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-   -   AMB's update of decoder .. MRT transponders will not work (https://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-electronics/688451-ambs-update-decoder-mrt-transponders-will-not-work.html)

Bob Malphurs 03-05-2013 10:35 AM


Originally Posted by Bishop (Post 11893166)
I'll be curious to see how well the various softwares handles the sub number, I know RCM Ultimate has had the sub number function in there some time, so I'm keen to test it with my primary and sub 1 number transponder and see if it does recognize them properly.

Actually RCM has the temp and voltage shown in the transponder log live window you can bring up, but I tested it with a hybrid the day I updated our decoder, and got nothing come up, so I'm also wondering if the hybrids do actually have that info or if something in the race software is not fully working yet.

Just curious...does the RCM software connect to the computer via the serial or the ethernet port of the decoder?

BTW ...RCM are my initals!:D

JimmyG 03-05-2013 11:06 AM

Every hybrid we ran has temp and voltage. We use Alycat for timing, and he had all of that in place to read that information (as an option) over back in December when he got a RC4 decoder.

Carl Giordano 03-05-2013 01:53 PM


Originally Posted by Bob Malphurs (Post 11892954)
So by that your saying you can't wait to spend more money on a clone that may or may not work with future MyLaps decoders?:lol: Do those things have a money back guarantee, or a least disclaimer?:(

No guarantee or disclaimer but its worth every penny as a consumer to pay a premium for convenience. I'd like to have, along with hundreds of other racers one (1) transponder number specific to my needs for everyone of my cars. I've never had a problem with missed laps or reliability from either MRT or AMB, but if the AMB wire is shortened or damaged you're screwed.

If someone at mylaps is listening a value add for consumers would be a program whereby you offer multiple mylap transponders with all the same transponder ID number. As a racer, but someone who prides himself of having the neatest looking wire jobs, having to remember multiple transponder numbers in different chassis where the transponder "number" on the casing may be hidden is not something I'm looking forward to. Also the inability to swap out the existing wire to a gauge of my preference is not attractive.

MRT solved this issue for racers like me who take their building to an extreme. If mylaps had a service to offer I wouldn't be as critical. But the lack of flexibility as a consumer in order to race is BS.

Disappointing that ROAR was so quick to implement the change to its decoder system for national events, I wonder if IFMAR and EFRA are going to follow so quickly.

Carl Giordano 03-05-2013 02:00 PM


Originally Posted by JimmyG (Post 11893162)
You cannot put the new RC4 transponders into the bind port for power. Since it is a 3 wire cord, it works as a bind plug causing the receiver to not work until you unplug it. I put mine in the 3rd channel on my futaba receiver to avoid this issue. The only way to possibly avoid the issue and use the bind port, would be to remove the white wire at the plug, or use the pigtail they give you and plug it directly into your battery. So you would wire it up same way when adding a external bec when attaching to the battery.

Good to know, I will share with my buddy who wanted to toss the new three (3) wire transponder. You can imagine how PO'd we both were having to purchase new transponders only to have problems binding each and every time for a heat. Especially since we never had a problem before had and he ran the older AMB counters. Again... another inconvenience.

Bob Malphurs 03-05-2013 04:25 PM

They do have multi PT's with same numbers only with an added feature of an extra digit at the end for identification. Read about it on their website.

terry.sc 03-05-2013 04:26 PM


Originally Posted by Carl Giordano (Post 11894677)
If someone at mylaps is listening a value add for consumers would be a program whereby you offer multiple mylap transponders with all the same transponder ID number. As a racer, but someone who prides himself of having the neatest looking wire jobs, having to remember multiple transponder numbers in different chassis where the transponder "number" on the casing may be hidden is not something I'm looking forward to.

That will be this offer from Mylaps then.
http://www.mylaps.com/index.php/us_e...op2/rc4_car_id although not sure whether the 'extra number added' means each number is one number longer or whether they all appear as the same number. Unfortunately only available for the new decoder as well.


Disappointing that ROAR was so quick to implement the change to its decoder system for national events, I wonder if IFMAR and EFRA are going to follow so quickly.
EFRA had already done it before ROAR made their announcement.

The non-EFRA European Off Road Series was using the new decoder at their 3rd January meeting, turning up to race was the first a lot of drivers knew about it and had to buy a new transponder from the rather convenient Mylaps stand to take part. At least ROAR has given advance notice of the change.

Ed Anderson 03-05-2013 06:05 PM


Originally Posted by JimmyG (Post 11894079)
Every hybrid we ran has temp and voltage. We use Alycat for timing, and he had all of that in place to read that information (as an option) over back in December when he got a RC4 decoder.

Thanks, I had asked this on another thread if anyone knew the answer... I was't sure if anyone had software yet to see the new features.



Straight from the source as to which transponders work with what decoder... (excluding MRT's)

http://www.mylaps.com/index.php/us_e..._compatibility

Carl Giordano 03-05-2013 07:49 PM


Originally Posted by Bob Malphurs (Post 11895219)
They do have multi PT's with same numbers only with an added feature of an extra digit at the end for identification. Read about it on their website.

yes i did, and still not sure what the extra digit is all about? so if you're limited to seven (7) transponders with an extra digit, are the first digits consistent and last one increased in increments of 1?

unfortunately, it takes a month for a turnaround. something to consider, but still not happy with the wires and inability to modify from the device itself. At this stage makes no difference until someone produces a transponder to work with the new decoder, we're stuck with mylaps. in doing some research about the Company, it appears the RC segment is probably a small portion of the Company's total sales, so their focus on our segment is going to be limited.

