Schuie Driver

Hello all you heli pilots out there,

Are any of you using the JR XP8103 airplane version to control your heli's? I know that it can be used, but I'm curious as to how well it works in that mode. Basically, I'm trying to find out if all of you guys switch back and forth between airplanes and heli's on one radio or if you ended up buying a new radio just for convenience in control set up etc.

Thanks,

Mike

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

I use my airplane 8103 on my Caliber .30. Works fine. Some switches are in different places and they are not labelled for heli's but it works exactly the same.

Georg Matthews

My Feedback: (6)

What about the throttle ratchet. How do you set up the throttle gimble to have a smooth throttle on the aircraft version?

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

I am sure there is some way to remove the ratchet but I dont find it a problem.

I set up and flew a guys caliber with an 8103 Heli radio and I didnt notice that much of a difference between the ratchet and the non-ratchet throttle.

RS2K

My Feedback: (8)

I don't know if it will work on a JR, but on a Futaba you just turn the ratchet over backwards. I've done it to 3 Futabas.

Vigorisbetter

The throttle ratchet should be removed and I simply ground mine off....carefully...with a roto tool and covered the area with heavy duty tape to get some maintain some resistance.

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

Should be?
Why?

twguns

Because, in flying a helicopter, you need to have infinite control of both the throttle and collective... You can't get this with the ratchet as the stick position you need in a particular situation may be in the middle of a ratchet "bump"...

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

Works fine for me...

A ratchet on a throttle stick should not deter someone from using the airplane 8103 on a heli.

Schuie Driver

Thanks for the help guys. Ok I'm a complete newbie to all of this....but can't you dial the ratched out of an airplane radio or can you only dial the ratchet to a point where it feels smoother than maybe the factory settings? Have not experimented with the ratchet feel on my radio since I purchased it. Maybe because it's not as important in flying planes.......in my experience anyway.

Vigorisbetter

There is not a way to dial the ratchet out on this radio. There is a piece of V shaped metal over the ratchets to give you the true ratchet feel. If you remove the metal there is no resistance and the stick will just wander. While hovering with the ratchets you may encounter either to much or not enough throttle. Like the prior response stated, the throttle control must be infinite and not limited to ratchet settings.

RS2K

My Feedback: (8)

What you do is flip that piece of metal over so the V goes up instead of down; this provides pressure to tightening it up without the ratchet action. This method is the easiest. I personally don't like the ratchet at all, even in airplanes.

TonyL

I am new to heli's as well. Flying a TT Raptor 50. I am using my 8103 Airplane version and filed the ratchet on the throttle to have more precise control. Works great - I agree that you need to open the back of the radio up and grind the ratchet piece to get a more precise response.