I want to get into flying and want to first start with a simulator. I'm looking at AFPD as the software but need a radio to go with it. I want a radio that will work with the software as well as one that I can grow into in the future. I'm trying to find a radio that would suit me as a beginner and then grow with me as I advance. I'm trying to stay away from upgrading radios as I get better and would just buy the best available that is also good for a beginner.

Anyone have recommendations? How many channels? Etc...

Thanks....

Get yourself a futaba 7cap. They are fairly cheap but can do alot of things for future use.

Shawn
www.rcstyx.com

Depending on the type of flying you intend to do, most people find that 6 channels is more than enough.

At $180 this one is hard to beat:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXHYK7**&P=0

On a radio that will do dual rates don't be cranking up the high rate to 125% and the low rate to 80% for training. The buddy box only uses the "high rate setting" of the main transmitter so thats wht you will get![X(]

I agree with MinnFlyer... the 6EXA is a great radio for a beginner. I might be biased because thats the radio i have currently, but it works well and is easy to program. with the additional channels you can add flaps and retracts on later models.

Hi,

The major brands of modern radios are generally very reliable. I would be quided by your instructor so what you purchase is compatible and you can easily access help in setting it up. Once you are sure you will stay with the hobby you will never have enough model memory so buy the largest capacity and features you can afford. Unless you plan to fly jets or complex gliders six channels are usually sufficient for most needs.

Did I mention model memory?

Cheers,

Colin

I agree with Campbec, all the major brands are wonderful pieces of equipment. Anyone whom will recommend one over the other is really only showing their particular bias.

I have to admitt to you I don't know what AFPD is?!?

AFPD - Aerofly Pro Deluxe simulator. I guess there are three major products - AFPD, Reflex and G3. I looked into each and have decided on AFPD but it does not come with a radio. Therefore, I want to buy a radio that I can use for a few years down the road as well as with this software. I've never flown but I now have the bug after spending so much time with ground vehicles.

Thanks to all who have replied. I know each manufacturer has quality radios but was not sure if I should chooose one over another. I definitely want something I can grow into in the future and not have to buy radio equipment for some time again.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that was actually the single biggest factor in the purchase of my first radio, what brand of radio do the instructors at your field use? At my field is was Airtronics, and that is what I fly now. It makes absolutely no sense what so ever to buy a radio brand that your instructors don't know about, or don't have a buddy box for. Get in contact with those that will be instructing you and see what they recommend and then make your choice.

Ken

Starter Radios

I have a very specific position on radios. Don't buy a Standard Radio!!!

Computer radios are now so inexpensive and offer so much more than standard
radios that it doesn't make sense to get anything but a computer radio. Don't
get me wrong, there are many good standard radios, but for only a few bucks
more you get a much more capable computer radio that can do more for you than
any standard radio and can save you money by time you get the second plane.
They can also make it easier to fly your plane, perform aerobatics and more.

Below are four radios. All will fly your plane. Two are standard radios
for the uncommitted or low budget first time flyer. These will get your
plane off the ground with very basic radio features for a low price. Each
package includes radio, micro servos, micro receiver.

STANDARD RADIOS

Hitec Neon 3 - 3 channel standard radio $59
2 micro servos, micro receiver, switch, etc
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXLGF4**&P=7
For $19 you can add a trainer port to this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDEK8&P=V

This package is such a good value that you can almost consider the radio free.
If you bought the two servos and the receiver by themselves, that would come
to about $60. So this is about as cheap as you can get into a hobby grade
radio that will fly a three channel R/E/T or A/E/T parkflyer or 3 channel
glider ARF or kit plane. It includes mixing for flying wings or V-tail 3
channel planes as well as servo reversing. It does not have ATV/EPA or dual
rates, however these can be added later. You can also add a trainer port for
use with an instructor or to connect to a flight simulator.

You can add a 4th channel but it is not proportional, so don't confuse this
with a typical 4 channel radio. It would operate landing gear or a bomb drop
on a three channel plane. Should worked fine. I had the Focus 3 model, which
preceeded this. I now use a Focus strictly as a travel or keep in the car
radio now that I have moved to a computer radio.

If you buy this package with the intenion of adding the 4 optional features
right away, you are better off getting the Hitec Laser 4 I list next. It
will cost almost the same and the Laser is a true 4 channel radio.


