Where can I get a cheap 4ch complete radio system for my PT-40

Tower
The FASST way

These are probably the least expensive systems available that come with 4 standard servos and rechargeable batteries
Hitec Laser 4 http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=HRCJ34**&P=0 $119.99 free shipping
Futaba 4YF http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=FUTJ40**&P=0 129.99 free shipping
And, these are good systems that are perfect for any 20/40/60 size trainer.

Airtronics VG400 4-channel radio, $119
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPV52**&P=SM[/link]

Futaba 4YF 4-channel radio, $129
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEFJ4**&P=SM[/link]

Hitec Laser 4 4-channel radio, $119
[link]http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HRC156721[/link]

Unfortunately JR doesn't have a 4-channel

Ken

wzak29,
Omni and Tower are the same organization but they have slightly different business models. They have the same, excellent, customer service.
Tower always has 'ad number' promotions for discounts. They have the super saver club, etc.
Omni has less discount promotions, but, they have free shipping at $100 without joining a club.

wzak29

One thing you may want to consider is what you intend to do after you solo and want to expand your hanger. First, never, ever, get rid of your trainer. You would be surprised how often we go back to basics and just fly the good old trainer. It's fun, relaxing, and can be a challenge making all those maneuvers you learded with a more advanced plane work on your old trainer.

Ok, with that said, you will need a radio for that second plane, and if you DO keep that old trainer, well, you will need to keep that radio in the thing.

What I would suggest is getting a slightly more advanced radio with model memory and then you only have to buy servos and a receiver. Airtonics has a new RDS8000 radio system that comes with two receivers. But you have to buy servos, which is good because you can buy pretty much anything you want, which makes that a very handy and manageable cost factor.

Think about that too.

CGr.

+1 for the RDS-8000. Great deal, great radio. You'll have it for a long time.

Go to your local club and ask around. There are a LOT of perfectly serviceable 72 mhz system around. Ask for the guy in charge of traning he usually knows. I would do that rather than buy on Fleabay.

Get a 6 channel with at least 4 model memories if you have a choice.

If you watch hobbypeople.net, they have the Airtronics VG6000 on sale now and again. 6 channel system for $99.99. If you can stretch your budget, the RDS8000 is a lot of radio for the money. It will handle almost anything you can trow at it.

For servos, Hobby People have the CS-601 BB servos on sale for $8.00. I am using these in a Giles 202 50 sized powered by a YS63. They have good power and center very well.
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/440601.asp

The VG6000 is here
http://hobbypeople.net/prdcls/r448538.asp

Either Airtronics radio is super simple to program. I have both and others and they have been trouble free, issue free, glitch free radios.


Dru.

A computer radio with exponential and model memory is a much better investment. If you don't buy one initially, you will buy one later. And you will use the computer features even on a trainer. Things like end point adjustment and adjustable travel make setting up your airplane so much easier.

How about an 8 channel 72mHz radio for the price of a 4ch?

One that:

- Is computer controlled
- Provides Exponential / Dual Rates / End point adjustment / servo reversing / etc. etc. etc.
- 7 active mixes
- 8 channel output ( works with your 4 channel setup )
- Can transmit on ANY 72mHz channel ( synth frequency )
- Has a built in channel scanner to find used/unused channels & for safety.
- 99 model memory ( can control up to 99 DIFFERENT planes )
- Is shift selectable ( can control Futaba, Airtronix, Hitec, JR, etc receivers ! )
- Comes with an 8 channel receiver ( which will work in your 4 ch setup ) that can receive on any 72mHz channel or shift
- Comes with a High quality servo, battery pack, switch, etc.
- NO CRYSTALS
- 1024 STICK RESOLUTION
- TRIM & RATE MEMORY ( remembers the trim setting for EACH model )
- AILERON DIFFERENTIAL
- FLAPERONS & ELEVONS
- V-TAIL
- MODE 1 OR 2
- COUNT DOWN TIMER
- LOW TX BATTERY WARNING
- EASY PROGRAMMING W/LCD DISPLAY
- AJUSTABLE STICKS (TENSION/LENGTH)
- 40 MGHZ COMPUTER CHIP


And costs $140.00

Even if you later switch to 2.4gHz the above will be useful to fly foamies, RTF's and other planes that you may acquire.

Check it out:

[link=http://www.polkshobby.com/index1.html]Click me![/link]

I picked one up to control my fleet of RTF foamies, and find it to be a great first TX combo.

