Greetings everyone. This is my first post here. I'm very new to the hobby, having flown only three 20 minute sessions with an instructor. I'm purchasing a Kadet Senior ARF and an OS .61 engine. My next purchase is the transmitter/receiver package. I'm leaning towards the Futaba 6EX that will allow me to upgrade as I grow in proficiency. My questions are: 6 channel, 7 channel, 12 channel.. and why? Servos - S-3050 Dig Std BB, S-3004 Std BB, S-3114 Micro HT, S-3154 Micro Dig HT HS, etc?

I understand that I may need different servos as I upgrade to more agile airplanes, and that I will probably leave the servos I place in the Kadet and purchase new ones for later.

So, how many channels to allow for upgrade and which servos for the Kadet Senior ARF?

Thanks in advance,
Bob56

Bob, when I started RC about five years ago, I built a Kadet LT40, and ordered the Futaba 6 channel basic set, with 4 S3004 servos, the standard battery pack, and standard receiver. It cost about $150. I've been through several airplanes, since, but I'm still using the same radio rig. What I'm saying is keep it simple, especially as a beginner, which I still consider myself to be. Glen

You want a minimum of 6 channels, to allow for planes with flaps and retracts or elevon / v-tail mixing. If this is your first radio, I'd suggest you get something in the 2.4 gHz range (Spread Spectrum), as that technology has a lot to offer the hobby and will be around for a long time. I personally have 4 FM Futaba radios, a dozen receivers and dozens of servos, and the only pieces that would be usable (if I switched to 2.4 gHz) would be the servos. You, on the other hand, only need to start with the newer hardware.
As for servos, the digital servos are nicer, tighter, more accurate, spiffy, and absolutely un-necessary for anyone less than an expert-class flier. Your own reaction times are currently 1000 times slower than the capabilities of a standard servo. In other words, YOU are the weak link in your airplane's radio / servo system, and you will be for quite some time. Don't take that as an insult though, as most of the people on this Forum (including myself), whether they admit it or not, are in that same boat. However, if you have money to burn and an over-riding need to impress people (who probably couldn't care less), then super-duper digital carbon-hearted Kevlar-wrapped titanium-carbo-nitrate coated servos await the arrival of your certified funds.
Metal gear servos are very nice to have, and ball-bearing systems have less slop and produce slightly higher torque than "standard" servos.

The Futaba 6EX in 2.4 is the preferred way to go if buying Futaba today. If you can wait a couple of months the new 7C in 2.4 will be out for just a few more dollars and will have many more features in it. Admittedly you don't need these at this time but they will be handy in the future. http://2.4gigahertz.com/systems/futk7000.html
The 7C is http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXSEJ8&P=SM $320 from Tower and the 6EX is http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0161p?&I=LZ2640 $297. Not much more for a lot more radio IMO.

I'd definitely recommend getting a 2.4GHz radio... the 72MHz radios won't be around much longer. I've used a Futaba 9C for the past three years, and I just recently got a Spektrum DX7.

Right now, the Spektrum DX7 is the nicest 2.4GHz radio in the $300 range (IMO). Comparing it to Futaba radios, I'd put it between the 7C and the 9C. The DX7 has graphs for your dual rate and expo, like the 9C does. The 6EX is pretty low end as computer radios go. The 6EX is already out in 2.4GHz, and I believe the 7C is expected shortly, but neither have a graphical display.

Actually, we don't know what changes/improvements will be made to the 7C if any. We can always hope. No announcements have been made.

You can look over the manual for the non-2.4 radio if you wish
http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/7c-manual.pdf

The question is what do you want to do? Are you going to get into warbirds, 3d, helicopters, sailplanes, etc.... Are you going to want retracts, flaps, and other things. Or are you more of a guy that just wants a few planes with out the added gizmos? I would definetly choose a computerized radio and one that will give you the option that you think your interest will go. How much do you want to invest? Everyone is screaming 2.4 will take away 72mhz and I would argue that 72mhz will be around a long time. Heck, we just removed ham spots from the board at our field. I don't believe everyone is going to move over to 2.4ghz and simple give up their 300 dollar radios to jump into a radio that costs close to $1,000 plus each new receiver is $100 dollars. I would leave the hobby before I reinvest that kind of money and I would assume that I am not alone in that decision.

just my .02cents

the 6EX is a very good radio, it has a 10 model memory and 6 channels is plenty for flaps, lights e.t.c,

as for the servos, the standard S3003 or Hitec HS311 servos will be fine for your trainers and sport planes but with bigger planes you may want something a bit stronger/faster or with metal gears to withstand higher loads

the Kadet is a nice plane and i wish you many happy flights!

