Multiplex Radio and Servos

[adriaticsea]

[color=#000000]Hi everyone,

I'm about to buy the RC components for my ThorDesign Uss Permit, so I have a few questions about RC Gear]

[chuck chesney]

Hi Mauro,
I can't speak to

Hi Mauro,
I can't speak to your radio choice, but can speak a little about servos...they ARE NOT totally interchangeable. Some radios, like Hitec, Futaba and many others, shift the pulse toward the negative side of their pulse train. Others, like JR
and older Nautical Commanders,use a positive shift. The servos for one type won't work on the other, neither will some electronics.
I think that most radios now in use use a negative shift, so don't worry too much about it, just be aware that it's there.

I use a Hitec six channel FM, but also have an old Nautical Commander AM eight channel, and a Futaba four channel FM.

[witchblade]

The Radio is mostly used

[color=#000000]The Radio is mostly used by flyers (I use it for my helicopters). Most program functions are primairly for this use. There is a general mode but I think you're better off woth a Futaba F14. The multiplex radios can only handle small decoders for extra functions. And a Futaba is more usable for boat builders. Easier to maintain, better battery (with longer duration), better expansions (two sliders for two pston tanks is unbeatable). I know they are harder to get by in the US. Here in Europe they are almost standard.

GWS servo's are nice. Not the best. Work with most, if not all, modern radios.

Best choice (at least for a european, or lucky american)]

[wayne frey]

Congrads on the Permit!
Dave

Congrads on the Permit!
Dave Welsh has one of those Cockpit radios with the twin stick conversion. I have one also converted for a future project. I used Dave's at a Regatta and found it to be light weight, and fun to use. (Thanks again, Dave for letting me run that cool boat).
Paul Crozier has a Thor Permit. Beautiful boat and well behaved.
I would contact him on buildup questions. He will steer you right.
There is plenty of room in that hull for 'standard stuff '.Servos and the like.Those GWS servos are being used in the Type VII conversion frequently without trouble. Do pay attention to compatability.
To be honest, if you were to go with a simple Futuba 4 channel transmitter, receiver, and servos, you cannot go wrong.

[adriaticsea]

Hi Chuck and Danny,

thanks very

[color=#000000]Hi Chuck and Danny,

thanks very much for the infos...but now I got many doubts about what radio I have to pick! Infact, I don't need (for the moment) a radio with many switch channels, and would like not to spend too much.
About the F14]

[adriaticsea]

Wayne,

I was writing my reply

Wayne,

I was writing my reply when you posted yours...thanks for the congratulations, the lines of the Permit hull are simply beautiful and I think it will sail very well with my homebuilt RCABS WTC (I built it with no lathe and VERY basic materials...I plan to post a topic on my wtc build).
I look forward to hear Dave's comment on this thread.
BEST REGARDS MAURO

[witchblade]

Non-computer isn't that bad. A

Non-computer isn't that bad. A computer is an aid. It's to finetune the setup. Without it, you rely on your mechnical setup. Max travel can be set by the holes on the servohorn, midsettings is done by chaging the controlrodlengths with your links (there are treads on them so you can adjust them). A non-computerised setup mean you have to learn how to properly build and be precice. Like building the rest of the sub. It's not just putting it asp together and hope for the best.

Take also in account that a computerradio needs a lot more power and has a lot less operation time.

The Multiplex isn't bad at all. I use it for flying for 6 years now. You can use it to go boating. But you pay a lot for things you don't use.

Check around on this forum, there's been a lot of talk about radio's. Check Tower-hobbies for other brands and check your local store. If there is something wrong, you want it repaired, and fast.\

grtz.

Danny

[chuck chesney]

Just a thought about radio

Just a thought about radio requirements. I've been running submarines since the 1970's and R/C surface boats since the 1960's. For a sub, you can probably be very successful with a four or five channel radio, and for surface ships just ask yourself "what do I really need?". Save yourself money by getting something simple and reliable. Computer radios are nice, but you absolutley don't need them to run a model boat. Exotic radios will cost you a fortune, and as long as you try to keep your radio FM for saftey purposes, you can do very well with cheaper, non computer radios. I don't know what is available in Italia, but you can get good performance from less expensive radio equipment.

[bigdave]

Hi Mauro,
I have been

Hi Mauro,
I have been running a Multiplex Cockpit MM radio for around 5 years now. It has never had a problem and has worked flawlessly. It is true the Multiplex radios are not cheap but this is the only radio I need for all my boats and subs. Sure you do not need all the features and a less expensive radio will do fine. But I would not trade the ease of setup and multiple model memories for anything. If you can afford it I would go the the Computer radio. With the cost of some of these subs and boats, don't skimp on the radio. Just my two and 1/2 cents. BD.

Wayne my friend, You are welcome! Anytime!



Edited By Bigdave on 1131659243

[gotland]

Dear Mauro,

if You are from

[color=#000000]Dear Mauro,

if You are from Italy, I believe it could be possible to buy a radio in Germany cheaper. May be, we can help You out by buying the radio over here and send it to You.

I drove nearly all fabricates, Simprop (long ago, but very good), 2x F14 (very simple but reliable) 2x MPX 1010 (quite good and a very small transmitter, good in my hands), and (brand new) a Graupner MC19.

What I can tell You from over here]http://www.modellbau-city.de/[/url]

Markus is developing something like this too (better).

Today as a "state of the art" transmitter I would buy a MC19 transmitter. It's programmable with "full-text" and has a very good screened HF-module. But buy only the transmitter, not the complete set. The included receiver in the set is "not the best". For this a standard Futaba is better. they work good together.

AND]

[adriaticsea]

Hi Lothar,

thanks very much

Hi Lothar,

thanks very much for the clear and very complete informations
about Transmitters. If you didin't recognize me, I'm Mauro Malvezzi, the first and very proud italian member of Sonar e.V!!
I'd be very happy to have help from you in Germany to buy RC gear.
I plan to build bigger models with more functions using the dry-hull configuration, so a expandable radio would be very good.
I saw the MC19 and I must say I'm impressed...what a beautiful radio!! I like the programming possibilites and the MANY aftermarket switchmodules, but it's quite expensive...at least 500 euros in Italy and not so easy to find. Have you got any good online stores where I can have a look at better prices?
Considering that I'm a beginner...what would be your advice for "the best radio to start in RC submarines" considering how you build them in Germany?
Pult-transmitter is "Radio a pulpito" in italian and I know very well what they are...I like them very much (I once tried it from a friend) because I think the driving is much more comfortable than "thumbs on" radios
Thanks again,
BEST REGARDS MAURO

[gotland]

Well Mauro,

be sure my eyes

Well Mauro,

be sure my eyes are on You I recognized who asked this over here. I believe For You would be the cheaper alternative the FC16 from Futaba. Can get it germany about 180-280 Euros. The MC19 starts at 280 up to 450.

will send You some links.

Lothar

[adriaticsea]

Hi Lothar,

thanks for the ultra

Hi Lothar,

thanks for the ultra quick reply!! 280 euros for MC19 tx only wouldn't be so bad, considering that I' d be going to use GWS servos and J-Tronik receivers that I can easily found here at a good price...450 euros is far too much! Why this difference?
About the FC16...does Manni thinks it's really so difficult to program?
Thanks in advance for the links,
BEST REGARDS MAURO