Conference vmszoo::rc

    This seemed like the appropriate place to put this question.
    
    I have now acquired two Airtronics 6 channel FM radios and accessories
    which are installed in the two planes I fly.  I am now in the process
    of building aircraft number 3, 4, and 5.  I will very shortly need
    flight packs for these three planes, leading to my quandry.  Should I
    buy new Airtronics Tx/Rx combos for each plane, or just buy one of the 
    more popular flight packs such as RCD is advertising, and use my
    existing Tx's?  It seems to me that Airtronics has priced their
    Vanguard VG6DR FM kit at just the right price so that I am incented to
    purchase one complete kit per plane.  But gosh, I just don't see the
    reason to have all those radios hanging around with batteries in each
    one to keep charged.  The problem is that by the time I pay RCD $70 for
    their Rx module, $50 for the 4-servo Sportpack, then about $15-20 for a
    battery, plus a few bucks for the battery connector, I'm up to about
    $145, and for $160 I can get a complete 6-channel package which
    includes Tx from Tower!  What's a body to do??????  Such a tough
    decision.
    
    I know there are some reasons to look at both approaches, but I'm
    interested in how other noters have approached this dilemma, and what are
    the possible combinations of solutions that attempt to balance all the
    factors like having some minimun number of Tx's to cover some number of
    flyable aircraft, etc, etc.  Another related question is whether it
    makes sense to operate all planes on a different frequency, all on the
    same frequency, or some other combination?
    
    BTW, from everything I've heard and read, the RCD stuff is TOPS and
    really does perform well.  Does anyone have any direct experience with
    their recievers and servos, and if so, what do you think?  Also, what
    batteries did you choose to compliment the flight pack?  Are their Pro
    servos worth the extra $10 per 4, or is the Sport version sufficient
    for regular sport flying?
    
    Springs here and I'm dying to get airborne again SOON.
    
    Regards,
    Joe  
    

    Joe,
    	I have two RCD receivers and I also have a set of the small servos
    that come three for $69.95.  The servos are a good value at that price.
    I have had a problem with one of the planes with the RCD receiver that
    I can't duplicate, but the receivers seem to have excellent range.  The
    other plane has flown with no problems.
    	If you don't have a programmable TX, I would go with separate TX's
    for each plane.  It is a big pain to set up two planes to fly with the
    same TX because of servo reversing and trim and travel adjustments. 
    It's too easy to take off with a servo reversed if you have to move the
    reversing switches based on which plane you're flying.  I went the
    computer TX route which allows me to program all of the settings for
    four different planes.  I only have to be sure to select the correct
    program and all of my settings will be perfect.  I have tried before to
    fly two planes with the same TX and I found it to be too much of a
    pain.  You are dead on in your cost analysis.  You can buy a whole
    system for the same price as a flight pack.  I went with replacement
    receivers because I already had the servos and stuff in planes with old
    AM  receivers that I no longer want to fly with.  I upgraded two planes
    to RCD receivers for $69.95 each and bought a $400 JR X347 radio for
    the TX and a third plane.  I then bought a fourth PCM flight pack from
    a friend (who shall remain nameless) that smoked his TX.
    
    Charlie
    

    You didn't need to buy 6 channel systems to get the 6 channel
    receivers.  I have a 6 channel FM Vanguard system and a 4 channel FM
    Vanguard system; the receivers are the same, but the four channel system
    was about $50 less expensive; I've forgotten how many of the cheap
    servos came with each --- maybe 4 and 3 respectively.  I have since
    ordered two of the new 4 channel Airtronics FM receivers, but they are
    STILL on backorder from Tower.  These four systems/receivers and my 
    new X347 are all on channel 32, so four of the five receivers can be
    used with any of the three TX's.  Compatibility up the kazoo.

    But Charlie is right; incompatible reversing can really get you; I've
    been stung more than once.  It is still worth doing the common channel
    thing: the fancy TX can be used with all my receivers (FWIW), I have
    spare (and charged) TX's, and I never bring mismatched systems to the
    field as others seem to do often.  I'm happy with what I have done.

    Well, I am not convinced that this is the cheapest way to go, but it
    is an OK deal, depending on what you want...
    
    Granite State RC Products is currently selling the flight pack combo
    of 3 micro servos (plus switch harness) for only $59.95.  They are also
    selling the receivers for $69.95.  Plus, you can get a $10 dealer
    discount coupon from RCD.  So, $120 for a flight pack (w/o battery).
    
    The servo pack is about $15 less than RCD advertised prices which is
    unusual....  Other items are generally about $5 less than advertised
    prices...
    
    -------
                                                                            
    The Airtronics 4 channel may still be the way to go...
    
    ------
    
    What other JR radios have the same TX module as the X347???  Since I
    would like to buy another flight pack anyways, maybe it is a good deal
    to buy one of the low end JRs and get a new frequency to boot..
    
    cheers,
    jeff
    

    The Max4 FM and my older Max6 PCM don't have removable Tx modules. I
    believe this is just available on the higher end systems (Galaxy 8,
    etc)
    
    My question to you would be what's the availability of replacement gear
    sets for the servos?

    Replacement gear sets are available for RCD servos.  They were selling
    them at the WRAM show and Dan Snow had Tom's order some for him.  They
    are about $3 per set.  I am happy with my RCD micro servos and they are
    available with Futaba, Airtronics, or JR connectors on them.
    
    Charlie
    

    OK, thanks...  Is there a catalog of JR stuff anyplace, or is the only
    source of information (outside of Digital) the dealers??  I know that
    you can only buy from dealers...
    
    thanks,
    jeff