Radio discussion

[Bill Gibson]

I actually have a new Futaba 3Psomething...
I bought it here on IW, just on a whim..

Feels cheap in the hand compared to the older radios, I played with it on the bench trying to figure out how the third channel works to run a needle valve proportionally, and then put all back in the box.

I guess it would be ok for a two channel gas boat...not sure I like the arrangement of the buttons for the third channel, I really like the knob on my current radios...

 

[Bill Gibson]

Frank ive got a 4PLS and a 3PV.......i dont think the 4PLS is being offered anymore, but they are both really good radios...ive used them both on FE and nitro boats and have had no problems.
the only issues ive had is with programming which is no fault of the radio.....its operator error as i constantly manage to unlink the model when i make a model change and it drives me nuts! The older radios are much easier to operate in that respect.....but im sure that i will get the hang of it in time!

 

[Mike Hughes]

The 3PK is (was) an AWESOME radio.. When the 3PK came out I was driving for Airtronics.. VERY comparable. Both SOLID! Loved em!

I remember the first time I drove a 4PK.. it was like WHOW.. (say it like Lando Calrissian) .....what have we here!...

Grim

My radio of choice now is the 4PK. I have one I race with and one in storage. Awesome radios.
Mike

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Frank ive got a 4PLS and a 3PV.......i dont think the 4PLS is being offered anymore, but they are both really good radios...ive used them both on FE and nitro boats and have had no problems.
the only issues ive had is with programming which is no fault of the radio.....its operator error as i constantly manage to unlink the model when i make a model change and it drives me nuts! The older radios are much easier to operate in that respect.....but im sure that i will get the hang of it in time!

Bill, the 4PLS hasn't been available for at least three years, IIRC. It was dropped right after the 7PX(?) became available.

 

[John Beardslee]

Here’s Mike’s “ Grim Racer” latest how to video on the Futaba 7 pxr radio. I took a few minutes today and added pictures to my model selection. Worked perfect as instructed.
Thank you Mike! This could save a few of us launching a boat with the wrong model on the transmitter.

 

[Grimracer]

Thanks buddy.. your right.. its a huge help!

Grim

 

[Wasted wages]

My radio of choice now is the 4PK. I have one I race with and one in storage. Awesome radios.
Mike

Well, it looks like I'm coming over to the 2.4 dark side kicking and screaming, but thru one of my trusted friends here on I/W, I just picked up a nice deal on a 4PK with a Futaba case and about 10 receivers.

He is upgrading his current radio for a new one, so this one became available. He told me the battery he uses for the transmitter is a lipo or life ( can't remember) but he says it lasts forever on a charge...

Hopefully this will serve me well, but I still will use my magnum PCM radios for as long as IMPBA allows them.

Grim, all of the new 2.4 radios,, is there a designation between surface and flying radios anymore? If so what is the difference?
I see people using (for instance) a 7C
radio for a boat, but isn't that designated as a flying radio? If there is no longer a designated difference due to 2.4,, does that mean I can use my 4PK transmitter to go fly a plane (not that I would ) ?

 

[John Beardslee]

As long as it’s 2.4 you can use it for what ever you want.

 

[Grimracer]

Thats right... they all have the same power output.. surface or air. There are no "Rules" to the Frq anymore!

Grim

 

[sbowden21]

Lots of Jargin here.... thats all....

 

[Mike Cathey]

OK... let me start by saying it really bothers me to even have to make this post, but being that NAMBA is going to DSM and I'm sure IMPBA will soon be following suite,,, it's just a matter of time until crystal radios will no longer be legal to race with.

I still think that crystal radios work fine, and I will continue to use mine for as long as possible.
But I also feel like it's not safe or fair to others when we all spend big money on our boats to race, and a radio failure or interference could wipe out another person's boat.

So, time has come for me to get some new radio gear. Typically, I wouldn't even question it and go straight to Futaba.

But, I would like to hear some other points of view on what others are using...I'm not interested in telemetry or all the bells and whistles, 7 channels, stick radios, etc.
4 channels tops... No Amazon garbage.

So what's everyone using for DSM ?

I recently went with a Sanwa/Aitronics transmitter and also waterproof receiver and servos. I like the way the features work on the transmitter and it makes the radio install much easier and way faster. I did place the receiver in a small Tupperware container and cut a thin slot in the side to put 6” servo extensions and then hot glued them inside and out of the container to waterproof the container. I also drilled a hole in the Tupperware lid and installed a typical radio box piece with a tube to get the antenna out. All the servo/battery connections are well packed with dielectric grease. One of the nice things about this type of set up is the elimination of the most common cause of radio failure that I have seen, the switch. The battery just gets plugged directly into the receiver via the servo extension.

 

[DON MAHER]

I think you meant to say receiver…

 

[Wasted wages]

Lots of Jargin here.... thats all....

???????
Care to expand on this??

 

[Mike Cathey]

Yeah that would be a big Tupperware container.

 

[sbowden21]

???????
Care to expand on this??

My reply would not be conducive to your post on this thread like many others above lol. I replied on different thread that I had not seen, after digging on the search bar here after reading some comments on this thread. Sorry my first reply was not directed to you or anyone specific really...

 

[Duck899]

FUTABA and only futaba, currently and for the last 10 years at least, futaba 7C stick radios for boats, aircraft and gliders. I use the receivers with dual antennas and they stay in the box, no need for goofy little tubes sticking up. I have 6 transmitters and each will handle 10 models. 2.4 is the way to go for me.

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Thats right... they all have the same power output.. surface or air. There are no "Rules" to the Frq anymore!

Grim

You sure about that, Grim?
IIRC, the frequency rules still apply to 27, 50, 72 and 75MHZ. AFAIK, only 2.4GHz is exempt.

 

[John Beardslee]

FUTABA and only futaba, currently and for the last 10 years at least, futaba 7C stick radios for boats, aircraft and gliders. I use the receivers with dual antennas and they stay in the box, no need for goofy little tubes sticking up. I have 6 transmitters and each will handle 10 models. 2.4 is the way to go for me.

In my opinion, it’s this kind of information that leads to boats out of control and 2.4 being blamed. 2.4 is line of sight technology, your antenna should always be outside the box and the 3/4” coax tip should be a minimum of 2” from any conductors. If you have your antenna inside a radio box, I challenge you to do a radio check. I’m pretty sure you’ll have a significant shorter range. Just my 2 cents.
John

 

[Grimracer]

You sure about that, Grim?
IIRC, the frequency rules still apply to 27, 50, 72 and 75MHZ. AFAIK, only 2.4GHz is exempt.

yep.. they are all the same.. 18MZ to 4PM.. all the same (I am talking 2.4 here and FUTABA)

Grim

 

[SayMikey]

I have a 10px and have had EVERYTHING before 7px,4px,4pk,3pk and so on and so on. In my opinion the 7px is the best bang for the buck with current receiver availability. The 10 has way more knobs and such than we use