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Spektrum DX 9 Hayden Daley January 2014

The Spektrum Dx 9 is an all new 2.4 Ghz aircraft - helicopter radio brought to Australia by O’reilly Model Products, the distributors of Spektrum products in Australia. This radio is an all new 9 channel system with all channels having equal performance, the Dx 9 has a backlit screen to allow for better visibility in poorly lit workshops and the gimbals are a dual ball bearing type providing smooth precise operation of the gimbals on this radio.

The Dx 9 utilizes fully integrated 2.4 Ghz technology and is compatible with all receivers using Spektrum/JR 2.4 Ghz. DSM 2 technology. The Dx 9 uses a rolling selector input for programming and the radio also has an inbuilt thirty model memory that can be expanded infinitely with SD cards and the radio can also be software updated. This radio has been totally re-designed when compared to the DX 7, it features all new programming, the screens are different and the radio has been reconfigured for ease when in use. This unit is strictly 2.4ghz , the radio is hard wired it does not have modules, you must use 2.4ghz with this radio.

The Dx 9 offers sophisticated programming to meet the needs of even the most experienced airplane and helicopter pilots. In Aircraft mode this radio has many different programming options for setting up engine powered RC Aircraft. The Dx 9 is the first Spektrum aircraft radio to offer telemetry; the transmitter screen displays real time telemetry including receiver voltage, flight log data and signal data from the model while flying. Alarms can be programmed to warn of low voltage, over heating and other problems in the aircraft or helicopter. This telemetry is extremely useful and available with the Spektrum DX 9 channel system.

Dual rates and exponential are available on the Aileron, elevator and rudder and you can also assign dual rates to switches on this unit, the dual rate function affects the overall travel of the servo and can be adjusted to reduce or increase the sensitivity of the controls. Exponential can be adjusted to increase or decrease sensitivity on the radio control sticks. This radio has an excellent amount of servo setup functions and a servo monitor that allows an easy visual reference when making adjustments; you can see on the mix monitor the changes you have made. In the servo setup mode, travel adjust can adjust the servos travel, sub-trim can be used to adjust the centering of the servo position. The servo reverse function allows for servos to be reversed, to travel in the correct direction for the model. The DX 9 can also set differential with two aileron servos, you can adjust the aileron settings to allow for differential, less down going aileron and more upward moving aileron increasing efficiency in the turn and reducing the need for an aileron to rudder mix when turning. Also this radio has the ability to assign differential settings to switches to transfer to different settings during flight.

The DX 9 flap setting offers three programmable flap and elevator positions; normal, mid position and landing position and you can assign the flaps to a number of different switches. A graphic display on the left side of the units screen provides a visual reference as you program this setting. With the flap function providing three different settings it also allows for elevator trim adjustment during transfer between flap settings, the aircraft can be elevator trimmed for the flap setting. Aileron to rudder mix is used to overcome adverse yaw problems and can be adjusted to make the model turn better and this function can be assigned to switch to switch on and off. The DX 9 has 6 different programmable mixers allowing for many adjustments to be made to the mixing functions in aircraft type models. The DX 9 offers different timing options in the aircraft mode, count up and count down timers are available and the timers can be assigned to the throttle or switches.

