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Old 07-31-2005 | 01:01 AM
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Default Radio Help?

Hey everybody. I'm in the process of trying to figure out which radio to buy for my trainer. I understand that I need to match my radio to my instructor, but the club that I will be flying at has instructors that use both Futaba and JR. Assuming that I can choose which instructor I get to teach me, which radio should I buy, between the Futaba 6 EXAS, JR 631, and the JR 6102. They all seem to be in my price range. I want a radio that will be easy to program and one that will grow with me as my experience in this hobby grows. Mt trainer is a SIG LT-40, as for a second plane (I know a little premature) I sure do like the Venture 60. From there I would like to go into warbirds and maybe dabble a bit in acrobatics. Which radio will best fit my needs? Also, one other question, does my radio and my instructor's have to be on the same frequency? I don't quite understand the trainer cord system.
Old 07-31-2005 | 02:33 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

But the most amount of radio you can.

JR or Futaba either is good.

Its a Ford Chevy debate.

I find most Ford drivers do JR and most chevy drivers do Futaba.

Drive a few hours to the Houston area and you can see my Futaba sticker on my Chevy truck.
Old 07-31-2005 | 07:12 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?


ORIGINAL: YNOT

I find most Ford drivers do JR and most chevy drivers do Futaba.
Interesting comment, since there are two things I'll NEVER have: a Found On Road Dead, or a JR radio. I just flat don't like either of them. The one exception is the 60s-70s muscle cars Ford made. The Shelby Mustang and Torino Cobra Jet.

Dr.1

Real men drive Bow Ties and fly Futs!
Old 07-31-2005 | 11:43 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

If you can pick the instructor, then find out what radio he has and then get one to match. The radio game is a Ford vers Chevy vers Dodge war. I do not like Futaba, this is my opinion. Futaba is not a bad radio I just don't like them. I fly Airtronics, I just have to be different, I also drive Dodge . For radios, pick them, hold them, see if one feels beeter in your hands then the other. Go by the club and see what features the other guys are using. I would say to get atleast a 6 channel with some good mixing. Some will tell you to get a 9 or 10 channel radio right from the start, and from my point of view that is like getting a pattern plane as a trainer. There is just to much programing you can do with the 9 or 10 channel radios. In the begining, remember "K.I.S.S" Keep It Simple Student.

Just my two coppers worth.

Dru.
Old 08-01-2005 | 05:52 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

I have the Futaba Skysport, very good radio and good value for money.
(just my opinion).
Old 08-02-2005 | 06:01 PM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

NO your transmitter (radio) does not have to be on the same channel. If you get a Futaba the student radio isn't even turned on. I don't know about the latest JR's but in the past they had to both be on, seemed stupid to me but then I don't like ford's either.
Also you don't need the antenna up on the student radio. As said before, find out what your instructor uses and go with that system or find a different instructor with the radio YOU like. ENJOY !!! RED
Old 08-03-2005 | 01:51 PM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

listen if u wont a good trainer and expert controler ,get a futarba 6exa there briliant there digital and there is a newer version of it out now
Old 08-03-2005 | 02:09 PM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

ORIGINAL: colibri-flyer

I have the Futaba Skysport, very good radio and good value for money.
(just my opinion).
Don't know if you've got the 4 or 6 channel version, but you're right, there's nothing wrong with a basic radio, and for beginners, as has been mentioned, the K.I.S.S. principle has value. I've commented on the 4 versus 6,7, or 9 channel radio for beginners topic many times. Rather than rewriting it, here's my most recent post: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3209898
Old 08-04-2005 | 07:42 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

ORIGINAL: BVFlyer

Hey everybody. I'm in the process of trying to figure out which radio to buy for my trainer. I understand that I need to match my radio to my instructor, but the club that I will be flying at has instructors that use both Futaba and JR. Assuming that I can choose which instructor I get to teach me, which radio should I buy, between the Futaba 6 EXAS, JR 631, and the JR 6102. They all seem to be in my price range. I want a radio that will be easy to program and one that will grow with me as my experience in this hobby grows. Mt trainer is a SIG LT-40, as for a second plane (I know a little premature) I sure do like the Venture 60. From there I would like to go into warbirds and maybe dabble a bit in acrobatics. Which radio will best fit my needs? Also, one other question, does my radio and my instructor's have to be on the same frequency? I don't quite understand the trainer cord system.
Another radio you might want to consider is the Hitec Optic 6. It is in the $200 range. You can check out the features at http://www.hitecrcd.com and there is a chart that compares its features to a few others. You might even be able to download the manual, I didn't look.

In the end, going to a hobby shop or two and holding a bunch of different units is probably the best way to make a final decision.
Old 08-04-2005 | 08:59 AM
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Default RE: Radio Help?

I also agree that to a large extent they are all very similar and each has it's own advantages. I also agree that you should go to the field and just grab hold of a few and see which feels good in your hands and if you like where the various switches/controls are. Ask each owner what they like and don't like in their set, ignore comments about other brands due to possible bias. I prefer Futaba but that doesn't make them best for you.

Most important, have fun with this great hobby.

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