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RE: Very Basic Questions
ORIGINAL: Gizmo-RCU Compare radio prices, sometimes a very basic 4-6 channel is not far from a better entry level computer setup that will last you thru at least the intermediate stages. I started with a non computer radio when computer radios were still a little pricy........didn't really take long to upgrade as the multi plane ability is a real plus. As a novice it is difficult to stomach paying more for a higher priced, more capable radio. I WISH I had listened when that same advice was given to me. I - THOUGH - the prices was too high to do this. After I tallied the costs of my string of increasingly more expensive TX's, purchased over time, I found that I could have spent the same money on at least a couple of the very top of the line radios. Had I even purchased one of these, it would have replaced all of the TX's I did purchase and handled ALL of my planes. It would have ultimately have cost me 1/2 the price, while giving me a much better radio to use. The better radios also can do things that save you money in other hardware, such with reversers, etc. |
RE: Very Basic Questions
http://www.nitroplanes.com/2-4ghz-tr...airplanes.html
I'm thinking of going with this combo kit for the transmitter and receiver. The next question is; do i need to be looking at specific servos to go with this receiver? If so, again, i need some help. How can i tell they are compatible? |
RE: Very Basic Questions
If you'll look at the bottom of the page it says "professional advice" that is a big joke with them. they don't fly. they sell only. I'm giving you a list of three radios
Hitec 4 ch tower # LXANT^ $119.99 with servos Futaba 4ch tower # LXEFJ4 129.99 with servos Spektrum 5ch 2.4gig Horizon # SPM5500 $99.99 no servos. These are the very basic radios. Two are 72mhz the other is the new 2.4gig.All servos will work with all radios. Please before you spend any more money talk to someone that has been in the hobby for a while. Until you have been around the hobby for awhile stay away from the net and cheap pricing. For example if you want a trainer that is complete look at the horizon alpha 40. horizon HAN 4400. the plane engine and radio already installed. three year warrentee on the engine and radio. $299.99. you already have spent $60. A new radio at 119.99. you up to $180, and what else may need work. the price od used keeps getting higher. Dennis |
RE: Very Basic Questions
what part of massachusetts are you in? I live south of boston about 1/3 of the way to the cape
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RE: Very Basic Questions
YOU SIR ARE A VERY GOOD STUDENT....YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY OBSERVENT AND HAVE BEEN PAYING VERY GOOD ATTENTION......WITH SKILLS LIKE THAT, I AM SURE YOU WILL GO VERY FAR IN THIS HOBBY......AND YOU HAVE ALL OF YOUR RCU BRO'S TO GUIDE YOU ALONG THE WAY.......DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.......(KOOLKRABBER47)........
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RE: Very Basic Questions
I went with the Hitec 4 ch with servos. Thanks.
Next question - I have the Tower Hobby .40 engine. Do I NEED to buy glow fuel or can I buy 2 stroke mix at the LHS or Home Depot and mix with gasoline? Much like a weed eater... Thanks for everyone's help with this - very helpful! So, I'm up to $200 for an old plane (engine still hasn't been tested at this point). |
RE: Very Basic Questions
haven't seen the plane but small planes are glow fuel or electric and buying fuel from tower hobbies is expensive due to hazardous shipping costs. tower 40 is glow
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RE: Very Basic Questions
find a LHS to get youer fuel. Dennis
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RE: Very Basic Questions
Dennis - you are saying buy a two stroke mix and do that? Just want to be clear...Thanks.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
ORIGINAL: NChakmakian Next question - I have the Tower Hobby .40 engine. Do I NEED to buy glow fuel or can I buy 2 stroke mix at the LHS or Home Depot and mix with gasoline? Much like a weed eater... |
RE: Very Basic Questions
the only places I know where people usually buy fuel is in hanson at hanson hobby or go to new hampshire to rc buyers warehouse I do not know of too many other locals. the charles river club might know some closer to boston but I only know one south of boston until I get closer to the sagamore bridge
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RE: Very Basic Questions
you want two stroke glow fuel and I have mixed results on tower hobby motors. some great and some others that stall a lot
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RE: Very Basic Questions
You do not have to buy premixed glow fuel but you'll probably find it is a lot easier than blending your own.
