john stones 1 - Moderator Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 You never learn some of you, poll on the right hand side of the page telling you what people use, good luck with your choice, I've had a few makes ALL been trouble free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Moyler Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Going back to the original question. My advice would be to go along to the local club and see what is being used there and talk to them about radios. If you need help at some stage it would be best if the radio you choose is being used at the club you decide to join. To be honest all the major makes will do the job. All the new members at my club use Spektrum and there has not been any problems. JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Well said BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Jeff, To answer your questions:- 1) The reason to go 2.4 GHz is basically to ‘modernise’. I know that I can still use my 35MHZ kit which I probably will initially. 2) I fly fixed wing only and nothing complicated. I still have a 67” wingspan aerobatic ‘Dalotel’ with a 60 engine fitted, a 58” wingspan sport/trainer ‘Sky Rider’ with a 40 engine fitted, and a 1973 Mercury ‘Galahad’ with a 15 engine fitted. All are a bit battle weary. The ‘Galahad’ for which I have a special affection was the first model I made when rejoining the hobby in 1973 after all these years from a lad. It was also the model that I learnt to fly with. I am just finishing it’s refurbishment ready for me to get back in the air once again. It is only 3 channel but will be good to ease me back in. 3) My budget certainly would not be to go headlong into the top gear. At the same time not right at the bottom either. I was thinking about sub £200 for Tx and Rx. Roger Edited By Roger Dyke on 21/08/2018 12:35:26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi John, Thanks for your info. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi JM, I've have been in touch with my local club and have been advised to attend the club field on certain afternoons as most times there may be no-one there. Also I have had a kind invitation from a committee member to meet with him and for him to show me around and have a chat. This I am going to take up. Thanks for the heads-up on the Spektrum. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Roger Thanks for the info, gives us a place to start. Looking at your fleet (Galahad brings back happy memories) looks like you will need nothing more than what the companies call 'Entry' level. Anything higher gives you too many software options which you will never use. There are some entry level 4 channel ones still around, but I would suggest you start with 6 channel. This could come in handy if, for instance, you want to equip the Dalotel with separate servos to use aileron differential and/ or flaps. So, looking around t'internet produced ideas from all three major players. http://inwoodmodels.com/epages/9f291c61-8fb5-420d-b8d5-43eb2920dd9f.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/9f291c61-8fb5-420d-b8d5-43eb2920dd9f/Products/RAD16K2 https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/294041/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9Tvvpv-3AIVb77tCh1FrgCyEAQYAiABEgLgN_D_BwE https://www.wirelessmadness.com/spektrum-dx6e-6-channel-dsmx-transmitter-only-spmr6650eu?language=en¤cy=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImtyD4Jv-3AIVB5ztCh2p5gitEAQYBCABEgIjJ_D_BwE Note, all of these are within your budget. Looking at the specs seems even the entry level now has extensive programming options. Guess you can't get away from them. Have to say I have no axe to grind. I have not used any of these, but I am sure members here have. Other than that, couple of other thoughts. Good that you have a local club on call. Certainly talk to the members, see what they are using, although I guess you will get as many different recommendations as there are makes. However it might also be worth checking if anyone has any second hand equipment they might want to sell. I have bought second hand many times, and never been disappointed. Normally I wouldn't suggest you do as well, but if you buy from another club member at least you will know something of it's history. That's my thoughts so far, keep us in the loop. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi supertigre fan Very good point, and well made. However, IIRC roger has a Futaba Challenger, which is getting a bit long in the tooth by any standards. What I would question, however, is why you suggest going 2.4 if you want to fly electric. I have a whole fleet of helicopters, all electric, and at least half are on 35 Mhz. Add to that 4 electric fixed wing including my latest Limbo Dancer, also on 35 and zero issues with any of them. Can't see that as a reason to go 2.4 Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Posted by Roger Dyke on 21/08/2018 12:41:57: Hi JM, I've have been in touch with my local club and have been advised to attend the club field on certain afternoons as most times there may be no-one there. Also I have had a kind invitation from a committee member to meet with him and for him to show me around and have a chat. This I am going to take up. Thanks for the heads-up on the Spektrum. Roger Good man....sounds like a club that is friendly and welcoming. I will stay out of the Tx war of words....you have my thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Supertigrefan, You make a good case for staying with the 35MHz. My Futaba Challenger is probably 24 years old. In saying that, it seems to work fine apart from failing batteries (which I would expect). The reason I was thinking about 2.4GHz comes from once upon a time me being on 27Mhz before it was hijacked for CB Radio and my thinking was that at some point soon maybe 35MHz will also be pulled. I am not desperate to change but if I am to start spending money on my old 35MHz kit I may as well be putting it towards a 2.4 kit. I don’t know whether to take a punt on some new batteries just to see how it initially pans out. My local club uses both 35MHz and 2.4GHz. I might even go all electric sometime in the near future but that’s running before walking. I’ll have to see. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Jeff, The 'Galahad' is amazing. It almost flies on it's own with it's outrageous dihedral. When I first learnt to fly with it, it used to take me a week to repair it again ready for another lesson the following week. I have just removed all the covering to give it a full inspection and repair in readiness for it's new covering. Thanks for all the useful information. I will follow that up. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 ....just that it's claimed that 35Meg is more susceptible to interference with electric motors than 2.4 Gig. Hi supertigrefan Common misconception, but in my experience simply not true. What is needed is a little thought as to how to route the aerial, and that is true of 2.4 as well, maybe more so. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi David, I will definitely have a look at the Spektrum Tx's. They do seem to be very much in favour. Regarding updating, please see my reply to Supertigrefan above. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Cymaz, Many thanks. Roger Edited By Roger Dyke on 21/08/2018 18:37:36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Roger, same with mine. What scares me is how long ago it was, and how much water under the bridge since. I'm 66 now, and it must have been at least 35 years ago, round about the time you got yours. Only difference was mine was free flight, so launch and start running. Happy days. I'm sure your head must be spinning by now, with all the radio options, but here's another one. If your Challenger is still working ok, and you're happy with it, how about sticking in a FrSky diy module for 2.4. £18 invested and you're in business. More than one way to skin a cat (just don't tell the RSPCA) Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Dyke Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Jeff, I am absolutely blown away by all the very kind postings and having a job keeping up with my replies. I'm 73 myself now so not looking to set the world on fire. I've been trying to find out if there is a 2.4GHz conversion for the Futaba Challenger but can't find one. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place. Any idea where I should look? Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 I use most of the main brands, and not so main brand. Hitec, Spektrum, Futaba and Tactic. The two radio I would probably recommend for a beginner would the Spektrum DX6 or the Futaba T6K, both under £200, but note they are "dry", meaning purchase of a battery pack and charger. Maybe the Hitec Flash 7, bit more, but another option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 The nationals are next weekend, why not go and look at some radio sets? Edited By Paul Marsh on 21/08/2018 18:52:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Roger Have a look back to post 8 in this thread. that was my first post, and I gave you a link to a FrSky diy module. This is not Futaba specific but can be fitted to almost any 35Mhz transmitter. Gives you access to quite a range of FrSky receivers. Not that expensive and pretty reliable. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 ...yeah, but is it worth doing it on a single model-only Futaba Challenger set? I don't think so, also you would be missing features out a computer radio would give you, like model memories, end points and so on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey cottrell Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi Roger 73 eh? Nice to see some youngsters joining the hobby, lol. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.