Carl Giordano 03-05-2013 07:51 PM


Originally Posted by terry.sc (Post 11895228)
That will be this offer from Mylaps then.
http://www.mylaps.com/index.php/us_e...op2/rc4_car_id although not sure whether the 'extra number added' means each number is one number longer or whether they all appear as the same number. Unfortunately only available for the new decoder as well.

EFRA had already done it before ROAR made their announcement.

The non-EFRA European Off Road Series was using the new decoder at their 3rd January meeting, turning up to race was the first a lot of drivers knew about it and had to buy a new transponder from the rather convenient Mylaps stand to take part. At least ROAR has given advance notice of the change.

now that's unfortunate!

Bishop 03-05-2013 09:25 PM


Originally Posted by Bob Malphurs (Post 11893962)
Just curious...does the RCM software connect to the computer via the serial or the ethernet port of the decoder?

BTW ...RCM are my initals!:D

Either is an option, though I was recommended ethernet works just as well, and is easier, so have always used that, and both the primary and backup computer can access it off the same network.

I just went checking the RCM version history before going to bed last night, and found it just got updated, listed in the updates is the new RC4 field data for the temp and voltage.


Originally Posted by Carl Giordano (Post 11896229)
yes i did, and still not sure what the extra digit is all about? so if you're limited to seven (7) transponders with an extra digit, are the first digits consistent and last one increased in increments of 1?

It's a sub number, first transponder in the group can actually be a hybrid with no sub number, and it gets treated as 00 needing no sub number, after that it goes up to 07, but it's entered in an extra field in race software, not as an extra digit in the main number.

The things we don't know is why only 7 sub numbers?, and will race software pick it up if no sub number is entered and it's a specific sub number transponder, I'm keen to test the later.

Carl Giordano 03-06-2013 06:42 PM

So, I'm so glad to be fortunate enough to not worry about how much money I waste on RC products that are absolutely not neccessary to enjoy this great hobby. I recently was obligated to purchase tow (2) new TC4 transponders to race at a local track that just upgraded... Ok, fine out with the MRT and in with the newest.

Only to find out that the next TCS race in MD is still using the older decoder, so the new TC4 transponders will not work? But my MRT will. How is it that the new transponders won't count in the older system? Be prepared guys to travel with two different transponders going forward. Glad I paid full retail for a new TC4 and didn't trade in my MRT.... My job mylaps.

Team T2C 03-06-2013 06:54 PM


Originally Posted by Carl Giordano (Post 11900373)
So, I'm so glad to be fortunate enough to not worry about how much money I waste on RC products that are absolutely not neccessary to enjoy this great hobby. I recently was obligated to purchase tow (2) new TC4 transponders to race at a local track that just upgraded... Ok, fine out with the MRT and in with the newest.

Only to find out that the next TCS race in MD is still using the older decoder, so the new TC4 transponders will not work? But my MRT will. How is it that the new transponders won't count in the older system? Be prepared guys to travel with two different transponders going forward. Glad I paid full retail for a new TC4 and didn't trade in my MRT.... My job mylaps.

Thats odd i sat in on a conversion last night for all region 2 tracks and we all agreed to switch over asap!

Carl Giordano 03-06-2013 08:18 PM


Originally Posted by Team T2C (Post 11900415)
Thats odd i sat in on a conversion last night for all region 2 tracks and we all agreed to switch over asap!

Check out the post for the upcoming TCS race on the host's site. This is why I've been so critical of mylaps from the beginning, now we'll need to do some investigating before traveling to make certain our equiptment is compatible at a specific track. Frankly, I applaud the track for having to make a decision that may cost them more in the long run but helps its regular customers keep within their racing budgets in the near term. Not everyone is happy about having to go out and replace a piece of hardware that really doesn't need to be replaced.

So WTF, now there is collusion within region 2 to force this down on the racers. I wouldn't have supported this when I was region 2 director. At the end of the day, we may all need to go this route and change over, but the manor in which mylaps has incentivized track owners and mrt owners to redeem a discount in order to advance their product is distasteful.

JimmyG 03-07-2013 06:06 AM


Originally Posted by Ed Anderson (Post 11895742)
Thanks, I had asked this on another thread if anyone knew the answer... I was't sure if anyone had software yet to see the new features.

What was really interesting about the information is, we had the loop setup near a corner. So as you were coming down the straight away, you made a turn. The guys with high end digital servos were pulling some juice to hold that corner. The voltage was coming up 2.1, 2.5. The reason they were pulling that much juice, we run carpet offroad. Servo was struggling to hold the high speed corner.

Bob Malphurs 03-07-2013 06:42 AM


Originally Posted by JimmyG (Post 11901783)
What was really interesting about the information is, we had the loop setup near a corner. So as you were coming down the straight away, you made a turn. The guys with high end digital servos were pulling some juice to hold that corner. The voltage was coming up 2.1, 2.5. The reason they were pulling that much juice, we run carpet offroad. Servo was struggling to hold the high speed corner.

I'm interested in knowing where the best location to read the voltage. Seems there can be several scenarios.

1) Read from the battery or a spare channel slot on the receiver. Will the BEC have an effect?

2) If a receiver pack is used should you use the PT connected to a "Y" connector to read the receiver voltage?

3) Should you use the supplied female adapter and wire straight to main battery to read main battery voltage?

Of course it will depend on if your running electric or nitro.

Any thoughts?


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