Hello,
I am just getting started in R/C. I'm going to start with a Nexstar Select kit and learn to fly. Then I'm going to start building my own! I am guessing that one radio transmitter can fly many different planes. I was thinking of going for the Futaba 9cap since I'm planning to build a Dauntless sometime in the future, which might have eight channels. (retracts, flaps, bomb drop, dive flaps). However, I see that nine-channel receivers are rather expensive. Can you use a six or seven channel receiver with a nine channel transmitter? I've looked everywhere for this info! Do you recommend a 9cap radio? I've never seen anything bad written about them.

Thanks for looking.

John.

I started flying last year and acquired inexpensive Tower and Futaba 4 channel radios. I soon moved up to the 6EXA. The 6 channel is still fine for me. I'm using the Futaba 4 channel Skysport radio on FMS for simulator duty and as a buddy box to get my 10yr old started flying. I ordered my son his first radio yesterday. I got him a 9C. I don't need any more buddy boxes and I figure if he stays interested it will make more sense than buying him progressively better radios. I also wanted the ability to change frequencies so he can grab my planes and fly them. If you are going to want a buddy box some day, the four channel radios are almost free compared to a flight pack without the radio. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, you can't go wrong with the 9C.

If my son should ever lose interest in model planes there will be a deal so I can pick the 9C up from him for $50.

The 9Cap is a fine radio. Will you need one like that for long time? No. Why not just get a cheap 4 channel or even a 6 channel for now? The difference in price will cover the cost of fuel, a field box, club fees and insurance. Down the road you can use it for other planes or for a trainer box down the road. The prices of the radios being electronic are getting fancier and dropping in price all the time. Your first flying season should just be getting used to the basic controls. Then learn how to fly in windy conditions. GEt a 2nd type low wing for next year. Fly the heck out of that until you don't even need to think about what the sticks are doing. Then maybe you will be ready for war bird. By then the 9Cap will be replaced by a even fancier version and be a lot cheaper. My 2 cents. [8D]

Hi praedo, welcome to the addiction!!!!....I mean hobby, First the 9CA is an easy to program user friendly radio..I have one and wish I would have bought it to start with! you can use any receiver that uses negative shift. with as many channels as you need....up to 8 in PPM. the ninth channel is only usable in PCM in an on/off configuration. I use mostly hitech super slim 8 channel receivers in my planes. There is a book written by Annmarie Cross on the programming the 9CA I hear it is an excellent tool for a beginner with computer radios.

Good Luck and happy flying!

If you are really in this hobby for the long haul and know that you are hooked I would go ahead and get the 9c. It is definately worth it. You probably never need another radio again. I really don't see the point in getting a cheap radio now and then out growing it in a year. That is what happened to me with my little skysport 6channel. I had that for about three years and really could've used the 8u's features in my second year. 9c is defenately a good investment

You can use a receiver with any number of channels, as long as it's futaba compatible and on the same frequency. 2ch, 3ch, 4ch, 7 ch, 8 ch, dosen't make a difference, but you'll only get the number of channels the receiver can, well, receive.

Andy

I agree with Fastsky, by the time you are ready for all the features the 9 has to offer who know what will be on the market.. However buy what ever you are comfortable with and enjoy

Go for the 9C. You won't find a finer radio. You can use almost any futaba Rx with it. You will like it.

I agree with Crashem, and Fastsky.

A 9C with flight pack is about 439.99. Whereas a 6ch PCM Futaba is 249.99, and a 4ch FM Futaba w/flight pack is 129.99.

If you are just starting out go for a combo deal like an Avastar for 299.00 Plane, engine, radio.ect.. It would be a shame to purchase the 9C and barley use it for the next two years. By the time you are ready to use the 9C's advanced functions other radios will be on the market that will be cheaper and better.

It's like buying a "top of the line" laptop computer and using it to play Tetris for two years before you try doing something useful with it.

Thanks for all the quick answers!! My first ever post to this forum and many replies in 24 hrs. I actually am going to start with a Hobbico Nexstar Select package, which comes with a 4ch transmitter. However, I am most interested in moving up to warbirds and aerial photography. The reason I'm asking now is because I tend to patiently shop around over the course of many months to acquire things. I'll probably keep looking on Ebay for a deal on the radio, and when I find a good deal, I'll get it even if I'm not quite ready to put it all together yet. So, I mostly wanted to know if it was a good radio, and if I make a 6 channel plane, could I use a cheaper 6 channel receiver to run it.

Thank you all again for the help.

John.

praedo, By the way check www.servocity.com for all your radio needs. exelant prices and service.

I just flew the Hobbico Nexstar.....

Yesterday at the field a young kid and his dad showed up with one. The kid 12? started it up and took off. This was his third ever flight. (I guess the Hobbico Nexstar select package comes with a training CD? But it got the kid in the air. He was all over the place and broke about every rule at the field before another senior pilot already on the flight line gave him some help. He flew for about ten more minutes before his dad came over and asked if someone could land it for him and I volunteered.... He was just too nervous.

Anyway, I flew it for a minute then landed it. In that short time I was impressed by the stability. The engine was not set really well but that was not too much of an issue. I gave him a few pointers and recommended that he get an instructor for a few flights. Mainly to teach him to be safe.

Remember to ask for help when needed. Some people are naturals but nobody is perfect the first time out.

Good luck with the Hobbico Nexstar it a fine trainer.