Radio Buying Advice Needed

As a newbie, don't worry about getting a PCM radio, just FM. I would recommend you go ahead and buy a Futaba 7CAP or 9 CAP. You will have all the radio capacity you will need for a long time. It's often cheaper to go ahead and spend a bit more in the beginning. If you buy a cheap 4 channel radio, a year or so later you will want to upgrade and your little 4 channel won't be worth much other to use it as a buddy box. Definitely get a computer radio. The ability to make adjustments at the transmitter and add mixing features is great!

Good luck and have fun!

Get a good computer radio. You won't regret it. I have a Hitec Eclipse which I am completely satisfied with. Futaba makes good radios. Airtronics and JR are fine also. Hitec is coming out with a new radio soon. The best overall radio is impossible to tell. Get one that has the features you need now and expect to need in the future. The Futaba 7 series radios seem to have all the necessary features. Get one of the Tower monthly flyers as they usually have coupons that will save you a few dollars.

John VB

It sounds like you just starting out so I'd recommed a complete package like the Avistar

**&P=3 that INCLUDES a Futaba radio and engine. You get everything you need except the fuel and basic field equipment for $269. For someone just getting into the hobby, it's about the cheapest and best way to go. I would suggest that you go with this setup for now because, as you progress in the hobby, you'll learn as you go and be better able to decide (on your own) which radio system you will want for the kind of flying you want to do. Simply stating "7 channel" doesn't help that much because beyond the number of channels, different radios have different features that can be important as the number of channels. To learn more about various radios and features available, there are some threads about different radios on both RCGroups and RCU. One of note is the Multiplex EVO thread in the RCGroups.com radio forum, and you'll also run across other Futaba and JR and Hitec discussion about their radios as well.

MJC

"peter walker" wrote in message news:40aabb05$ snipped-for-privacy@news.mhogaming.com...

But, of course, the 7CAP and 9CAP _are_ PCM radios - that's what the 'P' stands for. The 7CAF and 9CAF are the 'FM' versions of these radios.

FYI.

On 5/18/2004 9:38 PM Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:

It sounds like you are just starting out. One thing I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to new comers to the hobby is to join a club and get an instructor (clubs provide instructors at no charge). People have taught themselves to fly, BUT, it is a steep learning curve and very frustrating (not to mention expensive) while learning. The first flight of someone teaching themselves to fly is USUALLY less than 30 seconds and FREQUENTLY results in a "rekitting" of the plane. I would also suggest getting a simulator. FMS is a free D/L and pretty good. The sim will help you by allowing you to practice what your instructor has taught you and for getting proper orientation on the transmitter when the plane is coming towards you.

I would suggest staying away from the RTF (Ready To Fly) setups as mentioned by one person. They come pre packaged and you can rarely make changes to the package.

You do not need PCM. A "regular" FM radio is fine. Futaba, Hitec, Airtronics and JR (among others) offer some nice 7 channel radios. Check and see what the majority of people are using at the field you will be flying at and get that brand. The reason for that is, if you have a problem or question, someone at the field should be able to solve/answer it for you.

I would also recommend a decent ball bearing 46 engine. Thunder Tiger, GMS and OS FX/AX series are good engines that are very user friendly (Stay away from the OS LA series and MDS engines). The engine brands I suggested are relatively inexpensive with GMS being the least expensive (but requires more "fiddling" with), Thunder Tiger is in the middle and the OS FX/AX as the most expensive (about $110).

There are several very good ARF trainers out there. The SIG LT-40 is an excellent one, as well as the Hobbico SuperStar.

The Avistar (as mentioned by one person) has some pros and cons to it. It is a semi symmetrical airfoil rather than a flat bottom airfoil. This airfoil and the lower dihedral (the amount the wing angles up) provide aerobatic performance, thus delaying the amount of time before you would want/need a second plane. The down side to it is, it lands noticeably faster than a flat bottom airfoil and it is not as forgiving (self correcting) as a flat bottom airfoil. Many people have learned on it though.

RC Universe

has some excellent forums on it and a lot of good information. Another good site is Allan's RC links You will find a multitude of information there on almost every aspect of RC.

Hope this helps.

