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Non profit youth group.... Radios and recievers

bigALUSMC

bigALUSMC

Member
#1
#1
Well we are getting ready to head up a youth group for boys and girls and would love to get them into building and flying.... like with anything these days.... it all boils down to cost. Looking for some insight for radios and receivers that will not break the bank and will give these kids something more in life than living life through TV or video games. Any thoughts or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Looking to do scratch builds from Flite Test.
 
M

mikeporterinmd

Still Learning
#2
#2
Don't forget servos. It is generally easier to pull a receiver and move to a different plane than a servo and four servos cost more than most receivers do.

Mike
 
rockyboy

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
#3
#3
The Turnigy and FlySky systems on HobbyKing work just fine for FT park flyers (I went through both of these radio on my way up to the awesomeness of the Taranis). From a transmitter perspective, it's really hard to beat the cost and functionality of these - $25 and $45 for radio/receiver combo, and additional receivers are between $6 and $12 each.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...Ch_Mini_Transmitter_and_Receiver_Mode_2_.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...HDS_Transmitter_and_6CH_Receiver_Mode_2_.html

The downside to these is HobbyKing international shipping and no compatibility with any of the BNF models you might run across or be able to get donated. The i6 model does have student/trainer support, but check the cable compatibility before planning to connect it to another radio model.


The other good option I see for you is the very cheap end of the Specktrum compatible DSM2 format. I have had great luck with the LemonRx receivers, and they are super cheap (around $6 each). http://www.lemon-rx.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=93 I have 10 of these now and haven't had a single issue.

These receivers will bind up to any DSM2 compatible transmitter, so there are lots of affordable radio options. For a radio with expo and dual rates you could go with the OrangeRx 6 channel much cheaper than any of the Spektrum brand transmitters

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...10_Model_Memory_and_3_Pos_Switch_Mode_2_.html

But the little Parkzone / Hobbyzone / eFlite MLP4DSM transmitters that come with everybody's Ready to Fly kits will work with Lemon receivers too - and lots of modelers have these just hanging around collecting dust. They are all over eBay for $20 or less - asking around for donations could get you a box of them quickly too. These don't have any expo or rates controls, but for starting out you can limit the rates with the servo linkage just fine.

http://www.eflightwiki.com/eflightwiki/index.php?title=Spektrum#MLP4DSM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E-Flite-Bla...959028?hash=item1eb020cef4:g:3mUAAOSwSclXK8BS

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ParkZone-PK...412790?hash=item2eeed4b436:g:sXkAAOSwRH5XJ7E2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E-flite-HP6...054161?hash=item43edd64fd1:g:9ooAAOSwY3RXJkm-


For an instructor radio, you could get any one of the cheaper Spektrum models with a trainer capability, and either bind the student radio right in if the big one supports wireless, or build one of these cheap modules for around $15 to turn a wired trainer port into a wireless one.

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...ios-without-native-wireless-trainer-functions

For a programmable instructor radio the cheapest option would be the OrangeRx I linked to above, but the wireless buddy box would need to be wired up slightly different to match it's cable connection.

The big advantage to staying with DSM2 signals with a youth group is the compatibility with 90% of the Bind and Fly market here in the US. Allows planes, receivers, and transmitters to more easily 'fall into your lap' and be used by students with the rest of your radio gear.
 
rockyboy

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
#5
#5
mikeporterinmd said:
Don't forget servos. It is generally easier to pull a receiver and move to a different plane than a servo and four servos cost more than most receivers do.

Mike
Click to expand...
Good point - there are usually some 'slow boat from china' ebay deals that get 9g and sometimes 5g servos down to a reasonable cost for foamy planes. Also keep an eye out for sales - I just picked up a box full last week from http://headsuphobby.com - they were having a sale on low end 9g servos for $2 each :)
 
Missionboots

Missionboots

Junior Member
#7
#7
Great idea BigAl, I wanted to do the same with my group but it's very hard in a not for profit organisation.
The other options I was thinking of looking into were simulators like Phoenix or Realflight that way those who seem interested could possibly step up to a real flight limiting the amount of planes required for a starter. Also a lot of companies love the idea of giving to a good cause (especially if they can use it to their advantage) so maybe a little email to a marketing dept or two might get you some freebies or at least a good discount :)

Best of luck and keep us informed as I'm really interested in how it all works out for you.
 
bigALUSMC

bigALUSMC

Member
#8
#8
will do. we are in the building stage of the non profit and hoping to be moving along next year. In the mean time I am learning how to fly and getting ready to get a few builds under my belt. Nothing better to be learning while you are teaching....lol.
 
FeWolf

FeWolf

New member
#9
#9
I have a few radios and other parts if you want them, the radios, I can not sent with battery.
Semper Fi from the Army guy, you can PM me.
 
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