I am a complete Newbie. I bought a Storm Launcher Toy a few weeks ago and loved it. I eventually destroyed to the point it is not worth fixing but had a blast doing it. Now I want to get some more serious toys and get involved with RC Planes and other Hydro foams.

I was told by a friend that has been into RC for a while that first thing I needed was to buy a good radio setup and then go from there. I have spent hours reading up as much as I can but I am still pretty lost. It all still sounds greek to me. I know I want at least a 6 channel, I would prefer not to have to deal with swapping crystals and want to buy a kit complete with a few servos and do all this with completely breaking the bank (Looking in the $200 to $300 range if possible).

Which radio setup would you recommend for a newbie like me??
What should I look for in a First Radio??

I would use this in an entry level Trainer Plane and then eventually I want to build a High Quality HydroFoam type Boat/Plane. (Also I would greatly appreciate recommendations on which Hydro-Foam Boat/Plane kit would be the best.)

The only way to avoid swapping frequency modules under $300 for a system is probably going to be 2.4 GHz system.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPZT8&P=SM
Swapping transmitter crystals is illegal in the U.S. unless done by a certified shop. Modules can be swapped. 2.4 GHz avoids the issue completely.

Chances are even if you went with a crystal set radio you would not need to change them out... get a good radio with a model memory and you will be set.

JR makes some very nice radios, a bit on the expensive side.

Futaba, look at the 7cap.

The spektrum and Futaba 2.4ghz systems are nice as well. for spektrum, go with the dx7.

If you have a LHS, head by there and try a few on for size. Find something that feels good in your hand where you can hit all the buttons easily.

Edit: Get a computer radio, it will grow with you and you won't need a new one for a while.

I would prefer JR, as Im using JR's XF421EX. My future radio is JR's 7 channel fully synthesized XP7202 which is $330.

7202 Synthesized PCM Air 4-DS821 R790

Specs
# of Channels: 7 Channel
Modulation: S-PCM,Z-PCM & PPM
Band: Fully Synthesized Transmitter
Servos: DS821 Sport Digital Servos
Receiver: R790 Scan Select S-PCM
Programming Features: Aircraft and Heli
Model Memory: 20 Model Memory
Transmitter (Tx) Battery Type: 1500mah NiMh Battery

Transmitter :

XP7202

7 Channel
20 model memory
Aircraft and Heli programming
S-PCM (as supplied) Z-PCM and PPM (FM)
Fully Synthesized Transmitter (Frequency selection is part of the programming)
Fully Digital trims
1500mah NiMh Battery

Receiver:

R790 Scan Select PCM

Here is the link

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=JRP7612

Mody

IMO, this is kinda a bad time to be shopping for radios. Futaba is coming out with a new system that will blow away the competition, it is due sometime in the spring and there are no prices on the radios yet, so it's hard to say whether you should wait to see what is in your price range for their new radios or look at others.

You also have to decide if you want older technology(72mhz) or newer(2.4ghz), they each have their pros and cons but with your budget you might be better off going with 72mhz, and I say that because RX's are cheaper for 72Mhz than 2.4Ghz.

Another thing you should think about is most new radios have servos that come as a package deal, you should try and get a radio/servo combo that you will be able to use, some sites can make up a package that is right for you so the servos won't go unused. Most servos that come with the radios aren't good for foamies(at least the ones I'm thinking of).

There are alot of good 6 channel radios but as of right now I can only think of 2 that I would recommend (there are others I just can't think of them)...JR6102 and the DX6. If you can find a place that will just sell the JR6102 and Rx and no servos it should cost around $200. I don't know enough about the DX6 other than I have heard good things about it. There are also 7 channel radios that you should consider like the Jr7203 and the DX7.

Another thing to think of is will the radio you buy be upgradeable, meaning if you buy an older technology radio will it be able to upgrade to 2.4Ghz like some of the radios are capable of.

I'm also thinking of buying a new radio but with so much happening this year I might just stay with what I have and let the dust settle and upgrade next year. I'd hate to be a newbie trying to figure it all out right now 'cause it's hard for me and I keep up to date with most of what is going on and it's confusing for me too.

Good luck, I hope this helps more than it confuses you.

72 mhz rx are not cheaper than the 2.4's, when you compare apples to apples. For the senthisized R790 JR SPCM receiver you are looking at 99 bucks. The AR7000 (equivilent 2.4 rx) is--99 bucks, and you get two receivers for the price of one. Sure, you can buy other brands in the 50 dollar range, but those rx's aren't as capable as the PCM receivers and 2.4 gig receivers when it comes to things like fail safe--so let's compare apples to apples, here.

He said something about foamies. If he is interested mainly in smaller, park flyers, then the AR 6100 is only 50 bucks--and it works with the DX7 radio as well--so there are cheaper 2.4 gig receivers out there.....

The best value in a beginner's radio going away is the Hitec Optic Sport model 159721 for $169.99:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXPTT7**&P=7

The Optic Sport is a 6-channel 72Mhz computerized radio system. The 159721 package includes a HFD-08RO 8-channel receiver, four HS-325HB ball-bearing servos, rechargable NiCd packs for transmitter and receiver, and AC charger.

It features a 10-model memory, is shift-selectable so it can work with JR/Airtronics receivers or Futaba/Tower/Hobbico receivers. It also boasts a wide array of mixing , dual rate, and exponential features and can handle fixed wing, glider, or heli functions. There isn't another radio on the market anywhere near this price that offers so many features, upgrade paths, and expandability.

you are right 2slow, if he's shopping for expensive apples, they are on par with each other but I seriously doubt that's what he's looking for and as far as the AR6100 I haven't seen it cheaper than 50 but I have seen other RX's less than that.

One of the pros of going with 72Mhz is a variety of Tx's and Rx manufacturers in all price ranges.

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I still have not made up my mind on a Radio and I am still looking at all the options. I did go ahead and buy Hobbyzone Firebird Freedom Kit to give me something to play with in the mean time from the LHS. My ultimate goal is still to build and fly something like the MHO but I think it will be a while before I am ready for that.

Please keep the advise coming as I am trying to learn everything I can about what Radio I should start with. definately looking for Bang for the Buck but something that I will not outgrow a few weeks after I buy it. Thanks again to all those that took to time to reply.