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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / December 2008



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rmaheuxr@bellsouth.net - 04 Dec 2008 15:02 GMT
I am new to RC, currently enjoying my first plane, a 3 channel park flyer.
I'm to the point where I can manage most flights without damage and am
looking toward my next airplane.  I want it to include ailerons and that
means a new radio.  I think 6 channels are plenty and 2.4 GHz seems to be
the way to go.  Having ruled out Futaba based on cost, I have narrowed my
choices to either a Spectrum DX-6 or Airtronics RDS-8000.  Before I buy, I
have a couple of questions.

I haven't been able to find any information about the compatibility of radio
brands when used as a trainer.  Must both transmitters be the same brand or
can you mix them?  Which brands are compatible?

Are there any other reasons to choose one radio over the other?

TIA,
Randy
TTman - 04 Dec 2008 15:25 GMT
>I am new to RC, currently enjoying my first plane, a 3 channel park flyer.
>I'm to the point where I can manage most flights without damage and am
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> TIA,
> Randy

Try the Dx5- comes with a receiver £99 ish.... You must stick with the same
brand TX and trainer.
Anyolmouse - 04 Dec 2008 19:49 GMT
| I am new to RC, currently enjoying my first plane, a 3 channel park flyer.
| I'm to the point where I can manage most flights without damage and am
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
| TIA,
| Randy

Right now Airtronics has a special running on their RDS 8000 (8 Channel)
with two receivers for $229.00 US. Several dealers are advertising it.
here is a links to two of them-
http://hobbypeople.net/gallery/751710.asp and
http://www.hobbyclub.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_57&products_id=702.
Go to  http://www.airtronics.net  and you will get a pop up where you
can look for more dealers and download the manual if you want.The
downside is that they only offer an 8 channel receiver at present and it
measures 1.85L X 1.08W X 0.5987 thick. Two antennas that are 7.75 inches
long. Also, no servos or receiver battery are included. (Not a problem
for me)

I am mostly into sailplanes now and was considering buying it until I
found out that it will not easily do full trailing edge + or -  camber
change.  I decided to wait and see if Airtronics addresses the full
camber issue with the release of their 10 series announced for release
next summer.

I do know that HiTec and Futaba use the same trainer cable having owned
a 7UAFS Futaba and a HiTec/RCD Eclypse 7 plus a buddy box that would
work with both of them. But, with the basic buddy box you can not use
all features. I.E., Dual Rate and  Exponential. Okay for a basic 4
channel trainer though.

Signature

Anyolmouse

Ed Cregger - 04 Dec 2008 20:00 GMT
> | I am new to RC, currently enjoying my first plane, a 3 channel park
> flyer.
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
> all features. I.E., Dual Rate and  Exponential. Okay for a basic 4
> channel trainer though.

-----------

I have owned (and do own) just about every brand of R/C system sold. I have
to say that my one experience with Airtronics was superb. That was quite
some time ago, but it left a lasting impression.

Now that Airtronics has changed their servo connectors to a universal
connector and now that they are being sold by a major online R/C shop (Hobby
People), the last of my reasons not to buy Airtronics again have
disappeared. I hope to enjoy their feeling of quality, performance and
reliability again.

Ed Cregger
rich - 05 Dec 2008 01:14 GMT
I am happy with my new DX6i...I also own a DX6.

Since the DX6 has now been all but discontinued...if you buy Spektrum...look
at the DX6i...I bought mine from a local hobby shop (Houston,TX-USA) for
$179.00 including one receiver.

I believe that all present 2.4GHZ systems require you to use the same brand
of receiver.

I use both my old AR6000' s ....and the new receiver that came with the DX6i
....interchangeably.... though the older models take longer to "link up ".
regards, Rich
DanKMTB - 15 Dec 2008 21:08 GMT
> I am happy with my new DX6i...I also own a DX6.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> ....interchangeably.... though the older models take longer to "link up ".
> regards, Rich

Agreed - DX6i is an awesome radio.  The 10 model memory is handy,
allows you to program trims and settings for up to 10 planes (or 9 and
a sim) without resetting trims.  I like using 1 radio for everything,
since I get used to it and it's feel.  Speaking of feel, the DX6i is
also a really, really nice feeling radio.  It's a world apart from the
cheap FM Tx's that come wtih most RTF jobs.  I could gush about the
DX6i for a few paragraphs, but since your mind seems made up I won't
waste the time, other than to say it's a great Tx.
Ed Cregger - 16 Dec 2008 19:04 GMT
On Dec 4, 8:14 pm, "rich" <rich99...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I am happy with my new DX6i...I also own a DX6.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> ....interchangeably.... though the older models take longer to "link up ".
> regards, Rich

