Sadly, the 29MHz band has fallen out of favour for various reasons and today it is virtually unused on flying fields in Australia. This is a pity as the reasons given for not using the band are completely spurious. The main argument revolves around the frequencies being used for cars which is to some extent true but modern radios are mostly FM and the capture effect of the FM receiver will virtually guarantee that a low power car transmitter will not get through a modern receiver. Also the cars have never used the "Odd" channels and a similar system of "Odds" and "Evens" as legislated on the 36MHz band could be run on 29MHz band to enhance safety.

All of the Silvertone Mark 22 test flying was done on 29MHz, both AM and FM and all of the Silvertone test team fly 29MHz exclusively even today. All of this testing was done on the standard "Even" channels with absolutely no hint of interference.

So come join the laid back few on the 29MHz band and enjoy the luxury of no crowding or waiting for frequencies and absolutely no worries about intermodulation and all of the fun things that concern 36MHz fliers.

The 29MHz keyboard uses the original Imperial grid of 0.1" = 1kHz and is therefore subject to the MAAA ruling which states only 2" keys may used. The range of keys shown in the photograph above being purely for interest sake to demonstrate the enormous strides made in receiver design since the Silvertone keyboards were introduced in 1969. Imagine fronting up with a 4" key today.

Frequency interlock may still be used with this board and the photos below show a 2" 29MHz key fitted with the Interlock plug and then plugged into a Mark 22-A single stick transmitter.

1. All TX operators are issued with a 2" key, one for each transmitter to be used at the field.
2. All keys must be clearly marked with the operator's name and frequency number.
3. It must be clearly understood by EVERY person at the field that the ONLY person allowed to insert, touch or remove any frequency key, into, on or from the keyboard, is the operator of the transmitter associated with that key.
4. It must also be clearly understood by ALL operators that only frequency keys of the correct design and bandwidth are to be inserted into the keyboard. No rolled up bus tickets, bits of stick, cigarette butts etc are to be used.
5. It is recommended that a transmitter pound be set up in an area away from spectators and children and that all transmitters stay in the pound until required for use. This is also the recommended area in which to place the keyboard.
6. Before any transmitter can be turned ON the key for that transmitter must be inserted into the appropriate frequency slot on the keyboard.
7. If it is not possible to insert the key into the keyboard because a key already in the keyboard covers the required slot then the operator must wait until that key has been removed before turning on the transmitter.
8. The transmitter must be switched OFF before the key can be removed. Once the frequency key has been removed it must be replaced on the transmitter (It is usual to hang it on the throttle stick) and the transmitter returned to the transmitter pound. If the transmitter is fitted with Frequency Interlock, the key must be plugged into the Interlock socket as soon as it is removed from the keyboard.