RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

These are still great Receivers and will work with virtually all Futaba FM transmitters. You could also have them converted to the other half of the band if desired by a shop. Do you have any other specific brands or models of transmitters in mind? The Futaba Skysport 4YF transmitter sould work fine but is only 4 channels. How many channels do you want to use?

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

I'm moving up from a 4ch trainer and have the UltraStick 40 ARF. I'd like to get a Futaba 9C Super but those are the only ones currently being sold.

What makes the Super better?

And, are digital servos worth it? I've heard they draw more current so you need a larger capacity RX pack. 1100? 1500?

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

The Super is an enhanced 9C. They improved some of the mixes and switch assignability. Excellent choice for the Ultrastick as you can set up the quad flaps based on the 4 servo wing mixing so you can have the flaps as flaps for landing and for snap flaps AND you can have the flaps follow the ailerons as well. To do that you need to address each flap on its own channel without a Y cable. :)

Digital servos have a couple of key advantages, but are they worth it??? That is for you to decide.

1) They tend to center better
2) The tend to have stronger holding power

There may be others but these are the key ones.

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

Hello Bruse,

The Hanger9 Pulse PnP and the J-3 Cub PnP both take a 4 channel minimum. Also, is there any place I could order the Radio without the receivers?

I was going to buy these radio's for the planes I mentioned above, JSP14000 - JR Sport S400 4-Channel Radio System, and the JR Sport SX600 6-Channel Radio System, Mode 2.

I don't know anything about JR Radio's except I heard they run on a Possitive band. Then I thought... hey, let me see if I could find a Radio that I could use my old reliable Recievers.

Now if I could find a Futaba 4 channel Radio, without getting more Receivers... I could save a little money possibly.



Peter Dowling aka Luftwaffe Oberst
AMA District II # 865404
Aero Modelers Club
Pulaski, NY

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

Sites where you can buy just a radio include:
www.servocity.com
www.allerc.com
www.brucknerhobbies.com

Not sure if they carry JR but they do carry Futaba. However, if you need flight packs for the planes, it is cheaper to buy the radio and receivers as a package.

Futaba radio systems are generally negative shift in North America. JR are positive shift so you usually can't use a JR with Futaba receivers.

But let's put that aside for a moment. Why are you going to spend so much money to buy limited feature standard radios? Why not buy one computer radio that will provide you with much more capability than either of the standard radios and save some money at that same time?

If you like JR, the JR Sport 600 blows the two SX radios away in features for a great price.

JR Sport 600 - $159 for this package
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...dID=JSP16000**
10-model memory, DR for aileron and elevator. No mention of Expo
Flaperons, Delta/Elevon and V-tail mixing. Includes receiver and
4 standard sized servos which are not suitable for many small planes.

If you want a low cost Futaba Radio System:

Futaba EXAS - $160 for this package
http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk54.html
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXJUV7**&P=ML
review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=556
See it being programmed
http://video1.hobbico.com/gallery/futk52-58-deluxe.mpg
6 channels, 6-model memory, Proportional Flaps on ch 6, Flapperon using 1/6,
and 1 user definable mix. Expo rudder, elevator and ailerons. The
particular package I have listed at tower comes with 3 micro servos
and a micro receiver suitable for parkflyers but not larger planes.
Other packages are available


STANDARD RADIOS vs. COMPUTER RADIOS
by Ed Anderson
aeajr on the forums

I think you will find the economics of computer radios have changed in the
last 3-4 years. This is partially due to the advance in electronics and
partly because people are buying that second, third plane much sooner. We
have flyers in our club who have been flying less than 6 months who have 3
planes already. The cost has dropped so much, and the availability of ARFs
and high quality kits have made it cheaper and simpler to get the next
plane. There is little to hold them back.

I recommend new pilots go directly to the computer radios. If they start
with an RTF, then they use that radio to fly that plane. When they buy the
second plane, they get the computer radio.

A quality electric ARF parkflyer or simple to build kit, with the motor,
can cost as little as $40. A flight pack for that plane can be as low as
$70. You can put it in the air over a weekend.

An ARF 2 meter sailplane can be $90. The electronics to put that in the air
can be around $70 and can be completed in a couple of evenings.

In the glow and gas powered world these low costs and rapid adoption of
second and third planes might be different. I can't say.

BACK TO RADIOS

Just as computers have wiped out the typewriter, so the computer radio is
making the standard radio obsolete. Today, nobody buys a kid a typewriter
to type his school papers. They get a computer.

I have come to the conclusion that the only reason to buy
a standard radio is lack of confidence that you plan to go forward, or
the standard radio came as part of an RTF package.

Here is a quick look at some key points.

