adavis

I'm just about to downsize (should that be "right-size"?) to 1/2A - I'm looking for advice on which receiver(s) people find best for lightweight models.

Many Thanks,
=Adrian=

Andrew

Hello Adrian --

Welcome to the world of small airplanes. Your question has been asked several times and there are a number of threads treating receiver choices. I would suggest that you might search the 1/2A forum for "receiver" or "receivers" first, read the responses to get a better idea about what you might want and repost a more specific question about particular equipment. You will find a number of well thought out opinions in the archives.

Yours is a common question and there is a lot of info previously posted -- please don't feel put off by my post as being unhelpful.

Many of us are using Hitec 555's and the Hitec Electron 6, but these are certainly not the only choices available.

Regards,

the "other" Andrew

tiggerinmk

I mostly fly JR but recently bought a Futaba 6XAS. One thing I noticed is that the standard receiver, 124DF?, is quite chunky. The JR receivers R700 & R610 are about half the size, so my 1/2 A Mustang will be flown on JR....

flyinrog

My Feedback: (1)

GWS and the new Great planes, I have one of these but havent tried it yet, but the GWS has been fine for years...Rog

MarkD

I have had excellent results with the FMA Extreme 5 and the FMA M5. The input circuitry of both of these receivers is supposed to tolerate a lot of antenna shortening- the ones flying here are both cut down to about 24-26" in order to be hidden inside the planes. Three seasons so far and not one glitch.

Mark D

zoomzoooie

I am thinking about trying a Berg DSP4. It's about the smallest lightest full range receiver that I can find that will fit in my project but it is a little pricey. The FMA would my other choice. I hear good things about both these receivers.

ZZ

jessiej

I have had good luck (and I need a LOT of luck!) with the JR R7--. It is very similar in size and weight to the Hitec Electron.

PsychTeacher

This is almost like asking "Which is best - redheads, brunettes, or blondes?" I wouldn't touch that one, either. Like others, I have found the Hitec Electron 6 very satisfactory. It is dual conversion, light weight and reliable. Having six channels allows separate aileron servos for differential throws (assumes computer-type transmitter).

The receiver comes with an "armature" for shortening the antenna. This is a fiber device that the antenna wire can be wound around to "shorten" its length: BE SURE TO LAY DOWN TIGHT, PARALLEL WRAPS - DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW THE WRAPS TO CROSS. I have flown almost oos without losing good strong radio command with my TeeDee .020 powered Miss Canada. This radio is not just for small planes. It is entirely suitable for any size model. The local hobby shop here is currently selling the Electron 6 for $48 plus crystal.

Regards

jboy381-RCU

blondes definitely blondes!!!

i like GWS myself,but i'm leaning toward FMA's 5 channel rx...

john

boberos

No Question ,

FMA M5

It has extreme noise rejection. Good for any plane from smallest to 1/4 scale.
I have seen it in action coupled to Kopski's re encoder with a modern galloping ghost system.
It worked where other brands failed.

Bob G

jessiej

[The receiver comes with an "armature" for shortening the antenna. This is a fiber device that the antenna wire can be wound around to "shorten" its length: BE SURE TO LAY DOWN TIGHT, PARALLEL WRAPS ]

Now that's a neat feature! Tell Hitec that you just sold one of their electron's for them. Maybe they will send you a commission.

raycamel

MMMMMUghUghugh.........blondes.(famous Homer saying)

Xfactory

My Feedback: (3)

I have several Bergs and they are rock solid even at a busy flying field.
They are very small and light but if you use 4 channels you need to have a Y harness for the battery.

tpstorey

I second the Berg. They also make a 5 channel version that is not much heavier than the 4.

Watch out for the GWS in busy situations. Mine gets hit like crazy with more than just a couple people flying. And it always gets hit when it passes within 20' or so of someone elses transmitter antenna.

adavis

I don't think Berg receivers are available for use in the UK. I'm currently thinking about the "Electron 6" - Anybody know of any bad points concerning this receiver?

Many Thanks,
=Adrian=

Rodney

The FMA M5A is a very good choice; small, 5 channel, extreemly good noise rejection and long range. Should you desire, you could put it in a 1/4 scale plane and safely operate it. It also withstands over voltage and abuse better than most others.

XJet

I've just ordered an FMA M5 receiver and when it arrives, I'll do some objective side-by-side testing between it and the Hitech 555 receiver so as to get some comparisons as to range, interference rejection, etc.

I've also got a standard Hitec Supreme 7ch receiver so I'll include that as another point of reference, although these receivers are quite a bit bigger than either the 555 or the M5.

Keester

While I love GWS if your going gas they are a little short on distance. I had a hitec feather fail on me once and went to replace it and found a compatable Rx from Cirrus. I now have many of them 4 and 6 ch and I push the 1500 ft limit all the time. Most of all They are CHEAP! Great for all my 1/2A stuff electric or gas.
Keester

XJet

My FMA M5 receiver arrived today (thank you Radical-RC) so I'll be performing the receiver-shootout tests this coming weekend (weather allowing).

The M5 sure is very small and very light -- rather dinky really :-)

It will be interesting to see how much difference its smart decoding makes to the way it handles interference and operation at the limits of range.

Stay tuned, more to come.

XJet

Well, I couldn't resist having a quick play with the FMA M5, and I have to say that (so far) I'm quite impressed.

The smart decoding routines certainly appear to work as advertised, and the receiver seems to be easily the equal of the Hitec 555 in respect to sensitivity.

When the Hitec was driving the servos into a frenzy due to electrical noise, the M5 sat there quiet as a corpse -- of course it had kicked into failsafe mode so wasn't responding to the transmitter either -- but in my quick test, I never once got it to make the servos twitch as it went into or out-of its failsafe mode.

When you place the M5 beside the 555 you also realise just how much smaller and lighter it is.

Properly conducted tests will follow this weekend and a flight test as soon as we get our summer back down here (we've had the worst storms in 100 years almost continuously for nearly an entire month!).

jboy381-RCU

i just ordered two M-5's...and some of them 15.00 servos...radical rc is a fairly good place for cheap servos...

john