If you really want a cheap RF system use these, period. The TX and RX will cost you $5 each, a total of 10 bucks. DO NOT pay any attention to any of the comments you see anywhere that say they don't work. RF master Frits has devised a super-simple system that is 100% fool-proof. I am using a similar set in Walter and my clean data transfer is around 98%. There is nothing to program, no x-bee crap -nothing. What you put into one, comes out the other, period. Using simple serial-out and serial-in commands you can send an unlimited amount of data at speeds fast enough to use for real-time RC control, or anything for that matter. The link above is for a sparkfun RX unit (there should be a link from there for the TX) and sparkfun sells the same unit in 3 different frequencies but really, if you are sending serial commands, you can have as many receivers as you want and simply have the TX send a "qualifier" before it sends the data so each rx knows if you are talking to him.
Does the transmitter need to be connected to another mcu, or can it be connected to pc (with some circuitry) so that the pc can be used to send commands to the receiver?
The cheapest RF module I know is the RFM12 from Hope Microelectronics. But these modules are very difficult to program. They only have a SPI interface, no UART. Many different types exists with different frequency ranges. The newer RFM12B modules allow max. 3.8V, the older RF12 modules allow max. 5.4V operating voltage. So be carefull what module you get. Here is a good tutorial about the RFM12 modules and an Arduino Library. One module cost about 4-5€.
One other cheap modules are the Bluetooth modules from Rayson, the BTM-11x or the BTM-22x. These modules have an UART interface, so it is very easy to connect it to a microcontroller. You don't need any special initialisation. Disadvantage is, the BT modules need 3V operatiing voltage. One module cost about 12..15€.
@ Thu, 2009-08-13 23:02
Like robotfreak said try
Like robotfreak said try RMF12 from hope they are damn cheap.
I bouth some for about 4 USD / piece just 2 days back . But they are SPI not as simple as connecting UART to Laipac modules.
But yes they can compete with other trancivers around , cool and cheap if you wish to build a swarm.
@ Sat, 2009-08-08 13:56
You could try using DTMF,
@ Wed, 2009-04-08 00:53
aha i took apart my dvd
@ Sun, 2009-04-05 23:38
i was also wondering if
@ Mon, 2009-04-06 10:39
i
@ Sun, 2009-04-05 16:34
Cheap? how 'bout 5 bucks?
If you really want a cheap RF system use these, period. The TX and RX will cost you $5 each, a total of 10 bucks. DO NOT pay any attention to any of the comments you see anywhere that say they don't work. RF master Frits has devised a super-simple system that is 100% fool-proof. I am using a similar set in Walter and my clean data transfer is around 98%. There is nothing to program, no x-bee crap -nothing. What you put into one, comes out the other, period. Using simple serial-out and serial-in commands you can send an unlimited amount of data at speeds fast enough to use for real-time RC control, or anything for that matter. The link above is for a sparkfun RX unit (there should be a link from there for the TX) and sparkfun sells the same unit in 3 different frequencies but really, if you are sending serial commands, you can have as many receivers as you want and simply have the TX send a "qualifier" before it sends the data so each rx knows if you are talking to him.
Buy these!
@ Tue, 2009-08-18 12:47
Does the transmitter need to
@ Sun, 2009-04-05 23:34
thanks they even include a
@ Sat, 2009-04-04 22:17
what do you think about
what do you think about btm-222 modules? they are around 15 bucks and can replace a serial cable with bluetooth I have heard.
Never tried them tough
@ Sat, 2009-04-04 22:18
The cheapest RF module I
The cheapest RF module I know is the RFM12 from Hope Microelectronics. But these modules are very difficult to program. They only have a SPI interface, no UART. Many different types exists with different frequency ranges. The newer RFM12B modules allow max. 3.8V, the older RF12 modules allow max. 5.4V operating voltage. So be carefull what module you get. Here is a good tutorial about the RFM12 modules and an Arduino Library. One module cost about 4-5€.
One other cheap modules are the Bluetooth modules from Rayson, the BTM-11x or the BTM-22x. These modules have an UART interface, so it is very easy to connect it to a microcontroller. You don't need any special initialisation. Disadvantage is, the BT modules need 3V operatiing voltage. One module cost about 12..15€.