Agreed - DX6i is an awesome radio.  The 10 model memory is handy,
allows you to program trims and settings for up to 10 planes (or 9 and
a sim) without resetting trims.  I like using 1 radio for everything,
since I get used to it and it's feel.  Speaking of feel, the DX6i is
also a really, really nice feeling radio.  It's a world apart from the
cheap FM Tx's that come wtih most RTF jobs.  I could gush about the
DX6i for a few paragraphs, but since your mind seems made up I won't
waste the time, other than to say it's a great Tx.

-----------

Does the DX6i have the same range limitation as the original DX6?

I have a NIB DX6 lying about. I should sell it since I'm afraid of
forgetting its limited range and making a mistake that could cost me a big
model.

Ed Cregger
DanKMTB - 16 Dec 2008 19:19 GMT
> On Dec 4, 8:14 pm, "rich" <rich99...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Ed Cregger

No, the DX6i is a full radio, I believe the DX6 was parkflyer only?
It's my understanding that the DX6i si leaps and bounds better than
the DX6.  Range, programming ease, ergonomics, etc.  It's said to be a
lot more like the DX7 than the DX6.  I've yet to hear anything bad
about it.  It comes with the AR6200 full range reciever, but works
with any DSM Rx, including park flyer Rx's like the AR6000 that came
with the DX6.  Obviously, if using such a Rx, the range will be
limited there, but using the included AR6200 range is excellent.
Ed Cregger - 16 Dec 2008 20:27 GMT
Thanks. I suspected as much.

Fortunately, I have a bunch of Park Flyers to assemble and fly. I guess I
will get some use out of it after all.

I do have a DX7 for larger models, plus a couple of FASST receivers and a
FASST Tx, not to mention the old 50 & 72 MHz gear. I can't bring myself to
sell off the old gear. Something tells me to hold on to it.

Ed Cregger

On Dec 16, 2:04 pm, "Ed Cregger" <ecreg...@bellsouff.net> wrote:
> "DanKMTB" <DanK...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> Ed Cregger

No, the DX6i is a full radio, I believe the DX6 was parkflyer only?
It's my understanding that the DX6i si leaps and bounds better than
the DX6.  Range, programming ease, ergonomics, etc.  It's said to be a
lot more like the DX7 than the DX6.  I've yet to hear anything bad
about it.  It comes with the AR6200 full range reciever, but works
with any DSM Rx, including park flyer Rx's like the AR6000 that came
with the DX6.  Obviously, if using such a Rx, the range will be
limited there, but using the included AR6200 range is excellent.
rich - 17 Dec 2008 17:14 GMT
I also have the DX6 ( in addition to my DX6i).

I believe that the announced range limitation was based on the receiver
supplied  (AR6000)... not the radio itself.  I read somewhere that the
receiver was prone to issues when "surrounded by metal gear in the plane"
......which they didn't think would ever happen on a park-flyer.

Personally, the planes appear smaller as they get further away....  these
old eyes can't see as far as the range that the radio (DX6-AR6000) can
control.
regards, Rich
Ed Cregger - 17 Dec 2008 19:22 GMT
>I also have the DX6 ( in addition to my DX6i).
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> control.
> regards, Rich

----------

You bring up an interesting point, Rich. My eyes aren't getting any younger
either.

With the introduction of the full range model, I don't imagine that the
resale value of the DX6 makes it worth bothering  to sell. I still have two
Wingo kits and several other park flyers that need a radio, so I'll hold on
to it.

Ed Cregger
Six_O'Clock_High - 18 Dec 2008 00:13 GMT
>I also have the DX6 ( in addition to my DX6i).
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> control.
> regards, Rich

Hmm...

What is the range of that postage stamp sized RX from Specktrum?

I did a test flight this weekend of a new electric that was terrible.  Hand
launched just fine and was tracking well for about 100 feet then rolled over
and dived straight in, so I have "issues" with something but I don't know
what.  Hope it is not the turnigey BEC, had a BEC crap out once before at a
jet meet and made lots of unhappy friends.
richg99 - 18 Dec 2008 03:09 GMT
> Hmm...
>
> What is the range of that postage stamp sized RX from Specktrum?
******************************************
Well, I've never pushed beyond the outer limits of our club field (Houston
Sport Flyers). I checked Google Earth and it tells me that I am at   - .20 -
( 1/5th) of a mile ...or 300 meters..  A bit more than three (US) football
fields is a goodly distance for these old eyes.....