Hitec Laser 4 - 4 Channel Standard Radio $129
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXANT7**&P=ML
My minimum recommended 4 channel standard radio for A/E/R/Throttle parkflyer,
glow plane or 4 channel glider. Radio, micro receiver, 3 micro servos,
Switch harness, etc. It will fly a 4 channel aileron plane. Includes V-tail
and Elevon mixing, servo reversing, ATV on ch 1&2 . Also has a trainer port

In my opinion, pick the Laser 4 only if you are unsure you will continue in
the hobby and want to spend as little as possible to get a 4 channel plane
into the air. Not my recommendation for a committed flyer who plans to
continue in the hobby. If you get it, you can always use it as a buddy box in
the future, dedicate it to your flight simulator or use it as a back-up or
travel radio when you move up to a computer radio. Or you can give it or
sell it to a friend to help them get
started.


COMPUTER RADIOS - Much Better Choice

Futaba 6 EXAS Entry Level 6 Channel Computer Radio - $160
micro receiver, 3 micro servos, Switch- $160
Receiver in this package is not appropriate for sailplanes or glow planes.
OK for parkflyers/low speed electrics.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXJUV7**&P=ML

The Futaba 6EXAS is an entry level computer radio. For the committed flyer,
this is a much better choice than the above radios. Six channels, 6 model
memories, surface mixes, end point adjustments, servo reversing, dual rates,
exponential, and more. Rich with features and convenience that will carry you
a long way. You will invest a little more up front but it will pay you back
in convenience and flexibility as you move forward. For about $30 more than
the Laser 4 radio you are miles ahead in capability!

Airtronics VG 6000 - $160
http://www.airtronics.net/VG6000.htm
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEUY5**&P=7
This particular package is very attractive for small electrics. Comes with two
small servos and a 20 amp ESC. 6 channels, 4 model memories, 6 standard
mixes, no user definable mix capability listed. I can't find any info on the
range of the receiver in this package so I must assume it is around 1000 feet.
Suitable for small or low speed parkflyers only, unless you find the receiver
has more
range.


There are lots of other good choices in computer radios if you have a bit more
to spend, however these would be my minimum entry recommendation for the
committed flyer who knows they will continue in the hobby.


FLIGHT PACKS

Once you have your new radio, or if you have a radio already, these flight
packs would be good for your next parkflyer or sailplane, as noted. They will
work with Hitec or Futaba radios, or any radio that will work with a negative
shift receiver. There are also positive shift versions of these for JR and
Airtronics and other positive shift radios.


GWS, 2Naro, RCn6 Reciever, ICS 300 8/15 amp ESC $69
Includes speed control and reciever - Good for small electric
planes. Note that receiver has 1000' range. NG for sailplanes or glow
planes.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...dID=GWSCB667AF

Hitec receiver, w/ 2 HS-55 servos and ESC speed control $79
Receiver has 1 mile range. Servos are good for for parkflyers and up to 1.5M
sailplanes.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZU5&P=7


Hitec Micro 555 Flight pack with 3 HS-81 - $98
Stronger servos and better receiver - that can handle larger electric planes
up to about 60 inch wing
spans, .40 glow planes and 2-3M RES sailplanes or slope gliders.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXUZ92&P=ML

GWS Speed Controls
8+ Amps - $11
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHUY9&P=7
15+amps - $22
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHVB5&P=7
30 Amps - $28
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHVC1&P=7



If you have a bigger budget, there are better radios, but when someone says beginner radio I try to keep it under $200. If you can afford more, I have more info.

I am in agreement with Aeajr, also. However his advice seems to be pointed toward electric set-ups. I guess I don't recall Swimman asking for a radio for Electric airplanes. If this isn't the direction you are headed, substitute standard sized and all servos, eliminating an ESC. I also agree about computer radios, they are the only way to go! They are so flexible and adjustable and have so many options, I can only highly recommend this avenue. My transmitter will only store 4 airplane set-ups. I have three going and will be adding a forth, soon. You don't buy complete set-ups anymore, just one transmitter and as many air packs as you want to use. Four may be the small side for storage, however, I'm doubtful of the need for 30.

This stupid website keeps timing me out!! No other Forums I go to does this! WHAT GIVES?

I have the Futaba 6EXA as a first radio. It's a great radio, but I now wish I'd have bought something with helicopter capability. I've flown fixed pitch heli's with my 6EXA, but I'd now like a collective pitch heli. I think I'll soon buy a 6EXH or 7CHP and get what $$ I can for the 6EXA.

Swimman didn't specify what kind of planes he was planning to fly so I provided packages that would serve small electrics/parkflyers, up to about .25 glow planes or up to about 2M sailplanes. The radios listed are packaged with smaller components but all are available with larger components. The radio would be the same, only the size of the servos and receiver would change.

The myth of the eternal radio is that you can buy one you won't outgrow. If that happens either you spent a bundle on your first radio, or you are not advancing and expanding. Not a bad thing, but many people will constantly expand their type of flying and/or the size of their fleet.

Here is how my radios have come and gone.

