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Thanks...my homage to Paul Bonhomme.

Eh..I use Super Dri. I've tried other stuff, some works, some doesn't, but in the long run, it's just not a big enough money difference to get worked up about. Super Dri's ALWAYS available, ALWAYS works, NEVER causes problems. I like simple and easy.

The smoke SYSTEM, however, is a modified version of MinnFlyer's design from his "Got Smoke?" article a few years back . There are plenty of threads/images running around on RCU of it, if you're curious.
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Ya know...I've seen 4 packs smoke in my life. 2 NiCds, 1 NiMh, 1 Lipo...all 4 being charged incorrectly. Go fig.

=======</div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Redzilla...</div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">You're right...it IS entertaining. </div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">What you've hopefully learned from all this is there are a LOT of ways to do this, and many folks have had success with many of them...so, pick one that makes sense to you, go to the folks who do it successfully, and have fun flying your airplanes. </div>

Not Mr Moderator here, only if you're causing trouble in the heli forums

Just another modeler with a lot of experience, a variety of aircraft, and a desire to share what works best for me, not to put down what works well for other people.

WOW, only on DMS2 huh. Maybe you mean DSM2? You're right, I'd have to see it to believe it and if I lived in Wisconsin I'd surely come by and fly with you for a while. I've flown DSM2 for more than 3 years now and have done so all over the Houston area as we have a great many AMA sanctioned fields here. Being a very large city there is quite a bit of radio noise at most of the fields so some folks have a tough time especially on 72 mHz. I've never had the first hit on 2.4 at any of these fields nor have I had any problems in San Antonio, Austin, nor Beaumont/Port Author. In fact now that I have my new DX8 I can literally see the radio link quality in real time on the ground and set an alarm to alert me if it degrades below an acceptable level. (The alarm has never sounded nor even come close to sounding) I can also set an alarm to sound if my ignition pack or my flight pack get below an acceptable voltage level. (Excellent safety feature IMHO)

One thing I've learned in the 40 years I've been flying is most every brand of radio of radio control equipment sold has the potential to give problems and also from that same experience, I don't see that much difference in the reliability factor. I started on an EK Logictrol "Digital Proportional" (New term back then) system in the early seventies and have used most every major brand (including but not limited to Futaba, Airtronics, JR, and Spektrum) since that time having very good success with all of them. Each has their strength and weaknesses and there is most certainly some amount of personal preference with the various menu systems. I personally prefer the menu system of Futaba but I've had more failures with them than the other big three combined. (three) Considering how long I've been flying three failures is certainly an excellent record and I will not hesitate to fly with Futaba. I would be flying their equipment today if they had telemetry available in their systems.

On a side note, at the Houston Huckfest this past weekend, it was interesting to see that each different make was well represented and each performed admirably. There were 10,000+ dollar planes out there and almost all were being flown on 2.4 systems. To the best of my limited knowledge there were no crashes due to radio system failure. (Although there were a couple of "dumb thumbs")

Andy, is that you with the chopper?

Yup, thats the hockey/heli/star wars geek

This thread is typical for RCU. There are a lot of opinions with no data. What more do you want? We are all in it together. The rest of the world thinks we are crazy for being in this hobby. Who else would put so much time and money into something and then expose it to the possibility of total destruction? I've been in it since I was a child. Dan.

Whats a Huckfest? Is that electrics only?

The video is the data. The original post was a question about what he needed to do to keep from crashing. Why would anyone recommend a DX 7 TX when JR and Spektrum changed to DSMX. Cannot update the DX7 to DSMX. More than one person has had problems with DSM2 the video shows what can happen. Time will tell if the new system is bullet proof.

You know, I guess it must be a problem geographically. I mean almost everyone I fly with uses DSM2 and I have yet to see someone take one in and not man up enough to say "I did it" instead of "I lost it".

Point is, there are problems with EVERY system available. Most of the time that I have had occasion to see the post crash investigation, it's turned out to be something other than the radio. Most times it's a set up issue........or a switch..........or what ever. That isn't to say it doesn't happen, just that I haven't seen it.

At the end of the day, OP needs to research each available option and pick what he is comfortable with. The neat part is that there are so many options out there you get to have fun finding out about them.

By the way Dan, do you have a cell phone?

Oh, and here's my picture to show I know what I'm talking about.
Have a flying kind of day!

I reccomend going to this site and talking with Donn. No oppinions and confusing information and flaming attacks on people and what works for them. He has written the book on giant scale planes and their proper setup. http://www.donshobbyshop.com/index.html

pdm, I have no cell phone. I've been retired for nine years after working for 40 and I have lost contact with the outside world. That's a nice plane you have there. Dan.

Back to the OP's question. Your entry into gas MANDATES a range test both prior to the maiden and after anything is changed on the airframe. RFI can desense the receiver with noise and reduce range. RFI is not something you've had to be concerned about, but must now be cautious about.

Enjoy the cheaper fuel, easier clean up, lighter flight box but don't forget to range check.

Location sensitive, yes, I fly Spektrum, Hitec, Futaba and soon JR with xtream link and Hitec. (I cant give up my JR TX's) I could care less what brand I fly. I fly at 2 fields and yes I have had no hits at one field for over 3 years of using Spektrum. The other field is in an industrial area and Spektrum gets hit, and no one can give me a good explanation for it. This video shows exactly what happens to us at that field. Now we have a video of what happens and on this plane there are no switches. This plane had Voltage feedback to the TX display, on board video with sound, recording the plane finder beeping that it has lost signal (less than 300 feet away) for over 6 seconds, Motor turning on and off, ECS resetting…..Plenty of data. How is this a set-up issue, battery issue, pilot error? No other radio at that field is having a problem, would you believe no hits or problems with Futaba or Hitec, NONE.. I wish Spektrum guys would come to our field to test what is going on. I am glad it works for you, I wish it would for us. Why would I use a system that has issues at one location and not the other, I stopped using Spektrum on all planes that I traveled with and stopped using Spektrum at the problem field. What good is a system that I only can trust at a field that it out where there is no apparent interference?

