This means that those operating that type of aircraft will no
longer have to worry about interfering with flying sites operating
aircraft within the 72 MHz band. They
will be able to fly safely and securely anywhere there is enough room and
permission to use the site has been granted.
Additionally, those flying on 72 MHz at the more traditional flying
sites will not have to worry about those flying with spread spectrum
systems regardless of where they are flying.
It
also appears that the introduction of this system for aircraft (and last
year’s introduction of a surface system) is the beginning of a new era
for radio control. We fully
expect to see systems designed for the operation of all other aspects of
radio control model aircraft to be introduced.
The time frame for additional new systems is not known at this
time. It is reasonable to
expect that most radio control system manufacturers are working on systems
with this technology.
AMA
has been involved with the use of the 2.4 GHz band actively since 2003. At
that time the AMA attorneys who represent us before the FCC helped us
determine whether or not the use of this band, and spread spectrum
technology within this band, was legal for the unlicensed operation of
surface and air models. We
were advised at that time by several manufacturers that they were working
on systems utilizing this band and technology.
In July of this year, AMA published the article Digital
Spread Spectrum, The Story So Far by AMA Frequency
Committee member Dan Williams in Model Aviation. The
article included a sidebar on Milestones in Radio Control written
by me. This is an excellent
primer on DSS. You can access
the article on the web site by clicking the above link.
AMA
has spent several months testing the surface systems released last year.
A new spectrum analyzer was purchased that does a better job of
looking at this technology. AMA
is now involved in testing the new aircraft system. Extensive test flying
and bench testing is planned. AMA’s
purpose in this testing is to gain more knowledge about the operation of
this type of system and impart any knowledge gained to the membership.
Rest
assured AMA will continue to explore this technology and help guide
members as needed in the use of the technology.
Keep an eye on this web site and Model Aviation magazine for
more information. A new
feature article on DSS is planned in the near future. Additionally, I
will continue to publish information as I obtain it in my Technical
Director’s column. As Dan Williams wrote in his first article in July…enjoy
the ride, it’s going to be fun!
—Steve
Kaluf, Technical Director; AMA Frequency Committee Coordinator
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