Radio Purchase Faq?

[JimLerch]

Hi Guys,

Since Christmas is over, I can officially purchase my own toys again for a few months.;) On that topic, Its time I actually purchase a real radio and receiver to replace the E-Sky FM setup that came with my Belt-CP.

I had some questions, and I figured there had to be a FAQ, but my keyboard-Foo seems weak.. So I thought perhaps I'd throw the questions out here instead :)

A) Which is better Futaba or JR? (:roll:, just kidding, I'm guessing this is like asking a Ford vs. Chevy question.)

B) Do all 2.4ghz transmitters work with all 2.4ghz receivers?

C) Do all 2.4ghz transmitters implement some form of spread spectrum technology?

D) I plan on getting a 7ch radio since I'm just getting addicted .... errrrr I mean dedicated to this hobby. Any reason I'd want something else with more or less channels?

E) I notice a lot of the radios will come with receivers and servo's. Do you know of any that come with servo's that would fit my E-Sky Belt CP (8g I think?) Alternatively, I'll probably end up buying a second air frame which will most likely be a Trex 450 (this way I have two to roll up into a ball each time I go fly)

F) A new fancy radio will make me fly better and right? :YeaBaby: (I know "not so much", but I have started to out-grow the E-sky FM transmitter and it's lack of Gyro adjustment via transmitter)..


Thanks for any tips,
James Lerch
Parrish Florida

[DavidH]

Hi Guys,

Since Christmas is over, I can officially purchase my own toys again for a few months.;) On that topic, Its time I actually purchase a real radio and receiver to replace the E-Sky FM setup that came with my Belt-CP.

I had some questions, and I figured there had to be a FAQ, but my keyboard-Foo seems weak.. So I thought perhaps I'd throw the questions out here instead :)

A) Which is better Futaba or JR? (:roll:, just kidding, I'm guessing this is like asking a Ford vs. Chevy question.)

B) Do all 2.4ghz transmitters work with all 2.4ghz receivers?

C) Do all 2.4ghz transmitters implement some form of spread spectrum technology?

D) I plan on getting a 7ch radio since I'm just getting addicted .... errrrr I mean dedicated to this hobby. Any reason I'd want something else with more or less channels?

E) I notice a lot of the radios will come with receivers and servo's. Do you know of any that come with servo's that would fit my E-Sky Belt CP (8g I think?) Alternatively, I'll probably end up buying a second air frame which will most likely be a Trex 450 (this way I have two to roll up into a ball each time I go fly)

F) A new fancy radio will make me fly better and right? :YeaBaby: (I know "not so much", but I have started to out-grow the E-sky FM transmitter and it's lack of Gyro adjustment via transmitter)..


Thanks for any tips,
James Lerch
Parrish Florida



A I prefer Futaba, but as you said it is personal preference

B. No not all 2.4ghz transmitters work with all 2.4ghz receivers. Different brands have different propriotery ways of using the band.

C. Don't understand what your asking. But yes all 2.4 ghz transmitters and receivers are using the 2.4 ghz band.

D. A. 7 channel will work fine. I would get a 9Ch, the 9channels have more features than most of the 7 channels. It is not only the two additional channels, but features like mixes, subtrims,timers, etc. etc.
Most of the 7 channels do not have those features.


E. Don't know what size servos are in the E-sky. But if it is a micro, there is a couple of radios that come with micro servos. The servos in the E-sky may be able to be used with what every receiver you use. Most of the servos are wired the same, may just have to modify the plug on them to fit the receiver.

F. No a new transmitter is not going to make you fly better. Nothing but flying time is going to do that. As for the gyro adjustment via the transmitter. Even a 9 channel may not be able to adjust the gyro. There is gyros that do not have the capability to be adjusted via the transmitter. I would think the one in the E-sky is that type of gyro.


David

[Pinecone]

A) JR all the way. :)

B) NO, only Rxes from the same system work with Txes. Spektrum and JR are the same system, so they work with each other. But you buy Futaba, yo uhave to buy Futaba Rxes. For reference Futaba 6 ch Rx = $100, Spektrum 6 ch Rx = as low as $40. :)

C) Yes, all products out there are spread spectrum of some sort or another.

D) The 9 ch radios have better/easier programming and more options. Also a lot of ties, better screens with better graphics and resolution.

