another tx question
 

Hi All,

If you purchase a 4 channel radio like Jr Quattro or Futaba skysport for your trainer and graduate on to your second plane....Can you use the same radio on your second plane? I'm thinking I would have to purchase a flight pack for the second plane set up to match the radio? Does buying the correct crystal accomplish this?

I just can't make up my mind still between buying 4-channel or 6-channel....been batting my brains trying to accumulate all the necessary knowledge for two weeks. So much to learn!

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

Yes you can.

Yes it does, just specify what channell when you order it.

Just my opinion here but If you can afford it I would probably by the 6 channel.

RE: another tx question
 

The radio system can move up to the next (and later) aircraft.

The cost of a 4 Channel system is VERY close to the same as that of a 4 channel "flite pack" which would have the 4 servos RX and airborne battery. In essence when buying a 4 channel system the transmitter adds no cost over the flite pack.

If you know you plan to eventually want to fly more than one airplane the same day... you may as well start witht he less expensive 4 channel set... then when you have built up your modeling budget... get the better radio system second. The radios will get better... and you may find you want more than just a 6 channel set, so this can save you money in the long run.

The 4 channel radio can be delegated to sticking with your lesser aircraft... or you can use it for a buddy box if you get the better system on the same frequency. (so the reciever of the 4Ch system will work with the better TX without getting a new crystal.)

The basic 4 channel set will teach you to properly set up the control system rather than relying on the computer to correct for a bad setup. Learning the bad habits the computer system can let you get away with would eventually catch up to you and start costing you some aircraft.

RE: another tx question
 

Tower hobbies has a 6 channel Futaba for $149. If you buy $150 worth of items you get $15 off if you enter in the code from the first page of their website. Essentially you get a 6 channel for almost the 4 channel price, $130. Then later you can buy a nicer radio that matches your RX. Keep or sell your 6 channel TX.

RE: another tx question
 

Spokman, but why would I need a 6 channel radio? (Convince me.) For the next couple of years I just plan on flying my first trainer and then a second plane which will most likely only need 4 channels as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like I personally will need more than 4 channels unless I get a warbird and then would need to control flaps, etc. I'm not planning on 3-D, or pattern flying, or anything more complex than basic aerobatics and learning to fly well) I like FhHubers line of thinking in that a couple of years down the road when I might actually need six channels, the radios will be even better and will be a better bargain.

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

For one it's only $5 more. The nice thing is that it has throttle end point settings so you don't have to monkey with servo savers and arm positioning. It also has dual rates which I don't even know much about but I know they are useful.

RE: another tx question
 

Spokman, do you mean the Tower 6 has these extra features? (or all 6 channels in general) I have to confess I don't know what dual rates means yet either, but I agree it's probably useful...I just havn't learned what it is yet!

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

I'm just talking about the Futaba 6YG at Tower for $149. I'm not plugging them over anyone else but compared to the Futaba 4 channel they sell for $130 if you figure in the $15 off if you spend $150 buying the 6 channel makes sense. You get it for $135. Of course you have to buy something else like a glow plug to bump the price over $150 but you need that anyways. Just something to think about.

RE: another tx question
 

If you can get the 6 for the 4 channel price by just adding a propeller to the order 9to meet the $150... since $149 does not get you there...;)) Go for it.

My point on the 4 channel system is covered... you are STILL close to the cost of a flight pack. ;)

Check the different version of the systems... maybe there is one witht he S-3004 or 3001 servos instead of the 3003's. The ball bearing servos ARE worth the extra cost. (about $5 a servo) OR you can get an EMS kit of 4 servo tops with heavy duty servo arms which will upgrade the 3003 servos into a ball bearing type AND give a much stronger upper case than that of either the 3004 or 3001.[8D] (this will be important in later models.... not so important in the trainer.)

Check all options... ask more questions. Make the best decision based on CURRENT PRICING and your needs.

RE: another tx question
 

All good points. Spokman...I'm tracking with you on the Futaba 6YG now....and you're right, I do need to purchase some accessories like glow plug, among other things. FhHuber, maybe my plan is unrealistic (I keep adjusting my plan as I learn more and more) but I plan on leaving my flight pack hardware in my trainer even after I've graduated to the next plane. My thinking is that if I decide to fly it again for whatever reason (change of pace, training a friend, etc) it will be ready at a moments notice without me having to reinstall all the servos, etc. So probably just the standard servos will suffice if that's what I end up getting. (learned something else though...I didn't know you could purchase an upgrade/modification for your servo)

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

The idea of leaving the trainer flyable as long as possible is a good one.

