I know this is a very touchy subject on most people but Im going to ask it. I am looking for a nice radio that will last me thur the years of the hobby I knwo there are many diffrent manufactures of diffrent radios each with there pros and cons. I am kinda looking for a fairly inexpensive one but for information purposes prices really dont matter. I am kinda looking at this on (JR XP652 6-Channel Computer Radio) Just would like anyones opinion on it and some other suggestions. Thanks
Cole

Ok, here's the thing, it all depends on what you want to do, what kinds of aircraft you want to fly, and so on.

A basic 6 channel has all the features most guys ever use.

However, most 6 channels don't have a large number of model memory slots, so you wind up buying more TX's or having fewer planes.

HOWEVER, if, by chance, you do progress in to models that require more channels, you'll outgrow that 6channel box pretty quickly. (but, like I said, the vast majority of guys out there never use the fancy features available on the more expensive radios).

So, buying a radio is almost crystal ball gazing. If you just KNOW that you want a scale turbine warbird with all kinds of functional gadagets and so forth, then that 6 channel box isn't going to cut it. If you want to try flying competition acrobatics, that 6 channel box will likely disappoint you. But if you just want to fly a variety of sport and stand-off-scale planes, that should be ok.

One thing is sure, you aren't going to wear out the TX. (the batteries, maybe, but not the TX).

So, get whatever you can comfortably afford. If you buy more radio now, you don't have to buy it later in the unlikely event that you need more TX functions than you have now. But you can always buy whatever you want later, and sell your existing TX to someone else, or keep it as a knock-around or buddy box (if you get in to doing instruction, it's handy to have a buddy box of your own). And if you buy later, in the end, you'll pay less and get more features when you finally are ready to use them. Radios are getting more features at lower prices all the time. (and, my crystal ball tells me that it won't be long before crystals are a thing of the past, and all radios will be totally synth on TX and RX end, and number of model memories will go up even more. So anything you buy now will eventually be "outdated". "outdated" but perfectly functional.)

How's that for a non-answer.

Get a Futaba 6exa or 9cap both have good memory and the 6exa is a great price

Montague almost verbatim posted what I tell new pilots at my local field when hey ask me the same question. But I'd like to add a little bit more for your consideration.

My philosophy on radios is similar to my philosophy on engines. Buy the best you can afford and you won't be disappointed. Radios for most represent long term investments in your hobby. Planes come and go, but your engines and radio stick around. In the big picture, it really doesn't matter what brand you select, but features (or lack of features) may eventually limit your fleet size and type of planes. IMO, you don't need a top of the line radio, a good mid to high end radio will work well as a second radio. My suggestion, being that I am most familiar with Futaba, is to look at the 9CAP. But there are many other good radios to look at in the upper mid range from JR (such as the 9X) and Multiplex (Evo8). If these are more than what you want to spend, start looking and the next level down, such as a Hitec Eclipse7.

I am on my 3rd plane now, and I thought to myself when I bought my radio system earlier this year.... WHY would I EVER need more than 6 channels. I bought the Futaba 6EXA, and yes, its a great radio system. But it has limited functions. If I wanted to just fly around the pattern, it would be all I would ever need.

Now that I am DEEEEP in the hobby I find that my 6EXA is very lacking for what I am growing into. Alieron differential is one thing that the 6EXA can not do. You can not tune the 2 seperate servos for the ailerons seperatly. Cant crow, and cant do many other things that I will need later as a pattern/3D flyer.

Also, the more I research radio systems, the more I dislike futaba for all thier "marketing schemes" like chaning the trainer cord plug, splitting thier freqs, stuff like that.

My next radio will be a JR XP8103 8-Channel FM or maybe the Futaba 9CAP 9-Channel PCM

Yea, I found the same problems with my system. I might get a Hitec Eclipse 7 with spectra module or a 9cap for my next.