E) The micro servos (DS-285s) that come with some DX7s could be used on your Belt CP. They can be used on a Trex, but the lack of metal gears will be a problem with stripping gears. If you get the version with the standard size servos, DS821, they work quite well in a Hurricane 550. :)

F) Not exactly, but you will look a lot better flying porrly. :) But the better radio will allow better setups and make flying easier.

[Danal Estes]

A) I spend shameless amounts of time hanging around a helicopter focused hobby shop. Watching people, who do not yet have bias, try to setup helis on radios... most people find JR menus much easier. Sorry Futaba guys, I'm just reporting what I see. And, advanced flyers also like the menus and setup. The JR 9303 is my current favorite radio.

B) At the moment, in the 2.4G market, only Receivers from a given brand work with transmitters from that brand, with one exeption: JR and Spektrum work together.

C) To legally use the 2.4G band (in any country), all devices must be Spread. There are a few illegal (non-spread) video systems around... but everything else is Spread. And, before you ask, there are no co-interference problems between brands of RC gear, between any of them and 802.11, Bluetooth, whatever. Don't fly a 2.4G video rig on a model being controlled by 2.4 (duh!) and everything else just works.

D) Manufacturers try to hit certain price points... and "number of channels" is the easiest indicator of what price point for a given radio. Higher price, more features, and very ironically, easier to use. Beginners usually don't want to spend as much... and end up with a radio that's MUCH harder to setup than a "nicer" radio. Imagine trying to set your first throttle curve (as you are learning just what a throttle curve is, anyway) with a graphic display of the curve (better radio) vs a bunch of numbers (that don't even appear on the same "page") on a cheaper radio!

E) Manufacturers sell several packages... and some dealers will sell "Bare" TX, or whatever.

F) Actually... maybe... :) Because the more you understand about setup, the better you'll be... and see (D) above, most higher price point radios are easier to see what's going on (up to a point).

If you can afford it, give very serious consideration to the JR X9303. It is an outstanding radio.

[DebianDog]

Yep I grew up Futaba and if Futaba had a 9CH 2.4 Ghz radio I probably would have bought it over the JR X9303. Although the JR radios can use the cheaper Specktum receivers. THAT IS A BONUS. :)

But I will say the programming on the X9303 is rather easy even compared to my Futaba 9C. I could have bought the module for the 9C to upgrade it but unfortunately the CCPM mixing on that radio is not that great.

I am gonna change the title and MAKE this a sticky. :thumbup:

[kamtsa]

E) I notice a lot of the radios will come with receivers and servo's. Do you know of any that come with servo's that would fit my E-Sky Belt CP (8g I think?) Alternatively, I'll probably end up buying a second air frame which will most likely be a Trex 450 (this way I have two to roll up into a ball each time I go fly)

If you go with Spektrum DX7, be aware that it comes in few different combos (the TX itself is the same). One of the configurations includes 3 JR DS285 which are good for TRex 450 (and possibly for you eSky but am not sure).

Also, if you have a choice between AR6100 and AR6100E RX, I think that the AR6100E is slightly easier to setup on a TRex 450 because the connector are at the end, not at the top (though this is not a big deal).

Kam

[Pinecone]

Oh, there are differences in the Txes. There are Air and Heli versions. The Heli version has the top switches reversed from the air version (left/right) and the Heli version is the "standard" for switch placement for flying helis, and is no big deal for flying planks.

Also the heli version has the smooth throttle rather than a ratchet, but in many cases, the different spring is included to switch back and forth.

When i doubt, get the heli version.

I don't know if the DX7 is available in different modes, but the X9303 and others are. In teh US, most people fly Mode 2. This is the elevator and aileron on the right stick, throttle and rudder on the left. Mode 1 has the aileron and throttle on the right, elevator and rudder on the left. You do want to match what most people in your area fly, so they can help you. Modes: http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/rc-transmitter-modes.html

[johndoe25]

Just to confuse the issue a little, Spektrum has modules that fit some of the other guys transmiters that will work with the Spektrum line only. While Futaba have modules(called FASST) also, they only work with the FASST systems. I would suggest D/Ling the manuals for the radios that you are interested in, then go to your LHS & check them out in person & get a feel for them. Also check out what everybody is flying at your local field, that way if you have any questions or problems, they should be able to help. Onther thing is if you are interest in getting in deeper into helis, I agree with the others about getting at least nine channel radio, just for the extra features. In the end it is all up to you.