This much I know:

1) Getting Tower Trainer 40 ARF
2) OS .46 AX from for sell ads here on this site
3) Futaba radio gear. Just cant deiced between the 4ch or the 6ch 2.4ghz yet


That is about as far as I am now...

Thank you for all the help guys! I really love this site!!!!

If you feal you are in this hobby for a while and will get more than the one plane... Get the 2.4 GHz. A basic 4 Ch Tx will be maybe good for selling with your trainer later if you decide to do so. But having a trainer around is nice when you want to show a freind or family member what flying R/C models is all about.

Ya, that is my biggest dilemma right now, is the radio gear.... I like the idea of having a spare tx for exactly the reason you mentioned, but at the same time.... trying to keep initial costs down...

If cost is a factor, you can do just fine with one of the basic 4-channel 72MHz radios. They work very well for a trainer or simple sport airplane. As an added bonus they don't have a bunch of extra features that may confuse you as a beginner.

Eventually though 2.4GHz is the way to go along with more features & functions once you have advanced past basic 4-channel airplanes. That's a few airplanes into the future of course.

You may also want to see what is popular at your field. That way people, especially an instructor, will be familiar with it.

A 4 channel Futaba can also be used later on as a buddy box when you are ready to teach someone else.

Get the 6 channel radio. While you will not be using the other 2 channels with your trainer, by the time you get to your 3rd plane (2nd plane is USUALLY a low wing such as a 4 Star or Tiger II ) you will most likely be wanting flaps and/or retractable landing gear. If you buy the 4 channel now, you will need to buy a 2nd transmitter later when you want flaps and/or retracts.

Not a popular opinion on this site but non the less it is my opinion that its always the best advice to get the best you can afford in radio equipment if there is any chance at all that you will be staying in the hobby/sport.

If you are new and the choice is between 2.4 and 72mHz systems then indeed the 2.4 is the better way to go. Simply because you are starting out and don,t have a hugh fleet to retrofit.

The number of channels frequently are not the real issues but the features are as most manufacturers tend to add more features to systems with more channels.

At one time I always recommended a simple basic four transmitter for beginners but no more, now My recommendation is for an entry level 6 channel computer type which are not that much more expensive than basic fours with little or no features. It is quite evident (agine only just my opinion) by watching at your field and even just a little reading on these forums that those who buy the cheapest basic four radios are very soon in the market for new radios. Entry level computer type six channel radio systems present no problems for the student as long as he is working with a mentor/instructor.


John

This is excellent advice.

As a newbie I was told the same thing, and in typical newbie fashion I did not head this advice. I sorely wish I had, as I ended spending MORE than I would have for the better radio, in a progression of slightly better systems, to end up at the same point.

It's hard to swallow the cost of a good TX when you are starting out, but it is money well spent.

A good computer controlled radio will suffice for various planes. It is rare that once you've certified and soloed, that you'll stick with just one plane. Having multiple model memories becomes a big deal, as does having a LOT of extra channels.

The first time you face dealing with a plane with seperate servos for eac flap, each aileron and each elevator, you'll REALLY wish you had opted for the radio with as many channels as possible.

6ch IMHO is BARELY enough.... just try setting up a .60 or larger U-Can-Do for instance....

I found a guy at my local club who has a futaba 6exa, i think it was, the non 2.4ghz 6ch.

He said I could have it for free. It just needs to be sent to futaba to have s systems check as he said a comp mode is kind wooky as he put it... lol

I looked it up, 9 buck for shipping and about 40 bucks for a systems check... ~50 bucks for a 6ch futaba, not bad....

What do you guys think about that?

Again, its 72mghz and not the 2.4ghz, but for the price, that may be the ticket....

For that price, as long as it works, you can't go wrong!

Go for it, and get an RX to match it's frequency...

Since cost is an issue, it always is, I did a little analysis.

Getting a 4 channel for the trainer and a 6 channel 2.4 ghz system for plane 2 will cost about $350.

Getting a 6 channel 2.4 ghz now and the airborne quipment for plane 2 will cost about $422.

And, yes, you can buy cheaper servos and battery packs for plane 2. The prices I looked up are for what comes with the 6 channel 2.4 ghz system.

Get the 2.4. I'm only three months into the hobby and I'm looking to get my third plane. I'm stuck with 4 channels, and I'll be forced to use a Yharness for dual aileron servos (which isn't a problem). I suspect, though, that by the end of the summer I will be looking to buy a more advanced plane, and a 4 channel radio will not be sufficient. Witht that being said, my 72 has worked perfectly, and there is nothing wrong with them. Ultimately, though, you'll be in the market for a better tx, so you might as well make the investment now if you can. GL!

How about:

Futaba 6EX FM (includes everything) for plane 1: $180
(nothing wrong with FM)

Hitec Flight pack (everything but radio) for plane 2: $100.

$280 to equip 2 planes.

Interesting idea...

Thanks, it's my plan anyway. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with FM radios, and related equipment is a lot cheaper. I personally don't need or want 2 radios, nor do I want to spend more than $40 for receivers (I'm in college (broke) and rent apartments with roommates(no storage)). This is all if I actually decide to keep my Nexstar flight worthy, in which case I'll also get a Magnum engine for the Nexstar and move my 46AX into my (Hobbico Cherokee?).