Hi guys

I'm with some friends trying to decide which trainer to choose for a friend. We liked the hobbico nextstar 40 with ASF.... But wait ! we need to have it in mode 1 , so we are wondering if it is possible to change the tx to mode 1 but then we have the ASF built in the rx so how can we change the channel connections on the servos.

Hope you can help.


thx

Leon Gateno

hmm..

It IS a trainer, Unless the instructor is on mode 1, why would you want to be on mode 1?

I think you can send it to Futaba and they will do it for a fee.

Chad,
If they say that they need it on Mode 1, then they probably to need to have their radio on Mode 1. What needs to be realize is that there is more to this world than just the United States. Yes, here in the US most people learn to fly on Mode 2 (but not all. we have 2 people at our field that fly on Mode 1) but in other countries around the globe Mode 1 is what they mostly use. To presume that it is silly for them to fly Mode 1 just because we don't here in America is just pure arrogance. One may notice that they are located outside of the Continental United States, maybe they need mode 1 to fly where they are at.

TargetG,
As far as I know about the set up of the AFS, you should be ok whichever mode you choose to use. The differences between Mode 1 and Mode 2 are in the setup of the transmitter only. The control sticks are in different locations on the transmitter, but the channel setups on the receiver should be the same. The AFS will still be plugged into the same channels on the receiver and should still operate normally. Since you are outside of the US you may also want to verify that you can get a frequency that is legal for you to operate where you are at. Since frequencies are a bit different in other countries there may be interference on the 72 MHz frequencies where you are at. I'm not familiar with your area so I can't say for sure, but it is something that you will definitely want to check into before purchasing. I know that RCU member Joesabido lives in Mexico, maybe he'll see this and jump in here to help, or you could PM him for further info on that area.

You may want to call or email Hobbico to verify this information as they will be the expert in this arena. If you don't get a response from Hobbico you could call customer service at Tower Hobbies too.

Hope this helps.

Ken

Ken is correct in his evaluation of mode 1. And Chad, some of the best pilots in the US fly mode 1 in competition. It does have several distinct advantages in certain flight maneuvers. While This is not the place to get into which is better because that is strictly a matter of preference IMO and we should just let that lie. When a member says he needs something, just offer advice and try to be correct for a change.
Any major radio repair shop should be able to convert your radio to mode 1 if you are unable to purchase one in that mode.

BTW Chad - the instructor and student do not have to be in the same mode either. I have flown another pilots plane before. His plane/transmitter were mode 1 and I just buddied my transmitter (mode 2) to his and flew his plane and all worked fine. The only problem we had was my transmitter couldn't get the engine down to idle so I just let him take off and then I flew. Again your inexperience has shined through. [:'(]

what is mode 1 and mode 2 ive never heard of that?

MODE 1 HAS THE ELEV ON THE LEFT STICK AND THE THROTTLE ON THE RIGHT STICK. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER MODES AVAILABLE BUT THESE ARE THE MOST COMMONLY USED IN THE US.

MODE 1 IS VIRTUALLY A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM THESE DAYS IN THE US, BUT AVAILABLE.

There is an article on my web page that explains how a radio works, [link=http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/HelpsHints/RadioOps.html]Radio Control System Operation[/link]. It explains Mode I and Mode II and give an overview of how a porportional system works.

thanks! then it may be easier just to buy a futaba training box tx for $25

Don't forget that a few of us fly Mode 3, left handed.

I did say most commonly used and that there were other modes.

mode 4 or (edit to clarify) (didn't mean to confuse you Lightfoot) single stick
and the list goes on

a radio tech can set your radio up just about any way you want it. Just be careful of what you ask for.

I prefer mode 4 but my dad wanted his Airtronics 6 - channel single stick back so I am back to mode 2.

OK Howard, I went back and clarified it for you and others. Sorry if I confused you.