INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Hubertus Model Boat Club Inc (Radio Control Section) To help introduce you to the basic “ins” and “outs” of what to do at  The “LAKE”, the following pages have collected many years of experience of your fellow club members.
The information here is intended to be a helpful guide towards smooth, trouble free operation of your Radio Control Model at the “LAKE”. If in doubt about anything, please ask your fellow Club Members or a Committee Member.  Somewhere in their vast range of experience there will most likely be an answer or a tip toward solving your problem.
The Club operates on a sociable, co-operative basis with very few rules.
Generally, etiquette and decorum can resolve most problems of a non-equipment nature.
Hubertus waterside operating customs are similar to most Remote Control Boat Clubs, evolved  from many years of model operation and functional operating conventions.
The Club exercises Radio Frequency control using a “keyboard” system with pegs or tags.
Models are operated visually, with the operator expected to maintain control, avoiding collisions with other models.
There is NO convention for damages compensation in the event of a Model Collision, whether deliberate or unintentional.
Radio Control sets benefit from over 40 years of Digital Proportional Control development and manufacturing.
Operated following the manufacturers instructions, few radio problems are encountered. However, your radio set MUST be installed and operated following principles well known in the modeling hobbies and be maintained appropriately, with suitable Frequency Control exercised when operating with other radio sets.
Always remember the Radio Control set is a MAN MADE piece of electronics kit that operates on well understood physical principles.  As such, it is possible for the radio set to operate erratically or stop working altogether.  -  “MURPHY’S LAW”: If it can go wrong, it will at some time, is always waiting to strike the unprepared Radio Control Modeler.
Successful Radio Control operation requires both
(1) An operating Radio Control set and Radio LINK.
(2) An operator controlling the model at all times, with visual link and awareness of the model’s orientation with other models and hazards.Failure of either or both will result in loss of control.

EFFECTS OF WATER

Radio Control Model boats operate on water.  However, direct mixing of water and electronics are not usually a happy combination. Care is required to keep them separated!!!!!!
Many construction and design methods are used to keep the inside of your model DRY.
The FRESH WATER in the Hubertus Country Club lake will usually allow a “drowned” radio set to survive if turned “off” promptly and carefully dried out (ask experienced club members how).
However, longer time immersion and exposure to high humidity (e.g. in a leaky boat hull) can create havoc for electronics and corrosion in metal parts of radio control equipment.
SALT WATER  at many sea side Boat Clubs can have devastating effects on poorly waterproofed model boats.
Salt water leaks create havoc in:
     - Electricals and electronics
     - Metal parts - e.g. propeller shafts and rudder
     - Boat physical structure
Careful washing with fresh water at day’s end is suggested for salt water operation.

RADIO FREQUENCY

The Commonwealth Government allocates Radio Spectrum (space) to all users (e.g. Television, Radio, Mobile phones, Radar, Radio Control Modelers).
Radio Control Modelers are allocated Frequency space on the following bands:

NOTE:  Other frequencies are also used overseas, but are NOT LEGAL in Australia. 72 MHz sets from the USA and Europe should not be bought for use in Australia.
The number of operating “slots” varies across the frequency bands. The “slots” are determined by the electronic design of your radio control set.
Today’s “dual conversion” receivers now work with 10khz frequency slots (spacings on the Band).
Some older sets and toyshop style Radio Control toys may not be able to operate with another Radio operating on slots close to them.“Toy shop” models may also be “swamped” by radio signals with many radios operating, even when not close to their frequency.  The “swamped” out of control toy will resume operating as designed when the other radio transmitters are turned off.



OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Radio sets for Model Control are DIGITAL PROPORTIONAL. The control servo moves in PROPORTION, the same amount (or range) as the control stick on the transmitter, providing smooth control of the Model.
NOTE:  Many radio control “toys” are not proportional controlled.  Simpler electronics are used to provide “Bang, bang control - full travel from center to full travel of the control stick.  The smoothness of proportional control is lost, with jerky controls the result.
Radio set electronics are of several types:-

Whilst all sets work well, the different types range in features, resistance to interference, complexity and COST.
More expensive radios offer:-

 Some items causing Radio Control problems:-

KEY BOARD USE

To allow multiple running of models, the keyboard allows FULL use of the allowed radio spectrum. The board has “peg positions” for all legally allowed frequencies on all bands, except 2.4GHz sets which “self select” their operating slots.
To use a frequency (or slot) the radio operator places their “peg” or “tag” (marked with NAME, FREQUENCY AND MODEL DETAILS) on to the key board, reserving the frequency for use.  If the peg or tag position is already in use, the operator must WAIT until the current user is finished and REMOVES their peg or tag from the board, signaling cessation of operation.  THEN the frequency is CLEAR for the next user. In operation, the frequency board allows many models to operate together, eliminating glitching and loss of control due to more than  one transmitter operating on any frequency.



