Speed Slide stick breaking on TX

[silverwing317]

On my TX the slide stick that controls the speed is loose and breaking on my unit. Any good fixes out there?

[davemac2]

I assume you mean the plastic slide stem is almost broken off from the mechanism below. If it's under warranty, send it back. If not, the only reliable way to fix it is to replace the slide pot which is a difficult part to find. Replace it soon because if it breaks off while flying you may have to land with full throttle or turn off your transmitter before touching down.

Your best bet may be to just get another used xmitter off Ebay for $15. If you can't find your frequency, you may be able to just pilfer the required slider out of one from a different frequency, but you will off course need a desoldering suction tool and iron and know how to use it.

Another alternative for fixing it is to drill a hole in the side of the xmitter and install a 10K ohm rotary pot to replace the slider. In this case, just cut one of the traces on the slider pot on the PCB and bring 2 wires out to the new one (center and one side of the 3 connection tabs). You can most likely find that at radio shack.

dave mc

[gnascher]

I had this same issue with my cub ... actually broke it on my first flight.

I jury-rigged a fix by drilling a tiny hole in the slider and glued in a finish nail, and put a piece of 1/8" lexan on top as a little handle.

Overall ... the fix sucked. I flew a few times like that and decided I needed to get it fixed. Since I tried to fix it myself, I had obviously voided the warranty. I also wasn't all that keen on the idea of buying a direct replacement radio that was going to have the same achille's heel. I also knew that I'd be modifying my cub for ailerons down the road, and possibly doing the brushless/LiPo thing which the proprietary radio won't let you do. (well, you can change the jumper in the stock Tx to use a LiPo, but that's it...)

With those considerations in mind, I decided to get myself a Spektrum DX6 for $200.

Here's the benefits of that decision:
1. The Spektrum radio is tiny and lightweight.

2. Because it operates in the 2400GHz frequency range, it has two little tiny antennae that are easily consealed. They're literally only a few inches long, the fact that there are two at 90deg angles to each other, you virtually eliminate any chance of losing your signal due to orientation of the Tx or Rx antenna.

3. The Servos that come with the DX6 package are much better quality and have quicker response. The stock HZ servos always sounded like crap to me from the first time I installed the battery in my plane.

4. Never had a glitch, and couldn't accidentally flip on the ACT ... because its gone.

5. When I finally did the aileron mod, I already had the necessary two servos (the DX6 comes packaged with 4 servos) ... so it was a simple matter of plugging them into the appropriate pins on the RX and I was in the air.

6. All the benefits of a computerized transmitter. Dual rates, and exponential are two features I've come to really love.

So, if you're on a tight budget, davemac2 has some great suggestions. However, if you plan on sticking with the hobby, and moving on to other planes in the future, I think you should definitely consider buying a "real" radio. It's going to set you back around $200.00 (actually, about $230 because you'll also need to get a 12A or better ESC also) ... but it's worth it in the long run, as you'll have this radio for a long time.

[mrmugen]

The BIG drawback to any of the DX series radios is when you want to add planes to your collection.......70-90 a piece for stinkin recievers. I run DSM in every one of my cars and so far the system and all the recievers has set me back around $2000.00. I run them competitvely and this is nessesary for them. However I run all 20+ planes on 72mhz radios (Futaba's to be exact) and never once had my radio or it's equipment fail me. When I want to add another plane to the hangar I spend 15-30 on a reciever.

There is a big market for dsm stuff right now.....$$$$$. If you waited another year or two I bet your gonna see them come down by 1/2. This is usually the trend.

It all comes down to what you want to spend on this stuff. They are both good options but the spectrum is going to leave you digging deep for future planes.
P.S. The servo's that come with the spectrum systems do not last long. I replaced around 30 of them for friends. Simple nose in's usually strip out the rudder servo for some reason. Any other type crash typically strip the other servo. I am not sure why the put crappy gears in a system they charge good money for. Just an observation from my shop and 1000's of hours messing with this stuff.

[mrmugen]

Oh yeah...what channel is your radio? I may have one here you can have....just pay for the shipping.....peace

[gnascher]

mrmugen said:

The BIG drawback to any of the DX series radios is when you want to add planes to your collection.......70-90 a piece for stinkin recievers.

The AR6000 receivers are selling for about $49.99 (one source www.horizonhobby.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=ar6000&CatId=) ... a far cry from the 70-90 you state. Slightly higher then the high-end price you stated for a 73MHz rx, but worth it IMHO, since I'll never have to worry about being shot down by someone carelessly turning on their transmitter on my frequency ... or even from random EM noise.

This is especially important to me since I fly in public spaces rather than at club fields with a frequency board. Never know who's going to turn up and flip on their transmitter anywhere within range of my plane! Heck, it could even be in one of the surrounding houses as some hobbyist adjusts the throws on his new plane. Although, from what I've read it's not unheard of for someone to flip on their transmitter in the pits of even a sanctioned club field and trash someone else's beloved plane. Also, I never have to worry about shooting someone else down anywhere within range of my transmitter. I like the security of spread-spectrum and a bound receiver, and am willing to pay a premium for that.

