rc recomendations

I'm considering building a 2 channel glider and would welcome members suggestions for a radio set, needs to be cheap and simple ( bit of background info: my wifes disabled and I'm her career so as you can imagine funds are always tight) doesn't have to be at all sophisticated, I'm a total computer and modern rc gear dumpty..... over to you chaps.

Don't be afraid to use an older version of the 2.4Ghz type whether Spektrum or Futaba, 'cos as long as the Rx battery is good and the load light the old "brown out" problem should not bother you.

Hi Paul, firstly do you live in the UK? secondly, do you have any objection to using 35MHz?
I've got several decent 6 channel computerized 35MHz outfits that I don't use anymore, I'd be happy to send you one of those.
I used them until I changed to 2.4GHz a few years back and they work fine.

Pol.

Hi Phil,
yes I live in sunny surrey, no objection to 35mhz at all!!
that is unbelievably kind of you, can't thank you enough my friend....

Ok Paul, give me a day to test it all out and sort out a charger and some servo's for you. I'll send you a couple of mini servo's as well as the standard ones, they'll probably suit your needs better.
I'll post back later and show you what I've got.

Pol.

thank you so much

+1 for 35 meg.
Apart from strict channel control on site needed to avoid being 'shot down' and provided you can get the long Rx aerial suitably mounted on the plane (dangling out the back is good) range is not an issue with 'branded' equipment. In addition the Rx 'reboots' almost instantly after a signal loss which used to be serious problem with 2.4.

More than once with 35 meg I had the receiver LED flashing on return from a flight (sign of a loss of signal) but never noticed any control issues during it.

Hard to get now but Corona made some superb 35 meg receivers. Full range, small, cheap. light and 'synthesised' too so no crystal either.
The 4 channel version, ideal for a glider.

And I bought a 6 ch one off Ebay last year to go in my AN2.
Long live 35 mag!

The Transmitter I'm going to send Paul is either a JR XP652 or a JR XP662, I'm not sure yet. I think one of them is an XP642 that's been fitted into another case.... There's no difference between them except maybe for the software, I believe one of them has Heli mode, that's what I'll check out as soon as I get a mo'.
I believe JR are in some way linked to Spektrum but I'm not sure who owns who
My workshop is a mess right now and I'll have to locate the 35MHz receivers, one of our local stores had a sale on for workshop storage drawers, I bought enough of them to fill a whole wall and everything is being transferred to a proper permanent location, .... in the meantime things tend to get misplaced. .... I'll post a picture later.
Paul, .... do you by any chance own any battery chargers suitable for Nicad / Nimh / or lipo batteries? ..... it's something you may need at some point if you're likely to get hooked by R/C flying.
I've just realized that you'll also need things like hinges, push rods, clevises, servo extension leads, they're just not the sort of thing you'd own if you've only built Free Flight models. ..... I'll put together a complete package that will get you started, it's a bloody nuisance when you get held up on a build for one little item, for some people it's also a pain having to find a local model shop, not to mention then having to find a parking space.
If anyone can think of any other items Paul might need please let us know, I hope to get this posted to him before the weekend.

Pol.

I am so grateful for your generous offer Phil,
I did originally start with rc years ago before I discovered my love for free flight, I even passed my bmfa flying test ( does the licence ever expire??).
I used to use sanwa gear I think when everyone else in my club used fleet.
To be perfectly honest with you the main reason I fancy getting back into radio is so I can have some semblance of control as large free flight sights are in short supply round here.
Quite fancy a keil Kraft caprice with radio assist as I used to love my gliding, always seemed the purist form of modelling along with free flight to me although I did build and fly power ( learnt to fly on a yamamoto.....anyone remember them?) but I slowly drifted into the vintage/ free flight scene via things like a majestic major.
Oh and no I don't own any form of chargers I'm afraid but there things I can save for as and when needed.

He will need some pins Pol
My buggers have not turned up yet

Pins are one thing I'm short of Tony, but I may be paying a visit to my local model shop today, I'll see what they've got.
This is turning into a favour that's helping me out a great deal now. My search for 35MHz RX's has made me realize what a mess my workshop is, I even got up at six this morning and started tidying the place. (it was playing on my mind )
Yesterday I came across an old but nice Gould bench multimeter in bits, I started to repair it about 8 years ago and got sidetracked, the meter got put in a box and forgotten. I got it on the bench and had it repaired and re-assembled in less than an hour, now I've got another nice piece of test gear. ..... Paul, do you have a test meter or shall I throw you one in, I've got plenty?

Pol.

I'm ok for a meter thanks Phil, this is really so very kind of you.

It's not such a big thing really Paul, it's only equipment that I probably won't use again and I'd like to see it go to a good home where it will help a fellow modeller get back into R/C flying.
I'll need an address to post this to Paul, don't give it out on the open forum, either send me a PM or give me a ring.
I advise everyone not to give out personal details on the forum, (including phone numbers) but I do give out this number because it's the forum number as well as my personal mobile number. 0751 9999 234
If it costs you to ring a mobile number then please just hang up after you get me and I'll ring you straight back, it doesn't cost me to make calls to any network.

Pol.