advice for RF transmiter/receiver for remote controlled boat project

Projects General Guidance
1

hello ,

i want to build a remote controlled boat which i can use in sea conditions (consider wind, waves etc.., the idea is that i could control the boat (by joistick i guess) from sea shore and that the boat could enter minimum 100 meter into the sea without loosing connectivity . my question is which RF transmitter/receiver i need?, someone can offer a good product , a chip product will do?
i ordered the 5pcs 433Mhz RF transmitter and receiver :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351552385074?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

but i dont know if its strong enough..

thanks

2

How tall is the mast?
How big are the biggest waves?
What is the altitude of the transmitter above sea level?
What are the maritime rules about remote controlled ocean going vessels? (I have no idea.)

3

Depending on country, you can buy very cheap TxRx systems.

In the UK, I picked up a 35Mhz radio for about £25 with the controller and the receiver.

Check what frequencies you are allowed and just buy a suitable system...do not re-invent the wheel.

4

For reliable longer ranges I would use an off-the-shelf Radio Control system. And check the range with the manufacturer.

You don't want to be swimming 100 metres if an Arduino with a wireless system goes out of range.

If you really insist on using an Arduino I suggest using nRF24 wireless transceivers. You can buy high-powered versions with separate antennas. But you should prove the range before relying on it.

Of course radio reliability might be the least of your problems with a small boat in a rough sea.

...R

5

Robin2:
For reliable longer ranges I would use an off-the-shelf Radio Control system. And check the range with the manufacturer.

Agreed.

The little ebay radios linked in the top post are not a good option.

Here's a relatively inexpensive transmitter and receiver.

You can still use an Arduino on the boat. The Arduino can receive the pulses from the receiver.

If you want telemetry back from the boat then you'll likely want to use a different system. There are 900MHz XBee radios with good range. Robin2's suggestion to nRF24 modules is worth exploring. Here's a long range module I thought looked promising. I have a couple of these modules but I haven't tested them yet.

6

DuaneDegn:
Agreed.

The little ebay radios linked in the top post are not a good option.

Here's a relatively inexpensive transmitter and receiver.

You can still use an Arduino on the boat. The Arduino can receive the pulses from the receiver.

If you want telemetry back from the boat then you'll likely want to use a different system. There are 900MHz XBee radios with good range. Robin2's suggestion to nRF24 modules is worth exploring. Here's a long range module I thought looked promising. I have a couple of these modules but I haven't tested them yet.

Well, that can be a nice option .. maybe to put the arduino get commands from the RF receiver is a better way..

Another thing , there is a possibility to make the boat with gps and to order it to come back to shore if its out of range ? ...

7

mikb55:
How tall is the mast?
How big are the biggest waves?
What is the altitude of the transmitter above sea level?
What are the maritime rules about remote controlled ocean going vessels? (I have no idea.)

the boat should carry a small hook connected to the fishing wire from the shore somthing like 70 - 100 meters into the sea and drop it there by command .
its not should be a big deal and the boat will operate only in flat sea .. i'm not gonna get her in when its stormy and wavy of course..

8

snir_gu:
Another thing , there is a possibility to make the boat with gps and to order it to come back to shore if its out of range ?

Yes, that is certainly possible.