Cheap transmitters for a group of middle schoolers

[haygood]

Hi. I'm doing an after school program that will have middle schoolers build their own FT22's. The budget is tight. The HobbyKing HK6s should do the trick, if they work.

Does anyone know if these are reliable or not? I have seen some videos on Youtube of people having them hooked up wrong and complaining they aren't working, and others showing units that are DoA. By the time we are ordering around ten of them, the price difference matters and a dud or two that we have to wait to return would be acceptable, if they get replaced, or probably even if they don't.

Range of 200yds would probably suit our flying area. 400 would let us use the city's flying field.

Does anyone have experience with these HK6s radios, specifically?

 

[Epitaph]

Hi

I think my first question would be "why the FT22?"... it's not a simple plane to fly and lots (if not all) of those middleschoolers won't have any experience in the air, so I'm not sure that's the best choice of plane to start them out with. Personally I would have opted for a miniscout or something like that, which has 3 channels so it's not much to have to think about, whilst prodding along slowly. Yes, I know the FT22 is also 3 channels, but the kids can get into a lot more trouble with a bank n' yank than with a stick n' rudder.

With that said, obviously you need a transmitter... or rather a series of transmitters. I've not heard bad things about the HK6, except that you have to program it via your computer, so make sure you get a USB dongle for setting them all up. Personally I would contact Hobbyking, try to get through to one of the people that actually understand the hobby, maybe even one of the presenters (if that's possible) to see if they can do you a special deal for buying bulk and the fact that it's for a school project... they should be able to understand that the more kids you rope in now, the more potential customers this move could bring them in the future.

Good luck with the project!!

 

[pressalltheknobs]

I have no opinion about the HK6s. The internal antenna is probably an advantage for middle school.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16239__HobbyKing_HK6S_2_4Ghz_FHSS_6Ch_Tx_Rx_Mode_2_.html
You might want to order a few spare receivers
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._HK6DF_6_Channel_2_4ghz_Channel_Receiver.html

Another HK option you may want to consider. I have seen some positive YouTubes on this.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._2_4ghz_Transmitter_and_Receiver_Mode_2_.html
You might want to order a few spare receivers
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24909__Turnigy_XR7000_Receiver_for_Turnigy_4X_6X_TX.html

I expect either of these will do what you want as far a range is concerned.

However I don't recommend either because they lack essential features that are useful for beginners and for setting up scratch built models eg switchable rates and expo, programmable servo sub-trim and endpoints. Model memory could be useful if the transmitters are shared between participants.

For my high school school group I am recommending the Turnigy/Flysky i6 that has all these things.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...HDS_Transmitter_and_6CH_Receiver_Mode_2_.html

It is more money but I feel the features are worth the addition cost.

For middle school maybe the simplicity of the HK6S is preferred over these features but I thought it worth pointing out

 

[pressalltheknobs]

....
With that said, obviously you need a transmitter... or rather a series of transmitters. I've not heard bad things about the HK6, except that you have to program it via your computer, so make sure you get a USB dongle for setting them all up. ....

you are confusing the HK-T6A
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9042__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_.html
for which you must order
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9043__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_USB_Cable.html


with the HK6S

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16239__HobbyKing_HK6S_2_4Ghz_FHSS_6Ch_Tx_Rx_Mode_2_.html

which is not programmable

 

[Maingear]

No experience with the HK radios, however I would recommend a late DX6ish TX for the trainer (for the memory and wireless training mode) and an etomic 2.4 DSM2 as a wireless buddy box(binds to trainer radio). Make a call out to the local RC club (or Craigslist) for the etomic radios and they should be free or $5. It gets dropped, who cares?

Bind the Etomic to the DX6 so the DX6 will make the connection to the craft. (etomic range is only 30 yards) Each aircraft can be bound to the DX6 and ready to fly. Just be sure the trim is set on the etomic so the student can have straight and level with hands off. Be sure throws are not reversed for etomic when setting control rods, it can not reverse throws, only adjust trim.
When I taught my son to fly, I was 20 feet away and only gave him rudder(via dx6 trainer setting screen). Another club member gave instruction.
My $.02

Justin

 

[Epitaph]

you are confusing the HK-T6A
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9042__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_.html
for which you must order
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9043__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_USB_Cable.html


with the HK6S

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16239__HobbyKing_HK6S_2_4Ghz_FHSS_6Ch_Tx_Rx_Mode_2_.html

which is not programmable

My bad... but considering the HK-T6A is cheaper still and the spare receivers are cheaper too as it uses the Flysky protocol... the HK6S doesn't appeal to me too much now I've seen it over.

 

[haygood]

I am planning on the TGY-i6, at this point. Thanks for the input. I will have a pair of wireless buddybox setups for the class to use.

I am also reconsidering the FT22. I think you all made some very valid points in favor of the Mini Speedster or Mini Scout. Those will probably cost very slightly less, be easier to fly, and possibly flyable indoors. Those are all good things.

 

[Epitaph]

The good thing about the mini speedster and scout is they can work with your typical miniquad motors and ESCs. This means you can get the cheap 1804 or 1806 motors that come in packs of 2 which work out a lot cheaper in "mass production" than the power setup of the FT22's. Don't worry if you get sets of 2 that are 1CW and 1CCW, as it doesn't matter which way the prop is turning really as long as you fit the right prop (well, the speedster would be better with standard CCW as the wings are different from left to right to compensate for the torque... if you fitted a CW you would have to reverse the sizes of the wings...). ESCs you can get cheap 10A ones that would work more than fine for them!!

There will be plenty of time later to make FT22's, and when you do, you won't need to buy transmitters, just receiver for them, so that would make that project cheaper too!!

 

[rcspaceflight]

I'm going to say No to the Hobby King T6A. Simply because you have to hook it up to a computer to make any changes once so ever to the Tx.

It does not have Expo. If you're perfectly okay with that, which should be fine with middle schoolers, then go with the 4 channel Hobby King Tx that has switches on it to reverse channels. You have to be careful that the students don't flip that channel 3 (throttle) switch for it will instantly go from no throttle to full throttle. But it will result in quickly changing the Tx to match the plane they are flying.

Yes, the 4 channel HK Tx does not allow mixing. But you can buy a Delta mixer that is just a small computer chip that costs around $5. To me it's a much better route to go.