You have gotten some great advice here. It all comes down to 2 things, personal choice and budget. The radio you are looking at is a great radio. Montague pretty much spells it out. You really have too look deep inside yourself and see where you want to go with the hobby. If scale, jets or precision airobatics excite you then you should look up the ladder at better radio's. If general sport flying or sport scale is your main interest then by all means the JR set you are looking at will be fine. The 6102 (?) is supposed to be a real good bang for the buck.

I fly Futaba radio's myself. Only because that is what the local guys flew. It helped in buddy boxing and learning. I have 2 old super seven's and 1 9C that I just bought. The 9C is a great radio and is all I will need for the forseeable future. I want to get into scale and some pattern some day. This radio will hopefully get me there.

I hope we answered your questions. Remamber, you are the one buying the radio. Choose what YOU want, not what someone tells you to buy. Good luck.

Mark Shuman

Yes it depends on where you want to go with the hobby. I still have my JR APEX 7 Ch set I bought back in 1984. Still works great though only used now as buddy box and for simulator. I now fly with a JR X9. Your choise only depends on the $$$$ factor.

Cheers.

Surprised nobody mentioned the Futaba 7CAP... its a great radio, 7 channels, about $249 right now will servos and rx too.

I'd like to toss in the Airtronics RD6000/8000 as a possibility too. I've got one of the RD6000 Super and am quite pleased with it. The big advantage it has over most 6 channel Tx (other than the Hitec ones) is that it can be used with any brand of receiver...

As stated in above post i would buy the brand
your club has(If your are a member) if not than
i would check with some local clubs and see what
brands they mostly use. Other than that i would
recommend the futaba 9CHP or 9CAP if the local
clubs use futaba brands.

I picked up a couple of older excellent Futaba radios off ebay (GASP! THE E-WORD!) that are 8 & 9 channels and all the bells & whistles and were the cream of the crop a few years ago...all for just a few bucks. They are outstanding. The only drawback is that neither has a buddy cord input.

I am very happy you are talking computer radios. I just wrote an article for www.rcezine.com on entry level 2-4 channel radios. In doing the research for the article as well as research for a new radio for myself I have come to the conclusion that the only reason to buy a standard
radio any longer is lack of confidence that you plan to go forward.

Forget the servos, receivers and stuff you need for each plane. That is the
same regardless of what radio you get. I am talking about just the radio.

A standard 4 channel radio is about $55-$85 by itself. Take this Hitec Laser
for as an example, $60:
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_l...m_systems.html

Compare that to the Hitec Flash 4 as an entry level computer radio - $85, or
about 1/3 more.
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_f...m_systems.html

So why go with the Flash 4X computer radio?

cheaper in use -

5 model memories means you can set-up and instantly switch to any of 5 models
without having to reset anything. So the Flash costs about $17 per plane.

With the Laser, you would have to reset the radio for each plane each time you
changed planes. You have to make your surface throw adjustmetns manually by
fussing with the linkages. So, most of the
standard radio advocates I have spoken to have one radio per model. That's $60
per plane.

With the Flash, even if you only have two planes, it is $42.50 per plane so
you saved already.

Go up to the Flash 5X at $110 and you get an extra channel and some really
cool features that let you do things no 4 channel radio can do. You get
flexibility
http://www.servocity.com/html/5-ch_f...m_systems.html


Flexibility with the Flash 5X computer radio

The computer radio will allow you to do things you can't do on the standard
radio. Forget the channel 5 retracts, let's talk about things that any 4
channel Pilot/plane could use. Here are three examples:

Split Ailerons/flapperons:
You can put two aileron servos in the plane so you can adjust, trim and
control them independently by putting each on a separate channel. Still works
through the one stick but uses two radio/receiver channels to manage the two
servos.

Fly the plane normally. Then flip a switch and turn the ailerons into
flapperons. Now you can use your ailerons as flaps during landings. Flaps on a
4 channel plane that doesn't have flaps. That is just one example of what a
computer radio can do for you.

Coordinated turns
Mix rudder into your ailerons so you have a coordinated turn. On a standard
radio you have to do this manually. With the computer radio, you focus on the
plane while the radio handles the coordination.

