I see that As we all know, from 1st January 2011 all featherweights must be run on 2.4GHz transmitters and for some of us, that means our 40MHz units becoming pretty redundant.

I think this is an unfortunate decision which will decrease the chances of newcomers getting involved. If our unique sport is to grow and go forward we need to make it as easy as possible for newcomers to join us. This post is not about me - I have 2.4 GHz equipment and have no problem in complying with this decision - it is about new people trying to decide if they can take the plunge and join us. Restricting equipment to 2.4 GHz is a step toward excluding new people.

For most newcomers everything is challenging and expensive. Free radio gear [27 MHz or 40 MHz] removes an obstacle. We should let them use it, keeping in mind that the first thing most newcomers build is a box with no weapon other than a ramp or a spike.

In the hope of encouraging newcomers I suggest we do the following:

-Agree that if anyone new shows up they will be allowed to operate a featherweight with any sort of radio control, subject to the tech checker agreeing it does not present a hazard, and they will be given 1 year to switch to 2.4 GHz.

-Agree that if anyone new shows up with a robot which passes tech checks [as above] they will be given a 1 year free membership of the FRA.

I would hope that we could apply a common sense interpretation of the above. Existing teams would refrain from presenting one of their members as a 'new' competitor simply because he was not listed on the FRA membership.

We need new competitors. Let's encourage them. If we can all agree on the above we should announce it at competitions to let people know these options are available.