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Conference vmszoo::rc

Title:Welcome To The Radio Control Conference
Notice:dir's in 11, who's who in 4, sales in 6, auctions 19
Moderator:VMSSG::FRIEDRICHS
Created:Tue Jan 13 1987
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1706
Total number of notes:27193

1462.0. "First R/C project-PT Boat Questions" by EMDS::PETERSON () Tue Oct 13 1992 23:23

    
    
    
    	Hi,
    
    		I am thinking of getting started in RC, and would
    	like some advice.
    
    		My son, who has been a pretty good kid this year, 
    	has been eyeing the Lindburg PT109 model at the local 
    	dept. store for ~$50.00  While looking through one of
    	the RC magazines at the Paper Store, I saw that that kit
    	with a 2 ch. Futuba radio, electric motor ect.. is $104
    
    	The Dumas kit looks to be ~ $60-70.00, with the kit, fittings
    	and above mentioned radio,motor is about $120.
    
    	Question 1)  Of the two, would the Dumas kit be a better choice?
    	The Lindburg kit looks like a regular plastic boat model
    	only bigger-is the Dumas kit similar?
    
    	Question 2)  The radio.  Is Futuba a quality brand?  I was thinking
    	of getting this, but then thought that if RC stays with me/my kids
    	I may want to expand-mabery get into some simple planes.  Is there
    	any reason that a radio used in a boat model couldn't be transfered
    	to an airplane?  
    
    	Question 3)  If I do decide to go with a different radio, I would
    	get(per advice in this conference) one with at least 4 channels.
    	What should I look for as far as features, and what price range
    	should I expect to be in.  From what I've seen here $150.00 seems
    	to be the middle of the park.
    
    	So low end, Linburg, 30", all the fixins' $104 + tax
    	Middle Dumas 33" 4 ch. radio, motor, ect... est. $220
    	High end-????
    
    	Chuck 
    
    	BTW, My modeling skills go up to building built up balsa/tissue
    	plane models, lots of plastic models, no power.  I have basic 
    	tools.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1462.1EMDS::SNOWWed Oct 14 1992 07:1220
    
    Welcome to the RC Notes Conference Chuck!
    
    I have built the Lindberg PT109, and as you guessed, it is a plastic
    boat model with electric motor. However it can be made into a
    respectable looking model, and doesn't do all that bad on the water.
    
    As for Dumas, I've only built a couple of their boats, and wasn't all
    that impressed with the kit quality for the price.
    
    Futaba is a good, and very popular brand of radio. However you need to
    be aware that for a boat you need to get one on the surface frequencies,
    which are in the 75MHZ range, as opposed to the air frequencies which
    are in the 72MHZ range. Most surface radios sold in stores are only two 
    channel with an occasional 3 channel thrown in. I think you would have
    to have the dealer order a 4 channel on a surface frequency.
    
    
    	
    Dan
1462.2More inputSNAX::SMITHI FEEL THE NEEDWed Oct 14 1992 08:5418
    Hi Chuck,
    
    	I don't know anything about either kit you mentioned, but if Dan's
    built the Lindberg one, then I'd defer to his comments. As for the
    radio, the "package" probably includes either the Futaba Magnum sport,
    or Magnum Junior. Either is a good radio. BUT, as Dan said, there are
    "surface" frequency radio's and "air" frequencies and never the twain
    shall meet. You can't switch them.
    
    Price range for a surface 2 channel radio should be about $90.00 and
    for a 4 channel plane radio, about $130/$150.
    
    Any other questions, feel free to ask.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    Steve
1462.3ThanksEMDS::PETERSONWed Oct 14 1992 15:279
    
    
    	Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm going to look into the
    	Lindburg kis a little closer(they have a couple at Rich's Marlboro)
    	and also price out some control systems over at The Spare Time
    	Shop.
    	
    		Thanks again
    			Chuck
1462.4Check Prices First!!!!!EMDS::SNOWWed Oct 14 1992 15:479
    
    
    I would very strongly suggest that you either mail order or perhaps
    visit Tom's Hobby in Chelmsford before laying out cash for a radio at
    places like the Spare Time Shop. They are very expensive.
    
    Example: You can get an AM Futaba Pistol style 2 channel radio for as
    little as $60 from Tower. Same thing for a 2 stick 2 channel radio if
    you perfer that style. Check out the prices before you buy.
1462.5HANNAH::REITHJim HANNAH:: Reith DSG1/2E6 235-8039Wed Oct 14 1992 17:372
Also make sure you get the right type. There is a difference in frequencies 
between surface and aircraft.
1462.6GRANMA::WFIGANIAKYEAH..GET THE RED ONEThu Oct 15 1992 14:2514
    I have the Lindberg PT 109 ( un-built ) and there are some more thing
    to consider. The eletric motors that come with the kit will need to be
    replaced with stock 05 motors. You'll also need a decent speed controll
    set up. 
    I went for the plastic kit because the wood ( read Dumas ) really takes
    lots of time and a good work area. I've bilt the 52 inch Atlas Van line
    hydro from Dumas and it wasn't easy. 
    Look into the mail order arena for a better price on the kit. I paid
    35.00 for the Lindberg from a place called Hobby Shack on the "left
    coast". They also carry a bunch of the other stuff you'll need.
    Have fun and heed the advice of the other replies and be sure to get a
    radio with a GROUND ONLY frequency. I do have a futaba 4 channel
    conquest I use with another boat so they are available
    Walt