Speaking of radios, here’s what I use:

1 Futaba T4VWD Attack, 4 Channel AM, 2 Receivers (one for each Leo) R124H, 27 MHz

Here is the setup on the receiver: 1 3 2 4, this particular setup is required in order for the GBS to operate.

Stick 1: Turret rotate (side to side) Fwd/Reverse (up/down)

Stick 2: Main Gun elevation (up/down) and track control (side to side)


Futaba T7CAP PCM Radio 75 MHz, Receiver FP-R138DP 8 Channel PCM 1024
This is both a PCM and FM Radio.

This Futaba along with the 9CAP 75 was designed for and sold by Futaba for ground use, both radios are no longer made.

This radio has been interesting, I bought for use with the Leopard before purchasing the kit, a state of the art radio for a state of the art kit, that all functions of the kit could be controlled independently thru the use of one button for each function, fire the main gun, machine gun fire, lights etc http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/arrival

Only after purchasing the kit and reading the instructions did I find out that the DMD unit mixes the signals for use with Futaba 4 ch radios, this kit is true seven channel model but you have to use a 4 channel AM radio in order to activate all functions.

I find this bewildering and strange, here is to this day Tamiya’s top product, the most complex and expensive RC model Tamiya makes, Tamiya’s flagship, and they cripple it with a 4 channel AM radio, here, in the 21st century. Even the instructions warn against using PCM/Digital radios.

To make this short the 7CAP works well with the DMD, the only two problems are:

1. Can’t get the GBS to activate, the trims are digital so that might be the problem, although BOTH the main gun and machine gun work flawlessly with the digital trims.

2. If you turn off the radio but leave the DMD on, the Leo will move fwd, instead of shutting down, the DMD sends power to the drive motor, with this radio you have to shut the DMD off first, then turn off the radio.


Which brings me to the:

HiTEC Laser 6 FM (or the Devil Radio[:@]) Receiver HFD-08RD 75.570 MHz

This 6-channel radio and the DMD don’t get along at all. When this radio is used with the DMD, all hell breaks loose, nothing works as it should, turn the radio on, then activate the DMD, the tank, with ALL trims in neutral, will either go fwd, go reverse or do nothing at all. This is a very dangerous radio to use with this DMD; I’ve tried everything to make it work, and nothing. I keep the Hi Tech as far away from my two Leos as possible, this DMD is CLEARLY designed to be used with Futaba radios, you can even use their PCM/Digital radios, something that Tamiya recommended not using in the instructions, and still get decent results with basic functions.

Well, that’s been my experience with radios for this kit, I wish for future Tamiya would:

1. Put a switch on the DMD, switch 1 would be for mixing signals for use with four channel radios, and switch 2 for six channel and up radios for one-button function operations.

2. Make DMD compatible with ALL radios, not just one brand.

Will