Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Guys,
I was into RC for 20 years (mostly planes/helis), then gradually lost interest due to full scale planes. Haven't flown RC in 15 years. I find myself with some extra time now, and thoughts of returning back in to RC.

I still have all my old stuff, 20 years worth..... that's why I'm writing.

The motors are likely going to need to be gone through and bearings replaced as necessary. I'm OK with that, unless someone has a good source for aftermarket bearings?

The airframes? I have several, from trainers, to pattern/turn around, to 1/4-1/3 scale. Do I dare try to fly them? They were all built from kits, constructed using Jet/Super Jet for the most part, with plastic (Monokote/whatever) covering, whick appears to still be in pretty good shape. Can anyone share any experience flying this old stuff? I guess my main concern is about how the super glued joints are holding up - on a long term basis. I mean, are they going to fold up in flight if pushed hard?

What about my radio stuff? The primary transmitter is a Futaba Heli FP T7UHF. Is it usable, pitch it, update it, what? Flight packs/receivers? I suppose that depends on what the deal is on the transmitter, but assuming it must be replaced, will my servo's/wiring harnesses be usable? Batteries I know are junk. I don't think I could trust them.

Any ideas/thoughts welcome. Thanks much, -Al

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

bocabearings.com rcbearings.com, im sure the airframes are flight worthy, i would consider new radio equipment, new batteries are a must. I would check all the servo wire and extensions,, if they are still very flexible they are ok, if they are very stiff they are no good

welcome back

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Al,

As far as flying your existing airplanes, why not if they are in good shape. I too took a layoff about 14 years and came back about 10 months ago. I am flying two of the stored airplanes I had leftover, used an old Stik as my trainer for a few flights. Recovered it, went to the field and flew. Once I got it trimmed there were no problems other than being a little rusty, took the clubs checkride on the fourth flight.

As far as radios I bought a new Spectrum DX7 after adding up the cost of new batteries it was cheaper to go with the new technology where I can fly up to 20 birds on one transmitter. I am however going to fire up a old 72mhz Futaba I have lying around to use in a trainer I'm putting together to give to my son. I'm using my old servos if they tested good, no problems there. Most of the replacement stuff was in flight box equipment, new panel, tach, pump, ignitor, and so forth. I'm also using several of my old engines once I cleaned them up and checked them out, also no issues.

Things have improved greatly in the last 15 years or so. Its been a bit of a re-birthing for me in some ways.

Welcome back!

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Your transmitter is still legal to use, as all Futaba FM transmitters are narrow band according to http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/service-faq.html#q41



From the Futaba site
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/notes-7uhf-7uhp.html

The 7UHF is the predecessor to the 7UHF S or Super 7. The biggest difference between a non-super 7U and a super 7 or 7U**S is that the super offered multiple model memories and multiple model types — including 2 helicopter head types as well as aircraft (acro) and glider programming. The 7U offers only support for the 'normal' swash 1 head type.

The manual you are about to download is for the 7U Super. Please ignore all pages which refer to aircraft or glider functions, pages 27-36.

Additionally, the following features (and pages) do not apply to your non-super radio:

Idle Up Curve 2 (part of page 13, 15)
Parameters (page 22)
Data Reset (page 22)
ATL trim off (page 22)
Programmable mixing switch (page 23)
Mixing type (aka Model Type) (page 24)
Data Copy (page 25)
Trim Memory (page 25)
Model Select (page 25)

More info - http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/faq-7u.html

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Naturally what you get here are opinions so here are mine. I have been in RC for at least 55 yr. with a couple of breaks at times .I have several aircraft that are 10 to 15 years old and all is well with them, including the motors. The radio gear has improved so much it doesn't make sense to use it. I have used JR for many years so got myself the JR Spektrum radio. Only way to go these days, check it out. HAPPY FLYING.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Welcome back, I was out of it for 20yrs also. new wife, bills, kids, divorce. now my boys and I are in it heavely, we have a great time. I had to buy all new equipment though. I would defintaly buy a new engine and radio. the newer engines like the OS 46AX is fabulous. you can just about run it out of the box and alot more power. the new radios are awesome! all of the new technology is wonderfull.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

You didn't specify what else you have so I'll assume you just have what you say you have, airplanes and engines that work. Not sure about the radio you have but the latest technology is 2.4 GHz and is preferable because you don't have to worry about sharing the frequency with anyone as with 72MGHz.

Here's a list of things for your consideration:

1) AMA membership to fly, a club to join - optional but HIGHLY recommended
2) If you decide to go with the latest technology in radios and want to buy some flying time at the field, a new 2.4 GHz radio, new servos(you may be able to use your old servos) and new receivers

3) The below items are necessary:
Glo Starter
Chicken stick or optionally an electric starter and a battery
Fuel and a pump of some kind
Props and an extra glo plug or two
A field box or something to carry everything above inside

4) The below items are optional but RECOMMENDED
Charger/cycler to charge and cycle your radio and receiver batteries
Charge leads for above
Voltmeter to check the voltage of radio and receiver
Glo plug/prop wrench
Fuel filter for the pump and one for the plane OPTIONALLY


5) FRILL ITEMS
A Voltwatch for your plane to monitor your batteries after EVERY flight as you won't use your voltmeter to do this every flight, trust me!
A flight simulator - BELIEVE ME THE RESET BUTTON WILL SAVE YOU $$$$!
A prop reamer - believe me the props don't always fit!
Talking timer for $10 if your radio doesn't have a timer
Misc. items - Hobby knife, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, electrical tape, epoxy brushes, pins, Windex and paper towels to clean fuel off your plane, Sunglasses, Cooler, Folding Chair , Cap with a visor , Sunscreen , Bug Spray

You may not need new bearings for your engines. Clean and lubricate them then test them out first.

