i'm on the list for the Futaba 12FG 2.4Ghz right now, and i've always been a Futaba user.
seems like this radio will do all and way more than i need.
at the time, and it was also the radio that brought me back, i'm using Futaba's 6EX 2.4GHz and what a pleasure it's been not to have to wait for a freq. paddle, and no fear of a shoot down.
for Classic pattern though, i wonder if it's all i need.

please list what you are using and tell me if i even need a radio like the 12FG.

Multiplex (MPX) 3030 35MHZ , never had problems loosing control with MPX
2.4GHZ has it good thing , but due to the short wave certainly more vulnerable to all kinds of the reception distorsion, as even trees can distort reception

Anyway, 2.4 GHZ is not to thrust in Europe ( this frequency is shared with all kinds of stuff )

Some producents are marketing it, but advicing against it

For classic pattern, you only need a simple set, strating 4 channel up to 7 ( adding retracts, mixture controls , flaps , ....) That's how the guys did it in that era !

Steven

I use the 6EXA (6EX in 72mHz format). It's all I need for classic pattern. It has six channels which will control retracts and flaps plus enough programming features to fine tune a well mechanically set up aircraft. I've never had a problem with it.

This radio is better than almost any of that era. You don't need a 14MZ to be competitive. [8D]

..-. ..- - .- -... .- / --... -.-. .- .--.

If you want it - buy it. Yeah, it has a ton of features. I've always bought top of the line radios (Futaba since the old 'J' series came out). 2 reasons: 1) hopefully, best quality; 2) easier to justify spending money on regular maintenance. I'm still flying a 9Vap (16years old) as well as a 9ZAPS (11 years old) and a 9ZAPS WCII (6 years old); If you note the progression it must be time for a new radio.... Good thing X-mas is coming!!
I have had the opportunity to fly most of the new Futaba radios over the past 5 years: they're all good radios. Features that I MUST have: digital trims; programmable switches; throttle cut function; ATV; EXP; mixing; probably a few others I can't think of without a TX in front of me.
my 2 cents...
Will B

I'm an equal opportunity destroyer - I fly all brands. Six meters, 72 MHz, 2.4 GHz, makes no difference to me.

Ed Cregger, -. -- ..--- -.-


PS: I used to be a Micro Avionics, Orbit and Kraft user. After they went toes up, I'm not really brand loyal any longer. I view Airtronics, Futaba and JR as being equal - 'cept different. <G>

Futaba 9cap super

JR 9303 2.4 ghz spectrum.
Looks like it's going to be a winner, actually range checks better than my old
72 mhz 9303.

tommy s

PS: Buy the best you can afford. A year from now you'll forget about how much
you paid and be glad you got the good one ( or be sorry you didn't) .

One of the guys in our club who flies almost exclusively indoors now just bought a JR 9303 2.4 system and he mentioned that the first plane he outfitted with a Specktrum receiver was his IFO.

I asked him if he thought 9 channels would be enough to fly the IFO the way he wants to, or if he'd already gone ahead and ordered a 12-channel 2.4Ghz system for it. I don't think he got my joke, as he replied quite evenly that the 9303 should be a pretty good fit for the IFO.

If he did know I was teasing him, I sure wouldn't want to play poker against him!

Older JR xp783 here...72mhz...

I would like to go to a 2.4 set up when I can (afford to)...It's a little low on my priority list right now...But I do like the concept...I have a couple of buddies at work who are Helicopter types...So that's all I hear all day...2.4....2.4...2.4....Hey..Hey...2.4...

My radio already confuses me enough...So I see no need to get anything more complex...he he....I'll probably look at something with similar "features" but the new technology when the time comes...As much as I'd like to have a top of the line radio...I just don't really need it...

Basically all I need is servo reversing and sub trim and I'm all set...I like to use the sticks for mixing...

Have Fun...

Chuck

thx for all the great input....................so far i haven't had one ounce of trouble with the 6EX...................i'm definately attracted to technology, and that's why the 12FG caught my attention...................funny, i want the latest radio, but am thrilled to death when i win a NIB OS 61FSR or 61SF.

Upgraded to a JR 9303 this year, 72mhz synthesized module. Flew the JR 8103 for many, many years...and have flown JR since 82.
Not sold on 2.4 yet & I have too many good PCM receivers to give up on 72mhz for now.

