There is an extremely high probability that a radio that old is no longer FCC legal unless there is a gold sticker on it saying that it passed some kind of inspection for narrow band.
New radios are cheap, or even FREE!
This article is a little off subject, but net net is buy a new radio if you intend to fly. The cost is minimal compared to what you are going to have to go through with that one.
New or Used? What should you buy if you are on a tight budget?
by Ed Anderson
aeajr on the Forums
To put a plane in the air you will need servos, a receiver, some misc stuff
and of course, the transmitter. Let's see how the new packages shape up as
compared to buying a used transmitter and getting the servos and receiver and
crystal separately.
Just a few years ago, all radio packages were sold with standard servos and big
heavy receivers. One exception was the Hitec Flash 5SX which came with the
HS-81s and the Micro 555 receiver in what they called the glider package.
As a result this package became very popular with electric and glider pilots. The
radio makers finally caught on and have started packaging more systems with
micro servos and micro receivers. I am only looking at packages with micro
servos and receivers that can be used in parkflyers or gliders.
================
First, if you are planning to stay with small electrics/parkflyers, then go
for a Spektrum DX6. No channels pins to worry about, no channel conflict.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Search/D...erm=DX6&CatId=
$199 or less - Let's see how much the radio costs if you were to buy the
parts separately.
4 micro servos - perfect for small electrics -- $15 each - $60
1 micro receiver, no crystal required ------------------- $55
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
These are all things you will want for you small electrics $135
So the radio, rechargeable batteries, and charger = $64 - That's all!
=============================
Now if you don't want the DX 6 because it won't fly glow or large gliders
then look at one of these.
Futaba 6EXAS - $160
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...I=LXJUV7**&P=ML
3 micro servos----------------------------------$15 each $45
1 micro receiver + crystal for small electrics -------- $70
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
Total for components $135
Cost for radio, charger, battery = $25 for an 6 channel entry level computer
radio - WOW!
====================================
Maybe you like Airtronics better
Airtronics VG 6000 $170
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...&I=LXEUY5**&P=7
2 micro servos ------------------------------- $15 each $30
1 Micro receiver + crystal ------------------------------ $65
1 Electronic Speed Control ----------------------------- $25
Misc stuff --------------------------------------------- $20
$140 for the above - you are going to need them anyway!
Radio, charger, battery = $30 for an entry level 6 channel computer radio.
REALLY!
===========================
Maybe you want a little more feature rich radio
Hitec Optic 6 - $220
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hitec.htm
2 micro servos ----------------------------$15 each $30
Electron 6 micro receiver + crystal ( my favorite)---- $65
Misc other stuff in the package --------------------- $20
Total for components $115
Cost for radio, charger Battery = $105 Not bad for a midrange 6 channel
computer radio!
======================================
FREE RADIOS - COME AND GET 'EM!
You are trying to get started on very little budget and can live with
a basic 4 channel standard radio with limited feature set.
Hitec Laser 4 - $115
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXANT6**&P=7
3 micro servos ------------------------------- $17 each $51
1 Micro receiver + crystal ------------------------------ $40
Switch harness ------------------------------------------ $10
Misc stuff ------------------------------------------------- $20
Total for components $121
Cost for radio, charger and battery = $0 FREE
Not bad for a basic 4 channel transmitter with Vtail and elevon mixing.
It also has ATV, servo reverse AND a trainer port! FREE!
==============================
Even lower budget?
You want to fly a 3 channel parkflyer or a 2-3
channel glider. You will definitely have to go used, right? Let's see.
Hitec Neon 3 channel FM radio, servos and receiver $59.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXLGF4**&P=7
The package includes 2 HS-55 servos ----------$15 each = $30
Micro 05 receiver with crystal ------------------------------- = $40
Misc stuff in the package ------------------------------------- = $10
Contents of the package, if purchased separately - $80
Neon 3 ( uses regular batteries ) = FREE, and you saved $20 on the rest of
the stuff! You can buy the contents and throw the transmitter away!!!!
=================================================
Now, you can argue $5 or $10 either way with my analysis, but it won't
change much. If you are looking for an entry level 6 channel computer
radio, these packages are a great value, and perhaps even better than used
prices. Each of these packages includes at least 1 year warranty and you
don't have to worry what someone else did to it. Try to buy a
comparable transmitter, used, for less than this.
Any questions?