One of the most common questions here on the Beginners forum is, "What radio should I get?" A lot of RCU readers have embraced the new Spektrum DX7 2.4Ghz radio system, and while the technology and value that it packs is impressive, at $310 to $350, the DX7 is often out of range for many new pilots' budgets. With park flyer receivers costing $50 to $60 and receivers for full-size aircraft costing $100 each, adding additional flight packs for the DX7 isn't an inexpensive purchase either.

While quality radio equipment rarely enjoys the promotional discounts and promotions that airframes or engines do, there are plenty of good bargains on the market. I often recommend several of the fine 6-channel computer radios available in the $160 to $175 price range. The JR SX600, the Hitec Optic 6 Sport, the Airtronics VG6000, the Futaba 6EXA S, and the Tower Hobbies 6XM are all available in this price range with full flight packs included - 4 standard servos, receiver, TX and RX batteries and charger, switch harness, and other accessories are all included. These radios vary in features, but all offer multiple model memory, digital trims, and numerous programming and mixing functions that let pilots advance their skills easily and handle flying multiple models from the same radio conveniently and reliably.

For the next 5 days, the folks at http://www.hobbypeople.net are doing something very rarely seen. They are having a really good sale on a really, really good radio:

[link=http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/460736.asp]$199.99 Airtronics RD8000[/link]

The RD8000 w/ flight pack normally sells for $250 to $275, and it's a bargain at the normal street price. Shift-selectable, it can control any brand of 72Mhz receiver sold in North America, whether positive shift (JR, Airtronics) or negative shift (Futaba, Tower, Hobbico). It has advanced programming menus for powered aircraft, sailplanes, and helicopters with numerous advanced programming and mixing features for each specific category. It supports Airtronics PCM receivers as well as an enormous array of FM/PPM receivers. It has eight seperate channels and offers dual elevator mixing and other features so advanced aircraft requiring retracts, flaps, and multiple servos on the same control surface can all be handled right through the radio. You can read about all of the RD8000's advanced features here:

[link=http://www.airtronics.net/PDF%20Files/RD8000%20Manual%201.pdf]RD8000 owner's manual[/link]

If you're looking for a high quality radio that you can use with $19.99 park flyer receivers or top quality PCM recievers, something that will run both JR and Futaba 72Mhz FM receivers, something that will easily operate your trainer as well as the P-47 Thunderbolt with retracts and flaps that you're going to put together two or three years from now, this is a rare and genuine bargain!

When Global Hobby announced that they were the new exclusive Airtronics distributor for the U.S., they said they were going to shake things up to help hobbyists discover the outstanding quality and value of Airtronics products. This Memorial Day sales promotion on one of Airtronics' finest radio systems is an awesome way to kick this new relationship off!

If you've been waiting for the right time to upgrade from the 4-channel sport radio that came with your RTF trainer, this is it!


FEATURES: Designed with basic and advanced menus
Dual elevator channels to eliminate the need for Y harnesses
10 model memory
Airplane, sailplane, and helicopter basic and advanced menus
Dual gyro sensitivity control in in all 4 heli modes
Selectable modulation: FM/PPM, FM/PPM INV, PCM 1, and PCM 2


Program Features for all types of models (Basic Turned on)
10 model memory Model type Selection
Stop watch Center adjustment on all channels
Digital trims Data reset
Servo reversing on all channels LCD transmitter voltage meter
Dual rates (elev. and ail.) High capacity TX and RX batteries
(rudder also in heli.) Adjustable stick tension & Length
Large LCD display Low batt alarm
End point on all channels


Aircraft Advanced Features (Basic turned off)
(All features in Basic menu also included)
Exponential Aileron differential
Trim memory Landing differential
Trim authority Crow
Model Naming Dual rate alarm
Failsafe / Hold (PCM only) Menu options
RX battery failsafe Flap to elevator mix
Low battery alarm Throttle to elevator mix
Integral system timer Rudder to aileron mix
Data copy Aileron to rudder mix
Flaperon mix Rudder to elevator mix
Spoilron mix Elevator to flap mix
Elevon mix Switch reversing
V-tail mix 2 compensation mixers
Thorttle cut Delta mix
Click Dual elevator mix


Helicopter Features
Basic
Stop watch Servo reversing
Dual rate elev, ail. and rud. Servo centering
End point adjustment Throttle curve (5 point)
Revo mix (3 point) 4 flight modes
Gyro sensitivity adjustment Pitch Curve
Model select and type Data reset


Advanced
Exponential Fail Safe (PCM only)
Throttle cut Model Naming
2 compensation mixers Integral system timer
Trim step Switch reversing
Data copy 4 modulation modes
Click Battery fail safe
Dynamic trim memory Swash plate type


INCLUDES: One RD8000 transmitter
One 92778z Slim Line DC Receiver (AIRL10**)
Four 94322z standard HD servos with hardware (AIRM2322)
One AC dual system charger (AIRM4100)
One 4.8v 600mAh RX battery (AIRM0525)
One 600mAh TX battery
One switch harness (AIRM3000)
One 12" servo extension (AIRM3025)
One 2 +_1 servo tray (AIRM0943)
One aileron tray (AIRM0933)