Back in 1982 I was flying an Utterkaos with a Kraft 6 channel that didn't have any more than 2 sticks and 2 switches. No expo, dual rates or even servo reversing. You don't need more than what you have for classic pattern, BUT, I've always been a believer in having good equipment. I'm flying a JR 9303 now and will be using it on my new Super Kaos. I almost feel like I'm cheating using the features in this radio. Got roll coupling? Program it out with the radio. Need elevator when you use the rudder? Progam it in. Need throttle curve? Set up the programing in the radio.

I agree that you should buy as much radio as you can afford or justify. I honestly don't see the need for more than 9 channels but then 9 is already more than I need. So, If the 12 is on your wish list and you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it latter. I figured when I bought my 9303, I bought a radio to last a minimum of 10 years. When you spread the cost over that many years, it's a cheap investment.

Bob Cox
SPA 374

Exactly!! Thats one of my considerations too...I hate the thought of buying all those receivers...

I'm not sold on 2.4 yet either. If I was forced to fly 2.4 I would have to say I would buy the Futaba first. I like the way theirs works. The way I look at it is that if everyone else changes to 2.4 I will not have to worry about frequency problems.

Actully, since I changed to PCM, I've had not frequency problems. [8D]

Bob Cox
SPA 374

Since I do most of my practice at a public flying site I've seen quite a few incidents
of newcomers turning on without the pin, people hogging the pin, interference, etc.
I've even almost had a shoot down at a pattern contest where the frequency should
be controlled. 2.4 just makes good sense to me and when you look at the cost of the
airplanes we fly the radio is about the least expensive item we buy. I personally think
both systems are good and wouldn't hesitate to fly JR or Futaba.

tommy s

I fly Futaba Now as I did inthe 80s. I did swith to JR for a while, Futaba just stuck with their Zap radios.
I bought a 14MZ which I couldn't afford, I ate allot of PB&J sandwiches for a while. But the way I see it, I will use the radio in a number of planes and it will last years, so its worth it. I kind of talked myself into it (which really didn't take much!).
But I still fly with my 7FGK in a couple models and they fit the bill perfectly.

I think what ever you need to enjoy your experience with your plane is what you should be looking for.

DM

JR 8103 DT FM Various JR & Hi-Tec servos.

JR X9303 - 2.4GHZ - 8611A servos. Ready to order SR Batteries

The 8 channel with 549 receivers has been bulletproof.

Vince
AMA 52779

Heck I am still using my Futaba 8JN

Spektrum DX7 2.4 ghz, that's 21 century tech, no pins, no glitches, just fly.

Enough for a pattern plane and very unexpensive radio, have never had any problems with it.

Rafa

I'm using a Futaba 12Z. I haven't put the G3 receiver in a plane yet, but with the sticks on that transmitter and a PCM receiver, the feel and plane responsiveness is AWESOME!!

Airtronics RD 8000

------------


That you are aware of...and that's the problem with PCM. You're getting the same interference that you do with FM, except the servos don't respond to the interference the same way as they jiggle around on FM. The RF sections of the FM and PCM receiver are identical, what is different is the decoder. Me, I'd rather know about potential problems than have them masked by a deaf decoder. However, once a model has passed the FM test, I too run PCM on six meters and 72 MHz to obtain the better resolution and fail safe functions.

The upside to PCM is the higher resolution of the system, albeit sacrificed by slightly reduced throughput. Oh, no, I've said too much...


Ed Cregger

I bought a Futaba 6EXA-S two years ago when I got back in the hobby. It has served me well.

A couple of months ago I bought a Futaba 7CAP. The main reasons were because it has four more model memories (10) and separate switches for each channel's dual rates. The 6EXA-S has one switch for AE&R. The 7C also has a timer. I didn't go with 2.4 because I have about a dozen planes with rx's on my 6ex's channel. It would literally cost me a fortune to replace all those with 2.4 systems. I like to bring only one tx to the field. I fly mostly 1/2A and sometime bring four models with me. If I was only flying one plane 2.4 would make more sense.

David

OK...Not a Radio expert here!! But my Helicopter buddies that have been harping on me to switch to 2.4 say it's "Faster" or lets say "More Responsive"...

In other words...I have some JR 507 servos (standard servos)...Then I have some JR 4131 servos (nice fast servos)...Now...While sitting on the ground and moving control surfaces...There is a noticeable difference between the 507's and the 4131's...The 4131's are defiantly quicker and more responsive...

I'm not saying *I* can tell a difference in the air...Or that it makes a difference in my flying...But it is kinda neat...he he

So if I'm understanding them correctly...My buddies are telling me that this 2.4 technology is kinda like that...They say it's more responsive....

I doubt it would make me a better flyer...But I do think it's interesting...

Chuck