Im buying a trainer RC plane this week and dont want to get the combo's ase they only come with a basic 4 channel radio. Are most radios ( JR, Fatuba and Hitech ) radios compatible with each other for buddy lines? I want a good 6 or 7 channel radio.

Not really.
You want to try to stick with the same brand for buddy box. That said, in the grand design of things, buddy boxes are not hugely expensive and most clubs will have a variety of buddy boxes on hand.
Check with your local club before buying anything is always the best bet.

Missileman's advice is sage, consult your local flight instructors before making any purchases.

Airtronics, Spektrum.

There are more radio systems than just those three, but for the most part, with the possible exception of JR and Spektrum, they are not usually cross compatible.

CGr.

Actually we've had no problems interchanging and cross connecting Futaba's with JR's and vice versa, however there are a few "gotcha's" if you are not aware of them.

e.g.

Typically with a JR to JR connection the Master TX is flipped "on" while the slave is not.

With a JR to Futaba, with the Futaba as the slave, the Futaba must also be on.

Trims, throws and direction must be set identically with both radios before interconnecting them.

Both radios must be in PPM mode.

etc.

Well, there is some new and different information in the posts above. I don't argue with the "experts" because there is always new and different models of radios coming out and the mfgers. frequently do not stick to their own rules ref. trainer cords, so user beware.

Airtronics: Own buddy cord. Looks like a Futaba but gray. Plugs look same but slight difference in size. Mine do not fit futaba.

Futaba: Several different cords in their series. Round plug both ends: Round plug one end and square plug one end: Square plugs both ends. One particular cord/plug is strictly made for simulators and does not work as a buddy cord, even though LHS sometimes sell them for such. [:'(]

JR: (Spectrum) Trainer cord is very small with a plug-in connector. My electronic knowledge level prevents use/mix of Futaba to JR or vice versa. Totally different plug system and wire type. Beware using JR. Plugging in the trainer cord turns on the radio electronics using the slave transmitter battery. Very few examples, only twice to my knowledge/use, however JR slave has been known to transmit on its own channel when the buddy cord is plugged in. My own JR buddy box has no crystal and is rewired for a small 9V alkaline battery which is adequate for many hours of training use.

Hitec: Compatible with Futaba as far as the round plugs go. My synthesized Prism 7 will transmit on the selected freq./channel when used in the slave position. I use two channel pins.



Ya'll be careful out there!

Good poop, Hossfly. Our club has four different buddy boxes. I personally have a Futaba that matches up with the Hobbico Super star trainer I bought for the club. I also have the Spektrum and Airtronics radios. I am going to buy the Spektrum buddy box cord so I can mate up with someone that may show up with a Spektrum or JR system. Your info helps a lot. Thanks for that.

CGr.

Get a Futaba 7C PCM, I have one, easy to program, 7 channels. Also has alot of other things.

You could get the Hobbico Hobbistar 60 combo. It comes with a Futaba 6 channel 6EXAP radio. It's a bigger plane and flies very well!

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXGHD4**&P=SM

See post # 4.