Economics - Let's compare - Tower Hobbies catalogue

Hitec Laser 4, std Radio and 4 standard servos - $120
Futaba 4 EXA computer radio, receiver, 4 standard servos $140
Airtronics VG6000 6 ch computer radio, receiver 4 St servos $170

Difference is $20-$50

Looking at the Airtronics VG 6000, 4 model memories so you can instantly
switch
to any of 4 models without having to reset anything. If we ignore servos
and receiver, the VG6000 covers your next three planes for about $16 each.

With the standard radio you need to reset for each plane, carefully keep all
planes tuned identically, or buy a radio for each plane so you can tune it
to the plane and keep the settings. That would cost about $60 per plane for
each
standard radio, or an additional $180. And with the VG you only have to
charge one radio and bring one radio regardless of which plane, or planes
you wish to fly.

That's $50 extra for one radio that handles 4 planes or an added $180 to
have each plane's settings retained with a standard radio. And the VG
does a whole lot more than just provide model memories. This is an
excellent first radio.

Big savings and enhanced flexibility with the 6 channel computer radio!

In the Tower hobbies catalogue:

Standard Radio - 6 channels
Hitec Laser 6 with 4 standard servos and receiver 139
Computer Radio - 6 channels
Futaba 6EXAS 6 Ch computer radio -4 std servos & eceiver $179

For $40 the 6EXAS gives you 6 model memories and a whole pile of features
the Laser 6 standard radio can't touch, and you divide the cost over 6
models. The computer is cheaper and more convenient.

What else can these entry level computer radios do?

Split Ailerons/flapperons: -

You can install two aileron servos and connect each to a separate channel on
the computer radio. This makes it very easy to trim each servo to get each
aileron just right.

You can set up aileron differential, if you wish, to improve effectiveness
while reducing drag. Very popular on sailplanes.

Or let's say you have a plane with ailerons but no flaps. You fly the
plane normally. Then flip a switch and turn the ailerons into flapperons.
Now you can use your ailerons as flaps during landings. Flaps on a 4 channel
plane that doesn't have flaps. You can just as easily set them up as
spoilers, which are commonly used on sailplanes during landings.

Cool!

Coordinated turns - Mix rudder into your ailerons so you have a coordinated
turn. On a standard radio you have to do this manually. With the computer
radio you can do it manually too, or you can focus on the plane while the
radio handles the coordination for you. You can override the mix and add or
reduce rudder at any time.

Exponential, dual rates, model memories, channel mixing, digital trims and
lots more. Some of these features can be very helpful in getting new pilots
in the air.

Are computer radio hard to use?

No! In fact if you want, you can just use it as a standard 2, 3 or 4
channel radio until you want to use the other features.

Take a look at this thread, starting at post 49. This guy talks about using
flaps as ailerons for flying and flaps for landing on a R/E/F sailplane.
Pretty cool idea. Can't do that with a standard radio!
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...6&page=4&pp=15

So, for an extra $40 over a standard 6 channel radio, you get
a radio that handles multiple models and lets you do things that the
standard radios can't do. Go up a another $30-60 to the Hitec Optic 6 or
Futaba 7C and it is amazing what you can do and now you get 8-10 model
memories.

Will you need this on the first plane? No, but they can be helpful.

Differential can be very helpful to a new pilot. Most radios that
come with RTF packages, and most standard radios don't have all these
features. You don't have to use them right away, but it is great to know
that you don't have to buy ANOTHER radio when you realize you would like to
have them. The price difference over a standard radio is now so small
that for all but the very few, the computer radio is now the economic entry
level
radio of choice.

TRANSMITTER MODULES

Many computer radios in the midrange and upper range use removable
transmitter modules. These allow you to change channels by swapping out the
transmitter section. It also allows you to change the frequency range on
the radio. This might allow you to use the same radio to fly 27 MHz, 50 MHz,
72 MHZ and 75 MHz. So you could use the same radio for planes, cars and
boats
just by swapping out the channel module. Quick and easy to do.

Hitec, Futaba and JR have channel synth modules that will allow you to
select any
of the 50 72 mhz channels that can be flown in North America. There are
also radios like the Evo 9 and 12, and the Polk 6 and 8 channel radios that
have built in channel synth. If you want to avoid channel conflict, a
computer
radio that can change channels could be a great asset.

Hitec has also let it be known that they will have a 2.4 GHz module that
will fit Hitec and Futaba modular radios radios.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3986179/tm.htm

There are lots of good reasons to buy a computer radio. If you get into
even semi serious aerobatics or sailplanes, a computer radio is a huge
benefit and for some things, almost a requirement to bring the plane to its
full potential. Even the pilot of a 3-4 channel parkflyer, or someone
flying a
simple R/E sailplane with spoilers or flaps benefits from a computer
radio.

