Review: FrSky/FriSky FHSS 2.4GHz RC module/receiver

Your Reviewer

My Credentials
So who's doing this reviewing then?

Well I've been building and flying or driving radio controlled models for over 40 years and during that time I like to think I've built up a reasonable amount of knowledge.

I'm also a qualified electronics engineer who has worked in radio frequency, analog, digital systems and software for more than three decades. In fact I designed and built my first RC set back in 1969.

For the past nine years I've also been involved in the design and manufacture of some rather sophisticated engine technology and UAV flight control systems.

So, chances are I've been there, done that and have a huge pile of tee shirts to prove it.

Right now I'm heavily into 3D flying and enjoy all aspects of the RC hobby. I may be old but I don't feel it.

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Cheap Chinese Engines: Just how good are those cheap Chinese glow and gas engines that sell for half the price of their "brand-name" equivalent? I put several to the test.

Build your own radio gear?: Back in the old days, building your own RC gear was not uncommon and now the arrival of 2.4GHz has made it practical again.

Review: FrSky/FriSky 2.4GHz FHSS module and receiver

VERY, VERY GOOD

Dated: 20 Jan 2010

I've tested a number of Chinese-made 2.4GHz module/receiver combos now and they just seem to be getting better and better. The FrSky 2.4GHz full-time frequency hopping system is no exception.

A few months ago, Chase Wu from FrSky (formerly FriSky) offered to send me a sample system for testing and review. I accepted his kind offer but, as regular RCModelReviews readers will know, the availability of "free stuff" doesn't affect the outcome of any review and I have no intention of keeping the review system anyway -- so here are the honest facts about the FrSky 2.4GHz system.

First Look

The system comes packaged in a simple cardboard box with foam inserts -- much the same as Corona and several other systems. Nothing to get excited about there!

There are modules available for Futaba/Hitec radios and JR systems with the receivers being transmitter-agnostic, working with either.

Also included are some concise but adequately Anglicized instructions that cover the very simple process of installation, binding, range-checking and setting the failsafe.

Unlike some other Chinese systems that simply say "check the range", FrSky actually give you the ability to reduce the transmitter output so that you can range check by walking a sensible distance -- rather than the 1Km+ you'd have to walk to check other systems. That's good!

This system has one of the easiest and most reliable binding procedures of any system tested. Just hold the bind button on the module when powering-up the transmitter then hold the bind button on the receiver when turning that on.

In just a second or so the whole thing was bound -- a piece of cake!

Setting the failsafe was equally as easy -- just hold the sticks where you want them to be when failsafe is invoked and depress the receiver's bind button for 2 seconds. Bingo -- all done and, unlike Corona, the failsafe settings are persistent, being remembered even after the receiver is powered-off.

Available Receivers

FrSky offers two receivers -- an 8-channel unit with two antennas that comes in a hard smoky-gray hard-plastic case and a much smaller 4-channel unit that has a single antenna with a far lighter plastic-wrap case.

The claimed range for the 8-channel is 1.2Kms and the 4-channel is 500m.

The construction of the receivers is pretty much up to scratch, the 8-channel using an almost identical RF deck to that found in many other Chinese-made 2.4GHz RC receivers. This deck has proven to be reliable and robust -- so that's a good thing.

Page 2 (Getting Technical)