My first radio was a 27mhz 3 Ch that came with an RTF. I still fly that plane with that radio. It lives in my car!

May second radio was a 72 mhz AM 3 channel used for a RTF Spirit Select sailplane.

My third radio was a Hitec Prism 7X computuer radio that I bought used. I got a great deal on it with an 8 channel receiver. But it only had three model memories and I overran that very fast.

Now my main radio is a Futaba 9C, 9 channel radio with unlimited model memories via removeable cards, one of the reason I bought it. I also wanted programming for 4 wing servos and the ability to assign functions to switches. Finally I wanted a good combo of mixes for my full house sailplanes in addition to my parkflyers.

I now have 10 models in the Futaba, three in the Prism and still use the 27 mhz radio. I have been flying for only 3 years.

I gave away the 3 channel AM radio to a friend to help his son get started. I later picked up a used 3 channel FM model that I use as a travel radio with a discus launched glider or a small electric.

Net Net - You can spend a lot for a very capeable radio like the Futaba 9C which costs about $300 for the radio alone, or you can buy a less expensive radio radio with the understanding that you might, some day, outgrow it. Not a terrible thing really.

If you have the bucks get the 9C or a JR 9303, or a Multiplex Royal EVO or an Airtronics Stylus and you will likely not need another unless you over run the model memories. Or you can go for an entry level computer radio, program in 4-6 plane, enjoy it for a couple of years, then go for the "bigger" bucks on the more advanced radio when you REALLY know what you want or need it. Keep the first radio for your less complex planes, as a travel radio, as a back-up, as a buddy box, or to use on your flight sim. Nothing goes to waste.

When I started flying I had no intention of flying sailplanes or slope gliders. Boy did that change in my second year. Now I fly these more than I fly my electrics.

I haven't flown glow planes and have no plans to ever do so, but who knows, that could change some day. The 9C will handle glow planes just fine.

I haven't flown any Helis yet, but the 9C can handle that too.

I'm planning to jump directly to glow planes. I've have been researching some and am leaning toward the Nexstar. But first things first. I would like to get a radio and a simulator to get a feel for it before I head to the local field and get some instruction.

You can download a free flight sim called FMS to start with and with an adapter cord you can hook up a radio to it and it works just fine. Now as far as model memory goes, I don't understand what the big deal is. I trim my planes for level flight and then make the mechanical adjustments so that the plane will fly with all the trims set at centre. That way all I have to do to switch planes is adjust the engiine and make sure the trims are centred to fly straight and level. There is the odd plane that may need servo reversal on the rudder or ailerons but that would require only one or 2 memorys if you didn't want to bother throwing the servo reversal switch. All I am saying is if you like a particular computer radio but it only has say 9 model memorys you can probably live with it. [8D]

Yes, I agree, I think 9 - 10 model memories are probably adequate. Back when we had to actually build what we flew, 4 would have been good. However, with ARFs, I am on my 4th model this year, since April, 2005.

Going from model to model in a computer radio is far easier than having to make adjustments and flip servo reverse switches to operate another model. It is far safer, also! I suppose it is really only a matter of conveiniance

However, we all do what we have to to make all this work for us and if your happy and safe doing it the way you are, great! I had to make due with this option in the eighties, so I understand how it works.

I know that I'm the oddball when it come to radios, and I definitely know that I am in the minority with the way I think. But I do think that in this discussion I think that I should mention a few things for them to think about.

First off, I don't think that new flyers should use computer radios. The reason is, I think that the student should learn to fly the plane with NO computer assists (such as mixing for example). The only thing I think that the student should use is dual rates. Now don't take what I am saying incorrectly. I'm not saying that the student shouldn't own the radio, I am saying that they shouldn't use the computer assists. Unfortunately human nature is to "play" with those neat gadgets, and it's hard for students to not mess with them. With that in mind I think that they should stay with basic radios when they start. Using a computer radio for learning is fine as long as they don't use the advanced features of the radio. These days a lot of people getting in to the hobby will purchase one of the RTF packages that comes with a basic 4 channel radio. If a student gets one of these then I think that they should stay with it until they learn to fly.

Second, new students don't know what type of flying they want to do when they are learning. That kind of knowledge doesn't come about until they start trying out different planes as they progress in skills. Until somebody knows what kind of flying they are going to do (i.e. 3D, sport, scale, warbirds, giant size, etc...) they won't know what kind of radio they need. Some types of flying need the higher capabilities of the higher dollar computer radios, but for some pilots a 6 channel middle of the road computer radio will work just fine. Another case for a basic radio while learning.