So, for an extra $30-50 over a standard 4 channel radio you get a radio that
handles 5 models and let's you do things that the standard radio can't do.

Will you need it on the first plane? Maybe not day one but how about 6 months
out? Will you want it for the second plane? Probably! So why buy the standard
radio?

There is only one reason to buy a standard radio these days. "I don't know if
I will like RC flying so I want to spend as little as possible."

That is the ONLY reason to buy a standard radio anymore. EVER!

Heck for $150 you can get a Futaba 7C 7 channel radio with 10 model memories
that will do things you don't even know you will want today but will discover
in about 9
months of hanging around with the experienced guys. For 10 planes that is a
super flexible, super powerful radio for $15 per plane.
http://www.servocity.com/html/7ca_transmitter.html

If you get into serious aerobatics or sailplanes, a computer radio is almost a
requirement. If this is your plan, I would recommend the Futaba 9C as a great value. I just bought one so I put my $$ where my .... keyboard is.... sorta?

I have used Hitec and Futaba as examples here because I know those lines best,
but JR, Airtronics and others have entry level computer radios that are a much
better value than any standard radio.

Get a computer radio and save a bundle of money. And, no, they are not hard to
program. In fact if you want, you can just use it as a standard 3 or 4 channel
radio until you want to use the other features.

Futaba 9CAP all the way. Its by far the best transmitter on the market for the money. And it will fly about 16-18 different planes, I cant remember because I only have 5 planes in mine right now. I fly with guys who have the RD6000 and the JR 8103s and they will even commit that the user friendliness of the 9C is unprecedented as will the guys I fly with who have 9ZWC2's which are about $1000. Its a really intuitive little transmitter, which means that Futaba put a lot of thought into building a programming scheme that makes sense. Once you understand what subtrims, dual rates and endpoints are you have it licked, and that is a piece of cake. It also has about 10 mix options that are real easy to setup.
You can get one for <$300 without and sometimes with servos. It will do everything that you will ever NEED to do. The Futaba 9Z and JR 10X will do some more cutsie things but you dont NEED what they do, period. You will use the 9 channels for sure when you start using flaperons and twin elevator servos. Dont let guys tell you you dont need 9 channels, you do...... unless the only thing you fly are trainers, spads and cubs. Anything beyond that with seperate aileron and elevator servos you will use them, especially if you intend to get into pattern or 3D, for the extra $50 you are getting 3x's anything anyone else has to offer.

Just my opinion.

PS. You can PM me or shoot me an email anytime if you have any programming questions after you get it, they are just too easy to program once you understand some very basic terminology.

Maybe you could tell us the 9 channels you regularly use when 3D flying. This should be interesting.

OK Smartguy.

1 aileron
2 elevator servo
3 throttle
4 rudder
5- ( I use it for retracts on my pattern plane so I need 5 for some planes)
6- 2aileron 2 (allows spoileron and flaperon mix.) cant do it with a y harness.

7- free but if you use the other aileron option its there.
8- elevator servo (twin servos) granted you can do this with a y harness, but it gives you seperate subtrims and the option to use ailvators if you choose to use them.
9- smokepump

Maybe could get away with an 8 channel but if you are only paying 20-50 bucks more why not buy the 9C to get the campac with all the model storage and p mixes. PLUS PCM/PPM selectivity, plus 3 onboard timers.

I shouldnt have said you need all 9 channels at least not at 1 time on 1 plane, but if you fly more than 1 plane you will use all 9.

For the money there just isnt anything that compares.

Channels are like closet space. If you have them, you will eventually think of ways to use them.

At least you won't face the issue if, gee that sounds great but I don't have enough channels.

The 7C is a very good radio and will store 10 planes in memory. Easy to program quickly at the field. Digital trims are the only way to go. The timer and beeper works good when set for low fuel warnings. It is easy to fly and listen for each beep when hitting a trim button. The 3 position G switch is great for fast selection of control rates. I set only rudder and ailerons on my switch, and leave elevators to another one.

