2.4ghz
 

Been flying with a Futaba 7CAP FM radio. Still plan to keep it in the arsenal because I have 3 airplanes that have FM receivers, but would like to move into SS stuff. I am looking for a fairly cheap radio and was looking at the 6EX. I doubt I'll ever use more than 6 channels...used 5 max to date, just for aileron mixing.

I'd like to get into helis soon. Would the 6EX fly a basic heli just fine? Would it be better to get the heli radio and then fly airplanes with it or get the airplane radio and fly helis with it? What is the best option? Can the throttle ratchet be turned on/off at will?

RE: 2.4ghz
 

A 6 channel radio will be fine for a helicopter and the throttle ratchet can be smoothed out by the user (There is an easy trick to that).

When purchasing a 6 channel radio for heli use, you need to be certain the radio will support a 120 degree CCPM swash plate... that is the most popular swash amoung small electric helis.

BTW, A 'Helicopter' radio does not have a throttle ratchet and the programming is already set up for helis.... and the best thing of all is the heli radio will fly airplanes too.

I have 3 'Helicopter radios'.... a 9C Super, 10c and a 14MZ for heli use.... They fly my ariplanes and turbine jets just fine. ;)

RE: 2.4ghz
 

The 6ex is a fantastic little radio and a personal favorite. It comes in a heli ready version http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXSFY4&P=0.. This version works great for airplanes also.

That being said the 7C is like ten dollars more. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXTTM2&P=0

Either radio has a heli mode with multiple swash/mixing functions. The heli versions do not have a throttle ratchet, and default to heli mode. The airplane is opposite.

Any version of either radio can be setup to fly either airplanes or helis. You will not find many problems with either. They are rock solid radios.

You can get the regular air version of the 6EX with just tx/rx for 199. With the discount codes the 7C is probably the better deal for the future.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

$10 more? Defiantly the 7C.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

You might want to check out the new Futaba T6J radio system. I sure wouldn't talk anyone out of purchasing a 7C FASST radio system, but the new T6J radio system has an awful lot of features and it's going to be available for $179.99 for TX/RX:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXARLD&P=0

The video highlights most of the new features:

http://video1.hobbico.com/gallery/fu...000-deluxe.mpg

Good luck and good shopping!

RE: 2.4ghz
 

I fly a 50 nitro helicopter on a Specktrum DX6i 6ch radio and it works perfectly (without the throttle ratchet), the only limitation is around installing a throttle governor later on (a 7 or 8 channel system leaves you in better standings there), or if I decide to go scale and need more channel options.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

IMHO the more channels the better...I bought a 9 CAP years ago thinking I'd never use 9 channels. But I did on my first gasser.
You never know where our hobby may take you....
Good Flyin

RE: 2.4ghz
 

Like he said... spending more now, will prevent you from later thinking "boy I was dumb NOT to upgrade" later.

A good TX is going to last you for many many years.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

I'm a big fan of my Futaba 9CAP too. Here are the benefits for me:
A. 9 channels - lots of open mixing if you need and the ability to fly planes, and helis.
B. Upgradeable to more than the default 8 model memory (look up the CamPAC modules)
c. RF module in the back, so you can use modules from FrSky (I do), or Assan, Hitec, Corona, etc so you don't have to spend the money on expensive receivers for all of your models. Check out the RF kit for Frsky at HobbyKing [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14348]FrSky 8 ch module and Rx combo[/link] and their additional Rx's [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14350]8 ch diversity receiver[/link]

A good used Tx will be around $150 or less.
Curtis

RE: 2.4ghz
 

You forgot to mention that the 9C will also accept the Futaba 2.4ghz module so it can be made to function with the new technology as well. I have a 10C that uses both 72mhz and 2.4ghz and after studying newer radios right now I would definitely buy the Futaba 7C

RE: 2.4ghz
 

Switch layout on the heli version is more heli friendly but the switch layout on the Airplane version is somewhat akward (but doable) for heli flying.

My advice, if you're going to fly helis, get a heli radio.

As for the 9C its getting long in the tooth, and pretty slow by todays standards.

Go for the 7C 2.4 if you're buying new IMO

RE: 2.4ghz
 

The new T6J looks like a nice radio and I agree it has a lot of nice features... The 15 model memory for one. But I would not get it for one reason: It is S-FHSS. So whenever you decide to upgrade to a better Futaba radio (FASST), it won't work with any of your current receivers.

I have a 6EX, 72 MHz version, and I like it. I also have a Hitec Optic 6 (not sport) and I think it is a nicer, better made, radio than the 6ex, and it has more features and a bigger battery. The 7C is also a nice radio. I deliberated for a long time over those two before finally deciding on the Optic 6.

Spectrum DX7 is also a very nice radio. You almost can't go wrong with the major brand radios. They are all very nice, good quality radios. Airtronics are probably good too although I have no experience with them. I would not mess with the really cheap Chinese models though... You get what you pay for.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

I've been fly Airtronics 2.4Ghz FHSS for the last three seasons. It's been absolutely wonderful, and the new SD-6g radio system is a really, solid contender for a 6-channel air/heli computer radio. The original poster didn't mention Airtronics, however, so I simply mentioned a new Futaba product.