REQUIRES: Charging before use


SPECS: Receiver
Length: 63.5 mm (2.50")
Width: 26.9 mm (1.06")
Height: 21.6 mm (0.85")
Weight: 36.9 grams (1.3 oz.)
Sensitivity: 1.5 microvolts
Power Supply: 4 cell, 4.8V 700mAh NiCd


Transmitter
Power Output: 600 mWatts
Frequencies: 72MHz / 75MHz
Modulation: PPM/FM, PPM/FM, reverse PCM1 & PCM2
Power Supply: 9.6V, 700mAh NiCd
Current Drain: 180 MA
Temperature Range: 0-160 degrees F
Pulse Width: 1.5 ms (nominal)
Model Memory: 10


COMMENTS: Additional receivers that will work with the RD8000:
92515Z 5ch FM Single Conversion (AIRL70**)
92777Z 7ch FM Dual Conversion (AIRL35**)
92085Z 8ch FM Dual Conversion
92185Z 8ch PCM Dual Conversion

Hello,

Personally I would suggest the Futaba 7CAP/7CHP PCM/PPM computer radio with 10 plane memory. It has everything anyone will need. I am building Scale Warbirds now and with this radio and a few Y-Harness's I can run almost any amount of servo's I want with a 8 channel receiver for the battery. It has the mixes, flaperon's, end points, and you name it. This will be a radio that will be enough for anyone for a long time unless they intend to need 14 channels for seperate servo's. Plus it's a Futaba not an Airtronics. I think Futaba is a much better radio. Just my personal opinion.

Gibbs

Great post Ed

It's funny you say that NCIS, as I own a Futaba 7CAP and fly it is my primary sport radio. I also own a Futaba 4YBF and a Futaba buddy box. The 7C costs $30 more than the RD8000's current sale price, has 1 fewer channels, lacks the dual elevator feature that makes Y-harnesses unnecessary for most .60 to 1.20 models, lacks the dedicated sailplane features of the RD8000, lacks shift selectability to work with JR/Airtronics receivers, and doesn't have nearly as many helicopter mixing/programming features included with it.

User Reviews of the RD8000 here at RC Universe will confirm the outstanding quality of Airtronics products. Sanwa/Airtronics products are much more widely used throughout the world than they are here in the U.S. simply because of the Hobbico (Futaba)/Horizon (JR & Spektrum) stranglehold on the North American distributing market. Interestingly enough, demand for Airtronics radio equipment has still been strong enough that both distributors have also carried Airtronics radio equipment in addition to their own favored lines.

Have you had a bad experience with Airtronics radio systems, NCIS, or are you just rooting for the brand you bought?

I really like my Futaba 7C, it's a great radio that does everything I need it to do. If I were in the market for a new radio right now, however, I'd been ordering an RD8000 so fast it'd make your head spin!

To MinnFlyer - thanks! Like I said before, you don't often fine genuinely good deals on top quality radios, so I wanted to share my excitement with anyone who might be mulling over a radio-purchasing decision.

I've got a Futaba 6EXA. Six channels with basic mixing and such. Great radio and pretty happy with it. If I could go back, I'd get the 7CAP due to the extra features for the few extra bucks. If I get another radio or if this one fails, a 7CAP would be my next radio(2.4g version when it comes out).

somegeek

I personally am finding the DX-7 very adequate as a radio to grow with. I bought it with just that intent. Especially for the price. I started out with few basic 4 channel airplanes, and now have a couple of 5 channel airplanes and as of this week I'm using the helicopter stuff on my new t-rex. This radio has a lot of features for the price not to mention the reduced hassle and safety (debatable of course, but I've had no mishaps on 6 aircraft) of 2.4Ghz. Just keep those Rx batteries charged and maybe even use 6v packs on high value airplanes. I highly recommend the DX-7.

Hello,

A good friend of mine had an Airtronics radio and the day he bought it the plane he was going to use it in started jumping like mad. No matter what we did we couldn't get it to stop twitching. He sent the radio in and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. We tried it again and then he sent it in again and said something is wrong because my friends Futaba radio and his servos were fine in the plane. To make a long story short he took a refund and bought a 6 channel Futaba computer radio and has had no problems. I just didn't think they had great Customer Service. This was probably an isolated situation but you can only bite my buddy once.

Gibbs

Well, if there is one thing that Hobbico/Futaba NA is awesome at, it's great customer service. Nothing wrong with staying loyal to a company that has helped you out in the past.

Sorry, don't want to hijack the thread, I just think there have been a few things pointed out in this thread that are notable enough to bring to the forefront. First, 2.4 Ghz technology is going to make all of our Txs obsolete, over time. Unless there turns out to be a severe glitch inherent in the system, something akin to when there's a solar flare, all planes will drop from the air or it will turn your fingernails blue (you get the idea). But, in the meantime, think of it this way, anyone serious about getting into the hobby would be wise to consider stepping up to this technology now, rather than do an expensive "update later". So, that means that there would be fewer and fewer people on OUR channel-inherent systems. Let's face it, our Tx s aren't bad, they're just older technology. I plan on running my 7CAP for a few years yet, unless they make them illegal or something. With the inevitable shift to 2.4Ghz, you will see a lot of really good Tx s for a really good price, until they make them all 2.4 s.