KEYBOARD COURTESY

Never turn on a RADIO TRANSMITTER )even with the aerial down or retracted (collapsed), unless the operating frequency is reserved on the frequency board.
When turning the Tx (transmitter) on, watch for 30 to 60 seconds or so and see IF any control problems suddenly start on the water for other models. If they do, promptly turn off and attempt to solve the problem. The out of control model frequency MAY not have been reserved on the frequency board, or perhaps there is an equipment problem or wrongly labeled radio frequency or crystal.
Turning OFF your radio may help to avoid damage etc., or loss of other models.

-REMEMBER CORRECT START UP AND SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE FOR RADIO USE:

(1)   DOUBLE CHECK Tx has peg or tag on the correct key board frequency.

(2)   Turn Tx on, watch other models for 30 to 60 seconds to ensure your Tx is not causing problems for other models.

(3)    Now, turn on receiver, check correct model operation (all controls) then launch model.

(4)    Shut down involves turning off the receiver BEFORE the transmitter.

(5)    Remove peg or tag from the frequency board promptly, replacing  your peg or tag on the Tx, DOUBLE checking the set is turned off  AND the aerial retracted to storage position.

PLEASE NOTE:  Even with aerial retracted, a Tx left turned on is capable of causing interference - often of an intermittent type due to reduced signal radiation pattern.
NEVER leave models moored or unattended with radio receiver turned ON with controlling transmitter turned OFF.
The model, whilst appearing inoperative, is ready to respond to ANY radio signal its receiver can decode.  Operation can start at ANY time and may be erratic, as well as unexpected.

Other boating clubs use variations of the frequency board.  When visiting other clubs you may be required to:-

At large gatherings, this stops accidental “turn ons” and rigidly controls frequency use.

When visiting other clubs, courtesy requires you to cooperate with their operating conventions for frequency control at the waterside.


RADIO DECORUM
 

Operating alone, or with only a few members, use of your frequency may be for the whole day if you are the sole user.

On busy days, with multiple models on one frequency, some commonsense “sharing” is required, with consideration given to other operators.
A general convention is up to:-
POWERED MODELS - 30 minutes per operator.
Usually more than adequate for powered and electric boats.
Fast models rapidly exhaust attention span and often have only 10 to 15 minutes operating capacity (batteries or fuel).
STEAM MODELS - 60 minutes per operator. Time is required to bring boilers up to pressure and be checked BEFORE time on the water can start - hence the longer time required on the frequency board.
In practice, many models, especially electric and sail powered, can operate continuously for many hours.
 

Be moderate - DON’T “hog” the frequency.  You will rapidly become unpopular with fellow modellers if you weren’t.


WATERSIDE ETIQUETTE

Your fellow club members are mainly hobbyists seeking to enjoy their recreational time at whatever skill level they possess. As many different types of water craft can be at the lake at any one time, consideration of other model types and their operating limitations is essential for a happy modeling experience.
FAST ELECTRIC AND I.C. POWER BOATS are generally operated away from other slower model types which do not handle “wash” well and are unable to take rapid evasive action. To avoid problems, most of the fast boats operate on the southern side of the lake using the 2.4GHz band, thus negating any need for access to the frequency board for frequency control or clashes.
THE “BATTLE GROUP”
boats are required to operate on a closed and secured area due to their pellet firing guns.  The lake is closed to all other users on their operating days to ensure safety.

FACILITIES AT THE LAKE INCLUDE:

On busy days, a wide range of

Facilities and the water can become crowded.  Courtesy and respect may be needed at times to ensure a happy modeling experience for all club members and visitors on such days.
Careful and disciplined use of the frequency control key board is needed to ensure full use of the radio spectrum.  Don’t leave you peg or tag on the board when finished operating and don’t HOG your operating frequency.
Model launching points should be used promptly and cleared to allow use by other modellers.