Yesterday I decided to get serious about setting the throws on my plane I don’t have a computer radio so it was all mechanical adjustments. It took me an entire day of frustration to do, changing holes in the servo arm’s, the horn’s, the clevis, screwing the push rods in and out some many times I lost track. Won’t even get into the throttle, the ailerons were the worst up and down the torque rods in and out of the clevis drilling new holes on the servo disk it was the most aggravating thing I ever did, do your self a favor and spend the extra money and buy a computer radio.

A computer radio isn't going to solve most of these headaches. It may be able to bandaid some of the issues, but this is part of setup on any plane. Mechanical setup is the best way to solve throw, linearity, differential and other issues. There are some good guides out there, that will keep you from chasing your tail.
Best of luck,
Curtis

The flip side is because you took the time to make mechanical adjustments you should wind up with a plane that will fly better and require minimal input on the radio settings. And you understand how to do it.

Clay

Beau is absolutely correct. Even if you have a computer radio the plane should be set up mechanically correct before you ever start making any adjustments with the radio. In fact, sometime you can make a bad situation worse by trying to dial in adjustments with the radio on a plane that isn't mechanically correct. The skills you just learned in setting up your plane without a computer radio will actually serve you very well as you move through this hobby.

Ken

Bravo!

Double bravo!

It comes easier with every set-up job you do. I've always found the least important function, the most fussy to do, and that is the throttle. I want a good solid idle, I want to be able to kill the engine with trim; or, a kill button if so equipped and I want the barrel full open at W.O.T. and not be stalling the servo.

With control surface throw, I just try to get them fairly close. Most designs now incorporate two aileron servos which is nice, as it allows you to use the computer radio to easily set-up functions like flaperons and differential.

If someone asked me for a radio recommendation when starting out, I would suggest buying a computer radio. I would also recommend 2.4Ghz as the 72Mhz stuff is pretty much valueless if you ever want to sell it, now. I tried to sell my Airtronics VG6000 with 3 matching recievers and had no takers at $75.00! My son had expressed an interest in the hobby, so I gave it to him. I guess I'll hold onto my RD6000, then.