Any recommendations?

Best value for money is the Hitec Optic 6 Fm which has many more features than any other TX in it's class. Refer to sub section "Radio Systems, Accessories, Alterations and FAQ" & "Manuals" on my web page for access to the manuals relating to all TX.. A spreadsheet comparison of all the features of "Eclipse vs Optic vs FF6 vs

Regards Alan T. Alan's Hobby Model & RC Web Links

Look at HiTec. Futaba buddy box compatible, and priced very competively.

The basic TX you are looking for should be readily available second hand, maybe from your LHS, or if you join a club, ask round. Many new pilots buy this type, as they don't want to spend too much at first, then when they get into the hobby, they realise they DO want the extra features; you would probably pick up a little used TX for around half the new price. (Try and get the charger too).

Then you can start flying and as you gain experience you can decide which TX is "just right" for you

BTW, 4 channel is fine for flying both a trainer and your next plane, which is usually a low wing sports model

HTH

Trefor

| Best value for money is the Hitec Optic 6 Fm which has many more features | than any other TX in it's class.

Hitec is definately the way to go for value. As for `many more features than any other TX in it's class', I'd say `a few more' instead. But OK ...

| Both the Hitec Eclipse & Optic 6, having a modular RF section, are | future proofed with ability to use 2.4GHz modules

To be fair, other radios should be able to be upgraded to 2.4 GHz through the buddy box connector. XPS is promising such a unit soon (of course, they promise a lot -- but this is one promise I imagine they'll keep, and soon.)

| and the next generation as 2.4GHz is not expected to be around long | term.

Not expected by whom? This is the first I've heard that people don't think that 2.4 GHz R/C gear will be around for a while.

Even 72 MHz gear will be around for a while.

| Both Hitec TX compare favourably alongside the Futaba 9C

No way! I've got an Eclipse and a 9C, and the 9C is far more functional (and more expensive.) I like my Eclipse, don't get me wrong, but the 9C is better in most ways. The only feature that my Eclipse has that the 9C lacks that I've noticed is `shift select'.

(Though right now, my favorite radio is my Multiplex Evo 9, and Hitec does own Multiplex now, so perhaps we can call it a Hitec.)

If you're on a budget, avoid Futaba and JR -- Hitec is probably the way to go. No argument there.

However, as of March 2007, I'd not suggest buying ANY new 72 MHz gear. People are unloading their 72 MHz gear left and right as they buy DX6s and DX7s, or as they wait for the XPS stuff. (The Futaba 6EX looks like too little too late. Had it come out when the DX6 did, we might care. Now, not so much.)

At this point, I'd suggest buying something used. It sounds like the original poster only needs a basic 4 or 6 channel radio, and he could get one for $30 and a $30 RX or so and then $10/each for the basic Hitec servos -- saving a lot of money. If he wants to buy something new and spend a good deal more money, I'd suggest a DX7.

| in which TX some users prefer to use the Hitec Spectra and other | Hitec modules to access a greater range of frequencies.

One sucky thing about the Spectra module is that the dials are on the inside, so you have to remove it, turn them, and put the module back. You can't even verify what channel it's own without removing it.

The Futaba module is almost identical, but at least they put the dials on the outside.

| "Terence Lynock (MSW)" wrote -- | >

| > As I will soon be finished with model ship building for this year at | > least I will soon be in the position to spend some money on radio gear, | > what I am looking for is good basic transmitters with decent range and 6 | > channel or thereabouts.

Hitec does not own Multiplex. The same person does own both companies, but he is keeping them separate. Hitec just handles importing and warranty service for Multiplex in the USA. You will get the same great service regardless.

My Evo 7 has the synth module in it. I love it. I can change the channel with just the press of a few buttons without removing the module, and I have my radio set to tell me what channel it is set to when I turn it on. It will then ask me if I really want to use this channel and I press enter to confirm. No guess work there.

There is rarely enough people at our clubs field at one time to create any frequency conflicts. A couple of our members has purchased DX7's, so I am not in any hurry nor feel the need to switch to 2.4 ghz.

Stevo from Hitec/Multiplex USA said Multiplex was working on 2.4 ghz for their radios, so it shouldn't be too long before you can convert your Evo 9.

The message from "Doug McLaren" contains these words:

As far as I know 72Mhz is illegal in the UK, we have 27Mhz, 40Mhz and

regards, Terry

"Doug McLaren" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@frenzied.us:

Depends on what other radios you consider to be in it's "class" ;)

. . .

I agree that that's a PITA. I cut a notch in the Tx's case next to the dials so that I can get to them without pulling out the Spectra module.