There is only one reason to buy a standard radio these days. "I don't know
if I will like RC flying so I want to spend as little as possible". Or the
standard radio came in an RTF package like an Multiplex Easy Star RTF, a
Great Planes Spirit Select RTF or a NextStar Glow RTF.

I have used Hitec and Futaba as examples here because I know those lines
best, but JR, Airtronics, Polk and others have entry level computer radios
that are a much better value than any standard radio. In many cases these
entry
level computer radios will serve the needs of the pilot for many years to
come.

Get a computer radio, save a bundle of money, get a bundle
of features and really have fun with your RC flying.

This may also be useful:

What you need to know about receivers:
http://www.*********.com/forums/radi...ers-12151.html

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

Ed brings up to major points I'd like to repeat and have you seriously consider because prior to this I have only been giving you DIRECT answers to specific questions.

1. The latest computer radios (up to the 7-9 channel level anyway) are very easy to program and you have the option of leaving them in VERY basic modes if you wish.

2. Very often you CAN buy an entire system cheaper than just a transmitter if you just do a liitle shopping around. At the worst, you will have another excellent (almost free) flight pack.:)

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

This is what Bruce is talking about:

Futaba 6EXAS - $160
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...I=LXJUV7**&P=ML

3 micro servos--------------------------------$15 each $45
1 micro receiver + crystal for small electrics ------------ $70
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20

Total for components $135

Cost for radio, charger, battery = $25 for an 6 channel entry level computer
radio - WOW!
====================================
Maybe you like Airtronics better

Airtronics VG 6000 $170
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...&I=LXEUY5**&P=7

2 micro servos ------------------------------- $15 each $30
1 Micro receiver + crystal ------------------------------ $65
1 Electronic Speed Control ----------------------------- $25
Misc stuff --------------------------------------------- $20

$140 for the above - you are going to need them anyway!

Radio, charger, battery = $30 for an entry level 6 channel computer radio.
REALLY!
===========================
Maybe you want a little more feature rich radio

Hitec Optic 6 - $220
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hitec.htm

2 micro servos ----------------------------$15 each $30
Electron 6 micro receiver + crystal ( my favorite)---- $65
Misc other stuff in the package --------------------- $20

Total for components $115

Cost for radio, charger Battery = $105 Not bad for a midrange 6 channel
computer radio!

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

I guess I'll just use the Receivers and I'll have another one for backup. I like the old plain 4 channel, I've been in this Sport for 3 years, and plan to continue until I die.

Some people like the old typewriter because it's reliable. I'm one of those who believe that the more Bells and Whistles added to a radio, the more something can go wrong. Errors are mostly made by the programmer from what I've seen.

I was thinking of getting a 6 channel in case I buy a Warbird with Flaps and Retracts down the road. The Hanger 9 Cub flies so slow, I wouldn't need to turn the ailerons into flapperons.

Of all the planes I flew, mostly trainers... or more advanced trainers, I knew my planes glide path and angle that I needed to achieve a good landing.

I'm one of those people that say if the full size plane doesn't have it, then why have it in a model? Well... it looks like I'm going to be forced into the Computer Transmitters, and it will be under protest.


It's like Ford and Chevy... they make cars and trucks with a ton of problems, and when they sort it all out and fix all the bugs, they discontinue the vehicle. It's funny that I'm the only one who see's that, and believes that this type of business practice seems moronic.

If it works fine, leave it alone! The old radio's from the 80's and 90's were reliable, why is it that these manufactures think they have to improve upon it?

So what 6 Channel would be perfect for the Futaba FP-R127DF's, all my planes are 40+ in engine size. I got a little confused to what was said so far. Oh dear, My Brain Hurts.


Peter Dowling aka Luftwaffe Oberst
AMA District II # 865404
Aero Modelers Club
Pulaski, NY

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

First, are you so sure the full size planes do have it. Certainly commercial airliners are computerized, but a J3 Cub clearly was not.

It upsets me that you feel you are being forced into something. I was just tyring to show you that you could spend less and get more. If you like the feel and behavior of the standard radios and a radio per plane, by all means go that path.

Whatever works for you is fine. I just wanted to show you the savings and the option.

