Hi

I'm trying to decide which transmitter would be good for starting out with. I don't really have much to spend (about $300AUD).

I've looked at the JR MAX66 and the best price I found was $299AUD. From my research (google) this looks to be the best 4+ch radio that is less than $300AUD.

Without considering second hand offerings(just yet) I was wondering what you guys would reccommend.

Cheers
dy

what about a 6exa-pcm the latest 1 out.i have a 6exa brilliant transmitter!!

As you know the JR MAX66 is a 6 channel transmitter. You can get cheap 4 channels for under $299. I have recently shopped around for a 6 channel transmitter and I live in Australia like you. A 6 channel is really the only way to go so later you can have the other two channels for retracts and flaps.

I found the 6 channels to look at were

Futaba 6EXA - 6 Channel ($269)
Hitec Optic 6 - 6 Channel ($299)
JR MAX66 - 6 Channel ($299)

If you want to spend more then

JR 2610 - 6 Channel ($449)
Hitec Eclipse 7 - 7 Channel ($390)


I would stay away from the Hitec Optic 6 as it has some firmware bugs in the software. The Futaba 6EXA is nice however the 6EXA-Super has just come out and is soon to arrive in Australia in the next couple of months, so don't buy the 6EXA now as it’s already superseded. The JR MAX66 would have to be my pick and is great value for money.

If you need any help with where I got the prices from just pm me and I'll send you the websites of the places in Oz that sell them.

Dydx , There are a number of hobby shops in Brisbane , 2 that come to mind are Access Hobbies ,165 Old Pacific Highway Oxenford , and Budget Hobbies at 145 Redland bay Road Capabala. Like panzerd i do recommend the JR MAX66, and now your next consideration is which model to start with . Let us know what you have in mind , and are you going to learn with an instructor at what field
the_madgenius

Thanks guys for your input.

Basically I had a couple of lessons at Tingalpa at the start of this year. I've been working pretty hard at uni (hence limited budget) since then so I sorta postponed any further expenditure until summer break came round. Basically I said to myself if I'm still as interested now as I was then I'd get into it.

The lessons I had were on a .40 glow trainer and that's probably the sort of thing I'd like to start with. As far as the airframe goes I'm not too interested in looks, just something that again is good value (~AU$140) and has pretty relaxed flight characteristics. As for the glow engine, whatever is appropriate for the plane, reliable and good value (~AU$140).

I was also wondering what else there is to think about:

Club membership
BW testing the tx
fuel pump
motory thing to start engine
etc

any advice on this stuff?

while I'm at it I may as well ask some more nigglers:

is the propeller part of the ARF kit or do you buy it seperately?
is the most popular transmitter mode in Australia mode 1?
say I become a proficient flyer, how would I find out it there are any rules to stop me flying in my local park?

cheers
dy

If you are on a limited budget, a 4 channel will work just fine. Contrary to popular belief, 6 channels are not mandatory. Many (most) people never use more than 4 channels. If you think you will have enough money in the next few years to have more than one flyable plane, or if you think you're going to get serious about aerobatics or 3D, then you might want a more expensive radio. Otherwise, a 4 channel will do just fine.

You can also save money by not buying an electric starter. They are not required. I have 2 of them, but they almost never go to the field with me. I hand start all my engines. A hand cranked fuel pump is fine. Propellers are not included with the plane.

I agree, however the decent 4ch transmitters I have looked at don't seem to differ in price from the likes of the budget 6ch's by a great margin. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

So if the prop dosen't come with the plane does it come with the motor? If not, what do I need to consider when buying one?

Don't worry, when you buy the engine from the hobby store ask for a prop to go with it. The cheap ones only cost around $10. As for field equipment I just bought mine too.

Fieldbox
12 volt starter
Fuel pump
Glow plug starter
Fuel
12 Volt gel cell
Power panel
12 volt charger

As for membership its pretty expensive because of the insurance and stuff. However in victoria i know that the insurance covers you for $20,000,000 dollars. My friend pays around $146 annual fee.

The ARF airplane box often has engine and prop recommendation printed on the box. The engine usually has a prop chart in the manual. Once you have chosen a specific airplane and engine, post the info on RCU and ask for suggestions. Be prepared for WIDELY varying opinions though. If you've already chosen a club, go there and ask the instructors for advice on plane/engine/prop/etc.

The club is also the place to get the "mode 1 vs mode 2" question answered. It matters more what your instructor uses and knows than 'what is most popular.'

