cowana

I have a 4ch transmitter and reciever that came with a cheap helicopter. I tried them out in my glider today, and it lost range, and crashed. (luckily only the propeller hub was cracked). What is the problem - the transmitter, the reciever, or both? Do you think a new reciever will work with my transmitter?

I know I have given you no detailed info, so please relpy with what info you want, and I will try and get it for you.

Andrew

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

You have given us no detail at all.

What brand of radio? What model receiver? 27 mhz? 72 mhz? Something else?

What Heli?

What Glider?

How far away were you flying?

Helis typically don't need much range. Your copter receiver range might be 300 feet. Check the box or the manual.

Depending on the glider you might need a lot of range. I use receivers rated at 1 mile in my gliders.

cowana

Helicopter:
http://www.trendtimes.com/rcdrhe.html

Transmitter:
A cheap, Zhen Hua radio (4ch, 35mhz, PCM)

Reciever:
Something cheap I am not sure about

Glider:
Cermark Dragonfly

So are you saying it is the reciever that determines the range?

Andrew

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Yes, my experience is that the receiver is the key component that determins the range up to the limit of the radio.

For example, I have receiers for my Futaba 9C with ranges of 500 feet, 1000 feet and 1 mile. Different receivers, but the same radio.

cowana

Can anyone recommend a cheap reciever? It doesn't have to have huge range - the place I fly my plane is small.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Hitec Micro 05S, $30 + crystal. Great range, rock solid, ch 1-4+6 and only .3 oz. Autoshift so it works with any FM radio.

cowana

Danm, that looks so good, but it is not available in the UK. Anything in the UK that WILL RUN ON 35MHZ?

Andrew

cowana

hmm... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/35mhz-Mini-FM-...QQcmdZViewItem

It is cheap, light, large range, small, 6ch, 35mhz... Wheres the catch? Would this work with my cheap transmitter do you think?

[link=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/35mhz-Mini-FM-rc-receiver-6-channel-light-weight-PPM-7g_W0QQitemZ6067195649QQcategoryZ34056QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem]Link[/link] - Ahh - I have just seen is says FM/PPM. My transmitter says PCM - does this mean it is no good?

cowana

From what I have seen, PCM is good and expensive. My transmitter is not good or expensive... So why is it PCM?

ec121

My Feedback: (2)

A suggestion would be to ditch the radio and buy a good brand name radio. A three channel Hitec will fly my Eflite Ascent(similar to a Dragonfly) out of sight for about $80US.

pilotpete2

Andrew,
The ad does state that it is a PCM Tx, do the instructions indicate whether or not it can operated in normal PPM mode? if not you have a problem, since PCM systems are proprietary, you can't buy a PCM Rx from "F" and use it a Tx from brand "H"
I agree with ec121, in the long run you will be better off buying a name brand radio system.
Good luck,
Pete

cowana

Would you recommend getting a 4channel radio, as these may be more useful in the future?

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

It all depends on your budget. This may be helpful in your decision:

Starter Radios

I have a very specific position on radios. Don't buy a Standard Radio!!!
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4454

Computer radios are now so inexpensive and offer so much more than standard
radios that it doesn't make sense to get anything but a computer radio.
Don't get me wrong, there are many good standard radios, but for only a few bucks
more you get a much more capable computer radio that can do more for you
than any standard radio and can save you money by time you get the second plane.
They can also make it easier to fly your plane, perform aerobatics and more.

Below are five radios. All will fly your typical parkflyer. All but the
DX6 can also be purchased with larger servos suitable for larger planes and
gliders. Two are standard radios, for the uncommitted or low budget first
time flyer. These will get your plane off the ground with very basic radio
features for a low price. Each package I list include radio, micro servos,
micro receiver.

STANDARD RADIOS

Hitec Neon 3 - 3 channel standard radio $59
2 micro servos, micro receiver, switch, etc
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXLGF4**&P=7
For $19 you can add a trainer port to this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDEK8&P=V

This package is such good value for that first 3 channel ARF or kit, if you
can't afford a computer radio. ( more on that later ) If you bought the
two servos and the receiver by themselves, that would come to about $60. So
this is about as cheap as you can get into a hobby grade radio that will fly a
three channel R/E/T or A/E/T parkflyer or 3 channel
glider ARF or kit plane. It also does not include rechargeable batteries
which the others do. You run this one on standard AA batteries.