I also like how small and light the spektrum's rx is, and the tiny antennae are nice too. No more trailing black wire.

mrmugen said:

P.S. The servo's that come with the spectrum systems do not last long. I replaced around 30 of them for friends. Simple nose in's usually strip out the rudder servo for some reason. Any other type crash typically strip the other servo. I am not sure why the put crappy gears in a system they charge good money for. Just an observation from my shop and 1000's of hours messing with this stuff.

Never personally had an issue with these servos. However any standard servo is compatible with the Spektrum radio, so you aren't locked into using them. The DX-6 comes packaged with 4 servos and a receiver ... use 'em until they break, then replace them with your favorite maker's brand. You only need 2 in the cub ... so you can go ahead and strip them both before you need to hit the LHS for two new micro servos. I probably put 40 flights on mine before losing the plane ... the servos were working fine.

[mrmugen]

49.99 is a good price.....when they are in stock. I was trying to add info....not attack anyone or their equipment. I have a good friend on a fixed income who was talked into buying one of these at our lhs. He didn't know he would spend so much for future planes. I tried to get him another rx for a month before finding another one and it cost him 74.00 shipped. This was a month ago. Since then he decided to sell it and buy a 72mhz radio and save on future builds. We live in a small community where the chances of someone else having our freq. is very very unlikely. Therefore a dsm is not as important here. Don't get me wrong about this. These are great radios. Only if your budget allows for it. Like I said earlier...they will come down in price.....aparently the rx's did already. Peace

[gnascher]

Didn't think it was an attack. I was afraid you'd take the tone of my reply incorrectly.

I'm just stating what I know and love about the DX6.

However, even if silverwing doesn't go with a DSM radio, I still recommend swapping out the crappy HZ electronics and radio and putting in standard gear ... even if you go with the older 72MHz gear.

Yes, you can replace the HZ radio, but it's still going to have that weak throttle slide, and sluggish, noisy servos, and you're throwing money away on a radio you can't use on your next model. Spend a little money (if it's in your budget), and get some standard radio gear, you'll be happy you did.

-Gnascher

[mrmugen]

I didn't take it as a rebuttle. Hope you understand. I never try to upset anyone for any reason. I just offer advise and info. I hate to see people get discouraged in this hobby and leave it due to cost when it can be quite cost efficient if need be.....thats all. Let me know if you want that stock radio and I will ship it to you. Take care, Kevin

[Crash and Burn]

I'm new to the site and have about 20 flights with the cub under my belt. I too have broken the *&^$% throttle. Unfortunately, I have a very limited budget and don't know many of the terms that you all are talking about. I know what the servo's are and of course the radio, and I thought the AR6000 was a good choice for a transmitter ($49) until I looked at it and realized it was nothing of the sort. I'm very confused and I don't want to rush into a choice that will get me nowhere without some good sound advice. Can anyone help?

[gnascher]

crashandburn said:

I'm new to the site and have about 20 flights with the cub under my belt. I too have broken the *&^$% throttle. Unfortunately, I have a very limited budget and don't know many of the terms that you all are talking about. I know what the servo's are and of course the radio, and I thought the AR6000 was a good choice for a transmitter ($49) until I looked at it and realized it was nothing of the sort. I'm very confused and I don't want to rush into a choice that will get me nowhere without some good sound advice. Can anyone help?

First to clear up one question ... the AR6000 is a receiver that works with the Spektrum DX-6 Transmitter (transmitters are also sometimes referred to as radios). When you buy a Spektrum DX-6 (about $200.00 street), it comes packaged with 4 servos and one AR6000 receiver.

Here are your options:
1. Try and get HZ to warranty your radio. It'll be about 3 weeks turn-around time, from other people's reports. If you're lucky (?), it'll be windy and rainy during that time period, so you won't miss not being able to fly your plane for the better part of a month. ;D

2. Try and find someone selling a used radio that is on the same channel as your plane. MrMugen stated that he has a few transmitters, perhaps he can help you if you go this route.

3. Buy a new HZ radio. I think they're about $35+s&h...

4. Buy yourself a "standard" radio and transmitter setup. I've been very happy with the Spektrum DX-6, but there are now more makers on the market using "spread spectrum" technology, so you should research that. Alternatively, you can go with the older 72MHz technology. You won't save much money over the Spektrum (for a transmitter of comparable features) if you buy new 72MHz gear, but you may find a good deal on the used market, or if you opt for a bottom-shelf non-computerized radio.

If you choose option 4, you'll need to replace all of the electronics in the plane. That means replacing the "big black box" which acts as the stock receiver and speed controller, as well as the servos. The "Big Black Box" will need to be replaced with two components when using standard gear. The first is the receiver, the second is the speed controller.

As for the receiver, use whatever rx works with the transmitter you buy ... if you buy new, you'll probably get one in the package.

For the Speed Controller (ESC), you'll need to get one rated for at least 12Amps if you're using the stock motor and batteries (or 2-3S LiPo).

Options 1&2 are fine if you're happy with the HZ radio, and don't plan on buying another plane in the near future. Option 3 will work too, but it seems like throwing good money after bad on a poorly made radio.

However, if you're planning on sticking with the hobby and will buying another (non-RTF) plane in the next 6-12 months ... seriously consider researching option 4 and finding yourself a "standard" radio you can afford.