Spread Spectrum Radios!
by Paul Hartley
It looks like 2.4GHz spread spectrum (SS) radios are the wave of the future for RC hobbiests, for both surface vehicles and aircraft.

Spektrum lead the way, being the first to come out with a 2.4GHz spread spectrum surface radio, a limited range park flyer radio (DX6), and full range aircraft radios (DX6i and DX7). JR also has several high-end radios with Spektrum's technology (they are compatible).

Futaba was the next big RC radio company to jump on the SS bandwagon. They now offer 2.4GHz SS modules for their surface radios, and have several aircraft modules and transmitters using the 2.4GHz SS band.

Airtronics has some air and surface radios, and Nomadio lists some surface radios in this band.

Spektrum/JR 2.4GHz SS Radios

Aircraft Radios:

DX6DX6iDX7
Spektrum DX6 (left), DX6i (center), and Spektrum DX7 (right)


JR 9ch TXJR 12ch TX
JR X9303 9ch radio (left) and JR 12X 12ch radio (right)

Futaba ModuleJR Module
Spektrum Modules for Futaba (left) and JR (right) radios

Airtronics Module
Spektrum Module for Airtronics Radios

Surface Radios:
DX2DX3
Spektrum DX2 (left) and DX3 (right)


DX3R side viewDX3R top view
Spektrum DX3R (side and top views)

Futaba 2.4GHz SS Radios

Aircraft Radios:

Futaba 6EX  7C
Futaba 6EX (left) and 7C (right)

10C  12FGA
Futaba 10C (left) and 12FGA (right)
Surface Radios:

3PM3pk module
Futaba 3PM radio (left) and 3PK SS module (right)

Other Brands of 2.4GHz SS Radios

Aircraft Radios:

RDS8000
Airtronics RDS8000


Surface Radios:

SensorReact
Nomadio Sensor (left) and React (right) 4ch radios

MX3
Airtronics MX-3 3ch radio