Jumping back in

[The Inner Geek]

Hear my tale, offer me advise!
So about 8 years ago I got really interested in RC planes due to our pals at FliteTest. I built a tiny trainer and flew (crashed it) three times. The third time was a charm. I didn't intend to give up, just life got in the way and I never got the plane rebuilt.
At that time years ago, FliteTest was pretty hot on the Graupner. So I have a MZ-12 and ONE receiver for it. My goal was always to have one decent transmitter and run multiple planes/receivers.
Here is where I could use some advice.
Do I just suck it up and pay whatever people are asking for Graupner receivers, or bite the bullet and get a more compatible transmitter?
The Graupner tx/rx still both work, I'd probably just leave it in a plane as I can't imagine there is any market for 8 year old Graupner equipment.
But if my long term goal is multi plane, shouldn't I just do what I should have done 8 years ago and buy something "spectrum compatible"?
Any advice appreciated!
Side note: There isn't a Dollar Tree or Dollar General with white foam board in stock within a thousand miles of me. Is it just hard to find these days or am I just the unluckiest foam board seeker ever?

 

[Bricks]

My two cents for what it is worth. Spektrum easy to learn reliable great service easy to get help, I am a Spektrum guy. That being said I also have a Radiomaster TX16s running Edge open software with touch screen, huge learning curve for me not being a techy person I struggle a lot. One of the hardest things for me with OT ( Open Transmitter ) is there are many ways to do the same thing when it comes to programing, it does get frustrating at times. Watching videos one person does it this way and the next another way. Spektrum will do all OT does but simpler, the huge difference is that Radiomaster is multi-protocol you are not locked into a specific set of receivers from just one manufacturer.

 

[bisco]

i purchased a dx6 4 years ago when i began building after learning to fly on a few cheap rtf's.

if i were doing it all over, i would get one of these:

ref=asc_df_B07Z8VCB45

 

[Piotrsko]

Because my NEWEST hardware is 25 years old, I reccomend getting whatever is universal and interchangeable and cheap. Can't speak about open trans, my worries are FM or AM modulation. From what I dimly remember, graupner was a futaba copy so find someone and see if their futaba reciever works. Also Graupner is an european/british thing so look around for modeling clubs based there for reciever help

Edit: dollar stores have various options for foamboard, dollar tree and related sell adams ready board, some sell elmers posterboard which is 20% thicker and heavier, wallyworld has both sometimes. Micheals has some odd stuff and finally you can make your own from orangestore flooring underlayment, newspaper and wheat glue for posters.

 

[Egil]

I’d say keep the Graupner setup for now if it’s still working and look into getting a more versatile transmitter for future planes. Spectrum-compatible ones are pretty reliable and might save you some hassle in the long run. As for the foam board, it's definitely a challenge to find sometimes, maybe try online stores or different local hobby shops.