The new May 2009 issue of Fly RC has an announcement concerning the upcoming 9-channel 2.4Ghz Hitec Aurora radio system. The Aurora transmitter will offer advanced programing and mixing for aircraft, sailplanes, and helicopters as well as assignable switches, customizable menus, and 30 model memory all standard. The Aurora is also reported to be backward compatible with FM/PPM modulation as well as Hitec's QPCM standard using Hitec's Spectra Pro frequency synthesis module.
Hitec's website is projecting June 2009 availability:
http://www.hitecrcd.com/transmitters/show?name=Aurora+9
Hitec's website also lists an upcoming 7-channel module and receiver package for upgrading existing 72Mhz Hitec radios:
http://www.hitecrcd.com/receivers/sh...Optima+7+Combo
Hitec will apparently be joining Futaba and Airtronics in offering a frequency hopping spread spectrum system, and basic telemetry functionality will be included with the system including low receiver battery warning and range-out warning.
It looks like official pricing will have to wait until a little closer to the June 2009 launch. Hitec mentions "affordable" and "competitive price" as key features of these new products, so it will be interesting to see where they come to market.