Just beginning and need assistance/assurance about parts

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jj - 09 Jul 2006 16:39 GMT

I am just beginning to get interested in model helicopters and needed
some assistance wit the necessary items for a beginner. After doing
some research I have decided on the raptor 30 v2 as a first heli. I
prefer the kit instead of the ARF as I know I will need to learn to
disassemble/assemble it soon enough anyways and HeliProz has a kit with
the OS32 engine, 49 ball bearings, and upgraded muffler.

Are there any suggestions to add/change items from this list.
These are all available from HeliProz.

raptor kit, 49bb, OS32, muff - $420
servo & gyro - GY401 w/ 9254 - $190
glow plug adapter - MPVA115 Remote Glow Adapter w/Alligator - $8
glow plugs (3) - OS Number #8 Glow Plug - $15
carrymaster combo (battery, starter, 4 way wrench, fuel container, glow
lighter, fuel pump, fuel tubing) - $130
Mavrikk 239 6mm Start Shaft one-way Clamp On for Std Starter- $30
Mavrikk Ball Link Pliers - $18
HPJ528 Univ Main Blade Balancer - $40

Screwdrivers, needle nose, etc. are already in my toolbox.

for the radio and servos, I was looking at one of the following:
Futaba 7CHP PCM 7ch w/(4) 3151 FUTJ74 - $300
Airtronics RD8000 w/(5) 322 FM Heli set - $290

>From what I have read, I would prefer a PCM, but will 7 channels be

enough to grow into? Also, I can get a PCM receiver later if I want to
for the Airtonics, correct? Does anyone have any advice on the radio?

This set puts the total at around $1100. I was trying to stay inder
$1000 for a starter kit, but $1100 is still livable.

Thanks,

Josh

Reply to this Message

The OTHER Kevin in San Diego - 10 Jul 2006 06:00 GMT

>I am just beginning to get interested in model helicopters and needed
>some assistance wit the necessary items for a beginner. After doing
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>raptor kit, 49bb, OS32, muff - $420
>servo & gyro - GY401 w/ 9254 - $190

Excellent combo for TR control. I have a similar setup on my Trex,
but with a 9650 servo. The 401 is very easy to set up and works
fantastic.

>glow plug adapter - MPVA115 Remote Glow Adapter w/Alligator - $8
>glow plugs (3) - OS Number #8 Glow Plug - $15
>carrymaster combo (battery, starter, 4 way wrench, fuel container, glow
>lighter, fuel pump, fuel tubing) - $130

Hvae you got a battery charger that'll charge the lead acid batt in
your field kit?

>Mavrikk 239 6mm Start Shaft one-way Clamp On for Std Starter- $30
>Mavrikk Ball Link Pliers - $18
>HPJ528 Univ Main Blade Balancer - $40

You can balance blades with a piece of piano wire sized to fit snugly
through the blade holes, a couple collars that fit the wire and a
couple of tall drinking glasses.

>Screwdrivers, needle nose, etc. are already in my toolbox.
>
>for the radio and servos, I was looking at one of the following:
>Futaba 7CHP PCM 7ch w/(4) 3151 FUTJ74 - $300
>Airtronics RD8000 w/(5) 322 FM Heli set - $290

Both are good radios - I prefer Futaba or JR as my one experience with
Airtronics was - for lack of a more gentle term - disappointing. The
JR6102 might be a good choice as well.

>>From what I have read, I would prefer a PCM, but will 7 channels be
>enough to grow into? Also, I can get a PCM receiver later if I want to
>for the Airtonics, correct? Does anyone have any advice on the radio?
>
>This set puts the total at around $1100. I was trying to stay inder
>$1000 for a starter kit, but $1100 is still livable.

That's not a bad price. I paid well over $800 for my Trex with all
the electronics but the transmitter. Tack on $200 more for battery
packs and I've broken the 4-figure mark easily. I bought from
Heliproz and my neighbor across the street only buys from them. Good
bunch of guys and their prices are some of the best.

It's by no means a cheap hobby. You mioght be better off with a
cocain addiction as far as the money goes. <grin>

Can you get Raptor parts locally? Anyone local fly Raptors that can
help you out? Check out www.raptortechnique.com for build and setup
hints. Might be a good place to ask these questions as well.

Reply to this Message

R A - 10 Jul 2006 10:20 GMT

And may be a good simulator would help save a few Pound :-)

Rob

>>I am just beginning to get interested in model helicopters and needed
>>some assistance wit the necessary items for a beginner. After doing
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
> help you out? Check out www.raptortechnique.com for build and setup
> hints. Might be a good place to ask these questions as well.

