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- - Radio (https://www.rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=683)

Hi all

Being new to this, I have asked some of the local stores but I am getting various answers. So I thought I would ask the pro's

What radio would you suggest for a Tamiya King Hauler, I will be adding lights and sound down the road. Also what servos would be best also

Thanks

Paul

for the radio i would use the airtronics rds 8000:)

Trucker N

Thank you, how many Channels?

Paul

IT IS 8 CHANEL so you have room for extra items:)

Thanks

Where are most you buying your parts, online or at local stores?

Cheers

Paul

You'll see there are a lot of options out there for radios. Everybody runs something different. Personally, I don't much care for Airtronics, but it's a common choice, mostly because I think PMD started selling them along with the truck kits. I'm a bigger fan of Futaba radios, but rather then suggest a specific brand, I will just say make sure you get yourself a radio that uses 2.4 giga-hertz spread spectrum technology. Depending on how many channels you think you need, I'd make a selection based on that too. You'll find 4 to 14 channel radios out there. The more channels, the more they cost. Radios aren't really an item to skimp on. Radio gear and electronics for these models are more of an investment. Get the best you can afford. Even if you sell your models off later, you can keep the radio gear and use it again on another model.

If you are looking for a radio with more then 4 channels, you'll almost be stuck with a stick radio. Nothing wrong with that, unless you are already used to the pistol grip radios, from previous RC experience. Another really good thing to look for in a radio is one that has 3 position toggle switch. Very handy for shifting the gears on a 3 speed transmission. Most, but not all stick radios have a 3 position switch that can be assigned to a channel.

One other thing that is really nice, is a radio that comes with it's own battery pack and charger. Most these days do, especially the radios with more then 4 channels, but buying AA batteries gets old, so keep an eye out for that too. It's a pretty sure bet that any radio you will be looking at will have it's own battery pack, as you'll be looking at the higher end models.

You've got plenty of choices. Futaba, HiTec, Spektrum, JR, and Airtronics are all brands you can consider. It's good to stick with something more mainstream, so that if you run into problems programming the radio, or setting it up, you can ask for help. I would make a selection based on what you feel is more comfortable and easy to use for you. Check out a local shop, so you can feel the radio and decide if it's good for you. Flip the switches and maybe even turn it on, if you can, to check out the navigation of the menus. Trucks don't really make use of most radio programming functions, beyond the basic menus, like model naming, model selection, channel assignments, end point adjustments, sub-trim, switch and stick to channel assignments, and servo reversing, but you may find some channel mixes useful. At this level, a lot of the stick radios have more features then you'll really need, but if you really want 8 channels or more, you get those capabilities with the price, regardless!

Espeefan

Thank you, great advise. I prefer the stick style, so thats good. I have been looking at the Specktrum radios, I was thinking of a six channel, will that be enough to run the truck, lights and sound? Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks again

Paul

Hi Paul,

It really depends what you think you would like to run. Right off the top of my head, you'd use one channel for steering, one for throttle, and one for shifting, so that's three channels. That leaves you three more, for anything you might like. Most sound units are tied into the throttle channel, so the engine sounds increase with the load or speed of the truck. You could use those extra channels for running a dump trailer, lights, and maybe a 5th wheel coupler servo. One thing is you can never seem to have enough channels for these types of trucks, so get the most you can afford. :D If 6 channels is within your budget, then go for it. Or maybe check out Spektrum's 7 channel radios and see how much of a price increase it is. Might be worth it.

Will do, thanks for the advice.

Paul

If you are going with a spectrum radio get the DX7 it has a 3 pos switch that you can use for the shift the DX6I does not have a 3 pos just a 2 pos.:cool:

Travis

Agreed. I'm not to firmilar with the Spektrum radios, but if the 7 channel comes with the 3 position switch, then you will want to get that one over a 6 channel.

Paul,

I use the Futaba 4EXA for all my trucks (as we discussed yesterday). I don't think that the Airtronics ???8000 will work so research that carefully. It is a 2.4 Ghz radio.

Also the 4EXA is four channel and should meet your need perfectly. On the left stick (up and down controls speed in forward and reverse), left to right on the left stick is gear shifting. On the right stick, left to right is your steering. With my trucks, which utilize the MFU, Up is horn or aux lighting and down is lights and some other functions if you have motorized support legs.

Jim

there is a dx5e on rc rockcrawler .com with receiver for 60 dollars:)

Airtroncis rds 8000 is a great radio I now have one for all my trucks very happy with the way it works the trucks and mfu!

Yes, I have found the Airtronics RDS8000 a great radio, works perfectly with the Tamiya MFU, the only complaint I had was the poor battery life of the supplied NiCd.
Swapped him out for a 2800maH NiMh and it goods for all day and then some!

Yes that is the only downfall, don't know why they did it with such a cheap battery

Probably a little late on this one but was frequenting the other forum before hand. But this is what I know now.

Spektrum DX7, DX8 and JR9303 will work with Tamiya's MFU unit provided you use the correct receivers. Spektrum's AR6110 or AR6110E receivers will NOT work. I am using Spektrum's AR8000 and JR's R921 with no issues. Everything works with the MFU. One thing I would like to add (matter of personal preference), using a transmitter with 3 position switch is really nice. That way shifting is done using a 3 position switch.

Another thing to add: A few have said that the MFU will not work with a radio that has electronic trims, NOT TRUE. The DX8 and JR9303 has them and they work flawlessly!

You are welcome aseejr I am the one who helped you out on scale. I am glad the spectrum worked out for you. :D

Travis