The main point is that gasoline and two cycle oil intended to mix with gasoline are not compatible with your engine. You need two or three ingredients to make glow fuel: 1. Methanol. Some race cars, go-karts, and motorcycles run on methanol so you can probably find a local source. 2. Oil that will mix with methanol. Castor oil is one choice. There are also synthetic oils or castor/synthetic blends that will work. The oil you use for your weed eater probably will not mix with methanol. 3. Nitromethane. This is optional but a huge majority of flyers in the US use fuel with it. Top Fuel dragsters use it. You may or may not find a local source. |
RE: Very Basic Questions
Futaba might be able to upgrade that radio to 72Mhz narrow band. But you would need a new reciever. But time may have run out on that as well. When the frequencies changed a lot of the older radios were upgraded to the narrow band. Some are collectors items. I don't think Futaba is. But old Kraft, Proline, Orbit, and a few others are.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
Yes, I'm really trying to get him in a good store or a club for help. Tho all the information he is getting here is good, it tends to wonder some. We haven't even discussed glow grivers, fuel pumps, electric starters or flight syms. now that he has picked a good radio he can use the buddy box. His old radio was AM and wide band with no buddy box. Theres just to much to tell him and for him to learn, and I can't type that fast. Love to see new people get in the hobby, thats why I opened a LHS. Certinly didn't do it for the money. He has my phone # and he can call any time just to talk. If i had his zip i could give him some phone # to call. Dennis
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RE: Very Basic Questions
he is in boston mass
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RE: Very Basic Questions
I've purchased a glow clip (and battery), a fuel pump, a chicken stick, the transmitter, receiver, and new servos. I think I'm all set (as long as the engine turns over). So here's another question on my mind...so say I do get the engine kicked over; how does it turn off? If I release the throttle, will the engine simply stall out? I love that all of you are answering so quickly. I'm beginning to feel like buying a plane that I needed to do all of this work to is just what I needed to learn all of this stuff, otherwise, I wouldn't have any idea how the mechanics work. Maybe a blessing...</p> |
RE: Very Basic Questions
Most glow engines will shut off if you close the throttle completely.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
It's Friday afternoon and my boss is on vacation with her kids (spring break) so I'm "working" while browsing RCU.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
ORIGINAL: NChakmakian I'm thinking of going with this combo kit for the transmitter and receiver. The next question is; do i need to be looking at specific servos to go with this receiver? If so, again, i need some help. How can i tell they are compatible? Whatever you buy now will force you to stay on that path for a LONG time. 2.4gHz receivers will ONLY work with transmiters made by the same manufaturer. The only current exception to this are receivers made by JR and Spektrum. These two brands belong to one company, so the equipement marketed as such is interoperable. JR stuff works with Spektrum, and vice versa. After you have a 2.4gHz receiver, you'll want to purchase another for your next plane, from the same manufacturer, so you can use your transmitter. Later you'll own a few 2.4gHz receivers and you'll want to upgrade your transmitter, so you'll try to stick with that manufacturer so that you can use what you own. So you're now somewhat stuck on this path. If need be, save up some cash for a computer controlled transmitter. One good transmitter will last you and service many planes. One cheap one will be tossed out in favor of something better. |
RE: Very Basic Questions
if on a budget, a Futaba 4channel Skysport is good very basic radio, Even though I outgrew mine, I still use it a lot on a couple of planes, like my slowstick and top flite elder .25 , also the radio has a trainer cord port for learning with a instructor
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RE: Very Basic Questions
You can actually buy adapters for your servos to convert the old 3 pin (Futaba G) to the more modern setup (Futaba J, JR, Spektrum, Hitec, etc). http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXH449&P=0 However, at nearly $8, they're not a bargain, as you can buy new standard servos for $10. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUK84&P=7. So if you keep your current setup but upgrade, you'll need to drop $200 for a new radio, then hope the engine doesn't give you any problem. If it's worn out or abused, plan on spending another $60 for a new one of those. This bargain deal is adding up fast. If I were you, I'd give serious consideration to reselling the plane, then opting for a more user friendly RTF foam electric like the $180 Hobbyzone Cub LP http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7300 or if you can swing it, the more feature rich Eflite Apprentice (comes with a full range, 4 channel 2.4 radio that you can bind to other models as you get more experience) http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=EFL2725 They come with everything you need, you don't need to mess with fuel, ignitors, starters, field boxes, etc. Very user friendly if you don't have any experience with R/C flying. Glow power for smaller models is dying, so you may want to consider starting off with e-power. I'll probably get flamed really bad for saying that, but it's the future of the hobby, like it or not.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
This "aiongold" has eight identical SPAM posts. It appears they have already been reported to the moderators so they'll probably ban the ID today and remove the spam.
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RE: Very Basic Questions
Page sixteen of the manual references AM frequencies in the 72 bandwidth. I used 72.080 30 years ago.
Jim ORIGINAL: RCKen Ok, I'm looking at the manual for this radio right now ( http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/3fn-4...6fn-manual.pdf). I'm having some serious doubts about even being able to use this radio because of it's age. I can't tell exactly how old this radio is but from the illustrations in the manual we're talking about a few years back. There could be problems using this radio if it's older than the 90's when they made a requirement for all radios to be narrowbanded. If it's not narrowband then it's illegal to use this radio in the US. Ken |
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