ORIGINAL: RCKen

I know that I'm the oddball when it come to radios, and I definitely know that I am in the minority with the way I think. But I do think that in this discussion I think that I should mention a few things for them to think about.

First off, I don't think that new flyers should use computer radios. The reason is, I think that the student should learn to fly the plane with NO computer assists (such as mixing for example). The only thing I think that the student should use is dual rates. Now don't take what I am saying incorrectly. I'm not saying that the student shouldn't own the radio, I am saying that they shouldn't use the computer assists. Unfortunately human nature is to "play" with those neat gadgets, and it's hard for students to not mess with them. With that in mind I think that they should stay with basic radios when they start. Using a computer radio for learning is fine as long as they don't use the advanced features of the radio. These days a lot of people getting in to the hobby will purchase one of the RTF packages that comes with a basic 4 channel radio. If a student gets one of these then I think that they should stay with it until they learn to fly.

Second, new students don't know what type of flying they want to do when they are learning. That kind of knowledge doesn't come about until they start trying out different planes as they progress in skills. Until somebody knows what kind of flying they are going to do (i.e. 3D, sport, scale, warbirds, giant size, etc...) they won't know what kind of radio they need. Some types of flying need the higher capabilities of the higher dollar computer radios, but for some pilots a 6 channel middle of the road computer radio will work just fine. Another case for a basic radio while learning.

Third, I don't like having one computer radio that has all of your planes in it. Yes, I know that I'm in the minority here, but that's how I feel. If you have one radio that has everything in it and you go to a field with a frequency conflict you will have to sit and wait to fly. Or if you have to send your radio in for service you are grounded until you get your radio back. Myself, I have 3 computer radios (all on different frequencies) and 5 "plain jane" (non-computer) 6 channel radios. I have several planes that are just my "throw around" sport planes. I don't need a bunch of computer extras for these plane so the basic radios are just fine for them. The most expensive of these radios cost me $80, and the rest were less than that. For the planes that I need mixing or other computer features on I use one of the computer radios I have for those. But all of my radios are on different frequencies so I almost always have something to fly, no matter what.

Like I said, I know that I think differently than most, so don't flame me because I think differently. I am just giving another view point in the discussion.

That's my 2¢ worth.

Ken