Can a cell phone (mobile phone) affect radio?

[renard80]

In the latest copy of a reputable UK model aircraft magazine there's a feature on radio equipment. It includes a reminder that today's airwaves are increasingly "saturated with radio clutter and spurious transmissions from various sources".

The author then says: "Remember that a mobile phone in your pocket, or a poorly maintained battery pack, could be 'the straw that broke the camel's back' in terms of finally pushing your radio beyond its capacity and resulting in a lost or destroyed model'.

(We call 'em mobile phones in the UK. Others know them as cell phones.

I usually have my phone, switched on, in my breast pocket when flying. This, of course, is inches away from the Tx.

I am wondering whether it is a coincidence that since getting a new Smartphone there have been a couple of occasions when my SC has behaved very erratically, not responding correctly to the Tx. My highly experienced guru confirms that there is nothing wrong with the aircraft or my electronics.

Any thoughts from out there? Can a phone mess with our transmissions?

[flydiver]

If so they likely would have been banned (turned off at least) at large air shows some time ago. There are often thousands of $$ in the air, sometimes in a single plane.
Everyone I know has a cell phone in their pocket while flying. Besides, it's receiving unless you are talking and flying at the same time, in which case I think your model is in far more danger than from errant cell waves.

There do seem to be some sites that can have areas that have confirmed signal problems.

[spindeepster]

Feb 3, 2013 1:02:18 GMT 1 flydiver said:

..... unless you are talking and flying at the same time, in which case I think your model is in far more danger than from errant cell waves.....

That made me chuckle!!

[toff]

Theoretically, if you are flying close to a cell mast - yes. The amount of 2.4ghz signals in the air could ( in theory) affect your aircraft. Look at wireless networks - the faster systems are now on 5 ghz, which is less populated. (DSM, DSM2, and DSMX are supposedly channel hopping radio systems (as is FASST, which does jump about frequencies), however in an increasingly saturated band ( even garage door openers are on 2.4!), conflicts can and do occur. I lost a multiplex twinstar to interference, as my site is close to a mast ( less than 250 meters, but, I was using an orange RX, and was at height and distance).
Result - possible interfierence, but also possible crappy RX.
Which is why I now buy sattelites.
Up to you.