what is it? just curious

Im looking at a 6-9 cahnnel radio, and want to get a good computer one. ive got about 300 to spend, but would be adverse to spending less..... Illd also like to stick with futaba or airtronics, for the simple fact thats what 99% of the guys i have talked to at our local club(including the pres and VP)use. recommendations?

A Futaba 7CAP is $290 at Tower Hobbies. It's a programmable 7channel PCM/PPM switchable with a ten model memory. It comes with four S3151 digital servos as well, so you would be ready to fly almost upon receipt. It is also capatible with all the new Futaba computer radios in trainer mode, so what could be better for under $300?

PCM is abbr. for Pulse Code Modulation

An electronic encoded signal that helps minimize the effects of interference better than PPM (FM). When in the PCM transmitter mode; and of course with a PCM reciever; you have the option of setting fail safe.....if you do loose your signal the plane will automatically go into its failsafe settings which you decide. Exam. Throttle to idle, control surfaces to level or set it to turn circles...whatever you input.

Futaba 7CAP or 9CAP are both good choices and under $300.00. I got my 9CAPS from http://www.servocity.com for $289.95 with the 16k module (14 model memory), frequency module and a couple of more handy items tossed in. No servo's
$149.00 there for 7CA, thats a no servo's price. $279.95 with the 4 S3151's. $249.95 with S3004's or you may select what you want with your TX there and get a quote.

I like Tower and Servo City. I do not sponser either just typically cheaper at servocity and sevice has been excellent for me.

JR is a good choice to, but I think best to stick with what your club is mostly using. Trainer cord, help in set-up, etc. Need to look at what cord the club has for trainer if you are just starting. The new is square but just two years back they were all round connections. Most clubs have a set-up for both.

Michael

Keep in mind that a transmitter may be PCM capable but it may not come with the included PCM module or a PCM reciever.

thanks for the input. i didnt now about servocity......will look there in just a sec

the 7cap and 9cap were actualy the ones i was looking at

I just got the 7c without the pcm reciever. It is pretty cool and easy to program. Don't get this on the way to the field or anything like that because you have to charge the transmitter battery

What is a PCM module?

The transmitter module is FM, both PPM and PCM signals are sent using FM transmission.

The reciever and the way that the signal is encoded in the transmitter is the difference.

The futaba transmitters (C models) all transmit both PPM and PCM. Its the Rx that it comes with that is the factor of which you use. I like the PCM better myself for many reasons. Either will work fine for you. You can't beat the 9C, and the 7C is a close second. I wouldn't touch another airtronics radio after the common problems I have had with 4 of them. All airtronics would ever say is "isolate the problem and get back to us". I am not a tech, they needed to isolate the problem. Never had problem one with a futaba, other than putting a screw through the wires once and melting a battery and brand new Rx, and they replaced the Rx for me for the cost of shipping. Can't get any better than that. I even told them it was my fault and would pay for it. They rock!!!!

"plane will automatically go into its failsafe settings which you decide. Exam. Throttle to idle, control surfaces to level or set it to turn circles...whatever you input. "

This is NOT exactly true, this would require an autopilot like feature which it does not have. You can set it to have preset control positions. This can be "last known position" or "a position that you select", the airplane can still crash. This can be a good feature but is also a controversial feature with some. I will not take a position on it.

Bruce is correct. I did not mean to mislead, just attempting to help.

The failsafe simply lets you set servo positions in the event of loss signal.
His explanation is more accurate and the fact that is can still crash is very true.

PCM modulation does indeed require the PCM capable reciever. Many Futaba PCM receivers avialble.
The recivers will tell you in their specs if they are PCM or PPM.
A PCM Receiver is just PCM, cannot be set for either like the TX. Must change the Paramater setting on the TX to match the reciever.
Futaba instruction manuals explain all.

whats the difference between the 9CAF and 9CAP(or the 7 for that matter.....)

also what are the big differences between the 7 &9 series(besides number of channels....)

9CAF is FM/PPM only and 9CAP can be either PPM/PCM(the transmitter) There are a number of differences between the 7 & 9 series radios. The best way would be to browse the owners manual on the futaba site:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/9c-manual-v1_2.pdf for th 9c and :
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/7c-manual.pdf for the 7c. Lot of educational reading in there and you can burn up your printer if you want to.

That is a long question.

Best to look at the differences listed at Towerhobbies.com.

Short answer.

CAP have a aiplane friendly switch layout and a notched throttle for more control of the rudder without effecting throttle so easy , trainer switch on the left, defaults to acro model type.

CHP have a heli friendly switch layout, idle up and throttle hold on the left. Ratchet-less (unsprung) throttle, defautls to HELI(SW1) Model type.

THis is how Futaba explains the differences in CAP and CHP as you asked!
There is more. Both will fly both Heli's and planes.