While all the radios mentioned are very good radios, I did notice one glaring ommision - The Polk's Tracker radios.

They are 8 channel radios that can be used with ANY receiver on ANY channel.

The radio comes with a Seeker receiver (can use on any channel with any transmitter) 900 mah batteries (most radios only have 600 mah batteries) and one servo. Yes, you will need to add 3 more servos (at about $8 - 10 each for standard servos), however the TX, RX, batteries, one servo and a 5 YEAR WARRANTY (compared to 2 or 3 year for other makes) for $200 (about $230 with 4 servos ) is an excellent price.

I would put the radio in the mid range for features/performance, but with only a slightly higher price than many "starter/1st" radios.

I am not affiliated with Polk's in any manner except as a very satisfied customer.

Just my opinion,

It's kind of like calculaters and cell phones. At first they were huge and cost a lot of money. But once the technology got better with their product the prices came down and the product got better. I intend to get one when I think they have got all the bugs out and they really can't improve on it anymore.

Gibbs

I'll stick with the Futaba 9C. I know it costs a little more, but it does have the following the others don't:
Interchangable frequency modules
Usable on any frequency band
72 MHz synth module and receiver are available
2.4GHz FASST module and receiver are available when you decide to upgrade
More mixing and control options than the 6EX or 7C
Changable CAMPAC modules to increase model memory to any amount you need

What more do you need?

Not to revive a dying thread, but some comments made in another of my threads got me thinking about this one again.

In my thread I discussed something that wasn't even mentioned here. When looking for a new radio, although having all the features is important, you should also take into account the "feel" of the radio. When I started a couple months ago I bought a copy of RealFlight, then about a week later I bought an Avistar RTF. I knew the radio that came with the Avistar was essentially a "throw away", and I would need to upgrade before I got another plane (this was based on personal preference, as the radio is capable of flying other planes).

Since I started flying with the sim before I ever took a real plane up, I had become used to the feel of the sim controller. Those of you who have one know it is a bit sloppy (not a lot of stick tension). As I said I flew this for about a week before I had a chance to get my plane up. Since I was working with a club instructor, my first flight was done using the club buddy box. We are fortunate to have a couple different boxes, but the one I used primarily was an old Futaba Conquest 6 channel radio. The first time I flew I immediately could tell that it was a better quality radio than the sim controller. Even though I had not actually flown using my controller, I could also tell that it was better than what came with my Avistar.

So I flew using the club buddy box, and all was well until my first solo flight. I was handed "my" radio, and was told to take it up. I immediately noticed a couple of things. First the stick tension was different, the amount of throw was different, and lastly there is basically no knurling on the tips of the sticks. This last bit wasn't really an issue on my first couple of flights, but after messing with my radio on the ground a bit I got some fuel on my thumbs. This was a real annoyance when I got the plane back in the air. When I moved the stick, it constantly wanted to slip away from my thumbs. A little knurling on the tips and this wouldn't have been an issue.

Now all of annoyances with the radio that came with my Avistar are moot because I have bought a new (well new to me) radio that I will be switching to. However before I bought my new radio one of things I did was go around to everyone at the club, and ask them about their radios. If they let me I made sure actually got my hands on their radio (generally turned off of course). I attend a great club, and everyone is willing to help out so this wasn't a problem (some even let me buddy box with their radios). Through this I discovered what I liked in a radio (biggest surprise here was how much I like a throttle with no ratchet which was something I didn't even knew existed), so when I had the opportunity to buy my new radio I immediately jumped at it knowing I was going to like the feel. If you don't have the opportunity to "try" different radios at your club I definitely suggest trying as many as you can at your LHS before just jumping in and buying one. It is my opinion that the feel of the radio is just as important as the functionality. You have to hold this radio the entire time you are flying, if you don't like the feel it doesn't matter how many bells and whistles it has it may not be the best radio for you. If you are like me your upgrade/first radio will probably have to last a while so you want to make sure you get something you truly like.

Just my thoughts, hope they help!

felixone - you can disable the throttle ratchet on virtually all radios.

Bruce,

I knew you could on some, but thought it was mainly the high end ones. It is good to know that most offer this feature. Of course unless I have issues with my current radio I don't expect to buying a new one for quite some time.

Thanks for pointing that out though!

The ergonomic fit of how a radio feels in your hands is important. I remember how strange it was to me a couple of years ago when I soloed and first started flying with my radio instead of my buddy box!

Finding a radio that fits the way you like to hold them is definitely an important consideration. Don't be too quick to judge a radio on this point, however, as you tend to get used to one particular kind of radio and then anything else that's different feels strange. I hadn't flown with my 4YBF at all last year (the radio I actually trained with), I'd only been flying my 7CAP. When I first took the 4YBF out earlier this spring I just hated it for a couple of flights. Once I acclimated to it again, however, I've enjoyed using it. Now switching between the 4YBF and the 7CAP is no big deal.