Im new to flying. But old to the RC world.

[Robbutler1977]

I'll start by introducing my self. My name is Robert and I'm 38. I'm a dissabled Vet. I served in the army for the last 10 years. My back and hips are all messed up so I needed to get into a hobby. Ever since I was 6 and went to see my parents friends fly I was in awe. They had these 6' planes and it was so cool to see them fly. They would go up so hi that u could not even see them anymore! Then for them to come back and land them. Wow. But I never had the money back then. Just a basic Rx and Tx was over 300$ And the plane was 200 for a basic one. So when I got out of high school I bought 2 RC cars from my boss. One was gas and one was electric. Both complete and a small tackle box of tools and part all for 150$ I get the electric one all ready to go. I plaid with it about 7 minutes before I hit the curb and broke the carbon fiber frame in 3 peiceses. And the gas one over heated. So it needed a new motor. I tinkered with them for 4 years. When I got station in Korea I started flying RC helicopters 2 channel then 3 channel the 4 channel. I should have stopped there. But no, I thought I was ready for the 6 channel 3D. So I got me a honey bee king 3. Yeah that didn't go well at all. I got it off the ground and I started forward and tried to correct it and pulled back and we'll when it got the ground. It cost me 150$ to get it out back together right. I think I never got the controls and gyro set up right. I still have it. Now that I can't run and only walk about 100 yards tell it hurts to bad I bought RC trucks to play with the dogs to get them tired out quick. At first they didn't like them. But after getting use to the noise it just takes one tank of gas and they are dog tired. So I seen some of the experimental airline builds and thought that is what I'll do. Make some Armon wing planes. My first one ended up looking terrible. But I was convinced that it would fly. Well I used the radio and receiver from my heli. But as you probably guesed, I found out they opperated very different. I learn a Lot about my heli esc and motor that I didn't know while it was in the heli. So a passer by seen me messing with my RC trucks and wanted to sell me some RC stuff he didn't want anymore. He had 2 full parts trucks for mine with blown engines and the radios. Also an old RC plane with 4 old radios. All FM radios and only one works. Well the 2 channel might have worked But I didn't take the time to check it. But I thought I would fly fixed wing now. (besides the RC trucks for my dogs. I know they are going to love the RC planes also) Once again I tried to buy some used stuff to start out. I learned a Lot about flying RC planes from trying to get that stuff working. Now I'm starting to buy some stuff to get on the right foot. But even at that I'm learning quick that there are so many different radios, and receivers, servos, engines, morots, esc, batteries, connectors, ........ That I want to join up with you guys at flite test and see if I can get some help in the right direction. I will welome any and all input I can get. And would like to come to one of the anual flite test meets some day soon.

 

[m00ndancer]

Welcome to the forums Robbutler1977! Just ask away and there will be someone here to help you out. We are a friendly bunch!

First and foremost what is your budget? Do you want to build it your self? What plane do you want to fly?

 

[Robbutler1977]

Welcome to the forums Robbutler1977! Just ask away and there will be someone here to help you out. We are a friendly bunch!

First and foremost what is your budget? Do you want to build it your self? What plane do you want to fly?

Yes I started off with the horizon champ. But it only goes 50 feet away before looking signal. And it's under powered and doesn't like the wind. I bought a smoking deal. I went into the local RC shop and asked if he had any good starter planes. He showed me the 300$ one that returns on its own and lands it's self. Then he said one of his customers dropped off a plane that he started to build but didn't finish and didn't have time for. He said he would sell it to me for 100$ he had not even checked it out to see what was in it. It was a sport 40 with a cheep radion, servoes, .40 gas motor, hobby knife kit, glue, big battery charger. Everything I needed but fuel and fuel pump. I finished building it. The guy had just put the landing gear on the wings and messed up one of the wheel covers. I just didn't use the wheel covers. But I'm to afraid to just crash it. Such a good deal. So I bought the hobby king slow stick. It worked good for about 4 runs but the battery they suggested for it was way to week and only lasted e minutes. So I got a bigger battery. Then the running gear fell off. I ordered that. Then I finnaly took it up again and the push rid for the tail bound. It did about 10 circles and hit a building. As I tried to bring it down it would come down toward me and back up away from me. I did buy a orange radio. For the price it seems good. But I have a great holder radio, that used one I got. Its a JR XP6102 has the 'M crystals. But I only have one set of crystals and one receiver. That's why I got the Orange. With 3 receivers. And so I can get bind and fly. I was wondering if DSM2 Will work with DSMX? I also built a plane crime 3.5 dollar tree foam board. I forgot to check the cg side to side. It took off nicely. Yeah I think I'm going to buy one of the FT speed build kits next month and make about 5 coppies. I'm just not sure which one to get. We have a lot of wind down here in Texas. No moutans. But in a couple months I'm moving to Sioux falls SD. I think there would be better for RC planes anyway. Yeah my budget is really low right now. Not to many places want to hire a Vet that can't stand for 10 min or walk that fare and is on so many pain meds that makes me kind of spacey. I guess if it gets to windy I could make some gliders and fly them like kites!!! Lol make sure Josh doesn't steal my idea!

