ORIGINAL: alw041
Should i go ahead and buy a 6 channel radio or is a 4 ch. good enough?
While a 4ch setup is good enough to start with, you can save yourself a lot of money down the road by purchasing a better radio now.
A decent computer controlled radio has the ability to retain configuration information for multiple planes.
This means that one radio can be used to control up to 30+ different airplanes. Which translates to a cheaper overall cost per plane later, and you start out with a radio with better capabilities up front.
Your first big decision will be "Spread Spectrum/Fasst or 72mhz".
The Spread Spectrum/Fasst/DSM radios are quickly gaining favor and are the wave of the future.
However they have a higher initial cost, especially when you take the cost of the receivers into account.
With SS/DSM radios you never have to worry about someone using your channel nor having your plane shot out of the sky by some idiot.
Offerings from JR / Spekrum [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM2710]Click Me![/link] and Futaba & Airtronics [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=JLL]Click me![/link] work very well.
Note however, unlike 72mhz radios, you cannot mix radio components from different manufacturers, so you are STUCK using whatever you purchase at first.
Another option is to start with an upgradeable 72mHz system.
These have the channel problem, which most fields control...
But they have a lower initial entry cost, you can mix components ( such as receivers ) from other manufacturers, and because of this the long term costs may be lower.
Offerings from JR [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/FlexEquip/]Click me![/link] and Futaba [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=JLJ]Click me![/link] that have replaceable "modules" can later be upgraded with corresponding SS/DSM modules.
"Airpacks" offer servos, a battery and a receiver. These can be purchased seperately for each radio type.
However you are best off purchasing your batteries, servos and receivers seperately...
For instance, for the price of a standard airpack, you can often obtain a better receiver ( check out the BPhobbies 8 channel Coronas receivers for $29.00/ea ), batteries ( check out the Hydrimax at Tower Hobbies ), and Servos ( Check out the Hitecs or any others ), than what you would have received with the airpacks.
ORIGINAL: alw041
Also is a Deflection Meter and C.G. Machine necessary?
Nope...
In place of a deflection meter, a ruler will suffice.
In place of a C.G. machine, your fingers will do, as will two pencils mounted into a block of wood with eraser tips...