G'day

When I started in this hobby about 20 years ago, I bought a simple four channel radio. Then I built a second plane and so I bought a second radio. Before long I had five radios. Each radio could only handle one plane.

Then I bought a JR Computer Max 6 radio. I think it had a 10 model memory. I wish I had bought it in the first place. Although the simple radios were cheaper, their total price was a good deal more then the Computer Max 6.

These days I am again reducing the number of radios I have. I have several JR 2610 six channel computer radios on 36 Megs (the equivalent to the US 72 Megs), a Hitec Optic 6 2.4, one 2610 which has been converted to 2.4 with a Fly Dream module and which works fine, a Spektrum DX7 and my main radio these days - a Hitec Aurora 9 which can handle up to 30 models.

I'd suggest that any beginner who is planning to grow into this hobby buy at least a six channel computer radio. The Hitec Optic 6 is a good choice and there are similar radios from Spektrum, Futaba and Sanwa (Airtronics) and of course JR. It also makes sense to buy something which is compatible with what is being used at the club you intend to join.

I also have a Turnigy 9X which cost the princely sum of $59 plus some NiMh batteries. I bought it simply to play with. It works well but is a complete pain to program and the manual is pretty terrible. If you only have small planes and you are on a tight budget it is worth considering. Personally I will never use it with a glow powered plane. Others will disagree.

Cheers

Mike in Oz