Hi Dydx again, Ok first up, trainers available in your area , I would recommend you get a Boomerang 40 , available for $129-00 , couple that with an OS 46LA engine , you can get them for $95-00. There is another odel called a Classic Trainer , but it doesn't like too much wind. I know the Tingalpa field only too well , as i learnt to fly there myself back in the 70's. Left some scars on some trees , and the poyholes will be filled now. I know from experience thay most of the flyers down there fly Mode 1, so that would be my choice.Now as for flying in a public park, forget it. WHen you Join the club your insurance is included in the fees, you are NOT insured flying in a public park. So in the event of a mishap it could become very expensive. Remember you are not playing with toys , these are real miniture aircraft, and therefore need space with a minimum of obstructions , like trees and especially people. Parks dont give you that.
If you choose to buy the Boomerang with the 46LA , then place a Bolly 10.5x6 prop on it, or even a 10.6x6 APC prop
Enjoy the hobby , just remember it is addictive.
the_madgenius , instructor Rockhampton Model aeroclub

Cool guys! Thanks for all your input.

I am still unsure about bandwidth testing. I've heard this mentioned when I had some lessons but it was never really clear to me. I'm guessing it means that the radio is tested to make sure it is transmitting on the frequency band that is specified by the crystal. Is this generally a requirement when starting out at modelling clubs?

Based on my knowledge (3rd year electronics engineering student) a frequency drift significant enough to interfere with adjacent channels would indicate a faulty radio (oscilator crystals have pretty small tolerences these days) and therefore be the responsibility of the manufacturer to have it tested and corrected.

Cheers

dy

Futaba 4YF with 4 S3004 servos $124.99 minus $20 gift certificate (may only be $10) = $104.99
Futaba 6EXAS with 4 S3004 servos $179.99 minus $20 gift certificate = $ 159.99
To me, this is a fairly significant difference. When you say budget 6 channel, did you mean non-computerized? If so, save your money. Other than 2 more channels, there's little that you get from these that the 4 channel doesn't have. If you are going 6 channels, go with a computer model.

The prop does not come with the motor either. What you need to consider is the size and power of the engine combined with the style of flying you want to do. If you take an engine and put it on a trainer it will use one size prop. Put the same engine on a speed plane and you will want an entirely different size prop. When you are looking at prop sizes, the first number is diameter. The second number is pitch. The pitch is the (theoretical) number of inches (milimeters) the prop will move forward for every revolution. On a trainer you would want a larger diameter, lower pitch plane. This is like being in a lower gear on a car. On a speed plane you would lower the diameter and raise the pitch so it will go faster.

BUMP

Cool guys! Thanks for all your input.

I am still unsure about bandwidth testing. I've heard this mentioned when I had some lessons but it was never really clear to me. I'm guessing it means that the radio is tested to make sure it is transmitting on the frequency band that is specified by the crystal. Is this generally a requirement when starting out at modelling clubs?

Based on my knowledge (3rd year electronics engineering student) a frequency drift significant enough to interfere with adjacent channels would indicate a faulty radio (oscilator crystals have pretty small tolerences these days) and therefore be the responsibility of the manufacturer to have it tested and corrected.

Cheers

dy

Add the Airtronics RD 6000 and 8000 to the mix. And they make another inexpensive one that is a great radio, their VG series. All work just fine. I personally own three Airtronics systems and love them.. RD6000, RD8000, and the old Quasar. All are under 300 bucks US.

DS.

Correct. If you buy a quality radio, from the 'big three' (JR, Futaba, Airtroncs), you can expect that they should be good to go right out of the box (after proper charging that is). Yeah, crystal oscillators will drift slightly, but they are usually are part of a crystal controlled digital phase lock loop oscillator system and are very stable at their center frequency.

My only issue with most of these new radios is that they come with 600mah batteries in the transmitters and 700mah batteries for the RX. I have replaced them all with 1650mah TX and minimum 1100mah RX. Just personal preferences, I like to have lots of battery power at the beginning of my flying day and continually monitor them for charge levels. That was taught to me from two 'pro's', one is an Airtronics freak, the other is a JR freak. Both say the same things. One is Master level pattern, the other is FAI level so they have enough experience behind their belts to make recommendations that usually have background.

DS.

