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Author
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Topic: Good Starter R/C Transmitter/Receiver?
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Whirlwind
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 12:01 PM
   
I am just getting started into R/C planes and am looking to get some R/C gear once I land my next job. I have already bought some servo's and plan on making some fake receivers and batteries to use during construction. I've also snagged a few books on building planes as well as some fast medium epoxy (6min) and some white dope for the Japanese tissue paper covering. I'd burn myself with those iron things. Anyways, any ideas about what the best starter R/C Transmiter/Receiver combo to get? IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 12:10 PM
Glider or plane? Small or large? Park-flyers are the coolest new thing IMO  -Sv IP: Logged |
Whirlwind
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 12:49 PM
Oh yeah, knowing the type might kind of help - electric airplanes. No gliders for me. The plane will be a conversion of Guillow's Sterman and maybe I'll also conver the B-25, although things will be tight...IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 01:18 PM
Ok, this radio is outstanding for small models that require only 2 channels - it even supports V-tail mixing:
http://www.nesail.com/focus3f.html I am using it in a 30" hand launch glider!
Look here for park-flyers too, for fun - I like the Tiny: http://www.nesail.com/slowflight.html
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Whirlwind
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 01:55 PM
Tower has the setup for about the same price, but for $5, I can get a 4 channel from the same company with 4 servo's for a larger plane, mounting hardware, and batteries. Also, which one is better? AM or FM? Does it matter?IP: Logged |
Elric
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 02:10 PM
Whirlwind,It might be cheaper to buy a 2 channel AM tx but if you'll get much more flexibility out of a 6 channel FM tx. You only need two channels to learn ( rudder and elevator ) gliders. 3 channels will get you a park flyer rudder,elevator and speed controller for an electric motor. Once you're bored of rudder / elevator you'll want aileron control as well, which is 4 channels, if you want a bigger scale model you'll need flaps and gear... I learnt rc slope soaring using a Hitec Focus 6. Now I'm moving to electric I sort of wish I had bought a computer radio orginally as I'll have to retrim the tx for each different model I fly. A Computer radio stores your model(s) setup(s) so you can easily switch between models. Food for thought ~9./JG3_Elric IP: Logged |
Elric
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 02:19 PM
RE : AM vs FM, In the UK, AM is on 27Mhz and there are only 8 frequencies. It's commonly used for cars and boats. FM is on 35Mhz and 40 Mhz and there are 20+ ( this has gone up recently.) frequencies available and usually only aircraft use these frequencies. There is much less chance of turning up at your flying site to find you can't fly because someone is on your frequency when you use FM.~9./JG3_Elric IP: Logged |
Whirlwind
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 02:20 PM
Elric, thanks. For now, I think I need to go with the cheap route. The AM is the Focus 3 in AM the 4 channel is the Focus 4. As I will be living in appartments for a while, I doubt if my planes will go above 30" in span.IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 02:20 PM
make note that some companies sell the Feather system that requires standard batteries in th transmitter, you don't want that! You need the Nicad version, it is a few bucks more.If you end up staying with R/C it is better to have multiple systems anyway. Start with something small and then just get a new system when you grow. That way you can keep all your planes in the air. The feather system is just such a good deal I could not resist. The fancy computer mixing radios are big bucks. I built my standard glider with flaperons and spoilers with no computer mixing, just a 4 channel AM radio. It has a sliding tray, kinda cool. But the computer mixing radios are sweet.. adds a whole new dimension to flying. But I am only a glider and slow flight guy, so I don't know the considerations for scale flying and stuff. IP: Logged |
Whirlwind
Pilot
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posted 10-19- 02:24 PM
Oh, I never made that connection. I'll probably go with the Focus 4. I found an engine for around $30 with a 8 inch prop. Getting into R/C is expensive, after the first hump is over, I'd imagine it is a rental program - you pay so much per month to keep the fix...IP: Logged |
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