I have 2 Optics, and I've done it on both. I suspect it voids the warranty, though, and you have to stuff something into the hole (it leaves a hole) to keep dirt out of the radio guts.

And I concur with the other posters about the Optic - It's not the only game in town, and not the only radio I use, but it's a reasonably-priced, reliable, very flexible system. I've been very happy with mine.

In article , Vance Howard wrote: | Doug McLaren wrote: | | > (Though right now, my favorite radio is my Multiplex Evo 9, and Hitec | > does own Multiplex now, so perhaps we can call it a Hitec.) ... | Hitec does not own Multiplex. The same person does own both companies, | but he is keeping them separate.

If you want to argue semantics. The press release said things like :

As many of you know Hitec RCD Korea has acquired all assets of MULTIPLEX Modelltechn and

Why Hitec Bought Multiplex

Read it yourself at

| My Evo 7 has the synth module in it. I love it. I can change the | channel with just the press of a few buttons without removing the | module, and I have my radio set to tell me what channel it is set to | when I turn it on. It will then ask me if I really want to use this | channel and I press enter to confirm. No guess work there.

Yes, I wish all the radios worked like that. It's much nicer than the little bitty dials ...

Either way, the Evo 7 and 9 sound like a lot more radio than the original poster wants. Certainly, he can probably get what he wants for a whole lot less money, especially if he goes used. (Unless things are different on the other side of the pond.)

For those who haven't seen an Multiplex Evo radio -- they're very nice. Comparing it to other radios, the programming is a bit different, but a lot more flexible. The radio itself is physically smaller and lighter. The synthesized module (it's really sad that in

| There is rarely enough people at our clubs field at one time to create | any frequency conflicts. A couple of our members has purchased DX7's, so | I am not in any hurry nor feel the need to switch to 2.4 ghz.

OK, but if you're buying new gear, I would NOT suggest buying new 72 MHz (or whatever the equivilent is for whatever country one lives in) at this time -- you can get used gear for much less.

Now, if your country doesn't have the DX6 and DX7 radios out yet (I can only really talk about what's going on in the US) then things might be different, but here in the US, sales of new 72 MHz gear have dropped *dramatically* (according to the local hobby shop, the drop is like 70%) and people are selling their used stuff all over the place. It would be silly to spend $250 on a 72 MHz radio system that you'd have a hard time immediately turning around and selling for half that price.

| Stevo from Hitec/Multiplex USA said Multiplex was working on 2.4 ghz | for their radios, so it shouldn't be too long before you can convert | your Evo 9.

I've heard the same rumors (at

In article , Terence Lynock (MSW) wrote: | The message | from "Doug McLaren" contains these words: | | > However, as of March 2007, I'd not suggest buying ANY new 72 MHz gear. | > People are unloading their 72 MHz gear left and right as they buy DX6s | > and DX7s, or as they wait for the XPS stuff. | | As far as I know 72Mhz is illegal in the UK, we have 27Mhz, 40Mhz and | 2.4 Ghz and many people use 35Mhz too but 72 interferes with all sorts | of stuff over here like pagers and so on | we had a problem years ago with 27Mhz and high output CB radios causing | all sorts of bother and I could key up my rig and turn next doors video | player off.....

OK, I missed the .uk in your address ...

But it doesn't really change anything. If people are buying DX6s and DX7s in the UK (are they?) then it makes little sense to buy any new

Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:

Any of the major manufacturers equipment is good.

I suggest going to your flying field or club and find out which brand the majority of the people there are using.

The reason for this is: Manuals are good, however a live person with hands on experience with your brand/model radio is much better. The question is not "IF" you have a question/problem, but "WHEN" you have the question/problem.

I would also suggest a 6 channel (or more) COMPUTER radio system. Starting out you will be using very few of the functions of the radio, however, as you progress in this hobby you will be using more and more of the functions. Computer radios have (among other things ) the ability to store the trim settings for multiple models, mixing of functions (such as coupling ailerons and rudder, elevator and flaps, etc ), sub trim functions (fine tuning of servo trims), dual rates and much more.

If you decide to get a crystal controlled radio, find out which are the LEAST USED CHANNELS at your field and get the radio on that channel. It will minimize your waiting time to fly and greatly reduce your chances of being accidently "shot down".

The 2 radios I really like are the new Spectrum (2.4 mhz) and the Polks Hobby Tracker III. The Tracker III is a lot of "bang for the buck". 8 channels, operates on ANY channel with ANY brand of receiver and has a 5 year warranty compared to 2 a year (or sometimes 3 year ) warranty for other makes. The Spectrum does not need crystals and is 99.9% free from "glitches/hits" and the Tracker with the Seeker receiver can operate on ANY unused channel.

Hope this helps.