Some peopkle get lucky... and thier original trainer survives 20 to 30 years, being flown regularly.

The average trainers don't survive much past 6 months.:eek: Part of this is of course due to people trying to teach themselves and those trainers often survive just under 5 min at the airfield. If it survive the first 5 min of flying... the probablility it will suvive more than a month goes up dramaticly.

RE: another tx question
 

maybe my trainer will be one of the lucky few...I don't plan on going it alone. First of all, I have to build it myself and won't be in a hurry to wreck it. I also am having fun flying electric trainers to satisfy my urges to fly- this sort of takes the edge off of that powerful urge to fly that I'm sure lures many beginners into putting their trainer up without proper preparation. Once I have my plane ready, I plan on going to a local field and getting someone knowlegeable to go over my plane and make sure it is flight ready...let him (or her) take the plane up and then let me fly with a buddy box. In the meantime flying the electrics although totally different than nitro I'm told...at least gets me used to RC flight in general with plane orientation, the difference in control movements depending on if the plane is coming or going, how to use and allow for wind, avoiding overcontrolling, etc., etc.

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

The electric park flyers (the good ones..) I find harder to manage than the glow powered sport models.

The 2 and 3 channel electrics under $75 aren't as hard to fly as the glow powered trainer... most of these are basicly free flight models woth some control added. You can learn a lot from them though.

RE: another tx question
 

BTW dual rates are like a swithable control throw. You set the model up with 2 sets of control throws. Usually the reccomended movements (or throws) and either a bigger or smaller set depending on the model and what you are trying to accomplish.

For example, you have a trainer. You set up theswithes that on low you have the factory reccomended settings. On high rates you dial in an additional 25% more throw. Now you can do more airobatics with your trainer at the flick of a switch.

This is a nice feature to have if you only have 1 model. FH has some good advice. I would seriously advise taking it. Another advantage with the 6 channel (and I could be wrong here) is the trim levers. In the 4 chanell the levers physicly move the internal gymbals to trim the plane. It is a mechanical system. it works but is sloppy and not very repeatable. The 6 channel has electronic trim levers. The levers operate a seperate electronic set up. It is a better, repeatable and more precise set up. This is what i have been told so take it for the second hand info it is. Maybe someone here can authenticate this.

Anyway for the extra few dollars you really cannot go wrong. Get the 6 channel set up.

Mark Shuman

RE: another tx question
 

yeah...I'm pretty much planning on the 6 channel now... the dual rates now that I understand what it is definitely seems like a very nice feature to have.

RE: another tx question
 

The 6YG's trims are set up like the 4 channel. They are mechanical, and move the whole mechanism. The cheapest radio Futaba sells with electronic trims is the 6exa, which is about $180 bucks. Hi-Tech has a cheaper semi-computer 6 channel radio but it does not have the electronic trims. Don't know about JR though.


Andy

RE: another tx question
 

Andy,

Thanks. Yep...as attractive as Tower's price is right now (after the discount), I'm currently thinking I want the 6exa for some of the digital/computer functions it offers (now that I know what they actually do) that the 6yg doesn't have. Of course I've changed my mind so many times now a few more times won't hurt anything.

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

the 6exa has alot more features than mention here. you can use it to fly six different models (just all need the same crystal),you can fly a wing(elevons needed), flaps (i did on my avistar by adding one more servo in the wing), v-tail mixing, and one programable mix. i know it might seem over your head right now but believe me, youll want these features sooner than you think.

RE: another tx question
 

Automan, not to dissuade you from the 6EXA. I think it would be a great radio. Better than the 6YG I just got but.. Here's the rub. For your next plane you will be either buying a 9CAF\CAP or a flight pack or a 7C. Maybe a JR.. I'm planning on a 9CAF so I'm not to concerned that my "first" radio has features that I need in the future. If you are planning on buying just another flight pack you might want to get a better radio than the 6EXA such as the 7C. The only reason I recomended grabbing the 6YG over the 4 channel was because they cost the same. The 6EXA is $30 more than the 6YG. That's $30 off my 9CAF for me. : ) I think if you have the money the 6EXA is going to be a nice radio. Of course Tower has the 6XAS for $200. From what I understand it is definetly a step up from the 6EXA. Someone mentioned mechanical trims being somehow inferior. I'm pretty sure they are just fine.

RE: another tx question
 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...you guys are killing me! my brain will turn into mush! Everytime a new radio gets mentioned I have to go out and do the research on it. (which is kind of fun in and of itself, but heck...I'm ready to buy my radio!)