Third, I don't like having one computer radio that has all of your planes in it. Yes, I know that I'm in the minority here, but that's how I feel. If you have one radio that has everything in it and you go to a field with a frequency conflict you will have to sit and wait to fly. Or if you have to send your radio in for service you are grounded until you get your radio back. Myself, I have 3 computer radios (all on different frequencies) and 5 "plain jane" (non-computer) 6 channel radios. I have several planes that are just my "throw around" sport planes. I don't need a bunch of computer extras for these plane so the basic radios are just fine for them. The most expensive of these radios cost me $80, and the rest were less than that. For the planes that I need mixing or other computer features on I use one of the computer radios I have for those. But all of my radios are on different frequencies so I almost always have something to fly, no matter what.

Like I said, I know that I think differently than most, so don't flame me because I think differently. I am just giving another view point in the discussion.

That's my 2ΒΆ worth.

Ken

Hi!
This is the radio I would recommend!
JR, simple 6channel computer radio with 10 model memories!

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RCKen, the frequency conflict is where a 9C with synth transmitter module and receiver really shine. You can fly on any channel at any time, so it becomes a non-issue. It's only a problem if you have to send in the transmitter for repair, which becomes a bigger problem for me since I also use mine for boats

Hydro Junkie, Are you recommending a 9C with synythisized frequencies as a first radio for a beginner? If so, I can't get onboard with that idea! Beginners especially, don't need the real complication these radios are capible of causing!

These things have me extremely scared about shoot downs in the future!

Ken ...you have valid points here, you usually do and I respect your opinion...however, I disagree.

To me...buy the best radio you can afford. I bought the JR 8103 off of Ebay for less than $200 and I am glad I did.
Eight channels, 10 models, 3 wing types....does Heli's and gliders. I agree, Ken that a newbie should learn how to fly without mixing, however, if you become a junkie like me...you will out grow a simple 4 channel radio very quickly.

After six months I was flying a Funtana 40 and a GP Extra 300S and using dual rates, mixing and exponential. Buying a lesser radio would have been a waste and possibly a hindrance.

Your comment about not having all your models on one radio....please...for the price of a crystal ($15) you can fly whatever channel you want to. Everytime you buy a flightpack you can choose the crystal...why buy the same one you already have. I fly at multiple clubs...and within seconds can change the crystals in both the radio and receiver.
For example ... if have a 54 tx and two 54 rx, 44 tx & 44 rx, 37 tx & 37rx. I have two planes...and 3 chances for an open frequency. I can wait for a pin...or I can change the crytal...no big deal.

I do agree that it is wise to buy the most prevalent model at your field. It is certainly helpful for someone to teach you the features and why you would use them.

No, I'm a beginner and fly on a buddy lead basis most of the time. Instructor has an ancient FF6 or 7 ( I think) and I have 6YG. It's got exponential for aileron and elevator and one or two other gizmos. I have absolutely no intention of fiddling with the other stuff and if I get a second plane I'll trim it out if I need to (actually I'd get one of the instructors to do it probably if I couldn't do it myself). I'd love a computer radio (because I enjoy all that sort of thing) but I'm so enjoying flying the plane (figure of 8s, approach and land, that sort of thing) that I don't see me outgrrowing my basic radio for ages.

Newcomers to the club are bringing their 6EXAs but realistically they are doing the same sort of thing as I am. One old-timer recently bought a computer radio so that he could settle down a Chantilly Lace which was much too difficult for him to fly on a basic radio. That to me is the purpose of the computer kit, not figure 8s on a trainer...

R/CKen has some good points and while I agree with him in some ways, I don't think buying a computer radio is putting a beginner in any sort of harms way. The one thing he does recommend, dual rates, is the item I have seen or heard destroy more good airplanes than any one thing put on radios. However, can you even buy a radio which doesn't have dual rates, anymore? The first radio I ever bought, I bought in 1968 and was a Kraft Gold Medal radio, which cost $350.00. My present new radio is a 2005 Airtronics VG6000. It is a six channel simple computer radio which cost me around $190.00 with an upgrade to ball bearing servos. The computer part is very intuitive to use. The instruction manual is well written and easy to understand. So, given my 1968 prices for a starter radio, compared to todays simple computer radio prices, I don't see the cost being to big a deal and I just can't see not going this route. However, to each, his own!

All good input. As you say, you don't have to use the computer features while you are learning, but it is hard to turn them on later if you don't have them.

Right about not knowing, but I still think an entry level compter radio is a good investment. Will carry most people for years.

If you have a lot of channel conflict either get a comptuer radio with a freq synth or get the DX6 Spread spectrum and never have to worry about channel conflict again.

I still recommend computer radios, but I say your points are all valid and well stated.

Unfortunately the Spread Spectrum radios have only been approved for Park Flyers. They don't have the range to use with the larger planes yet.

Ken