Rollo - he's not being asked to give up anything OR buy a $1000 radio. I recommended a system or 2 in the $300-$320 range. True that additional RX's are $100 but an R168DF is $73 with a crystal. And IMO you get a lot more with the 2.4 radio. I also never said the sky was falling on 72 MHz. It WILL be around for some time but he might as well plan ahead now rather than later.
If you want to stay with what you have, FINE. I have no problem with that but we are not talking about YOU here, now are we?

I would have to agree with getting a 2.4GHz system rigth off the bat. For one, it's the new technology with great track record, two, there's no more frequencies to worry about, 3 all the new 2.4GHz systems have several model memories (and Spektrum has model match).

This is my second time around this hobby and i went with a DX7. 3 models later i KNOW it was the wisest decision i made.

Don't tell me who we are talking about while YOU are making recommendations on what YOU thing he should do. My intial questions were focused on the beginner to ask questions on what HE wants to do. I don't know why you took this personal I was pointing at EVERYONE recommending 2.4ghz like it was his only choice. Just wanted to put a little balance in the mix. Plus if he wanted to he could probably pick up a used 72mhz more quickly then the could a 2.4ghz to get started as a beginner in the hobby.

One more question before I place an order. Are the Futaba 6EX and the Spektrum mentioned here, compatable with older radios buddybox? I want the new technology, but it's worthless unless my instructor can hook up and save me from myself.

Great info in all posts. Thanks to all who gave their opinions. My club has a couple of trainers that I'm currently flying with an instructor. I hope to solo on my own airplane in a couple of weeks, depending on the amount of stick time I can squeeze in. After that, I wouldn't have to depend on the club trainer availability.

As to the question of what direction I'm headed after gaining some proficiency with the Kadet, only time will tell. Being new to the hobby, I've seen things already that have me drooling and eyes bugging. I'll make the decision of where I'm going after the initial shock has worn off. For instance, I go out to the field for the first time, expecting to see some old geezers (which I qualify) flying around in a pattern and maybe some loops, rolls, and other basic aerobatic stuff, and some young guy is there flying rolling circles about a foot of the ground. After that, I started asking more and more questions and the internet has provided some extroadinary videos of what is available today.

Whether it will be slow flying piper cubs or jets in my future, I'll have to wait and see. That decision will also depend on how much the wife will support me in my new hobby. Of one thing I am certain. This hobby will not be nearly as expensive as owning my 1941 65 HP Continental J-3 was a few years ago. She never did like to fly, and didn't like me flying. This way I can still fly, but with my feet on the ground.

The 6EX can be buddy boxed with any of the Futabas that have the square "micro plug" but NOT and of the round DIN plug transmitters.

The DX7 can be buddy boxed with a large number of other JR radios and perhaps a few other brands IF you get the right trainer cord.

This is off topic, but check this out...

http://2.4gigahertz.com/rbt1/futx1000.html
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P

It's a Futaba Robot! I found it on their 2.4GHz radio systems page!

I guess they didn't want Hitec to be the only one out there with a robot...

http://www.servocity.com/html/robonova-1.html

Hi Bob:

Glad you found the forum. I have spent many hours reading the threads. They are very informative and have been invaluable to me as a beginner.

You are headed in the right direction, and the above posts just confirm what we told you at the field. 2.4 is the way to go. As far as brand that is
always a personal preferencwe just like the old Ford/Chevy arguement. I look forward to seeing you Thrusday, at the "old timers" meet, and then on the weekend, weather cooperating.

Later

I guess the buying part never ends in this hobby. I've got the ARF and the radio/servos on the way. Now, on to the motor. I've ordered the O.S. .61 FX with muffler. Ok, from what I am reading I still need motor mounts, spinner, etc. It's the etc. part that's killing me. Can someone list the exact parts needed to install this engine on the Sig Kadet Senior ARF? I'm talking mounts, screws, nuts, bolts, fuel line and filter, prop, spinner and anything else you can think of. Everything needed to make it fly. Clunk? What is a clunk....... ummmm.. ok, so that is a clunk. Do I really need a clunk? My first car was a clunker, does that count?

Thanks Jim. I was out there today for a little while. It was a bit too windy, but a couple of brave souls went up anyway. Two guys took a hike over to the deadly tree line and retrieved the wing from someones Sig that was left a while back. Seems they already had the rest of the plane, and just needed a longer stick to get the wing down. The problem I have at the field is I need a recorder to get all the information I'm receiving there. I go on sensory overload with all the input. I'll be out of town all next week, so this week I'll be at the field every day after work, gleaning info from the wise old timers.