The original poster has been flying Futaba and has been happy with Futaba, but wants something on the lower end of the price scale. He says he's been looking at the 6EX FASST radio system, and I wanted to make sure he understood that Futaba was about to release an even less expensive radio system that had the features for which he was looking.

FASST might be a nice marketing term, but based on all of Futaba's new product offerings, I'm not sure that FASST will be their primary 2.4Ghz offering much longer. Various new S-Bus and High Speed Mode receiver offerings keep popping up for higher end installations, and non-FASST FHSS offerings keep shoring up Futaba's value segment offerings.

If you want Futaba quality but you don't want to break the bank, The 4YF 2.4Ghz and the T6J 2.4Ghz radios look really attractive. Consider the Futaba R2006GS receiver that comes with the T6J radio system:

"R2006GS high-voltage (4.8 - 7.4V) 6-channel receiver with Easy-Link circuitry, frequency hopping, spread spectrum design and Dual Antenna Diversity"

That's a full range $44.99 retail Futaba receiver.

If I owned a Futaba FASST radio platform, I'd be miffed that I have to pay double that for FASST-compatible full range receiver.

Dividing their product offerings into FHSS and FASST segments seems an odd choice to me. That seems to be the course that Futaba has chosen to follow, however.

The original poster wants an inexpensive Futaba radio system that is 2.4Ghz and can handle helicopters or airplanes. The new T6J fits the bill nicely, and additional 6-channel full range receivers are less than $45 each. If he knew that he wanted to move up to the 8FG Super next year, then that ought to factor into his choice. Who knows which modulation system Futaba will be featuring next year, though?

Frankly, I would expect to see more of the Futaba guys picking up 6J radio systems so they can fly Futaba FHSS/S-FHSS on their everyday trainers, sport planes, and foamies while reserving their expensive FASST receivers and FASST transmitters for competition planes or special projects.

The Futaba 6J is the smart pick based on what the original poster asked for, and it's probably a good addition to the transmitter case for any Futaba pilots who don't want to pay $90 or $130 for a receiver to put in their Avistar trainer or Escapade 40 ARF. It's not an accident that Hobby King is frequently sold out of their $29.99 FASST-compatible 8-channel full range receivers.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

Good post. I don't disagree with you about any of that. Although the cheep clone receivers are all the more reason to stick with the FASST radios. I know some guys that use those orange receivers and are very happy with them.

RE: 2.4ghz
 

Its disappointing, because I invested a good bit of money, nearly $300 at the time trying to think ahead and get a radio I could grow into. So, I bought a Futaba 7C. However, after a few years (and not a lot of flying in those years), all of a sudden 72mhz is old school. So, I am faced with shelving a mint condition 72mhz radio and having to buy again. What will they come up with next?

RE: 2.4ghz
 

I waited for more than 2 years to get me a great radio, got money after all those years, and got me a Hitec Aurora 9 2.4 Ghz and really very very happy with it. Next radio would probably be 5 Ghz as part of Spread Spectrum:D.

http://www.rcplanet.com/Hitec_Aurora_9_p/hrc191240.htm

RE: 2.4ghz
 

The benefit to you bryris is that you can pick up great 72Mhz Rx's for cheap now. There is nothing wrong with them and another benefit of all of these guys at the field going 2.4 is that it opens up the 72 Mhz spectrum for you. This is another reason I like the modular radios. The 9C may look long in the tooth, but the modularity is excellent. I go back and forth between 2.4 and 72 for reasons such as FPV and other things.
Curtis

RE: 2.4ghz
 

Hi,

I'll just share my experience..

Firstly Futaba FASST is excellent.. I have been using 2.4Ghz for over a year, with thousands of flights logged and never a single glitch...

The 6EX is a very good radio and can be used on a helicopter (I used one for 6 months on 450 size helis)

The next Step up is the 7C - which I also have.. Personally, if you can aim for this radio I would strongly recommend it for a number of reasons.

1. The gimbals are MUCH smoother than the 6EX, it has an overall feeling of higher quality (but that is just a feeling.. the 6EX worked flawlessly)

2. It has Sub Trim function.. which the 6EX does not.. this is a fairly important feature if you are getting into Helis as it allows you to balance your swashplate perfectly through the entire range of pitch movement..

I also have a Futaba 8FG, which is my personal favourite as the bearings are ball bearing supported and it is beaufifully smooth.. It cost twice as much as the 7C so it is more expensive..

Go with the 7C.. you won't be disappointed..

Here is a vid of all three.,...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNNljwYrmLo[/youtube]

I also have used Spektrum in my Helis..

The DX6i works great and has sub trims..

The DX8 is a beautiful radio and now with DSMX there is not a lot in it between Futaba and Spektrum...

Here is mine beside the Futaba 8FG

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGEDBL5JXQ[/youtube]