I have a Hitec Laser4 ( http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXSYK1**&P=7 ) I can donate to you if you can send me a shipping fee. It needs the right-hand stick repaired but I believe it can be fixed. Maybe you would be interested in this radio if you think you can repair it. I believe a spring inside came or broke off. I had a similar problem with another radio and it wasn't much to fix it. Just had to drill a small hole and put a new pin in to hold the spring. May be worth looking at. I have a receiver, crystals, and switch harness for it but I do not have a charger or servos for it.

Charger is real cheap ( http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXN748&P=V ) and these servos will go with your trainer ( http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXDEL7&P=ML )

Send me a RCU mail or email me if you are interested.

Thank you Steve!

I would like very much to have this radio I am sure I can repair it. Troubleshooting and repair of microprocessor based equipment is what I did for a living for 40 years.

wzak29 Hobby People is going to have the VG6000 on sale for $89.99 march 20th to march 24th. That is a Tx, Rx, (4) servos, Tx and Rx nicds, charger, switch harness and aileron extension for $90.00.

http://hobbypeople.net/prdcls/r448538.asp



Dru.

Email me and we will work out the details. Can not discuss the details in the forum so email me soon.

Wzak,
I understand you are on a budget, but consdering the price of this radio when it's on sale, I'd think real hard about it before taking the used radio. Steve's radio is going to need a charger, servos, and a battery. Charger is $13. Servos are $40 (for 4 of them). A cheap receiver battery will run you $10-$15. That's $63 and you haven't even paid for shipping yet. Put on top of it a transmitter that may quite possibly need repairs (figure at least $25 + shipping for a shop to check it over) and you could wind up spending a lot o money trying to get in the air. With Airtronics you get everything you need, it's all new, and you get a warrenty with it. For $89 that's a fantastic deal.

Ken

il back you up on that rc ken
the vg 6000 is a good piece of equipment, and at 90 usd thats cheap over here you expect to pay about 120 gbp thats double what you would be paying, and one good thing about the vg6000 it isnt like holding a brick in your hand there a nice ligth transmitter that wont make your arms hurt after an hour or 2 of holding it. i wish england was that cheap, maybee its time i emigrated

I've got 5 or 6 of the Airtronics Vanguard 6 channel radios. The VG6000 is basically the same radio with a different case on it. These radios are rock solid and they are great. I still have 2 of them in use!!!

Ken

I love my VG400 from airtronics I use it for ALL 4 channel maiden flights, over my computer radio any day.. I know I have all the settings right on this one every time

If something is weird I want to slide a trim quickly not beep beep my way to the ground..

My two cents...

I would like thank everyone for recommending this radio and I would like very much to buy it but because of medical expenses this month I will not have the money until 1st of next month by then the sale will be over.
Bill

The Airtronics has been on sale for months

can you give me the link?

I don't get it... the VG6000 is four model memory, while the Tracker III is 99 model memory...

The VG6000 uses fixed channels ( crystals ), while the Tracker III can use ANY channel.

The VG6000 uses a fixed shift pattern, while the Tracker III can use either ( anybody's 72mhz receiver will work with it. ).

The Tracker III has a built in frequency scanner, and warns you if your selected channel is already in use when you turn it on.

The VG6000 has a bigger display but otherwise as far as build quality and construction about equal.

iv heard of the vg 6000 all over and have owned one myself, sorry but iv never heard of a Tracker III, as for build quality my ex girlfriend threw the vg6000 down the stairs and it hit every step aprt from the second to last step about 15 in total. and it still worked had to buy a new ariel but thats nothing, if the tracker 111 can stand being thrown down the stairs and still work then it sounds good.
as for looks i choose the vg 6000

Yup. The VG is indeed prettier with the Chrome.

And I'm a JR guy under normal circumstances though I also have Hitec's and Airtronics.

I picked up a Tracker for it's model memory, to control my growing fleet of foam EDF's many of which came with pre-installed receivers but HORRID radios. So far it's handled all of the PPM sets they come with, no matter the shift pattern or channel assignments or frequencies.

I was a bit wary about ordering one until I saw that people who own it seem to like it over at RCG.

I've been quite impressed with this radio... and yes you can throw it down the stairs and still have it come up fine.

If anything it's more sturdy than the VG if for not other reason than it is much harder to break the display.

Also the case is stiffer and has fewer exposed parts. It's not the prettiest dance partner, but it does the job well especially for a beginner who may not know what they will be doing next.

And there are also the safety features ( built in scanner, warning if the frequency is in use, countdown timer, low TX battery alarm, etc. ).