Good TX for Heli flight

[Bugg77]

I was wondering what the community would recommend for my first Heli TX. So far I'm comparing between the Airtronics RD6000 Super and the HiTec Eclipse 7.

Should I be focusing on PCM TX's or will I be okay with the standard TX types?

Can someone give me their input on which of these two controllers would be a better fit for helis? If you have something else to recommend, I'd like to hear that too.

Thanks

[MikeV]

As a general rule for all RC platforms it's always a good idea to go with the best radio you can afford. This is the one item that you will probably keep the longest. Helicopters will crash and will get replaced, your radio will remain. Typically as the channels go up so do the features, mixing, model memory, etc. PCM is typically a crisper signal with less chance of interference. We've got a couple radio guides planned for the coming year. Keep an eye out.

Mike

[Fasrc]

I second Mike's response....The better your radio the more feature you'll have.

If cost is a factor, than either one of those radios you mentioned is a good starter radio.

[darkfa8]

The Futaba 7CH and 9CH transmitters can transmit in FM or PCM. For a heli, the only advantage of PCM is that you can set a failsafe mode where the servos will all goto if the radio reception is lost.

This is a iffy issue since if you're not controlling the heli and you don't have any sort of flight stabilization system (Co-Pilot), then the heli is on it's way to a crash.

So, FM is fine. The 7CHF/9CHF setups come with a Rx that receives only FM, whereas the 7CHP/9CHP come with PCM capable receivers, hence, they're more expensive.

I'm not as familiar with the HiTec line, but to do with the Airtronics, I found their computer menus to not be as intuitive right off the bat as the JR or Futaba systems.

Either way, get a good quality radio, save your pennies if you must, it'll be worth it in the end.

[vroom]

Airtronics or HiTec? I haven't met many people that use either of those for helis! Futaba or JR is the way to go and get at least a 7 channel. I have the Futaba 7CHP and use it to control my HyperRaptor 50, My Century Airwolf, My two T-rex 450s, and can still add many more models using just one controller.
JR seems great and alot of pros use JR, But I think Futaba is the best Bang-for-the Buck. You get more features for less money.

[darkfa8]

Alan Szabo and his brother Danny use Airtronics Stylus radios. Ever hear of them?

Hitec brand has good offerings for a bit less money then the "big-3" (JR, Futaba, Airtronics) for the Hitec, their Optic 6 or Eclipse 7 are respectable choices.


MikeV

PCM is typically a crisper signal with less chance of interference.


This really is a misnomer in this context. There has been no documented evidence that PCM signal transmission for the use of radio control helicopters has provided any discernable "crisper signal" then a FM signal. The majority of helicopter capable transmitters can transmit in PCM mode. The receiver model delineates whether a FM or PCM signal will be received.

The PCM transmission has a cleaner waveform then FM, but in the rc helicopter application the benefits aren't discernable in real life.

Since there is a high mix of pilots flying both FM and PCM frequencies, the odds for interference remain the same. Typical sources of interference are the obvious shoot-down by another pilot turning on his radio on the same frequency and power lines.

The actual advantage of a full PCM radio system (PCM transmission/reception) is that it allows for a fail-safe setup to be initialized if the receiver's reception drops out (Tx battery dies, another pilot turns on at the same freq., etc.). This allows you, in the case of a rc heli to set a pre-determined position for each servo. Typically most pilots will set it so the engine drops to idle and the cyclic servos center and collective drops to 0* or -1* for a slow decent. However, this ONLY will potentially save your heli from splattering into the ground IF the heli is in a upright position at the time when the drop-out occurs. Otherwise, the heli is just going to fall like a rock.

The REAL advantage of PCM is for airplanes. When drop-out occurs the fail-safe switches on and the plane has a more possible chance of gliding in. Obviously, helis do not glide in any way shape or form.

So, in short, if you see a radio you like, it's feel and features appeal to you and they don't offer it in a FM version, then buy the PCM version. Otherwise, the FM variants are comparatively less expensive, perfectly and apropriately suited for rc helicopters.

[Cape Cod Copterguy]

Please don't forget that failsafe isn't just for your heli's preservance it also protects you and others from a potential high speed/ high rev runaway model.
I have seen first hand what happens to a heli when it loses signal control during idle up flight mode. Heli's can do alot of damage when revved up and flying with no control.
After seeing what can happen without failsafe I no longer fly without PCM failsafe.
Not to tell others how to do your thing I just had to mention this so you can make a better
decision.
Thanks and happy flying!!
David

[ErichF]

This is the minimum radio I would suggest:

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=FUT7CHP
http://www.ronlund.com/Images2/misc/fut7chp.jpg

I personally made the switch to JR recently, after being a Futaba customer for nearly 20 years. I went with the 9303. It actually has more features than the 10X :eek:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=JRP9251**
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/JRP/450/jrp9251-450.jpg

For a suggestion from JR, try this one:

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=JRP6102&Category_Code=JRTX
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/JRP/450/jrp6664-450.jpg

You may run into trouble with a 6 channel in the future, though. You will want a 7th channel for a governor.

In that case, you'll need an 8103 at minimum.

My vote, is what I got...9303.