Hitec Eclipse 7. Best bang for the buck.

| On 5/19/2004 04:35, jeboba wrote: | | > As a newbie, don't worry about getting a PCM radio, just FM. I would | > recommend you go ahead and buy a Futaba 7CAP or 9 CAP. | | But, of course, the 7CAP and 9CAP _are_ PCM radios - that's what the 'P' | stands for. The 7CAF and 9CAF are the 'FM' versions of these radios.

Good point. But to be more precise, the Futaba 7C and 9C can both work with FM or PCM receivers. But if you buy a package, the 7CAP package comes with a PCM receiver and the 7CAF package comes with an FM receiver (and costs about $100 less.)

If you even think that you'll stick with the hobby, spring for a top notch computer radio. You'll be $ ahead in the long run, and you'll have a really nice radio from the get-go. I've been flying for a little over a year now and would have already 'out grown' a lesser radio. I got a Futaba 9C as my first radio, and haven't regretted spending the extra $ on it. The radio is still more than I need, but that is better than not having 'enough' radio. Got a Hanger 9 Ultra Stick the other day, and I'm really glad I've got the

9C radio. Can't wait to get it in the air. Anyone care to comment on the Ultra Stick?

Paul

Try using a 9CAF transmitter with a PCM receiver... 'taint gonna work ;-)

The 'P' versions of the transmitters can switch between PCM and PPM (FM), The 'F' versions of the transmitters cannot do PCM. They are PPM (FM) only.

| Try using a 9CAF transmitter with a PCM receiver... 'taint gonna work ;-) | | The 'P' versions of the transmitters can switch between PCM and PPM (FM), | The 'F' versions of the transmitters cannot do PCM. They are PPM (FM) only.

Are you *sure* about that? i.e. you've got in your possession a 9CAF transmitter that cannot do PCM?

In my experience, the transmitter is 9CA (or 9CH for helicopter) and the F or P only refers to the receiver that comes with the package.

I bought a 9CAF when it first came out from Tower Hobbies. I don't have a PCM receiver to test with, but my transmitter does have the option to switch to PCM mode. Are you trying to tell me that it won't work?

(If so, sorry, but I don't believe you.)

This is what I bought --

**&P=ML (though they did not offer a free campac with it at the time.)

It says --

This is the Futaba 9-Channel FM aircraft radio. **also has PCM capabilities**

No, I'm not. I assumed that based on the literature I read. Not even sure where that was now...

Sorry if that was a bad assumption.

(Referring to the 9C(A/H)*) The *F TX and the *P TX are both PCM and PPM capable. The *F and *P only designate the rcvr model that is included with the TXs flight pack.

The F or P serves no useful purpose other than a point of confusion if you buy the TX alone (without rcvr or flight pack). Personally I don't see why Futaba bothers to put the extra letter on the TX case if the TX does both.

Hope this helps. tippy

This is the radio that I am going to order.

Buying this stuff for the first time is quite intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you don't know what your doing. I just hope that I am getting the right stuff.

Peter

Peter ============================ Based on opinions of a half dozen guys in our club

who have this exact setup, you'll love it and never regret the choice.

Carrell

You will be happy with this radio. I bought it at the beginning of this year and have REALLY enjoyed it. I upgraded from a 6 channel Airtonics that I got 10 or 12 years ago. The programmable radios sure give you many options for setting up your planes. Shout out if you have any questions about programming you planes. (I have 7 model locations used!!) Dale

overwhelming,

That plane is TWO of the models programmed into my 9C. I setup a "basic" and "advanced" program for the same plane. Really just to get the first checkout flights done. Basic setup just like your standard 4 channel trainer. Full rates were the recommended low rates in the manual. Flew great with a Saito 72 up front, but I did have to cut a battery hatch in the bottom of the fuse as far aft as I could to get the CG right. For the advanced program I used the sailplane program so that the "airbrake, butterfly or, crow" would be activated inversly proportion to the throttle when switch A is down (100% airbrake with 0% throttle) then I programmed

20% and 40% flaps with a three position switch. I played with full span ailerons for a while, but that's not in my program now. I've only been out 5 or 6 times with my Ultra Stick 40 now, but I'm loving it!!

Dale