How about an actual field report on a DX7? Here goes.....

DX7 TX, AR9000 RX, 2 remote RX's on 24" extensions, one with vertical polarization and one at 45 degree polarization, on board monitor, 2qty 5 cell 3600 Mah Nimh each with its own deluxe JR switch harness plugged into the BAT and an unused servo port. (NO REGULATORS USED!) 4qty 8611A servos, 4qty 8411 servos, 1pc 2721 servo and 2qty 351 servos (11 total). All JR HD servo extensions. Careful setup with the JR servo volt/amp meter so no servo stalls or binds what so ever.
Bob Violett Models KingCat with a JetCatUSA TitanSE turbine. 9 perfect flights so far. This plane/turbine combo will do the absolutely biggest loops possible. 2,000 feet high as a guess. Range is not a problem. Well over 120 paces during the range check with the plane sitting on the ground.

Typical flight on the monitor shows no antenna fades higher than 67, no frames lost, and no holds. Spektrum says 500 fades the antennas should be repositioned. Average capacity used is 300Mah from EACH battery for a 12 minute flight.

I used the 9 channel RX just so I could have an extra remote RX and to be able to use the monitor.

I use a AR7000 in my little MW44 powered jet with 1 single remote RX on a 4 cell 2300Mah Nimh pack with no issues too! Good for 6 flights before recharging.

So...make sure the servos are setup correctly using a volt/amp meter. I found a single "percent" on the end travel made a big difference in servo draw. Use 2 packs on higher demand systems with many high powered digitals, use the AR9000 with 2 remotes and spring $25 for an on board monitor. Read after every flight to be SURE all is fine.

Dave Rigotti

Dave,
That's really good info. Thanks for the details. It helps with real-world feedback. Is the on-board monitor a Spektrum add-on or another company?
And thanks for the details on this jet in my other thread. The use of regulators on 5-cell set-ups seems to generate debate.
See ya at KY Jets?

Chris

Chris,
The on board monitor is a Spektrum item.

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM9540

Can't make KY Jets.

Don't get me started on the regulator debate. I'm convinced with MY setups they are simply not needed. The KingCat servo demand is right up there with 4 8611A and 4 8411's. Setup the servo throws with an AMP meter, I use the Hangar 9 one, and you'll be miles ahead of those that don't. It really shows how just one less percent of throw makes a world of difference in servo draw on each end of the travel.

Dave

Awesome... thanks,
Chris

Congrats Dave!

Start building a big box NOW so that you can bring that pig out to AZ this winter.

Tailwinds,

John

Dave,
great to hear about your success. Could you have used 8 8611s? I like your approach to simplicity. Do you have a picture of your new plane to show? What scheme? How does the Titan run? I can't wait to run mine.

Congratulations.

Joe Kelley

John,

"oink oink"

2 boxes I think.....I hope there will be enough kerosene in the Phoenix area to allow me all the flights I will want to take! :-))

Seeya at Liberty bell?

Dave

Joe,
I used the servos recommended by several very experienced KingCat pilots. It is the #2 color scheme. No pictures yet. I'll take some of the install for all to see.
John Redman maidened it at Winamac late Thursday evening. 2 clicks of aileron and 1 click of elevator was all it took. I spent some time on the bench with throw meters for sure!
The TitanSE? Unbelievable! Throttle response is very near to instantly following the stick movement at least to half stick. I'll try to remember to time it. I have to think under 4 seconds slam time. Plenty of power! I'm very happy with all my choices of airframe, powerplant, radio, etc.

Dave

Hey guys,

This Kingcat down right rocks!!!! Dabve did it right when he set it up. Throws are very good and it is a true dream to fly. Follow his set up and you won't be steered wrong, I promise.

Congrats once again Dave, Great bird!!!!!!!

John,
It's first flight by you "taught it right!" I'll do my best to continue the excellence!

Dave

As promised here are some pics of the DX7 Spektrum install in my KingCat

Overall radio layout. Note dual charge/switch harness.

AR9000 mounted on a 1 1/2" balsa block to get it out of the same "plane" as the ECU. Spektrum monitor mounted on top. For $25 an absolute must to assure a healthy install.

Port remote RX with vertical antenna with a 24" extension. Antenna wires curl at the upper and lower skins.

Starboard remote RX slewed at 45 degrees with a 24" extension.