Spokman, what is the 9cap/caf? as far as the XAS vs the EXA... I asked questions about it and decided the less complex/less expensive/less features radio (6exa) would serve me just as well. Alot of the advantages the XAS has (the multiple modes for example...I don't plan on flying heli's or gliders so I just wouldn't need that feature) I wouldn't be using till later on or not at all. I think no matter what radio I get "the next one" will always be better. I want to keep my first radio as simple and as inexpensive as possible though and yet enjoy some of the advantages of the computer, and yet also stay somewhat in a budget. (I'm not poor...but the 400 to 1000 bucks start up costs for getting into this hobby aren't a drop in the bucket for me, either) Keep in mind that up until a few days ago I had all but made up my mind to just buy a 4 channel basic radio, so the 6 EXA will definitely be a step up. The advantage of being able to switch between planes and have the computer remember trim settings between them just seems like it would be hard to live without once you experienced it. (seems like it would save hours of set up time) I don't think I would mind the analog trim at all...seems like I might actually prefer it. And I know the EXA has digital trim but it seems pretty simple to operate. (hit the buttons which are located basically in the same location as analog trim buttons and push one way or the other and hear a beep for each increment)

Anyway, not to say that the XAS doesn't have more features, I just don't think I'd need them. Now about that 9 you mentioned...I just don't anything about that radio yet.

auto5man

P.S. spokman, saw your post and pictures on your finished plane...you did a great job!

RE: another tx question
 

9CAP/CAF is the second from the top of the line from Futaba. Runs about $250 TX only to $400 with a flight pack. Lots of options but that's what makes it fun! If all your waiting on is a radio just order one! You'll be happy with whatever you get. My 6YG I got is really neat! For my trainer it will do all I want it to. Then if I add a bomb drop or something I'll have the extra channels. If you want to get the best, most expandable radio get the 9CAF\CAP. The CAF is PPM, the CAP is PCM. Same TX, different RX. Most people don't need the PCM. (based off other posters) I like how you research though. I do the same. Research till I'm crazy!

RE: another tx question
 

yeah, I don't think I need the PCM. I can see how it might be more important to me if my plane cost 15k but I'm a LONG way from progressing to that point. (if I ever progress that far) You're right, I would probably be tickled pink even with a four channel b/c its my first radio (well...not counting the toy that comes with the Firebird Commander), so I will be in hog heaven playing with the EXA. (that's my decision for the moment)

I like the research part and its another reason why I love this website...lots of great search functions and the product guide, etc., etc.

auto5man

RE: another tx question
 

All the 9C's can be switched from PPM to PCM. Uses same TX module, it's changed in the menus.
Nice thing about buying a top of the line radio right off the bat is (and I don't mean to jinx you here, sorry!) if you decide you're not going to stay with the hobby, you have a better chance of recovering most of your investement.
Whatever radio you get though, try and stay out of the end point adjustments and sub-trims, set up your plane mechanically first, as close as possible, then use radio setup to fine tune it. I know that's been mentioned once or twice already, but it's important. If you do take off with the wrong model selected, and it's happened, you have a better chance of surviving the incident if your controls are mechanically close on all your models, as your basic trim setting will be closer. The only EPA's I have set right now are for the throttle, as I couldn't get it to one extreme or the other without binding a servo. Oh yeah and setting sub-trims on the Slow Stick, but the horns wouldn't go on the servo's straight at neutral.

But for a final suggestion, go to your LHS, make the guy take out the radios you're interested in, and play with them for a little bit. See which one fits your hands, feels natural, work with the programming a little bit, before you make your final choice! I was going to buy a 6exa, but thought the 7c's programming was easier, then got to looking at the 9c and decided it's menus were the easiest yet. I put off groceries and diapers to get it, but sometimes you gotta make the hard decisions.

Good luck with your shopping!

Andy

RE: another tx question
 

I had an electric so i got the quattro lite. I counted that if I were to get a flight pack for a gas, for 10 dollars more I could get a new radio. I ended up spending 30$ more and got the xp 662. So now I have a buddy box so i do not have to wait for one at the field.

RE: another tx question
 

auto5man,
The Futaba 6EAX is more than enough radio for now. I've been flying for eight years and have had a number of radios, I'm now using a 6XAS, which has a couple additional features over the EXA, and it's plenty for all the sport and scale planes I fly.

I have 6 right now ready to fly, so any additional planes that I finish will require an additional transmitter, or "retiring" one of the others, but I'm guessing you're a little ways away from that problem.

Investing in a 9C or even the 7 right now is a waste in my opinion. You have better things to spend the bucks on! ;)
Dennis-