In helicopter mode this unit features many different adjustments in the programming to get the best performance from your helicopter. The DX 9 offers a switch select menu, you can assign switches in the switch select menu and a number of different swashplate settings to match the CCPM setup in your helicopter. Six swashplate types are available in the programming, normal, 3 servo 120 ccpm, 3 servo 140 ccpm , 3 servo 90 ccpm, 3 servo 135 ccpm and two servo 180 ccpm. The DX 9 also has sophisticated flight mode programming to allow for hover, 3d and other flight modes to be switched during flight. This unit offers all the adjustments required for 3d helicopter flying. The DX 9 features a five point throttle curve and a graph on the screen displays this curve while programming also the unit has a five point pitch curve that can be displayed on the radio screen as a graph allowing for visualisation of the programming. during use. The Governor function allows adjustment of the main rotor RPM if using a governor and can be assigned to the radio allowing adjustment of the setup of this particular helicopter part. The DX9 also offers a tail rotor curve to be used with old style non heading lock gyros and in helicopter mode eight free mixers can be used to trim your helicopter whilst flying. These helicopter mixers can also be assigned to different flight modes and the dx9 offers very sophisticated flight mode programming for helicopters at an affordable cost. The Gyro function allows for gyro programming and the adjustment of gain when used on modern heading lock gyros and allows for very sensitive adjustment. The DX 9 timer function allows you to program count down, stopwatch and others that can be triggered by throttle or switches and provide an alarm when the setting is activated. The warnings function programs an alarm to sound if specific switch or stick positions are in an unsafe position when switching on. In helicopter mode these include throttle position, stunt mode settings and throttle hold. In aircraft mode warnings are given for throttle position, switch positions and gear and flaps, if the switches are not set as provided the radio will not transmit..

If you would like to transfer to the proven DSM 2 2.4ghz technology, this radio provides excellent value with telemetry and many functions for the beginner and also programming functions used in expert type models. These radios are well made and are of excellent quality for an affordable price. This unit has a warranty and can be serviced in Australia by the distributors O’reilly Model Products and I would like to thank Michael O’reilly for allowing me to do this review in the Thermal Circle.

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Robbe Futaba FX 22 Hayden Daley January 2014

The FX 22 is an all new high quality radio manafactured for the German company Robbe by Futaba. The radio has a backlit screen that makes for excellent visibility in poorly lit workshops. can also be hardware updated with stick switches and other hardware such as larger/smaller switches, more switches and this radio offers different base types of programming, essentially computer programming which can be more or less complicated for the model required. The FX 22 uses a rolling selector input for programming and the radio also has inbuilt model memorys that can be expanded infinitely with SD cards and the radio can also be software updated. The FX 22 offers sophisticated programming to meet the needs of even the most experienced airplane and helicopter pilots. The FX 22 offers telemetry; the transmitter screen displays real time telemetry including receiver voltage, flight log data, varia fuction for gliders and signal data from the model while flying. This telemetry is extremely useful and available with the Futaba FX 22 FASST system.

This radio has a flight mode function and this function allows for different model settings to be switched during flight essentially different "phases" of flight, have different settings. For competition soaring this is really the only way to get the required settings for launch and for F3B models the settings for the distance, thermal and speed tasks to be activated during flight. Flight modes are probably the best feature on this radio, it allows for complicated models to be set-up properly for all phases of flight. When programming F3B models please note that three model memories will be required, a seperate program for speed, distance and thermal. Typical names for flight modes for the F3B distance task would be launch1, launch2, reflex1, distance1

Dual rates and exponential are available on the Aileron, elevator and rudder and you can also assign dual rates to switches on this unit, the dual rate function affects the overall travel of the servo and can be adjusted to reduce or increase the sensitivity of the controls. Exponential can be adjusted to increase or decrease sensitivity on the radio control sticks. This radio has an excellent amount of servo setup functions and a servo monitor that allows an easy visual reference when making adjustments; you can see on the mix monitor the changes you have made. In the servo setup mode, travel adjust can adjust the servos travel, sub-trim can be used to adjust the centering of the servo position.

In helicopter mode this unit features many different adjustments in the programming to get the best performance from your helicopter. The FX 22 offers a switch select menu, you can assign switches in the switch select menu and the programming to allow for hover, 3d and other flight modes to be switched during flight. This unit offers all the adjustments required for 3d helicopter flying. The FX 22 flap setting offers programmable flap and elevator positions; and you can assign the flaps to a number of different switches and sliders. With the flap function providing three different settings it also allows for elevator trim adjustment during transfer between flap settings, the aircraft can be elevator trimmed for the flap setting. Aileron to rudder mix is used to overcome adverse yaw problems and can be adjusted to make the model turn better and this function can be assigned to switch to switch on and off. The FX 22 has different programmable mixers allowing for many adjustments to be made to the mixing functions in aircraft type models and the FX 22 also offers different timing options

