im new to r/c planes, and ive just started building my first plane (Brumby Trainer) and im not sure what radio to get, any thoughts?

Well for your first radio a Hitec Focus 4 or 5 channel would be a good place to start. You don't need a high dollar computer radio at first the cheaper line of radios work just fine.

One thing to consider when buying your radio is that you will want something that will be compatable with your insructors transmitter so you can buddy box them together. Good luck with your first radio purchase.

Like Cap232CM said, for compatibility issues, keep it in the "mainstream," but by all means, keep it cheap. I would suggest maybe a 6 channel airtronics vanguard (if they even still make it) or something similar. Even though you won't use all the channels right now, you may want to in the future. A little extra now will save you from getting a whole new radio later when you need those extra channels.

hitec flash 5x not much more than a standard 4 channel but it will grow with you

the hitec5 wood be a good choice.better to get a computer radio and have the option of only having to buy more flight packs than another radio. also the dual rates are a great bonus . they are only on the 5 not the flash4.

Ha good to see another Aussie on the forum,
IMHO best buys (features V cost) here in AUS are both HiTech either the flash5 or laser6, best prices i've found is at www.radiomodels.com.au in Perth, i've bought over the net and phone from them with no problems.

just a word of advise, join a club and find out what spare frequencies they have (or least used) and order the set with these crystals, it'll give you more flying time (less clashes) and save you some cost later if you change.

As your a fellow Aussie i'll take the liberty (at the risk of getting flamed AGAIN) of sugesting you have a look at the SPAD site www.spadtothebone.com it'll save you some money on the next plane you build.

Hi,

First I want to make clear Im a beginner so take my advice as such.

When I bought my radio (a cheap multiplex) the price of the servos, reciever and batteries that came with the radio was almost worth the price of the whole package. I calculated that the "bare" price of the transmitter was around $35 which is cheap compared to all the other costs of starting in this hobby.

In other words don't worry that you might outgrow a cheap radio (mine has 4 channels, no compuer, no dual rates, ...). Even if I only use it for my first plane it still "only" cost me $35.

Best regards
RCer

I completly agree with RCfun! A basic radio will make things a lot simpler for learning. Also the buddy boxes won't use dual rates so whats the point of setting up a trainer for them?! They will simply use the high rate setting. Once you have completed your training you will have a better idea if you need or want a fancier radio. The extra channels are usually used for retracts and flaps. Our rough grass field eats retracts for breakfast so I don't use them. Flaps are usually only used on larger, heavier planes which will be a while before you can handle one of these. IF you get another plane, the first radio can still be used and get a flight pack or get another radio and have 2. It doesn't hurt to have 2 different radios on different channels at the field. If 1 channel is busy, then you can use the other 1. Its also nice to be able to use 1 for a buddy box if you have a friend that wants to try flying down the road. I still use my basic 4 channel and I have a 6 channel that I bought 3 years after I soloed. I still don't use the extra channels and I am up to 8 planes now.

Woodsy,

Wow, I have to make one of those SPAD radios.

Just kidding.

I started out with a plain jane tower hobby 4 channel. And still use it for testing new planes. To tell you the truth, I just got my first compter radio, a hitec eclipse w/spectrum. and it is a bit intimidating. I would have been totally lost if I started with it. I think that if I had to start again. (man would that be a great to experiance my first flight again) If I had to start again I would probable go with the hitec 5 or the futaba 6 channel. The six is a computer radio but to my understanding very simple to operate and has the option for later on, putting on multiple aircraft. If I was you I would check with your club, I bet someone has a radio sitting around and would probably give it to you, or sell it next to nothing.

Good luck with the hobby.

MY name is Jonathan and I am a SDAD-oholic

I would suggest not going too cheap on the radio. It can last a long time if you get a good one. Make sure it is able to buddy box with the guys at the field and get at least 6 channels. That way, you don't need a new one as soon as you get a new plane. You can use it for a few years and grow into it. There is no reason to get the cheapest one and have to get another one in a year. Spend a few bucks extra now, and next year you can get two planes instead of a plane and a radio.

I agree with FLYBOY.

Spend a little extra on the radio. Get something like the Airtronics RD6000 Super. Its a nice computer radio, easy to program, and will last years. Can program 8 models, has 6 channels.
Nice radio in my opinion.


Ethal86

Look at the Futaba 9C too. It is more money, but will do anything you will ever want to do. I like Futaba better than anything, and the 9C is the best radio I have ever had the pleasure of using.

You have to remember guys we dont get a lot of brands and types you guys get we are pretty much limited to HiTech, Futaba, JR and Multiplex (multi $$$$) with the ocasional crappy Sanwa and Vanguard.

If your realy looking for cheap and as some one pointed out the reciever servos etc will still be there go for the HiTech laser 4, excelent radio for a great price, i have the flash5 and eclipse7 and for 90% of the time they may as well be the basic 4 chanel.

the laser will do most of what you want and down the track it'll be a good second radio.

Deals can be had on the recently discontinued Futaba 6DA. I have one and I love it. Not "computerized", but it has flaps, gear, end-point-adjustments, dual-rates, mixing, etc. . . . Everything but model memory and V-tail mixing.

I think I am one of the few who bought one.