2.4GHz Explained

Traditional narrow-band RC systems have been around since the birth of radio control modelling. Today's FM/PCM radio control systems operate on anywhere from 27MHz to 72MHz, a relatively tiny percentage of the available radio frequency range. Working like any AM or FM radio, the transmitter sends out a signal that is picked up by the receiver and then sent to the servos. However, just like regular FM broadcast radio, these RC systems require a frequency all to themselves if they're going to avoid interference with each other. What's more, it doesn't take much to disrupt a regular narrow-band signal. A noisy thermostat or electric drill can often cause massive amounts of electrical interference when listening to an AM broadcast and FM isn't always that much better. Clearly this isn't the best situation for controlling a potentially expensive and sometimes dangerous radio controlled model but, with careful channel management, narrow band radio systems have served the RC community well for decades. Spread spectrum technology offers some very clever ways to reduce the effects of interference and allow many different radio sets to operate simultaneously without the need for a frequency crystal. In radio terms, the transmitter uses a wide spread of frequencies to send data to the receiver rather than the very narrow band of frequencies used by the older narrow band RC sets we are used to. Thanks to the way these systems spread their signals thinly across the 2.4GHz band and the way some of them continuously move around the band so as not to clash with other 2.4 signals, it takes a very strong signal to have any interfering effect. Look for the 'Complete with 2.4GHz Radio' logo on many of our top products. If you've never had a glitch with your existing narrow band RC system and have no problems with frequency control at your flying field or track then there's no reason why you should rush out and by a 2.4GHz spread spectrum set. However, if you do live in an area where interference on your existing set is not uncommon then the move to 2.4 might be worthwhile. If you're just starting out in the hobby and don't yet have any RC gear then it probably makes sense to go straight to 2.4GHz. Check out some of the models below that take advantage of 2.4GHz technology.