I would have to read myself to know how much the 7C differs from my 9C. More mixes...larger display..a good bit more than 2 more channels. Tower gives nice Tech notes for both. The person I fly with most has a 7CHP and loves it. I have the 9CAPS and love it.
I bought for my future in his hobby and the hopes that I will get better and some really cool scale planes.
I watched a 4 engine bomber fly with brakes, working bombay doors...dropped bombs on the runway making a low speed pass, fake engine failure smoke. Probaly more just all I saw. Impressive indeed. Probably never have the money to do that but who knows and I have the radio for that just in case.

No! The only diff is the 9CAF comes with the FM(ppm) Receiver, and the 9CAP comes with the PCM receiver. The transmitter is the exact same transmitter in both cases. Sometimes the CAP model comes with better servos, but you have to look at that too.

Not what he asked, but yes, the diff from the A and the H models are just the throttle ratchet is different, smoother on the heli version (H) and there are a few switches on top in different places. The programming in both models is the same. You can program airplanes, helis and gliders in both models.

FLYBOY is right, difference is the rx unit is shipped with.
there are several servo options with most of the radio systems on the market. Manufacturers seem to be moving toward digital servos which are better but the older servos still work OK. Just not quite as accurate mostly. Variety of types, sizes, speeds and torque levels available.

Read Futaba or; quicker read; Tower's tech notes. Whichever all the info mentioned above is there and correct.

ok, one more question from me... When i do dual or triple rates.. is that taking up a channel or not? I have extra switches still, but is thtis taking up a channel?

Dual or triple rates do NOT take up a channel. Rates simply allow you to assign different percentages of travel for a selected channel. You can set dual rates for all your control curfaces. Same area of the menu you set exponential which contols sensitivity around center. You can assign which switch you want to use for rates or whatever. Switch down 50%of servo travel...switch up 100% of servo travel...just an example not a suggestion of the rates you set. Get some help from one of those fellows at your club with a Futaba computer radio you mentioned.

A good bit to learn when you get a 7 channel computer radio, 9 even more, 14 more again. More channels more to learn. They come with a large comprehensive manual.

Addional updates and additional programming examples available at:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/faq-9c.html look at question #24 for this answer.
That site is for the 9C.
Put 7c in the place of 9c in the address and you have the site for the 7C.

Have fun.
Michael

i have the jr 6102. It is a great radio, and very easy to program. Depending on what type of servoes/reciever you want, it ranger from 240-300. channel, 10 model memory.

i got a crash course form the beaumont clubs president today in computer radio functions . today was one of there teaching days so i got to go watch and learn a little. i also got the plane my friend was giving me fixed, so all i need is a radio and engine (free crap rules.)

so the CAF and CAP are the same radios with a diff transmitter....hmmmm

Should i save the money and buy the one with the less expensive receiver for now? or is pcm realy important?

btw anyone ever hear of a royal air 40t

Reciever can be PPM(FM) or PCM. PCM modualtion must have a PCM receiver with a PPM/PCM selectable transmitter. Not that important to me but I know some who will only fly PCM. My expensive planes are PCM. Its less likely to be affected by interference..blah, blah

I know nothing about the CAF except what I looked after Flyboy pointed out my mistake. Tower list it as **PCM selectable, but does list it as an FM radio. I would look at Futaba for make sure.

I do not think you can beat the 7C for price and functions as mentioned ealier. 9C is a little higher with more funtions and memory.
The S series is new and even higher.
The friend I spoke of bought the 7CHP then bought another 7CHP when he ran out of memory for his RC's in the first. 25+ years he has been flying. He likes that 7C.
I had the T6XAS (PCM too) and the same happened. I liked it too, I was where you are when I bought it. I took the bigger step.

Radios have been like computers lately. Everybody is improving quickly. With the introdution of the 14ZAP I wonder whats next. JR will answer with something a step up from the 9303. Competition is a good thing.
The JR vs Futaba argument is as old as the hobby I think.

"so the CAF and CAP are the same radios with a diff transmitter....hmmmm "


NO NO NO
I did say that earlier and was corrected. Sorry for confusion I may have caused.

It is the same transmitter with different receivers.

CAF= PPM FM system
CAP= PCM system

Identical transmitter can be told (programmed) which mode to transmit in.

You can buy either radio, it really doesn't make a diff. I only fly PCM on 90% of my planes. I fly PPM(FM) on a few of the gliders and small power planes. As I said, Lots of reasons we don't need to go into. If you are worried about programing them, Anne Marie Cross wrote a good book about programming the C radios. It is a big help. If you want to save a few bucks, buy the PPM(FM) system. For a trainer, it won't make a big difference. You won't notice a difference. The important thing is to get a good radio, a good instructor and have fun.