Hmmm... Just noticed it...I'll add some sleeves over the antenna wires on the slewed remote like I did on the AR9000.

Dave

Dave congratulations on your succesfull maiden. As always a very clean install.

Regards

Alex

Alex,
Thank You! We'll be talking later this fall on some other projects I have planned!

Dave

Details please......

I like the clear tubing you installed over the antenna wires. Really good idea to keep them strong. My wires have a small amount of bare wire exposed coming out of the plastic case. This may help support them. Nice install.

No better man to madien your cat then John.

Billy

Billy,
You bet, couldn't have done better with anyone else. The switches are right below the one antenna wire and I kept bending it. Guess who suggested the tubing? Yup...John R himself.

Dave

Here's an update after 25 flights....
The DX7 AR9000 radio combination continues to be flawless. An "How High?" module verifies 1500 foot high loops with perfect control. On board Spektrum monitor typically shows under 40 antenna fades as a high and with many times under 10! We've never gotten "zero". 3 has been the lowest so far. Of course, no frames lost or holds have been recorded. I simply can't imagine a better RF link! Transmitter timer is set at 7 minutes with the typical flight lasting 11 minutes of ECU time. Fuel consumed is just about a gallon during this time. Most of the flight is at half throttle or a little more with bursts of WOT to help make BIG loops and cuban eights. :-)) She flies straight and true with no bad habits. Goes where I point it. A little tail wiggle that reminds me of the long ago "Kwik Fli dance" Maybe a gyro on the rudder channel will be tried out someday, if the weather does not permit flying that day!

I've switched to 5 cell 2000Mah Nimh packs of 7mOhms inpedance each from the 3600Mah packs to move the CG rearward about 3/8 to a 1/2". This also saved 12oz of weight. Flies much better! Not much down elevator inverted and she dosen't drop the nose in a steep banked turn anymore. After 6 flights I recharge the RX packs. Each takes about 1100Mah. So actual battery drain for the 11 minute flight is right around 380Mah total. The ECU pack is still the 6 cell Nimh 3600Mah and each flight drains about 410Mah from it. I switch out the batteries after 6 flights. No, I do not recharge between flights! No I do not us regulators! The RX packs still show 6.2-6.3VDC at this time. The DX7 transmitter drains @ 65Mah for the same flight time of 11 minutes. Lets see, a 1500Mah TX pack with 50% usage gives me almost 12 flights! I have no idea WHY anyone would put a lipo in the Tx!

The JetCatUSA TitanSE has 4 hours and 45 minutes on it without even a burp! The throttle response amazes all who wittness it! The comfort it affords on that less than tolerable approach is immense! I fly from our grass club field which is 550' long and hardly ever take up more than 350' of it on landing and roll out. Takeoff for sure under a hunderd feet with locked brakes type takeoff profile.

Am I a happy camper? YOU BET! Even at $4.20 a gal for kerosene!

Dave Rigotti

HI Dave. Thans for the update. I am glad you are having a great time. I should be receiving mine in about two weeks. Can't wait.

Regards

Alex

Dave

Love the Kingcat!!! Did you win the lottery?

Best regards

John

Dave, Great report! I have also experianced 35 flawless flights with perfect reception on my Eurofighter. JR10X Spectrum AR9000 rx. I am using 2 -1950ma NiMH 4.8 volt packs. I fly five 10min flights and only use 800ma.

Flight Logger has never seen a Hold. Priceless :-)

Dennis

i have most of my planes on spectrum now, not one single fault.

My set-up in my Bandit ARF is similar in the fact i have 2 x 1700ma nicads via 2 x HD JR switches (one into the battery port in the RX and one into a y lead with another controll)

i have the standard DX7 and used 2 matchboxes. one for flaps and 1 for elevator.

Dave

C'mon Dave...who are you trying to kid. I know when someone photoshoped the landing gear out of a picture when I see it!

Nice flying!

Alex,
Best flying jet I've owned. I know you'll love it!
We'll talk later this Fall!

Dave

John,
No lottery win was needed. The planets lined up when Alan delayed the Elan again and again.....BEST thing he ever did for me!

Hope the WJM was a fun experience!

Dave

Great! May I suggest going to 5 cell packs? I fly my R44 on a single 4 cell pack without problems. Altho..I use digital mini servos so the AMP load is small compared to the KingCat.

Dave