 

[m00ndancer]

The OrangeRx TX only works with DSM2. But you seem to have a lot of stuff around you. You could probably get the FT Explorer speed kit and possibly salvage the electronics from the slow stick. Fly, crash and rebuild until you feel that you can go for the sport 40. (even convert it to electric, but that's expensive.)

You could also get a flysky / Turnigy i6 radio combos. Great starter radios with a good receiver, different system than the DSM2/X but really great range.

 

[Robbutler1977]

The OrangeRx TX only works with DSM2. But you seem to have a lot of stuff around you. You could probably get the FT Explorer speed kit and possibly salvage the electronics from the slow stick. Fly, crash and rebuild until you feel that you can go for the sport 40. (even convert it to electric, but that's expensive.)

You could also get a flysky / Turnigy i6 radio combos. Great starter radios with a good receiver, different system than the DSM2/X but really great range.

I already fixed up the slow stick. And yeah I think the explorer is the perfect choice. I'll probably order one next month. As far as that turnigy i6 radio, would you send me a link to it. I see one on hobby king but the mode 2 is back order. And I do a search for it and all these refreshed ones come up. I'm not to sure if that's a good thing or not.
What if Josh did put out a line of kites for little ones to play with? And in California there are so many people that fly kites! Then they could work there way into the RC stuff. I did see where he did the gliders at the school. Something like that with kites maybe at the boys and girls club or something. Thanks for your input.

 

[m00ndancer]

As far as that turnigy i6 radio, would you send me a link to it. I see one on hobby king but the mode 2 is back order. And I do a search for it and all these refreshed ones come up. I'm not to sure if that's a good thing or not.

The Flysky FS-i6 is the original transmitter , you can get it from banggood.com only US$50 including shipping. But it will take 7-20 business days.

 

[Robbutler1977]

There is one more thing on my mind. The bind plug. It says to remove it every time after binding. For me I just leave it in. Once it beeps at me I'm good to go. But I never see them take it out here on flite test ether. Just wondering.

 

[m00ndancer]

There is one more thing on my mind. The bind plug. It says to remove it every time after binding. For me I just leave it in. Once it beeps at me I'm good to go. But I never see them take it out here on flite test ether. Just wondering.

this is how you do it:

attach bind plug
power up receiver
should be blinking
put transmitter in bind mode
when the RX (receiver) has solid light power off the RX
remove bind plug

Never fly with bind plug, some other TX(transmitter) might interfere and try to bind!

 

[pressalltheknobs]

You should take the bind plug out or the receiver will stay in bind mode or at least go into bind mode the next time you power it on. That means the next time you power it on it will need to re-bind and since you may not be expecting it, it may bind to the first TX it sees trying to bind which may not be your TX. Also if it temporarily looses power in flight it will restart in bind mode rather than back to normal and you will crash.

Not sure about the Orange but I think it supports model match which allows you to bind a receiver to a particular model so you don't accidentally start up the wrong one. I'm unclear how you share a receiver between models but I'm pretty sure it doesn't involve leaving the bind plug in.

On the i6, it is a good value but since you already have the Orange T-SIX I don't think it gets you much more. It may have more reliable range so could be worth considering if that is a current problem you have.

