receiver compatibility
 

Good morning all! I've finally finished my Sig Kadet Senior, I've got my AMA membership, and I'm taking it to the local club here in Charlotte,NC today to let the experienced pilots look over my blood-sweat-and-tears to make sure it's air worthy, and let them make the maiden flight before I begin my instruction (wish me luck). :)

Here is my question... I have a Futaba T6YG Skyport 6 and I'm using the receiver and servos that came with it in the Kadet Senior... I have allready started construction on my second plane (Top Flight Contender) and I'm about 80% done prior to the covering stage and I'm planning on purchasing a filght pack now to go in the Contender. Using my Skyport 6 as my main radio, does it matter what reciever/servo combo I use, as long as it has a crystal that matches the frequency of the radio, or is there more to it than that.

Also, are the Hitec HS-425BB servos as good as the Futaba S3004?

RE: receiver compatibility
 

Welcome to the best waste of your time and hard-earned money on the planet. AND...congratulations on selecting a perfect trainer, IMHO. I Love that plane for beginners, like me and you.

The Futaba is negative-shift and requires a negative -shift receiver. Look at Hitec's shift-selectable receivers. They can be converted to work with virtually any radio transmitter. Servos do not matter, buy the best ones you can afford. They can be used in later projects.

The Hitec 425BB is, in my opinion, a bit better than the Futaba S3004. I have both and the Futaba S3004, although they have performed FLAWLESSLY for over 6 gallons of flight time, are not ball bearing servos. The Hitec HS425BB's are ball bearing servos and will last even longer.

I would recommend a Hitec flight pack with a shift select rx, 425BB's or better and at least a 1100 MAH battery. You can order direct from Hitec or go to Tower or any other site. I have seen good prices at http://www.pegasushobbies.com Don't settle for standard servos. I have about 12 standard servos that just sit in a box and wait to be used as throttle servos in my next 12 projects.

Good Luck and:

Welcome to the end of 'free time' and 'disposable income' as you now know them.

Mark

RE: receiver compatibility
 

As long as the receiver is a NEGATIVE shift, it is compatible with your Futaba.

In my opinion, while the Futaba 3004 are very good servos, I feel the HiTec 425BB is a little better. This is a Ford - Chevvy thing as to which is better.

As for the receiver, I would suggest the HiTec Supreme 8 channel. Because they are the same price, I would get the shift selectable, in case you change radios in the future to a positive shift (JR, AirTronics). For a flight pack you may want to check out Hobby Horse. They have the flight pack for $95.99 plus the cost of the crystal http://www.hobbyhorse.com/hitec_flightpack.shtml Another option you may want to consider is the Polk's Seeker receiver. The receiver is about $80, however it can be used on ANY channel by ANY brand of transmitter - it is totally synthesized. You would have to add the servos, battery and switch to the cost. The advantage is that you do not need a crystal.

I have both the Hitec Supreme and the Polk Seeker receivers and have not had any problems with either one. I primarily use Hitec servos and they also have been trouble free.

Hope this is of some help.

RE: receiver compatibility
 

While agexpert's advice is right on the money, as usual, I am lead to add one correction and one suggestion.

Correction: The Futaba 3004 servos have ball bearings.

Suggestion: The servo wheels or arms are not interchangeable from Futaba to Hitec or vice versus. That is why I use just one brand of servo. Recently bought a very nice transmitter, not my usual brand, slightly used. It was accompanied by a receiver and four sevos. I gave the servos to a cousin of mine. Yes, we old f*rts have lots of stuff.

You will to, in no time. Will that make you an old f*rt or a young one?

Ken, AMA 19352

RE: receiver compatibility
 

WOW!!!! Fast response and EXACTLY the info I was needing. You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for your help!!!

And yeah Mark, I know what you mean about time and money, and loosing both...lol. When I was a kid, I got started in all this when my mom bought me my first Guillow's kit and I was hooked. The bedroom my brother and I shared had a hardwood floor and that was my building board. I'd lay my plans on the floor, cover them with wax paper, steal pins from my mom's sewing kit, and commence to building. I tackled several models and even though none of them ever flew, it did give me building experience and I had a ball. By now I know you're thinking to yourself... this kid put pin holes in a nice hardwood floor, and lived to tell about it?!?! Shoot, I was a kid and didn't know any better (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...lol), and it wasn't until I was older that I noticed the hundreds on little holes in the floor and to this day I'm amazed that moms didn't notice it. I guess if I have kids one day, I'm come home to find my desk drawer glued shut with CA glue, or a hole in the carpet that mysteriously resembles the shape of a covering iron... karma.

Anyway, as I entered adulthood, the bug hit me again, and I succumbed to my addiction that I may need help with... I can't stay away from Tower Hobbies and Ebay... not to mention my R/C ADD. I hadn't even finished my Kadet before I started the Contender... while thinking about what I need to start my Balsa USA NorthStar... and thinking about how I can make that GP Phantom F4 lighter that I bought off of Ebay... and all that is leading me up to my ultimate goal. I bought that 123% JHH Tomcat F14. I've got the kit, and canopy from JHH, and pilots from Pete's Pilots, but those lipos, ESC's, motors, and fans are going to cost me DEARLY (I know I'm looking at $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 for the F14 when all is said and done). But the way I figure it, it's going to take me "awhile" before my pilot skills progress to the point where I can fly the F14, so between now and then, I can buy a lipo here, a motor there, and take my time, spread the cost over a few years, and it won't seem so bad. At least that's what I keep telling myself. I have a LONG, expensive, time consuming ride ahead of me, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!!! And meeting guys like you all and learning from your expertise is what gives me a great deal of joy. Thank you all!!!!

RE: receiver compatibility
 

Well Mr. Foamie, that depends on who you ask. I'm 44, soon to be 45, and my best friend that I grew up with since the 2nd grade does call me an old f*rt... but then again, he calls me a lot of other stuff too that I'm not going to repeat...lol. But then when I'm at work and I see all those beautiful young ladies in their late 20's I consider myself quite the young f*rt. They don't buy it, but I can dream can't I? Yeah, let me dream.[sm=biggrin.gif]