It includes mixing for flying wings or V-tail 3 channel planes as well as
servo reversing. It does not have ATV/EPA or dual rates, however these can
be added later at extra cost. . You can also add a trainer port for
use with an instructor or to connect to a flight simulator. You can add a
4th channel but it is limited so don't think of this as a 4 channel radio. It
can't fly a 4 channel plane.


Hitec Laser 4 - 4 Channel Standard Radio $113
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXLGF5**&P=ML
My minimum recommended 4 channel standard radio for A/E/R/Throttle
parkflyer, glow plane or 4 channel glider. Radio, micro receiver, 3 micro
servos, Switch harness, etc. It will fly a 4 channel aileron plane. Includes V-tail
and Elevon mixing, servo reversing, ATV on ch 1&2 . Also has a trainer port
that can be used with fight simulators or a buddy box.

While the Laser is a good radio, pick the Laser 4 only if you are unsure you
will continue in the hobby and want to spend as little as possible to get a
4 channel plane into the air. Not my recommendation for a committed flyer
who plans to continue in the hobby.


COMPUTER RADIOS - Much Better Choice

In short, computer radios give you things like model memories, exponential,
a variety of surface mixes and more; features not found on standard radios.
Your computer radio can store the profile for many planes and reset itself
for each plane by just selecting the model. Standard radios don't have
model memories or a lot of the other features that computer radios offer. With a
computer radio, you only need one radio to fly a bunch of planes, rather
than dedicating a radio to each plane, or resetting the radio each time you
change planes. Computer radios are great! In the end, they are cheaper.
more convenient AND can make it easier for a new flyer to learn to fly.

These are all 6 channel radios so they will let you fly more advanced planes
then either of the radios above.

Spektrum DX 6 - $199 - For the committed Parkflyer pilot
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=SPM2460
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=623
If your plans are to fly small to medium sized electrics, often called
parkflyers, hand launched gliders with wing spans under 60 inches, this
might be your best choice. The DX6 is suitable for flying within 2000 feet
out. That is about 5-7 football fields away. This is more then enough for
these plane and further than most people will fly them.

It has a nice mix of features, 10 model memories and is backed by Horizon
Hobby, so you can be confident of good service. You will never worry about
channel conflict again. This promises to be the RC technology of the
future.

Digital DSMT Spread Spectrum Modulation
10 model memories, dual rates, exponential, 6 channels, 8 standard mixes and
three programmable mixes. No crystals needed and no channel conflict
control needed

DX6 Flight experience thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...7&page=2&pp=15
More information on DX6 - Spektrum
http://www.spektrumrc.com/DSM/Better/DX6.html
AMA on 2.4 GHz SS
http://www.modelaircraft.org/spreadspec.asp


Futaba 6 EXAS - Entry Level 6 Channel Computer Radio - $150
micro receiver, 3 micro servos, Switch
Receiver in this package is not appropriate for sailplanes or glow planes.
OK for parkflyers/low speed electrics.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXJUV7**&P=ML

The Futaba 6EXAS is an entry level computer radio for the committed flyer
who also plans to fly glow planes, thermal duration gliders or electrics
over 60" wing span. Six channels, 6 model memories, a good mix of features and
convenience that will carry you a long way. The link is to a package that
is good for parkflyers, but there are other packages if you need larger/stronger
components for larger planes. For about $30 more than the Laser 4 radio you
are miles ahead in capability!

Airtronics VG 6000 - $170
http://www.airtronics.net/VG6000.htm
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEUY5**&P=7
This particular package is very attractive for small electrics. Comes with
two small servos AND a 20 amp ESC. 6 channels, 4 model memories, a good mix
of features to carry you forward. The VG 6000 is also available with larger
components so it can also fly glow planes, and TD gliders that need greater
range than the DX6 offers.

There are lots of other good choices in computer radios that have more
channels, more features and a higher price. however these would be
excellent choices for the first time radio buyer or someone stepping up from
RTFs who knows they will continue in the hobby.

================================================== =========
[link=http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=72964#post72964]What you need to know about receivers[/link]


[link=http://www.torreypinesgulls.org/Radios.htm]Great article on radios - Torrey Pines Gulls[/link]

cowana

I'm looking at a second hand skysport 4. ([link=http://www.etamiya.com/shop/images/futaba/4VF-FM.jpg]Like this one).[/link]

Any thoughts or views?

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Skysport has very limited features.

What price?

What do you plan to use if for now and later.

I showed you how to get a free radio.

cowana

The skysport is about £15. I probably won't buy another plane after this one, and if I do, I will probably be able to sell the transmitter again for about the same amount.

Andrew

cowana

Nope - I am now looking at a Futaba 6EXA. Any comments on this?