So you have started radio sailing and need to get a transmitter sorted out for yourself…

If you have bought a second hand boat, quite likely the previous owner has kept the transmitter and you need a new one. Obviously, if you buy a new boat, you probably want a new transmitter – or did you know you can share one transmitter across a number of boats. (The transmitter manufacturers call this “multiple models”)

So you have selected which transmitter you want, then the online ordering page asks you which “Mode” you want! Drives you mad, doesn’t it!!?? Well, for radio sailing you want Mode 2.

On that photo of a box lid above, you will see it says Mode 2 in the top right hand corner.

So what is all this about??

It’s all about which way around the joysticks are arranged. For Mode 1, the throttle (‘mainsheet’ to you and me) is on the right, with Mode 2 the throttle/mainsheet os on the left. The convention for radio sailing is that we all use “Mode 2″…. mainsheet on the left, rudder on the right. So buy a Mode 2….

This seems true for both Flysky and Futaba transmitters. Why?? I had wondered if it was all about being left handed or right handed, but it doesn’t seem to be that reason. As you have probably twigged, radio sailors are in the minority for using these transmitters. The major applications will be drones, helicopters, planes, gliders, race cars. I think that some of those require the joysticks the other way around. Or as I just learned, combat robots use the sticks the other way around.

If any reader has re-written the manuals for Flysky and Futaba solely for radio sailing, would you donate them to this website? Else, I shall I have to re-write them someday. I was just reading a piece by somebody reading a Flysky manual and he said, “Half of it is in Chinese, and the other half may have well been…”

Anyway – purchase “Mode 2″…..