Just How Many Channels Do You Need?
I am looking at upgrading radios and I seem to find a lot of folks want 7 channel or more radios.
I know if I get retractable landing gear I would need another channel.
So why so many channels?
I like warbirds such as WWI biplanes, WWII single engine with retracts and also some classic sports like Taylorcraft or SuperCubs or RV-4. I typically use 6-7 channels: 1-2 ailerons, 1-2 elevator, 1 flaps, 1 retracts, 1 throttle, 1 battery split with voltwatch, 1 for a "locator" would be full load. I can put the battery on any channel. Same with the locator and voltwatch. I could y-harness the ailerons and elevators ... so I typically use a R617FS receiver with my Futaba 10CG 2.4GHz transmitter. If I need more channels then I would use a R614HS receiver.
My 2 cents.
Four channels is simple and practical enough for almost everything, being the functions of the four movements of the two sticks.
Additional channels are not proportional controls like the sticks (except some for flaps), but they are switches or dials for any use that the pilot may want to have.
Hence; for scale models, there are additional controls for flaps, retracts and lights.
For gliders, there are additional controls for spoilers, flaps, and combinations of both.
For aerobatics, there are controls for mixing the primary controls, for low and high rates of deflection of the control surfaces, etc.
Like in everything, the higher complexity brings additional problems and potential failure points.
I have been happy with four, and I believe I will not enjoy having more than six channels in use.[sm=drowning.gif]
Just my opinion.
For some ideas, go to the Hitec web site and download the Hitec Eclipse 7 manual. It gives lots of good info and set up examples with diagrams and you will get a feel for why 7 is a good number.
Hitec does a good job for a newcomer to understand not just programming the radio but more importantly programing your airplane.
The experts here can provide lots more examples of why 7+++++ can be useful.
The really nice thing about the Aurora 9 is that any function/switch etc can be any channel. The possibilities for fun, flexibility, performance and ...oh yes some initial confusion would seem to be limitless!
As you transition from rookie to "addict", you may find that more functionality - as opposed to channels - are desired. Typically, the jump from 6 to 7 to 9/10 channels gives you a wealth of additional options, mostly in terms of mixing capabilities that can make flying more enjoyable.
For instance, lets say you have a "basic" trainer with 5 channels. Rud, Elev, Right Ailerion, Left Aileron, and throttle. With separate servos on each aileron, you can drop them like flaps (flaperons) during your landing approach. Since you have more lift when the flaps are dropped, you can reduce the throttle without stalling the plane and enjoy super slow landing approaches. After a while, you get tired of simultaneously having to control the elevator to counter the sudden rise of the plane when you drop the flaps. You'd like the radio to automatically adjust the elevator to compenstate for the flap-induced pitch, giving you a nice, steady approach. A more advanced radio - such as a 7/8 channel will do that - even though you still only need 5 channels.
How about the same above senario, but instead of manually adjusting a knob/lever to drop the flaps, you want to flip a switch and the plane's flaps SLOOOOOWLY drop and adjust the elevator simultaneously. The plane automatically slows, and you merely concentrate on keeping the approach straight. Now you are looking at a 9+ channel radio - again, still only using 5 channels.
Finally, same scenario as above, but you have a very short runway (or a very fast plane on approach), and once you touch down, you want to switch the throttle to idle (or off), and simultaneously (and very quickly) throw both flaps UP to act as speed brakes. Now you are possibly looking at a 12 channel system - and yep, still only using 5 channels.
These are only generalizations. I'm sure that some of the above functions could be handled - depending on radio vendor - with more or less channel systems.
Enjoy... Roger Parrett / Dayton / OH
I flew years ago for a little while (Kraft and Heathkit then guys and gals) but that was a long time ago.
I can see now where the additional channels will be handy someday if I stay with this.
Thanks.
hey,
Just wanted to add my two cents.I am in the same boat as the person that posted this question.I am new to this hobby and I fly a easy fly 40.I am still on a buddy box at the park I joined.I have my AMA and club membership.the plane is a four channel and no power to speak of.But the thrill of flying has me loving it when I am in the air.I asked my instructor not to release the trainer button unless he saw me doing something that would cause damage to others or property.The reason I added that was I was gettingtiredof the small high altitude mistakes I made the trainer was taking control from me.I feel that I should be permitted to correct or crash expecially when I let that be known.Not that I have money to burn.But correcting a mistake yourself is part of learning.Anyways,back to the post.I know that I will enjoy this hobby and will upgrade to planes with more then four controls.So,I ordered the FUTABA T 8FG.This radio is by far thebest radioyou can buy.It will be around for a long time and I really see no reason to keep throwing money into less feathered higher channeled radios.If there comes a day I need more channels then I will cross that bridge then.But as far as feathers you will not find a better radio.I did alot of reading on this.I looked real hard at the 10c and the 7c but neather could hold a candle to the 8fg.As far as the other manufactures I cant truthfully say.
I know there are misspelled words here and a little bit of ramboling,But I hope this helps.
I see it like this,Its the feathers that count not really the channels that matter.
chet from florida
There is no one radio manufacturer that is dramatically better than another. Fitaba, JR/Spektrum, Hitec, Airtronics are probably the most well known, but there are others. Who would have thought that 2.4Ghz would have come along so quickly and replace the Silver Sword (collapsible metal antenna) and the Frequency Pin.