Reply to this Message

jj - 10 Jul 2006 15:59 GMT

> >I am just beginning to get interested in model helicopters and needed
> >some assistance wit the necessary items for a beginner. After doing
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Hvae you got a battery charger that'll charge the lead acid batt in
> your field kit?

The kit includes both a 12V battery charger and a glow starter charger,
so that should take care of the chargers.

> >Mavrikk 239 6mm Start Shaft one-way Clamp On for Std Starter- $30
> >Mavrikk Ball Link Pliers - $18
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> through the blade holes, a couple collars that fit the wire and a
> couple of tall drinking glasses.

Thanks for the tip. Do yu happen to have a link that shows how to do
this in more detail?

> >Screwdrivers, needle nose, etc. are already in my toolbox.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Airtronics was - for lack of a more gentle term - disappointing. The
> JR6102 might be a good choice as well.

Thanks, I think I may go with the Futaba

> >>From what I have read, I would prefer a PCM, but will 7 channels be
> >enough to grow into? Also, I can get a PCM receiver later if I want to
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> help you out? Check out www.raptortechnique.com for build and setup
> hints. Might be a good place to ask these questions as well.

The hobby shop near where I currently am has raptor crash kits and
other parts. Between schooling and working, I move around so much
(every 3 months) that who is locally changes all the time. Thanks for
the link.

Reply to this Message

The OTHER Kevin in San Diego - 11 Jul 2006 08:03 GMT

>> Hvae you got a battery charger that'll charge the lead acid batt in
>> your field kit?
>>
>The kit includes both a 12V battery charger and a glow starter charger,
>so that should take care of the chargers.

Nice. I assume the radio with hav a wall-wart charger for the Tx and
rx batteries.

>> You can balance blades with a piece of piano wire sized to fit snugly
>> through the blade holes, a couple collars that fit the wire and a
>> couple of tall drinking glasses.
>>
>Thanks for the tip. Do yu happen to have a link that shows how to do
>this in more detail?

No, but basically, you secure a collar just slightly to one side of
center of your wire, stuff the wire through the blades then mash the
other collar snug up against the whole mess and secure it. lay the
whole assembly across the two drinking glasses and voila! The cheap
bastard blade balancer.

Check out Finless Bob's Tech Room over at www.helifreak.com and view
his blade balancing video. It'll show you how to find the CG and
quickly balance blades.

Many of his vids are heli specific, but you can learn a lot watching
them.

>> >Screwdrivers, needle nose, etc. are already in my toolbox.

Like Psyclic said, grab a pitch gauge. You're going to need one to
get the head set up properly.

>> Both are good radios - I prefer Futaba or JR as my one experience with
>> Airtronics was - for lack of a more gentle term - disappointing. The
>> JR6102 might be a good choice as well.
>>
>Thanks, I think I may go with the Futaba

What do folks in your area fly? Might be a good idea to fly what they
do so you have a bit of face to face support.

One thing I recently did with my Futaba 9C was buy a 2700 Mah battery
pack for it to replace the 700mah pack that came with it. Now I can
fly all weekend without a recharge. $50 or so from NOBS Batteries.
http://www.hangtimes.com/txpacks.html

>> >>From what I have read, I would prefer a PCM, but will 7 channels be
>> >enough to grow into? Also, I can get a PCM receiver later if I want to
>> >for the Airtonics, correct? Does anyone have any advice on the radio?

All my helis have 6 or 8 ch receivers. You only really need 6
channels.. Aileron, Elevator, Pitch, Throttle, "Rudder" (tailrotor)
and gyro gain.

>The hobby shop near where I currently am has raptor crash kits and
>other parts. Between schooling and working, I move around so much
>(every 3 months) that who is locally changes all the time. Thanks for
>the link.

Better get the thing, get it built and get the help you can get while
you can get it then. :)

Reply to this Message

Psyclic - 10 Jul 2006 19:05 GMT

Josh,

Sounds like a pretty nice setup. However I didn't notice a pitch gauge
in you list anywhere. You'll need one for setup.

This JR gauge is nice, and you can get it for less than posted here.
http://www.jrradios.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=JRP960326

.S.

> I am just beginning to get interested in model helicopters and needed
> some assistance wit the necessary items for a beginner. After doing
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Josh

Reply to this Message

Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / July 2006

Just beginning and need assistance/assurance about parts