This hobby reminds me of something I heard way back when I was farming. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of parts"

An ARF should include a mount. If it will fit YOUR engine is another question. I hate to say it but I'd wait a bit until you have it in hand and THEN make a list. It may even include a spinner. You will need some fuel line, CA and probably 30 min epoxy but that's about all for sure at this point unless SIG provided a list on their web page. www.sigmfg.com

Bob 56,

Welcome to the hobby. I learned on my Kadet and I still enjoy it almost two years later. As for the radio, I can tell you that my dad has the 6AEX (or whatever the letters are ) and I have the 7CAP. I prefer my 7-channel over the 6AEX (?), not because of one channel, but there are some of the programs where I can adjust my radio but my dad's doesn't have that capability. Maybe I'm just used to my radio but it seems a little easier to do what you want to do. My opinion. Now, waiting for (or getting a current) 2.4 system does make sense to me. If you could borrow an old transmitter until you find your own 2.4, I think you would be further ahead. Heck, I've got an old Futaba Tx that I used on my Senior that I'd give you for the cost of shipping if it would help you out. It does have provisions for a buddy box but I'll have to look and see what the model is. If you're interested, I'll find out more.

Thanks Bruce88123. The information from sig is a bit sketchy, at least for a noob like me.
TCrafty, wow, that's an incredibly generous offer, but there is no shortage of assistance in the local club. I've ordered the radio and it will be here shortly after the ARF. Ordered the engine last night and hope to have it running on a bench this weekend.

I guess I'll have to wait to see if I can actually mount the engine when everything arrives.

Thanks again everyone.

One thing that wasn't mentioned, and you might find a good thing.

The 2.4 Futaba receiver has two antennas, but they're really short. I can't remember off the top of my head, but they're like 6 inches long. The antennas for the 72 MHz receiver is like 36" long. The longer antenna can prove difficult to route through the fuselage. Especially on smaller planes.

Also, the 2.4 Futaba transmitter has a shorter antenna that never needs raising. Also handy because if you read here long enough, you'll find stories of how people forget to raise the antenna on their transmitters.

I don't know about other brands/models of the 2.4 Tx and Rx though, so you'll have to find that out on your own.

As others have said.. Since your just starting out, buying into it now, there's no reason other than marginal money savings, to go with the older 72 MHz technology. And truth be told, a 6 channel radio isn't too much of a price jump over a 4 channel.

If I had to do it all over again, right now, I'd go with a 6 channel 2.4 Futaba. It gives me a bit more flexibility with 6 channels. A little more ease of use (insert antenna arguments here). A little more security at the airfield (no one to shoot you down). Etcetera.

Having said all that.. Here's a thought... Let's say you're looking around and all you can find is a 4 channel Futaba setup. I have one of these. It came with Transmitter, Receiver, Receiver battery, and 4 3004 servos. Nice little setup. It'll fly the Kadet wonderfully. Down the road, if you choose to get a 2.4. The servos are transferable. And the transmitter can always become a buddy box for training purposes. Worst case, you've waisted the money on the cost of the receiver. In the meantime, you've been flying. At that point in time, the Transmitter/Receiver setup doesn't owe you anything. Heck, you could probably donate them to the flying clubs raffle or something....

I was down at the local hobby shop today and brought up the conversation on 2.4ghz and we got on the topic of the futaba 9cap at 72mhz which has a module in the back. Well, it looks like futaba is going to make a 2.4ghz module that will in essence convert the 9cap etc.. to a 2.4ghz. The channel hop will not be that far something like 8 channels but it will still be 2.4ghz. Might want to consider that before you chunck the futabas' with modular capability.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRTU7&P=V
The modules rollo was speaking of

Thanks for posting the link Bruce.

After checking out the link, I headed over to the futaba site and it appears that with the 8- channel module and a 7, 8 or 9 series radio you can utilize one of the 3 out of 4 2.4ghz offered receivers. The 607FS, 7 channels 608FS, 8 channels, and 6014FS, 14 channels. So at least you don't have to pay $159 each time for the receiver if you don't need 8 channels you can just get the 607fs at the current tower price of $99.00. The FAQ's mention that they made the 606fs 6 channel receiver specifically for the Spectrum 6ex radio system but it appears if you have a Futaba 12 or 14 series you can utilize all of the receivers using the 2.4ghz module.

Here is a link to the futaba 2.4ghz [link=http://2.4gigahertz.com/modules/modules-receivers.html]module compatability chart[/link] for those interested.

I don't think so. I bought the Futaba 6XAS PCM radio (w/R138DP - it was on sale for the same price as the FM R127DF Rx). Couldn't use any of the club's buddy boxes on PCM so had to go out and buy a new R127DF receiver. Buddy system worked fine. The older 6XAS TX was round plug. Newer 6EXA is square plug. So you not only have the shape of the connector, you also have the modulation to take into account.

Of course, had I had another Futaba PCM TX to use as my buddy box that would have also worked. Need all PPM or all PCM. Can't mix 'em.

He was asking about the 6EX 2.4 GHz radio. My answer is absolutely correct for that radio. THis fact is actually stated in the 6EX 2.4 manual. Mating to DIN connectors supposedly can cause malfunctions.