Hitec's new Aurora 9 has everyone buzzing. Many features at a low price. This competition will encourage the competition to come out with equal or better improvements and perhaps, bring prices down.
Enjoy your radio but do not think that your model is all you will ever need.
I don't remember all the radios I have had, but I started, in 1978, with a Futaba 6ch. Along the way I have had Futaba Conquest radios, T6XA, 7AUPS, 8AUPS, 9CAP, JR XP8103, XP9303. I bought various RF Modules, including Synthesized 72Mhz RF Modules and a Spektrum 2.4Ghz RF Module. I will probably move to a 12 channel 2.4 radio next year. I have many RC friends who have done exactly the same thing and some, for longer periods of time.
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I have experimented with using additional channels and as a product reviewer I have at times resorted to using channel mixing like dual aileron or elevator servos on different channels, but I always revert back to using a "Y" cord.
Even with high-performance planes I just see no need for the complicated process of programming a transmitter to do what I can do with my fingers.
Not to mention the fact that if you have two channels doing the work of one, your trim only works on the master channel.
KrashKart, if you see no need for more than 6 channels, get a 6-channel radio. Don't fall into the hype that more channels is better.
Don't become a computer programmer - Keep it simple and enjoy flying instead!
I am certainly not afraid of complex things.
I am retired electronics and have a ham license also and I spend lots of money there.
But simple is nice.
And affording the more complex equipment and planes for that matter all costs money.
And in retirement the $ are not all they could be. We are comfortable and that's all that counts as we planned it well.
But is there ever enough $ for the toys? I doubt it.
Like I tell my kids~it doesn't matter how much you make because if you are like most of the world you are going to spend every dime you make.
I knew a fighter pilot who flew many a combat missions for over 27 years for the AF.
But when he tried RC in retirement he was a disaster at it
The number of models that can be stored in memory is often one of the primary driving factors for transmitter choice. In many cases a transmitter with lots of channels also has lots of model memory.
I have experimented with using additional channels and as a product reviewer I have at times resorted to using channel mixing like dual aileron or elevator servos on different channels, but I always revert back to using a ''Y'' cord.
Even with high-performance planes I just see no need for the complicated process of programming a transmitter to do what I can do with my fingers.
Not to mention the fact that if you have two channels doing the work of one, your trim only works on the master channel.
So why so many channels?
The tx programming is used to make the plane a pleasure to fly in all flight regimes by tuning its response to controls, reducing unwanted secondary effects of controls, sequencing the retracts and doors, implementing safety routines to prevent accidental release of the brake chute in flight, disabling channels like nose steering and wheel brakes in flight, and so on.
I know if I get retractable landing gear I would need another channel.
So why so many channels?
Now that sounds like you want 6 channels? Maybe. What you want is 6 functions but you might want more channels. It is common to use a servo for each aileron and a servo for each flap. So a wing that has two functions, aileron and flap, has 4 servos. They are best driven by separate channels, so now the model with the normal 4 functions plus flaps and retracts can use 8 channels - rudder, elevator, throttle, retracts, 2 aileron, 2 flap. You could use 7 channels by putting a Y lead on the ailerons, you would be best to have the flaps on separate channels so you can tune their travels to match perfectly otherwise you get a bit of roll when you put the flap down!
It is just like: "How many RCers does it take to change a light bulb"
Taken from here: [link]http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t84757p1/[/link]
1 to change the light bulb
1 to post that the light bulb has been changed
14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently
7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs
27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs
53 to flame the spell checkers
6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb"
.. another 6 to condemn those 6 as anal-retentive
2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp"
15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct
156 to email the participant's ISPs complaining that they are in violation of their "acceptable use policy"
109 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb forum
203 to demand that cross posting to hardware forum, off-topic forum, and lightbulb forum about changing light bulbs be stopped
111 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum
306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty
27 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs
14 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's
3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group
33 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add "Me too"
6 that flame them for not using the Search feature
12 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy
19 to quote the "Me too's" to say "Me three"
4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ
44 to ask what is a "FAQ"
4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"
143 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs"
16 posts of two forum members that are exclusively talking to each other only about lightbulbs and what they did that weekend
24 posts of telling them to take it to PM's
1 moderator that comes in and says something about doing it wrong and that everyone who disagrees gets a warning
1 new forum member to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again
So why so many channels?
The tx programming is used to make the plane a pleasure to fly in all flight regimes by tuning its response to controls, reducing unwanted secondary effects of controls, sequencing the retracts and doors, implementing safety routines to prevent accidental release of the brake chute in flight, disabling channels like nose steering and wheel brakes in flight, and so on.
Don't you guys need one or two spotters reading the manual about what switch is for what while you are flying those complicated machines?
I believe that there is a limit for complexity, especially when I have to deal with complications in my job all week long!
Fifteen servos may be good for proffessional or high level scale flyers; for this poor ignorant, they are just too much for one model and for one pocket.
Regards!
Don't you guys need one or two spotters reading the manual about what switch is for what while you are flying those complicated machines?
I believe that there is a limit for complexity, especially when I have to deal with complications in my job all week long!