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

I don't kow how many plane you have so I'm going to give 2 options.
This radio will be fine for 6 channels and includes 4 standard servos and Futabas new RX which can be used ANYWHERE though channels 11-60 without regard to the split band issue. It also will store 6 model memories.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHYK7**&P=
If you want more memories in the Futaba line you would need to go to something like:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGAE9**&P=
which has 10 model memories and more features.
Remember - you DON"T have to use the features just because they are there although you can slowly try to adapt them if you wish.
And ALWAYS double-check that you have selected the correct model memory BEFORE starting the engine.
I hope we haven't pressured you into something you don't really want. The manufacturers may have but they produce what sells to the masses.[:o] It's possible to find a "Plain Jane" 6-7 ch Futaba FM TX on EBAY but you don't really know what you are getting some times and they are of a generation that parts are no longer available. I know because I actually have 2 of them and I had to buy a carcass the other day just to tear apart for mechanical pieces to repair mine. Nobody else had them and I mean NOBODY.
Best of luck with whatever you choose and let us know please.:)

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

Thanks bruce88123, And aeajr I appreciate your help too. You just confused the dickens out of me. Like I said, I'll be getting the Hanger 9 Pulse PNP and my Hanger 9 Cub.

They are made for a 4 Channel radio, some people use more complicated Radios to turn the ailerons into flapperons in the Pulse... however I don't believe that is necessary for this Low wing trainer.

I don't know, I guess I'll stay with the 4 Channel, and if I have to adjust my Control Throws, I'll do it manually. When it is time for a Warbird, then I'll upgrade to a 6 channel.

I'm one of those that know how to build more than playing with Radios. Radios and Receivers for what ever reason always seemed to confuse me. It seems that the Radios in itself is in it's own class in this sport. The engines are easy to understand... just electronics I have a hard time learning what will work with what.

I only have three years in this Hobby, so I'm still very much in the learning stage.

Thanks guys, I'll revert to what has been Posted here from time to time before I make my final decision to what I'm going to get for these planes.

I'm thinking of just getting the 4 channel Radio that will work with the two Receivers I already have, and use the 3rd Receiver as a Backup, or put it in my future warbird and just buy the 6 Channel Radio for that Bird.

I'm the only person that flys on Channel 44 at my Club, and everyone has there own personal Channel Preference. That way we all stay clear of interference. We only ask guests what channel and band there on, and I ask if I go to a show somewhere as a guest.

aeajr my friend, don't sweat it... Some things I'm very slow in learning, and sometimes I'm afraid of advancement in technology.

Took me years to figure out the computer, but I started on a Windows 95, and I played with IBM's in the 80's. I'm sure you understand to where I'm coming from. Don't take it Personal... Please. You really know your stuff, just treat me like a Autistic Person when you explain things that seem real complicated or advanced. The New Radios is one of theses topics that makes me pull my hair out. Maybe I need to just buy a Computerized Radio and Receiver, and just play with one to figure it all out. You know... The hands on approach?

Thanks,


Peter Dowling aka Luftwaffe Oberst
AMA District II # 865404
Aero Modelers Club
Pulaski, NY

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

It's all good Peter. Whatever works for you is great. I am sure you will be very successful with that approach. There are many who like the simple radios better and there is nothing wrong with that.

What matters is that you enjoy the hobby!

Please post some photos when your planes are complete. :)


As for radios:

You can get a Futaba 4YF here for $35
http://www.brucknerhobbies.com/Aircraft%20Radios.htm

I don't see a Futaba 6 channel standard radio at Bruckner, Tower Hobbies, HobbyPeople, or at Servo City. They have likely phased them out.

The Hitec Laser 4 and 6 will also work with your receivers and have more features than the 4Yf. You can buy just the radio at Servo City. Hitec and Furtaba mix just fine. I have a Futaba 9C and a dozen Hitec receivers. Furaba FM receivers work fine with Hitec radios too.

Laser 4 - $60
http://www.servocity.com/html/laser_4_fm_systems.html

Laser 6 - $75
http://www.servocity.com/html/laser_6_fm_systems.html

Just be sure to order them on the same channel as your current receivers.

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

You are gonna wanna steer clear of the Optic 6. It is a very poor quality product that fails frequently.

In terms of probability and statistics, you are probably not going to like the Optic 6.
In terms of my personal experience with this poor quality product, it is a poor quality product and unreliable. I have had to send mine back to the manufacturer twice because it went completely dead. It only has about 2 hours of flight time on it.

Optic 6 is a bad, bad product.
BMonee

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

BMonee,

Sorry to hear of your bad experience with the Optic 6. We have a bunch of them in our club and I have not heard of any problems at all. Sounds like you got a lemon. I am sure Hitec will get it fixed right.

RE: Need a new transmitter system
 

BMonee, it looks like you revived this 8 months dormant thread for a reason.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with your radio. I use that radio and it's one of the best values I've found in the hobby. I've recommended it to a number of flyers and they're all extremely pleased with theirs. None of us have had a moments problem with ours so I can't comment on the mfg's repair service.

It is extremely risky to judge from just one example. About the only times I've seen people having radio problems in the last year were a couple of guys who both had Futaba radios. Two guys. Both Futaba radios. Significant? Not really.