I have three thoughts on the synthesized channel transmitters, spurred by mention of remembering what channel you dialed in.

The Polk version announces the channel, on the front panel. The HiTec does not, you have to remember, or pull the module and look at the numbers.

I have both. I started using the HiTec Spectra for instruction, since with my HT cord I can use the student's HT or Futaba transmitter as the student box. The student gets to use his own transmitter, and I can set the plane up with my box quickly. I wish the Polk unit had a training output jack.

Now, again about remembering the channel... one day a very experienced member came to the field with a plane I'd never seen before. He had an ancient Conquest transmitter, and tagged his antenna with #15 pin from the frequency board. I looked at his transmitter and saw a 5 tag and a 1 tag both hanging from his antenna, under the frequency pin. Something just didn't seem right. I pulled out my Polk transmitter, put it on scan, and sure enough! Channel 51 was in use, not channel 15! I pointed that out to the member and he was plenty surprised. Anyway, it's not only with synthesized transmitters that you have to pay attention to the channel of your transmitter.

Incidentally, the Polk unit scans your selected channel before you turn on, and if the channel is in use it beeps, announces the channel is in use, and does not turn on the module.

Just rambling.
Dave Olson