what radio?

[chinslip]

Hello people

I'm new to the hobby and would like to know what radio you're all using. I'll be building a 1/6 T6 in the near future with a gas engine (zen or RCMK) and trying to get as much info as possible. There are so many choices that I don't know where to start. AM or FM? Do I need a bigger servo for the rudder? How about the throttle? Do bigger servos just plug in?

Thanks

Norm

 

[MrUnlimited]

Norm,

I have a RCMK R254 fitted in a 1/8 hull and I use for my rudder a 15kg servo. That is enough but if you go larger it would be wise to use a 25kg large scale servo.

As for your radio: AM or FM is old fashioned. We use 2.4ghz now. I use mtself an Airtronics/Sanwa M11 2.4ghz but there are budget clones of the Airtronics MX3 with 2.4GHZ like this one.

 

[FloridaScaleBoater]

Hello people

I'm new to the hobby and would like to know what radio you're all using. I'll be building a 1/6 T6 in the near future with a gas engine (zen or RCMK) and trying to get as much info as possible. There are so many choices that I don't know where to start. AM or FM? Do I need a bigger servo for the rudder? How about the throttle? Do bigger servos just plug in?

Thanks

Norm

I would not use anything AM,, Don't know why, but most gas boat drivers use PCM radio's

These are all from the for sale section, here on IW

http://www.intlwaters.com/index.php?showtopic=43785

http://www.intlwaters.com/index.php?showtopic=43633

 

[Joe Wiebelhaus]

Hello people

I'm new to the hobby and would like to know what radio you're all using. I'll be building a 1/6 T6 in the near future with a gas engine (zen or RCMK) and trying to get as much info as possible. There are so many choices that I don't know where to start. AM or FM? Do I need a bigger servo for the rudder? How about the throttle? Do bigger servos just plug in?

Thanks

Norm

Norm,

Mike Shindler mentioned a Futaba radio in a past post, Futaba 4PL- 2.4ghz FHSS series, I did some research on line, when I upgrade, it will be this radio.

http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk1400.html

PCM ONLY or 2.4 with a gas boat, I had a standard 27mhz FM system fail on a gas powered hull......not good.

 

[Grimracer]

Norm,

Please consider using a 2.4g radio, its as much a safety thing as anything else. No chance of any other radios front ending your frequency.

If you think you might want to use a two stick then this one is very good

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSNN8&P=7

Or if you like a pistol grip this might be one for ya

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXXRL8&P=ML

Either way you will get Futaba Quality and dependability!

As for a servo on the rudder.. if you got the room the bigger the better.

Grim

 

[dschigoda]

Norm,

I have a RCMK R254 fitted in a 1/8 hull and I use for my rudder a 15kg servo. That is enough but if you go larger it would be wise to use a 25kg large scale servo.

As for your radio: AM or FM is old fashioned. We use 2.4ghz now. I use mtself an Airtronics/Sanwa M11 2.4ghz but there are budget clones of the Airtronics MX3 with 2.4GHZ like this one.

For heat racing r/c boats, does the $31 clone radio work as well as the $180 Futaba??? (both are 2.4 GHZ)

 

[Don Ferrette]

Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra on a Futaba FASST 2.4, flat out the VERY BEST 2.4 system for marine applications. If you can swing it the PK series radios totally rock the house (love my 4PK) but the 3PM-X can get you in FASST technology for under two bills- http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXXRL8&P=SM Tower also has a $20 off on purchases over $149 so you can get into the 3PM-X for $160 plus shipping, THAT is a pretty darn good deal.

As for the rudder servo there is no such thing as too much power on the bigger boats. Like Mike Z. said if you got the room the bigger the better! B)

 

[Andy Greene]

Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra on a Futaba FASST 2.4, flat out the VERY BEST 2.4 system for marine applications. If you can swing it the PK series radios totally rock the house (love my 4PK) but the 3PM-X can get you in FASST technology for under two bills- http://www3.towerhob...?&I=LXXRL8&P=SM Tower also has a $20 off on purchases over $149 so you can get into the 3PM-X for $160 plus shipping, THAT is a pretty darn good deal.

As for the rudder servo there is no such thing as too much power on the bigger boats. Like Mike Z. said if you got the room the bigger the better! B)

Agreed, I got mine at the end of last year and love it.

The radio is really the last place you want to skimp.

Andy

 

[chinslip]

Mr unlimited...do you mean 25grams or 25kg. Because 25 kg is 60 lbs!! How big should my throttle servo be??

thx

Norm

 

[SayMikey]

Mr unlimited...do you mean 25grams or 25kg. Because 25 kg is 60 lbs!! How big should my throttle servo be??

thx

Norm

Do a standard servo for throttle and a 1/4 scale servo for rudder.... And buy a new radio just for peace of mind

 

[chinslip]

Well I bought a 3PM X...now I need battery packs. Again this is where I depend on your help. Which one do I buy? 4.8V or 6V? Is it as easy as adding up all the volts on the batteries? I also need a charger. Does everything need to be Futaba?

Thanks again

Norm

 

[Don Ferrette]

Well I bought a 3PM X...now I need battery packs. Again this is where I depend on your help. Which one do I buy? 4.8V or 6V? Is it as easy as adding up all the volts on the batteries? I also need a charger. Does everything need to be Futaba?

Thanks again

Norm

Always 6 volt with 2.4. I personally prefer a stout nicad or nihm pack with no less than 2000mah. I have been getting my packs from Batteries America for years- http://www.batteriesamerica.com/newpage8.htm

Excellent quality cells, fast service and good prices. You made a good choice going with the 3PM-X.

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Batteries are another area where bigger(6 volts and AH capacity) is better. A bigger servo will draw more juice so having a bigger "pitcher" means more run time before needing a recharge. The only drawback to using a bigger battery pack it that the normally supplied "wall wart" charger usually won't charge the 6 volt pack

 

[Bill Brandt]

OK, I guess I'm asking for it but I disagree on Futaba as the best. If you're going to spend the money there is no better than the Airtronics M11X, IMHO. Did I say it right? LOL, yes I did! There is no better than the M11X..

I JUST HAD TO SAY IT.

Bill

lol

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Nothing wrong with a different opinion, Bill. That's the reason I didn't recommend a radio, I use a Futaba 9CAP

 

[mark couty]

I run both gas and nitro, I personally use the Futaba FASST 2.4 GHZ 3PM. I love it, and 6 volt 2500 mah nimh battery packs.

 

[chinslip]

The reason I was asking was...I don't know if the battery plugins are all the same? Can I mix different brands radio/battery?

THX

norm

 

[LarryConrad]

Futaba 2.4 FASST . Pick the transmitter you like the best out of the many that Futaba has available. Not that it matters to anyone but me, but I use a 3PKS.

 

[robertpickard]

I went 2.4 last year with a 3pmx i love it

 

[mark couty]

The reason I was asking was...I don't know if the battery plugins are all the same? Can I mix different brands radio/battery?

THX

norm

I am using a Venom 2500 mah battery pack for my receiver, plugs right in to Futaba receiver.