Radios
 

Hi. I have an old Futaba Conquest FP-T6NFK FM radio that is in mint condition that I use for my trainer. I am building a Super Sporter 40. I would like to use this radio in it. Should I use S-148 servos or S3001's? The Conquest has all the features I will use for future planes. Should I update to a new radio? I would like to just buy flight packs for future planes. Any comments? Thanks

RE: Radios
 

funfly58,
Your Conquest will be fine for a long time to come. While having a few of the features available in a computer radio is nice, especially "End Point Adjustment", it's certainly not a necessity.

I used the same Conquest transmitter for my first 4 or 5 years, and found it very reliable. Stick with buying "flight packs" until you feel that the computer transmitter will really be a logical move for you. Then, you can buy the transmitter alone and save a couple bucks.

Having said that; price "flight packs", then price simple four channels radio sets. You'll probably find that you can get the extra transmitter, charger, switch harness and battery packs for very little extra money. If you don't want it, you can always put the additional transmitter on an auction site and most likely get back the price difference. ;)

Welcome to RCU!
Dennis-

RE: Radios
 

glad to hear i can use my Conquest. thank you DB. Any comments on the servo's? thanks.

RE: Radios
 

By all means go with the 3001's. Ball bearing servo's are worth every penny. I would also like to reccomend Hitec HS-325HB's. They are the same size as 3001's but have better gears and I believe they are faster and more precise. They can be gotten at a good price. I payed less than 20$ for mine. Hitec HS 425's are also a good deal.

The Conquest will be just fine. Just remember that if you use 1 radio for several planes you will need to move the reversal swithes for each one. And before buying a flight pack, check the price on a new radio. Many times you can buy a radio with servo's as cheap or cheaper than a flight pack. Buy in the same channel (you can specify when ordering what frequency you want) as your current radio. You get a spare radio for a buddy box or just plain a spare radio. Good luck.


Mark Shuman

RE: Radios
 

The Futaba 148's would also be just fine for the Sportster. I used the same set up (Conquest and 148's) in my Super Sportster, and it was my second plane. I loved it!

Just don't use the wheel pants if you fly from a grass field.
Dennis-

RE: Radios
 

thanks for all the info guys.sure did help me. i'm going to get 4 S-148 from the marketplace here from a guy. $28.. can't go wrong with that. Now i just need a good deal on the RX and i'll be set. Do I just need a RX for my channel(21) or what?It's 72Mhz. Does that need to match? thanks so much. see ya

RE: Radios
 

Yes, the receiver channel has to match, but changing receiver crstals is legal and will not cause problems. Keep in mind, if buying a Futaba receiver it will have to be a "Low Band" receiver. Low band is any channel up to 35, high band is 35 to 60. (This is only true for Futaba. :eek:)

You can also use Hitec, FMA, or a Tower. Pretty much any "off brand" receiver will work as long as they say "Futaba compatable", which means they're "negative shift". JR and Airtronics will not work (they're positive shift.)

For example, you could buy a Hitec negative shift receiver at an auction, and then get a crystal from the local hobby shop or Tower on your channel. Again, if you buy Futaba, just make sure it is in the low band range.
Dennis-