IMO you should save your pennies for something better. A Spektrum DX6 if you like Spektrum BNF planes and the convenience of the LHS - you already have made a small commitment in that direction... or perhaps a Taranis Plus if you are not so set on Spektrum BNF, more technically inclined and like building your own planes. You can buy those used for $150 to $180. With those you get useful telemetry with voice alerts among many other things. The i6 has limited telemetry but no voice alerts so it is much less useful.

Although the Orange T-SIX is a DSM2 radio and will only work in DSM2 mode, most DSMX receivers sold in the US can talk both DSM2 and DSMX so you should be able to use them with the Orange. If you get a DSMX TX like the DX6 later you should be able to use them in DSMX mode.

 

[Robbutler1977]

%thanks on clearing up the bind plug. For some reason when I first bound it then turned it of and then back on it had an error. But I went there all the steps again with all my receivers and they work fine now. Thanks.

 

[Robbutler1977]

The awesome deal I got that included everything and I called it a sport 40. This is the plane sport sporster 40. Plus a O.S. .40 gas engine and cheap radio with receiver and servos. http://www.activepowersports.com/gr...i2G7tZyPOOrPPn_r0xg_mOFxdFDNuXov1thoCKqPw_wcB I hope this link works. All of that for 100$ not tax(used someone already paid the tax. ) even though it was second hand. It had never be÷n flown. Or built for that matter. He just started putting on the landing gear and messed up and quit. So I got 300+ dollars of stuff for 100$ lol I just don't want to crash such a great deal.

 

[Robbutler1977]

on the Radio side of things. does anyone still use the old FM Radios? my JR I think is still a really nice radio and mixes well. I had it all set up with that slow stick that when I pushed to stick to the side it would role and pitch up and turn all at the same time and made it so easy to fly. maybe to easy. I haven't played with this Orange Radio that much to see how the mixing is. I think I still am going to use that radio for my FT build planes until I fly with a group of people. and I might look into a better radio or pass the Orange down to my Daughter. she wants to fly the FT nutball. but I think I will convert it over to the pusher for her. she likes flying that neon one on they simulator at night. its really surprising that she does really well with it. she tried the champ and didn't do well. I think maybe because it was under powered. will see soon. I downloaded the plans and just need to get the power pack. wish us luck.

 

[pressalltheknobs]

Some people still fly FM and sine its few its easier than it used to be since there's rarely a need to switch crystals.

If you have a transmitter you like you can also do a DIY upgrade to 2.4GHz.

There's this FrSky...
https://alofthobbies.com/frsky-dht-diy-telemetry-module.html

Flitetest did a video a while back...
http://flitetest.com/articles/diy-2-4ghz-radio-upgrade/

It will only work with V and D series FrySky receivers but there is quite a good selection.
https://alofthobbies.com/radio-gear/frsky-non-telemetry.html
https://alofthobbies.com/radio-gear/frsky-telemetry-system/d-series-receivers.html

It says it's a telemetry module but I'm not entirely clear how you hook that up. It seems the D series Telemetry LCD screen is no longer available so telemetry may not be practical with this module any more unless there is another solution. I read somewhere about using a blue tooth connector and using an app on an android phone...

There is also a similar Orange DSMX/DSM2 module if you want Spektrum compatibility
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...Compatible_2_4GHz_DIY_Transmitter_Module.html

However it's on backorder and I was not particularly pleased with the Orange JR module I bought. I think the FrSky will perform better if you are not set on Spektrum compatibility.

 

[Captain Mouser]

New to flying, but old to the RC world. How’s that? You mean if I actually flew one of these rc airplanes before? I’m 0-2 on flights. 3rd attempt. Started at 17 and older now. Hopefully I’ll get it. I remember the Race cars they sold at Radio Shack. Cord connected or cordless via RC. When I was really young. Now it’s RC airplanes. My parents bought it as is, when i was at a young age on the rc race cars. Now I like RC airplanes.

 

[Piotrsko]

Easey peasey. Being new to FLYING, old to rc: RC tanks, cars, boats. Tanks used to be a fav of mine, along with 049 powered boats where I could chase ducks at Alondra park in Smell-A until the game warden told me to stop harassing the ducks. Not flying but rc controlled. Ever see a throttled 049 with the throttle on the exhaust?

I use ALL my old stuff, no interference ever anywhere (well xcept next to the cell tower) oldest radio is 1968, newest is 1999