andy watson Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hi, I have come to the conclusion my Futaba 6EX will not fly my rather ambitious) stuka, so I will need to upgrade my radio. The stuka will need: a) 4 channels- throttle, ailerons, elevator, rudder. b) 1 channel flaps & landing light c) 1 channel dive brake & siren d) 1 channel bomb drop. I want to stick with futaba because I have a couple of (expensive) receivers but also it's performed faultlessly. Looking at the specs they go on about all kinds of functions I don't understand, but don't explain the more basic ones I need to know. To run the set up as described I think I would need: a) On the sticks b) Some kind of proportional control (a dial? a multiposition switch?) c) On/off d) On/off Does the futaba have these controls, and am I reading my requirements properly? (I have never flown a model with flaps, but assume they need control rather than on/off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Hmm, you're probably looking at the FF10/10C there Andy. I guess the FF7 would be ok but the '10 will give you more flexibility/dials/assignable switches etc - budget permitting (some retailers will split the set and sell just the TX) You could have the flaps as on/off (two-position) or on a progressive slide/dial of which the '10 has both so the flaps could be assigned to either according to preference. I like the side slide switch on my '10 to which I usually assign flaps. It means I don't have to take my fingers off the sticks to activate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 So on a FF7 are channels 5-7 all on/off switches? The 10 will stretch the budget a bit- or more accurately the other halfs tolerance of the budget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 There's one dial Andy, have look at this No side slider switches though. Channels 5 & 7 are switch assignable. Thinking it through though - were you going to y-lead the ailerons? 1. ailerons 2. elevator 3. throttle 4. rudder 5. flaps on y-lead 6. aileron 2 7. bomb release 8. dive brake So for 7 channels you'll need 2 y-leads. Personally I'd go 8 channels so I could have each aileron adjustable separately from the Tx. Yes, know what you mean about the 10 but it's something that would cover all your needs now and in the future too. What does anyone else think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Richards Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I agree David. Go for the 10 even if you have to wait while you get a secret stash to pay for it. If you get the 7 you will regret it and it will cost you more in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 Was already going to angle for the 7 as a birthday present in april...... Then again, it is my 40th, so maybe there's a chance. Then again I was also after a high torque starter, as mine won't cope with the OS70 in the DVII- so it will have no chance with the Saito 1.20 going in the stuka! Ah well, I'm sure I can smuggle something in somewhere!! Oh, and plan is ailerons on a Y lead, but also all 4 flaps on a doubled up Y lead combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Richards Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Try running your starter off a 4s Lipo. Its amazing how much torque a bog standard starter has with extra volts and high current capability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 I did think about that, but as an IC flier I wondered if I would end up spending more money by the time I have bought a lipo and a charger. I already struggle to work out how I can fly IC and need so many different chargers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Richards Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 You're right. If you do not have a Lipo charger it would not be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 How about an FF9? this should be able to give you what you are looking for. Better still in that there are quite a few in good condition in the second hand market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 Funny you should mention that- I was wondering why we had jumped from 7 to 10! I will have a look to see if it is available in 2.4 and what the price is like. I was looking at the 10, and notice one of the switches is a 3 position flaps switch. f the 7 has one of these, then maybe it's possible to have: position 1: all off Position 2: dive brakes and siren on position 3: as 2 + bomb drop. I save a channel then, and still have the single rotary dial for flaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hmm, that sounds like some clever electronics required there Andy? The switch would only relate to one channel so you'd need to wire all those functions in somehow and unless something clever happened they all go off at the same time. The FF9 is a 35MHz only radio but it's modular so you could buy a Futaba 2.4 Module for it. Get the FF9 super which was the later model. The FF9 was replaced by the '10 last year - you could get a good one for £100 'ish second hand I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Matthews Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Other makes are available, and if going 2.4, check receiver prices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 I know what you mean Clive, but as I already have futaba receivers I don't really want to swap brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 hello andy-there are some bargain transmitters to be had-probably at your club----i just got a second hand FF9--there are a lot of people who are moving across to 2.4ghz and selling their 35mhz stuff off for bargain prices just to get rid???? strike while the iron is hot and nab a bargain....................... ken anderson.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Oh I think the iron will be staying hot for quite some time yet guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Andy, unless you are using Futaba PCM Rx's any other make of 35mhz ppm Tx will drive Futaba PPM rx's, I use my old Futaba PPM Rx's with my Multiplex Tx with no problems. Look for a Tx which has the features and controls you want, but i'm going to guess a 9 channel set is probaly what you are looking for. Having the aileron and flaps on separate channels will make it easier to set up from the Tx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 I'm using Futaba 2.4. Anyway, I thinkI can go for a 10.........since we were looking at new cars for her today. Quid pro quo and all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Lots of people offering the FF10 Tx only....I know cos I'm after one too....they are about £360!!! There seem to be a few new FF9s around too.....just over the £200 mark but on 35MHz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Steve- best I have found is (from memory) Inwoods @ £320 tx only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Clarke 3 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 thats a bargain andy,i have recently bought the 10 and even though im no where near using half of its capabilities i love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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