I tend to agree with Chuck. I have the Futaba 6DA. It is not a computer radio. This is an addictive hobby, and if you're anything like me in no time you may have a small fleet of planes that you can't even fly yet. I do! I now need a computer radio for the model memory as well as many other features. This radio was given to me, the only plus I've found from it being 6 Ch. instead of 4 Ch. is that by using Ch.1 and Ch.6 for my ailerons instead of a y-harness going into just one Ch. I can achieve ailreon differential, & flaperons. I don't know how you would do that with just 4 Ch. So if there's any way you can swing getting the computer radio, I would do it. If you don't do it now, you will do it later, I'd be willing to bet on that! Otherwise you have to reset your trim, & throw settings every time you fly a different plane. If you have some model memory, once all your planes are set in the radio you can just select the plane & fly.( I hope[X(])


Mark


P.S. I was in NSW in 1984, loved the land down under!!! Aus Rocks!!! And so do the people there. Good luck with your new desease, and it is a desease!

I've got CGRetired beat. I have a grand total of 8 Airtronics radios (that's all I fly with). I have a RD6000, a Quasar, a Radiant, and 5 6 Channel Vanguards. I have never had a lick of trouble from any of them and I fly the living dog snot out of my planes. They are very high quality equipment and I'll never use anything else.

That's my 2¢ worth

Ken

dydx there will be some transmitter testers in your state. In Victoria I believe most clubs require you to have your transmitter tested before you can fly at the field. My friend in Melbourne said it cost around $20-$30 and needs to be retested every few years depending on the club.

Airtronics are great radios from what I have heard. However in Australia they go by the name of Sanwa. I wanted to buy a Sanwa VG6000 however was told not to because of the fact there is no Sanwa service centers in Australia and also not many people use Sanwa. I wanted to join a club and have a buddy cord and the chances of the instructor having a Sanwa too was very small.

O'Reilly Model Products in South Australia are a full blown JR service center. I also know of a Hitec service center in Melbourne.

Ken, Are the Airtronics compatable with both Futaba & JR receivers as well? I want a computer Tx as I stated above & had a great deal on a 7 ch JR, very nice radio, brand new for $120, only to find out JR & Futaba aren't compatable and that only my Hi-Tech receivers would work with it. Luckily the guy was very understanding & let me give it back to him. Most of my receivers are Futaba, same as my radio. Probably never run into a deal like that again [&:]


Mark

elenasgrumpy,
The Airtronics RD8000 will work with any brand receiver. So you can use this transmitter with any receiver you currently have. I am seriously considering getting this radio next, but the only thing holding me back is that I just have a need for an 8 channel radio. Heck, in almost 10 years in the hobby I've never even used 6 channels yet!!

Ken

Thanks Ken, I'll check it out. I had been looking at the Futaba 6 channel computer radio @ around $179 I think. I reallycan't imagine using more than six channels either unless your doing warbirds with retracts, smoke & other gadgets I guess. I also saw at our field a radio by Polk Hobbies for $199 that has a scanner in it, that will lock on to whatever freq. your receiver is on & only if that freq. is clear at the time, if someone is on your Ch. it won't give it to you. I think it had something ridiculous like 200 model memory as well. My problem is all this great technology for $200??? Where's the quality level at? Besides that it's kinda ugly too.lol Now there's an intelegent way to base your opinion on a radio huh? Kinda like my Wife and the NFL, no I don't like them, their uniforms are ugly!

Mark

I know what you mean about looks. I've looked at the Polk radios too, but they just don't look like all the fit an polish of the other manufacturers is there yet. If they can clean them up and make them look like they weren't cooked up on some hobbyist's work bench I might consider one.

The Father & Son at our field that bought it had to send it back twice for some problem, I don't know what that was. They have it back again now so I will let you know what they really think of it after they have had ample time to fly with it awhile, who knows that ugly dude may be a good radio, time will tell.

Mark

Several times I've been ready to buy one, but it seems they're never in stock. I'm not adding myself to a waiting list and hoping I get one in 9 months. I've never seen anything buy positive reports from people who have them, and the looks don't matter much to me, it's the features I'm after. I actually just wish Futaba would make a 200 model version of the 6EXA, that would do me for life. Heck, I'd even be happy if I could take the Campac out of my boat radio (which supports 8 models without the campac) and use it for a 6EXA level transmitter. Yes, I did just admit that my boat radio supports more models (16) than my plane radio (6). [X(] I hope I am not banned from the plane fora for admitting this. Only making high model memory features available on $400+ high end systems is silly, many of us who need more memory have no use for all those switches, dials, and hundreds of different mixing options.

Basic maketing 101. Make them buy the more expensive version of they want all the bells and whistles. The car makers have been doing just that for decades.

Ken