The good thing about the 7C package is the 3151 digital servos that come with it. Those are very expensive if bought separately. I think I paid $265 for mine 6 months ago.

To me the main things to have are 1: ability to use either positive or negative shift (programable). 2: multiple memory, i.e. the ability to store the trim servo direction on several planes 3: good fit in my hands (there is quite a difference in the feel between different brands) 4: reliability and service for those unforseen problems such as a dropped and broken switch etc. whether they be user induced or age induced. If your choice meets your requirements in these areas, jump in.

Here's my take on it. I should have bought my HT Prism (7-channel) first, and started doing anything I want with it (including buddy cord train with Futaba students.)

Plus, it has separate switches for dual rate elevator, aileron and rudder (some radios lack the Rudder dual rate, I like it.)

Plus, I can operate both type receivers (Positive & Negative "shift"), while JR & Futaba don't have the select shift option. (Airtronics offers that feature.)

Plus, HT offers the "Spectra" module, which allows you to select the frequency, operate on any of the 50 frequencies available.

If you can find one, the price will be decent, they're out of production. However, I understand the Eclipse is even better. For a first radio, either will go a LONG ways.

Now, having said that... I like my Multiplex too, although it only does positive shift. And, just one dual rate switch for A/E/R. And, I like my Tracker, though it has no trainer cord feature.

And, finally, I'll mention that my very favorite plane (a Meister Corsair) still flies frequently, with my ancient Airtronics Vanguard non-computer 6-channel. It is perfectly adequate for anything I do with that plane, (and that includes ordinary aerobatics), has dual rates (on elevator & ailerons) and retract & flap switches.

Happy radio hunting!
Dave Olson

The extra channel for two elevators is not necessary. That leaves 6 channels. Smoke doesn't even need to be mentioned in a beginners forum. It sounds like you just sorta stuck #7 in there but anyway it's not needed.

OK, I ordered a slow stick with a flight pack, but now I think that it won't work with my radio. I have a 72mhz ch56 Airtronics radio. How do I remedy this problem? I don't want to buy a new radio.

Steve

You need a receiver with a positive shift and a ch 56 crystal. No need to buy a new radio.

What flight pack did you order. Did you tell them what kind of radio you have? Did you tell them the channel?

If not, immediately call them and tell them so they send you the right stuff.

Currently I'm in EP and GP 1/10th touring cars and would like to try airplanes as a secondary hobby or maybe it might be my priority hobby in the future...who knows. But for the time being I'm starting and would like to know your take or suggestions. I'll be getting a high wing and an engine but would like to get your opinion regarding the radio. A fellow hobbyist is selling a Futaba ff8 super (T-8UHPS) 8 channel, I know that this certain model was phased out recently but would still need your suggestions. Selling price is about $250 with tx batt, module, receiver, tx charger but without servo's.

The specs for the radio can be found here as part of the 8U family.
http://www.futaba-rc.com/discontinued/futj80.html

Manuals are here:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/notes-8u.html

This is a very capable radio. Figure a new Hitec Reciever goes for about $60, so if you factor that $40 for the used receiver, you are paying about $210 for the radio. If it is a PCM receiver then value it at $60 and the radio is $190. I can't say whether it is more or less capable or easier to use than the current Futaba 9C that sells for about $290, for just the radio.

You are not likely to run out of features any time soon as a new flyer, so you can put that concern aside. One nice feature is that it uses the CAMPak expansion modules which means you can increase the model memory.

I can't comment on whether that is a fair price or not. Search e-bay; the buy/sell on rcuniverse and other forums if you want to comparison shop.

There are two values you can add to the numbers. Local knowledge and help. Since you are buying it from a club member you are probably getting a radio in good working order. Also, you have someone who knows the radio and can help you program it and use its features.

It is more radio than a new flyer needs, but who knows how long before you grow into it. You can never have too much radio.

You could pay more or you could pay less for a radio. If you want others to consider look at:

Futaba 7C - about $150 - lots of features, but probably not up to the 8U

Futaba 9C - about $290 - Consider this the approximate replacement for the 8U