I admit that using a 3C lipo was the problem. Realized after more research that this is a common problem and extensively discussed on the boards- the existing voltage reg on the RF board was overheating and becoming intermittent when using the AR6000 receiver BC the radio bumps up to a higher power output. Electronics is my thing so it was an easy fix to swap out the reg with a dimension engineering 3.3 volt DC-DC converter. Have used the radio a lot since the fix and all is good, best thing is it seems I'll only have to charge my radio a couple times a season. It's multiples more efficient. Started with the lipo at 12.5V, after 4+ hours of use and a couple weeks of sitting around it's at 11.8V.

Beware of using Lipos in Spektrum and JR radios without this mod - Almost all of my flying buddies use lipos in their spektrum and JR radios, I am the only one who ever had problems, maybe they will, maybe not - I wouldn't take a chance.