Hope this list gives you some useful info and/or tips! Good luck!

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

So if I understand properly, the only downside to staying with my Fm (72mhz/ch48) equipment (which IS the multi plane/heli Super 7) is sharing flight time with others still using FM? The clubs I would be flying with just aren't that big. Not sure that would be an issue, especially when faced with replacing/updating 6+ flight packs? There are no new problems associated with being "hit" on that frequency?

Batteries - I'm a little aprehensive here. I left in the world of nicad, and have a solid understanding of those. It looks like the batteries have come a ways since then? What is everyone using? Are you building your own packs, buying on the aftermarket, or using OEM?

That's GREAT news on the airframes..... I have some stuff that I would LOVE to fly again! 1/4" Super Decathalon built from a Bud Nosen kit/ST 1.8 (with wings that pivot back at trailing edge for transportation- think full scale KitFox), Total Chaos, Goldgerg Cub on floats, etc. Have a Falcon 56/Enya 45 4s that's going to be used to refresh my fingers I think. I'm getting geeked!

Thanks so much to those of you that shared your experience - especially to those that have been in a similar situation recently! -Al

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

With the radio equipment you presently have it makes sense to stay with it, especially 6rx's. Other than the shareing time part another GREAT feature of the JR Spektrum is the model match. That prevents you from attempting to fly the wrong plane The Tx has to be bound to a specific aircraft and will NOT function with any other. Of course there is a 20 plane memory but each has to be bound individually to the TX. Replacement rx are costly about $90 for the AR7000 . I suggest you check the 2.4 equipment out just to see what is going on. You surely can do fine with what you now have but just for curiousities sake take a look.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

I would stick with the radio you have,
Batteries?
NiCad are still in use as are NiMH, same size but higher capacity (more flights)
I use 2,000mah 4.8v NiMH packs at around $20 a pack.
I use these:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXNRH6&P=7
You can get them at The Prop Shop (Van Dyke just north of 9 Mile if you haven't been there before, it is the mecca of RC airplane stuff in this area)
I would suspect your airframes should still be good but certainly give them a good look and replace all your old fuel lines.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

If anything, as some folks transition to 2.4 TXs, there is less and less of a log jam on 72 freqs. You`re still perfectly fine with your old radio.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

As for frequency conflicts driving a switchover to 2.4........... When you've got a number of good RXs in good airplanes, the changeover is going to cost big bucks. And you will notice that lots of your club members are no longer going to be conflicting with your frequency because they're on 2.4 now. Good for them. Good for us guys with lots invested in perfectly good RXs. A TX upgrade may or may not be worth considering. After you're back in awhile, that question will answer itself for you.

As for your engines....... If they're gummed solid, you might consider buying a crock pot. New ones are under $10. There is a new deal technique of cleaning up engines that amounts to crockpotting them in antifreeze. It works wonders. I had a number of engines when I got back into flying a couple of years back. Had a number of engines with 15 years gumming up to clean up. The crock pot does the job overnight. Well worth it.

Swap out all the battery packs. Including in the TX. I took the opportunity to standardize the packs in all the planes. Went to 800mAh packs in all. Got my charger setup for 4cell/800mAh and no question about setting it differently for any airplane. NiCd works like a charm still.

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

da Rock - Holy cow! That crock pot deal sounds really good to me right now. I had read mention of that somewhere, but had totally forgotten about it. What perfect timing. You da MAN and da Rock! What type of antifreeze am I after? Green or Orange? Or doesn't it make any difference?

Missleman, took your advice. 2 battery packs on order. Will try them out and go from there. I've heard of the Prop Shop, but never been there. Going to have to look them up some day. I've always dealt with a couple of shops over on this side of town (RC Hobbies and Joes) but did most of my stuff online. Even back then.

The extra room on frequency generated by guys going 2.4 makes a lot of sense. I hadn't considered that. I've always enjoyed having the latest and greatest, so I can see myself going that way someday, but not now, knowing my 72mhz stuff is still OK. Priority will be getting stick time, along with getting some of this stuff that's been hanging around waiting to be flown again for the past few years, airworthy again.

Went out to the club field this evening, first time in at least 15 years, and there were 3 guys flying. I recognized 2 of them, they recognizes me - as having helped them learn to fly. Pretty special. One mentioned he hated me for the thousands of dollars spent on this hobby since them....

This is going to be a lot less painfull than I ever imagined. Thanks for the help guys. Very much appreciated. -Al

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

Don't do it. You'll get addicted, spend tons of money on r/c stuff and spend countless hours at the field. :D

I need help!!!

RE: Thinking about getting back into RC...
 

you want the 'old' style green antifreeze. the antifreeze contaminates the crock pot so it can never be used for food.