For my smallish planes, that is as far out as I want to get....

regards,. Rich
William R. Mattil - 18 Dec 2008 13:09 GMT
> What is the range of that postage stamp sized RX from Specktrum?
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> what.  Hope it is not the turnigey BEC, had a BEC crap out once before at a
> jet meet and made lots of unhappy friends.

Why didn't you range test it before flight ?

Bill
Six_O'Clock_High - 18 Dec 2008 22:36 GMT
>> What is the range of that postage stamp sized RX from Specktrum?
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Bill

I thought I had.
Jim - 09 Dec 2008 06:59 GMT
Get the Airtronics! I have both the Futaba 7ch FAAST and the RDS8000. I like
the Airtronics better. Right now there is a special on. Transmitter and TWO
receivers for only $229! Hell of a deal!!

BTW, I have been flying Airtronics since the late 60's. I have NEVER had a
glitch on an airtronics radio. They are by far my favorite.  I also have
Futaba and JR. Futaba is my second choice and JR my last.

Good luck!

>I am new to RC, currently enjoying my first plane, a 3 channel park flyer.
>I'm to the point where I can manage most flights without damage and am
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> TIA,
> Randy
Ed Cregger - 09 Dec 2008 07:43 GMT
> Get the Airtronics! I have both the Futaba 7ch FAAST and the RDS8000. I
> like the Airtronics better. Right now there is a special on. Transmitter
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>> TIA,
>> Randy

------------

All radios glitch. Especially radios on the lower bands. So, either you
weren't paying attention or you don't recognize glitches when they do occur.
Or, more likely than not, you have a different definition for the word
glitch.

If you mean that you haven't had an electronic or mechanical failure, well,
I can believe that. My single Airtronics radio was trouble free too. I
particularly liked the ergonomics of the Tx case, but that was a long time
ago (1985 or so).

As I said previously, I would have bought more Airtronics radios, but back
then they weren't that commonly stocked and they had that bassackward wiring
scheme for their servos. At least they got the servo connector plug wiring
straightened out. And, now that we have internet hobbyshops, they are
commonly available.

I haven't looked into their operating system for 2.4 GHz, so I'll have to
give that a look-see before I brag them up any more than I have. I don't
want folks cursing me for saying it is great when it may be otherwise.

So far, the Spektrum and Futaba 2.4 GHz setups have been working just fine.

Ed Cregger
rmaheuxr@bellsouth.net - 09 Dec 2008 11:15 GMT
Thanks for the great input!  I think I'll probably go with the Airtronics
based on people's experience and the bargain they are currently offering.

Randy

>> Get the Airtronics! I have both the Futaba 7ch FAAST and the RDS8000. I
>> like the Airtronics better. Right now there is a special on. Transmitter
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
>
> Ed Cregger
Jim - 10 Dec 2008 22:22 GMT
Ed,
I'm not talking about itty bitty nanosecond burps that are imperceptible to
my poor one-eyed vision which must
be your definition of a glitch. I have never had one so much as momentarily
lose contact or 'jump', etc. NOR have I ever had
an electronic or mechanical failure from an airtronics.

>> Get the Airtronics! I have both the Futaba 7ch FAAST and the RDS8000. I
>> like the Airtronics better. Right now there is a special on. Transmitter
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
>
> Ed Cregger
Ed Cregger - 11 Dec 2008 04:11 GMT
> Ed,
> I'm not talking about itty bitty nanosecond burps that are imperceptible
> to my poor one-eyed vision which must
> be your definition of a glitch. I have never had one so much as
> momentarily lose contact or 'jump', etc. NOR have I ever had
> an electronic or mechanical failure from an airtronics.

----------

Don't mind me, Jim. I'm just a cranky old man whose arthritis is making him
crankier.

What I was thinking of when I made the statements was flying through nulls.
All radio systems experience this phenomenon. With conventional (non PCM)
systems you notice the nulls occasionally as ticks or glitches in system
stability. Sometimes, depending upon multipath, etc., you may not notice the
nulls, but they are still there.

PCM systems do not jump or cause movement when moving through nulls. They
simply refuse to respond, which many folks do not notice.

The higher the RF frequency, the less noticable the nulls (phase
cancellations) become.

I knew what you meant. Don't know why I responded as I did. Argumentative, I
suppose. <G>

Ed Cregger
 
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