IOMICA Forum

The issue of telemetey (signals from the boat back to the TX) is going to come up again.

Spektrum DX8 offers four functions including battery voltage, internal temperature and others.

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Prod ... ProdId=DX8

and click on the Telemetry Tab

My reading of the latest version of the class rules that was changed to allow voltage display does not cover this and it would be illegal under IOM class rules. But if the technology is moving in that direction we need to recognize the fact or do we just 'ban' radios which have such technological advancements?

John

Hmmm, interesting topic...
I don't believe banning the technology is the answer. We don't want to restrict what people can buy.

I see no problems with receiving that particular information, as essentially we can to nothing of consequence with it.
Knowing the voltage, or RX temperature has no affect on how we sail the boat. If we could use it to view boatspeed via a GPS unit), heel angle, or an anemometer on the mast (wind speed sensor)for example, I can see how that information can directly influence how you would sail the boat.

It could be written into the rules for example:.... 'telemetry that allows information that may be used by the skipper to improve or alter the sailing characteristics of the boat while underway, shall be prohibited..." or something along those lines........

At the moment, though not that I would do it, there is nothing to stop me putting a GPS unit in the boat to measure speed, and bring it back to shore, read it, and make subsequent adjustments if I wish. But I can't access that info in real time, and that is the difference I believe.....

Cheers,

Pat