New to robots and this forum - I have some silly questions

Simon M · Post by **Simon M** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:10 pm

Hello Everyone

I went to the RR event at Guildford with my 5 year old son and saw the Antweights and RazerDave gave me details of this site. I've been spending quite some hours looking through the site an forum and I have a couple of questions which are probably very obvious as I want to build an Antweight.

I'm thinking of purchasing a Hitec Zebra 3 40Mhz FM 3Ch t/x as I just want a simple system an I believe that having three channels will allow me to have a weapon such as a flipper. Is my understanding correct?

Does anyone knwo where to get a Hitech Feather rx, I've searched high and low and can't find one. Are there any other rx's that would suit?

Finally as a total nubie, I'm going to document the build and set up a site under http://www.teamfunmonkey.com/ in the next few weeks, so you can all laugh at my efforts

Thanks again

Simon

peterwaller · Post by **peterwaller** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:07 pm

Welcome to the forum and don't worry about question you think are silly we all went through a steep learning curve when we started. Three channels is certainly enough for virtually all antweight robots and Hitec are certainly a good make but I am not sure if the feather receiver is still available. Personally I would go for the Spektrum DX5e for an entry level radio. It is probably a bit more expensive at about ?70 for Tx and Rx without servo's but the 2.4 Ghz systems are far superior to 40Mz and you don't have to worry about crystal and frequency clashes. Out of interest if you look in the events section you will see we have had an event in Richmond which is just up the road from you and there should be another there in September so you could have a very local event to try out your new ant if its ready.

Simon M · Post by **Simon M** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:26 pm

Peter

Thanks for the reply.

I will certainly have a robt ready for September as my son is anxious to play and I'm very excited by this. It just goes to show that men may age, but we never grow up!

Edit: I have found the Spektrum from SMC

See: http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sh ... p?id=28871

What receiver should I buy and will this run off of a 6V battery?

Again, sorry for being thick, but I really don't want to get this TX/RX setup wrong.

Cheers

Simon

muchalucha · Post by **muchalucha** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:34 pm

if you have any questions about the zebra systems , i have xactly the same one , i can tell you depending on which model receiver you get , it will weigh 5-6 G with no case , they are a fantastic system with good rango and it has a mixer built in (something you will need for n antweight that would otherwise cost you ?10 - 15 ) i highly recomend them

Simon M · Post by **Simon M** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:59 pm

muchalucha wrote:if you have any questions about the zebra systems , i have xactly the same one , i can tell you depending on which model receiver you get , it will weigh 5-6 G with no case , they are a fantastic system with good rango and it has a mixer built in (something you will need for n antweight that would otherwise cost you ?10 - 15 ) i highly recomend them

Cheers for the reply.

What receiver are you using?

James · Post by **James** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:22 pm

this is the newer version of the hitec feather if you choose to use 40Mhz

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sh ... sp?id=5620

there are smaller/lighter recievers around if you look for them, but i use these and they seem to be qute good for 7.9g

muchalucha · Post by **muchalucha** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:29 pm

this is the one i got with the zebra system , only mine was black instead of blue. I havent weighed it yet without the case. but the case is quite heavy so wihtout it you could probably get it donw to 13-14 grams , this should be ok for an antweight , and if you de solder the pins , use a micro crystal and enameled wire for the areial, you could probably get it below 10 grams

.

and welcome to the forum btw

heres the link

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sh ... p?id=20546

peterwaller · Post by **peterwaller** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:17 pm

As standard the DX5e comes with the AR500 receiver see below a bit more local for you.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPEKTRUM-DX5e-5-c ... 7C294%3A50
But it will work with any of the DSM2 receivers from Spektrum which includes the AR6100, AR6100e,AR6300.

Simon M · Post by **Simon M** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:19 pm

Okay, I've done it and ordered some kit from SMC. I decided to stick with 40Mhz for now on, although I will no doubt build a second robot and arena so my son can fight and perhaps then, I'll go for a Spektrum.

I couldn't get the Zebra 3, so I opted for the Zebra 4 : http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sh ... p?id=20060

I went with James's recommendation on the receiver as it's so light: http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sh ... sp?id=5620

For the battery, I've gone with Micro 6.0V RX NiMH battery pack at 16g: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0339155260

I bought two batteries and a charger.

I'm just waiting for some 2mm Polycarbonate to make a nice rigid chassis and I'll probably us a drinks bottle for the top and the shape could help it right it's self and I'm just trying to wokr out what type of flipper to make.

I'm going with servos as these look easier, even though I have to mod and I hope to have some SD200's in the next day or so.

Once I have the lot, I'll let you know how the protype goes, but hopefully by the end of next week I'll have something that moves.

Thanks again to everyone for your recommendations.

Simon

peterwaller · Post by **peterwaller** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:29 pm

That sounds like a really sensible and well thought out approach and look forward to seeing you and your son at an event soon.