When I was younger I thought those old single stick radios by Kraft, Pro-line etc were just way too cool. By the time I was able to afford high end equipment, they were just not available any more. I recently scored a Futaba 8uas off of e-bay, and am considering sending it to Radio South for a 2.4gig upgrade.

Have any of you guys used these? Do you miss them? Do you say good riddance? What were your experiences.

The last guy I know to use one was Joe Bridi, who I saw flying his Big Kaos with one back in '01 or '02. (A Fut 8uas)

Hi,

I really never flew one, but the best flyer at our local field still flys one. I do know that several of the big name contest winners flew them.

James Fuller

I flew a Kraft Series 73 single stick for a while. At the time, I wasn't doing much more with the rudder than knife edge, point rolls, snaps, spins & stall turns. I had started with two stick and adjusted to the single stick easily, but I really think that if I were to try single stick today, I wouldn't like it much. It seems to me that it would be too easy to make small unintended input to ailerons or elevator when twisting the rudder knob in slow rolls, rolling circles etc. I can't even imagine how it would work trying to do 3D rollers and such. Maybe someone has recent experience that knows differently?

The good side of flying single stick is that it is a very stable platform, because of the way you cradle the transmitter with one hand vs. gripping with both hands. It does leave the one hand totally free for flying, and the hand that is cradling the box only has to find a few switches and move the throttle lever. These days I use a transmitter tray, because I do like the platform stability.

Dread, lots of us are still using single stick Tx's, some because we have no choice. Is your Fut a PCM? If it is (and not PCM/ PPM selectable) then I'm pretty certain you can't do a 2.4 conversion on it. I have a Futaba 88 (??) single stick PCM that I use, a bit bulky, but a great radio. I've also had a Pro-Line SS converted to the XPS 2.4, jury is still out on it, but it's looking promising. Do a word search, there is a lot of good info on single sticks and the folks here are great about sharing the info.
Mark

I have currently on single stick Pro-line TX and one Ace non metal gimbals single stick TX. The Pro-line is on an old am band that is now for ground only and the Ace is an FM and is equipped with exponential and two extra controls that I added myself when I was building the radio. The two extra controls are that I have an axillary rudder control for my left hand that holds the transmitter and also an adjustable micro switch for a slow roll. Yes I do believe that the single stick is the way to go, but so many of the dual sticks are out there that the manufacturers just stopped making single sticks. JR did make single sticks at one time and those would be really great to get your hands on. Most of the best flyers back in the early 70's used singles and after flying both I will tell you that the single modified like mine is the way to go. I do wish someone would look back into making them again.

I grew up in Ft. Walton Beach,FL and we had two great flyers. Both flew single sticks. Everyone would recognize Jim Kirkland but the other great flyer was Cliff Nunnery. Cliff flew drones from his F100 and was a really good flyer. He just didn't fly that much competition.
But, getting back to SS tx's- I am converting a JR DX6i to a SS tx using a World Engines Stick assembly. I hope to have it ready for the Spring.
Frank

There is a Pro-Line SS you know were!

Yep, but it's the "Cadet" series not the Competition series. Still a Pro-Line, but the Cadet was more like Krafts Sport Series versus their Signature Series. Just to add a bit of info.
Mark

Yeah I looked again and noticed it was not a Comp series. I used Pro-line for years and still have my Comp 6 and Custom comp 7

I have the competition series SS. Metal gimbals slow roll micro switch etc. I really should look into converting it to modern standards.

Defiantly go for it. The Pro-Line open gimbals were absolute state of the art for their day. Even Kraft would eventually clone them.

Hey all, Merry Christmas. Question, I have a Futaba 88SS AP (something like that) PCM single stick set that I am contemplating selling. I have seen a few JR SS's Tx only recently go on **bay for about $450. t's a great radio but it's just not ergonomically friendly for a one handed flyer (mainly throttle reach, even with rotatable bezel). If I were to sell the set (Tx, with new battery,2 Rx's, 4 or 5 servos, charger, manual, original box) what do you think would be a fair price? I'm not really a collector and I could use the money to upgrade my Pro-Line or Kraft Tx's, which are much easier for me to use. I'm just trying to get an idea if what I saw was reasonable; I know I could go with "what the market will bear" thing, but you know. I am the second owner and it is in very good condition. Thanks for any input guys.
Mark

Hook,

When I got mine, about three years ago, the market was good, and I paid about that much for one in good condition. I saw a NIB go for almost $800. Last year the same radio would go for about $150, but the market is picking up again.

Thanks Dave. I didn't think thay had ever got that low ($150). I would just keep it then because I can use it, probably not for pattern because of the throttle location, but I did recently take it out of a Cub. Just curious because I've received some feedback on it (no amount). The thing is I have a JR FM and a PCM that work better for me, so I'd rather see it get put to good use or at least go to a real collector (which I'm not). It is in very good shape too, and I would rather it go as a set (Tx, Rx, servos, etc.). Thanks for the input Dave.
Mark

With all the discussion on single stick radios, you guys might want to check out my website, www.singlestickstuff.com for a little history / a few pictures, and some insight into this unique type of transmitter.

going there now. thx.

just a heads up
Someone selling a goldstickered JR 9 SS... same place



DM