The FX 22 features point throttle curve and a graph on the screen displays.this curve while programming also the unit has a five point pitch curve that can be displayed on the radio screen as a graph allowing for visualization of the programming. during use. The FX 22 also offers these helicopter mixers and can also be assigned to different flight modes and the FX 22 offers very sophisticated flight mode programming for helicopters at an affordable cost. The FX 22 timer function allows you to program count down, stopwatch and others that can be triggered by throttle or switches and provide an alarm when the setting is activated. If you would like to transfer to the Futaba Fasst 2.4 Ghz technology, this radio provides excellent value with telemetry and many functions for the beginner and also programming functions used in expert type models. This unit has a warranty and can be serviced in Australia by the distributors Perth Rc modes and hobbies and I would like to thank Brian Simpson for allowing me to do this review in the Thermal Circle.

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Snipe F3K January 2014

The Snipe wing utilises a full spread tow Carbon line 39 skins manufactured using new molding technology provide superior strength and stiffness. This process also produces a hard wing skin of foam that is stable and immune to temperature changes. The wing mount employs a cone-shaped mating surface which securely locks the wing to the fuselage with lightly torqued fasteners. High launch stresses are spread over the large cone surface instead of small crush-prone bolt openings. The main front wing mount is made from high strength carbon fiber with an embedded aluminum washer. The Snipe features a new series of proprietary high performance airfoils designed by Joe Wurts. A removable nose cone on the stream-lined pod easily provides access to RC gear & ballast. The Tail Boom is a single unit tube design saves weight while yielding a stronger structure. A full-length carbon-fiber tube transfers the load of the ground impact without stressing the nose cone. The wing is directly attached to this tube.. The rudder is an asymmetrical rudder provides a superior response during slow flight. The horizontal stab is mounted below the boom, allowing for better pull/spring set up there is Ballast Provision and the Snipe utilizes the same ballast system as the Blaster 3. A lightweight ballast on-a-stick system inside the fuselage allows for the addition of ballast, ballast may be added ranging from 1.4-2.8 oz. And a complete hardware package consisting of all necessary clevises, screws, carbon pushrods, control horns and the carbon launch peg is included.

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Jaro Muller Espadita January 2014

Espadita is the long awaited new molded two meter model from Jaro Muller., we first heard about the Espadita 3 years ago, and when we talked to Jaro and he explained to us he was using new technology. We twisted his arm to get as much information as we could, but we were left extremely excited waiting to see what it was. When Jaro Muller says new technology we know it is something special and to say the least . Jaro's mind just works differently than anyone else's and we are very lucky to have him designing models for us. Two of the goals when designing a new model is to have it as fast and easy to build as possible, and then have as much of his mass centered on the CG as possible. With the Espadita, he achieved both of these goals and he came up with a system called Full Integrated Servo Drive (FISD). He wanted a system that had no external linkages, like RDS but Jaro's special RDS, and a system that allowed him to move all the mass of the servos to the center of the wing. Try and figure that one out, and you will see why this model was two years late. Integrated Servo Drive has both the servos slide into a pocket molded in the root of the wing . The aileron servo gets pushed in first and slides to meet up with an round aluminum servo arm, then you put a set screw on each side and the servo is in and ready to go. It drives the aileron using a torque rod from the servo arm to another connection where it meets up with a push rod made out of G-10 that drives the aileron. The whole system is, of course, made smooth with ball bearings. That part of the system is all set up so all you have to do is slide your servo in and put in the set screws. The flap servo then slides in to the pocket with the aluminum arm already attached, then you slide the G-10 push rod through the wing and attach it to the servo arm using a pin. You then put the pin through the flap and add a few pieces of wood to hold the ball bearing and you are ready to go!! The Espadita is in stock and available now from Hyperion Australia

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Thats it from the Thermal Circle happy safe and successful soaring Hayden Daley January 2014.