Is a computer radio good for a first aircraft radio?
Also what does pcm and ppm mean?

Thanks

If you plan on staying in the hobby, go ahead and buy the computer.

PPM and PCM refers to the way that the signal is sent from the transmitter to the receiver. PPM is linear. YOur transmitter sends out x number of pulses in y time depending on how far a stick is moved. The receiver counts the pulses and moves the servo accordingly. PCM is digital and sends a string of 0's and 1's telling the receiver where to move the servo.

Definitely start with a computer radio if you can swing it. If you stay in hobby very long you're need it anyway.

Seems I am responding to radio questions today. Here is food for thought.

What do you want to fly with this radio? What is your budget?

If you have a big budget you can buy the best radio around and it will never be a mistake however, planes can be flown with a modern 4 channel radio. Unless you need something more than that, and if you are on a tight budget, go for a basic 4 channel Hitec, Futaba, etc.

If you decide you are going to stay with the hobby, a 4 channel will serve you for a good long while and will always be available for models that don't need the computer radio. However, you will eventually want to go to a computer radio. So, if you can't afford the computer radio now, stay basic.

Are you flying electics? Sailplane/Glider? Glo fuel? How many channels do you need?

There are lots of RTF electics that come with their own three channel radios. The whole RTF pack with the radio/plane/etc is under $175, and some under $150.

There are RTF Sailplane packages for under $175 including the radio.

There are RTF glo packages that are under $275 including the radio.

So, what is your objective? What are you going to fly?

Do you love building, or would you rather get the plane already built and start flying right away?

Check out www.torreypinesgulls.org/Radios.htm for good info on variouse coding such as PPM, PCM etc. as well as other info on radio control radios.

From one newbie to another. Stick with a basic 4 channel to learn on. I have both and after looking at the computer radio manual I decided that that was more than I wanted to deal with while learning to fly. having the servo reversing and trims right at your fingertips is a very good thing. I would save the computer stuff till flying the circuit does not demand most of your thoughts.

Just an opinion!

forfun42us

Good advice.

For a basic radio, in addition to standard 4 channels and slide trims, servo reversing and V-tail & Elevon mixing would be very good to have and is common now in basic radios.

What are you going to fly?

Many radio packages come with servos. If you are planning to fly electrics or sailplanes, some models can not use standard size servos, so the servos in the package may not be of value to you.

You need the radio. A receiver is good to get in the package, but again, not all receivers can be used in all planes. Again, size is the issue. For example, Hitec's 8 channel supreme receiver is a great receiver, but it won't fit, or may be too heavy for some planes.

First target the plane, or at least the class of planes you want to fly. Then the package of stuff that comes with the radio will either be appropriate or not. Many radios are available alone. Then you add a flight pack, or you buy the individual servos, receiver, switch, etc.

So, what are you going to fly?

Actually Pcm and PPm (FM) signals are sent the same way through the air. The major difference with PCM is that a code is modulated along with the rest of the information unique to the receiver. The receiver looks for that code and when or if it is absent the receiver can go into a preprogrammed mode set-up by the modeler. Pcm radios do cost more than ppm (FM) radios but some swear by them while others don't want nothing to do with them. It basically comes down to affordability for the modeler, and their preferences.

Iam new i need help plz.i got a JR radio (max 4) which i bought used. It doesnot have a charger
im wondering what kind of charger i should use with it, and is a trainer cord

what is a trainer cord?

A trainer cord is a cord that connects between two transmitters. This is called the buddy box method or system. One is the master and one is the slave. The student is on the slave transmitter. The master can take control of the plane at any time. The slave only has control of the plane what the master gives it control.

The buddy box training method uses this cord.

Whoa!!!

Do NOT buy a commercial charger that does not say JR compatible on it

Having briefly owned a JR quattro, i learned that the charjing jack's polarity is reversed.

I think even the MAx 4 has a reversed jack.