Thanks. You have a couple fine looking birds there yourself.

As for the cell phone, it's only one example of many in which lipo technology is used. The biggest issue that I've seen in using lipo batteries are people that don't treat them with the respect they might deserve. I have nothing against any of the other types, have used and am using others in a plane or two. It just works for me is all and nicd works for you. It's all good sir.

And Dan, if you'd like a cell phone I'll gladly send you mine. It's my work phone and I wouldn't mind at all if you took it off my hands!

Lastly.........I sure do wish I could retire!! [:@] I envy you for that.

Happy flying!

Well Dan I like your old school approach to the hobby. I am not one to go out and buy the first new item out there. If it works why replace it? Anyway I have a question for you. I use 4 cell Nickel Metal Hydride 2000 mah packs and Futaba. Do these packs have the same failrate as the Nicads? Thanks for the info here on RCU.

HI
DO NOT USE metal push rods from inside the fuse to the engine-nyrod is good
keep the receiver about a foot from the engines ignition
both to prevent radio noise that is interference
keep the RX antenna away from all other wiring in the fuse RANGE CHECK with engine running
a fuel dotmakes for easy fueling with gas engines
follow the directions regarding the ratio of gas to oilon the 2 cycle oil you choisei like -lawn boy 30-1 for break in then go to a fully syn oil to reduce engine wear for the long run
just my .02 cents REGARDS TONY

pdm, thanks for the offer. I'll pass on the cell phone.

cap 580, the nickel metal hydrides perform the same way as NiCads. Just the chemistry is different.

Dan.

Sorry but that is not correct, you can update the DX7 to DSMX. The one that you can't is the DX7-SE

Sorry...........1/2 correct, TX is updatable but not the RX (to make the TX work $75 + shipping). I was very happy that I sold 14 DSM2 RXs before they announced the change to DSMX. Even at a huge 1/2 price loss I was happy, what are they worth now? Why would I pay to upgrade to DSMX, buy 14 new RXs only to find out that DSMX has the same problem working at my field as the DSM2 had.

To the original poster:
Your DX-7 will work just fine with a gas installation. Remember to have your transmitter charged overnight. As far as batteries go for the airplane. Here is what I use and there will be other guys who use different setups. But I like to keep my airplanes simple.

1. Hydrimax 5 cell battery pack for your receiver.Use a good quality charger to make sure yourbatteries are peak charged. I do not recommend lipos but that is your choice.

2. I use digital servos (DS-821 or metal gear servos) again your choice.

3. make sure there is no metal to metal contact on your throttle arm. If you do this becomes an antenna and even though we are using 2.4 it still can affect your receiver.

4. Usethe AR 7000 or betterreceiverwith satellite. Make surethe receivers are orientated 90 degrees apart and route them per the directions on the data sheet that comes with the receiver.

5. Ignition battery - ONLY use a 4 cell battery 4.8-6 volts. Any higher can and will damage your ignition system. If you do by chance use a higher voltage battery on your ignition, the engine will still run but the automatic advance portion of the ignition module will not work or work erratically and will cause weird things to happen. So just use a 4 cell battery pack.

6. Run a 3 line fuel tank. one is for the carb, one is for the fill and the other is your vent. The vent line will need to come out of your firewall and point towards the ground. Use a piece of hardwood or a clamp and glue it to the firewall so it will not get into your exhaust. Use tygon fuel tubing. It has a very low melting point and if it gets up against your exhaust is will melt together and cause your engine to go lean and quit running. Bad mojo when on a takeoff run and this happens. Place a piece of copper fuel tubing on the bottom portion of the line.

7. DO NOTcover your spektrum receivers or your ignition system with foam. Use double sided tape to secure the receivers and ignition system to the wood and use a couple of tye wraps to secure them to the structure.

8. Use a volt watch so you can monitor your batteries on your receiver.

9. Invest in a good quality dual switch. 1 is for your receiver the other for your ignition

10. Buy an opto kill switch.

11. Ensure your radio has been set to failsafe prior to flight. (engine to idle and controls neutral) the opto kill switch helps here to.

Here are a couple of pictures of my setup. Hope this helps. If needed I can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]

Enjoy
Glenn Williams

I would NEVER use 821 servos in a gas plane. They have a habit of shearing the output shafts off under load or vibration.

Seems the moderator is breaking RCU's own rules "Please reframe from flaming other members" Telling someone they have a poor attitude seems like flaming to me.

Ive used 4.8 volt batteries and 6 volt over the last 20 years of my flying, and I have never had an issue. I use a simple formula for using a gas engine.

1. Use PCM radio only. Of course now there are 2.4 but Im not sold on the reliability of them yet.
2. Separate the ignition system from your radio. I use plastic nyrod for throttle control (so there is not metal to servo connection) and put the ignition battery as far away from the rx battery and rx as possible.
3. Use good quality extensions and heavy duty switchs.

You should be fine.

Keep it simple. Adding gadgets will only drive you nuts finding a problem and will cause more headachs than you get enjoyment from your plane.

My opinion

Warbirdguy

Not at all.

I would never run a 4.8v RX pack on DSM2.

Glenn,

Avoid bundling the spark plug cable as tightly as you have. Those tight turns could open up an air space between the center wire and the insulator. This is not advisable for high voltages as it may cause arcing. It's called critical altitude or something like that.

You last image shows wires leading forward. If these wires are part of the RC system you should redress them to keep them seperated from the ignition system.

Dan.