Which transmitter for auxiliary switches

[John WeatherillParticipant @johnweatherill70682]

I’m starting to renovate an old rc tug I had as a kid. It’s quite a detailed model but needs some repairs and painting etc. I would like to be able to switch things on remotely I.e lights, horn, smoke generator etc but I can’t find what I’m looking for in a handset. The ones I have found are mostly aircraft handsets and only have 2 aux switches. So say a 6 channel set would use 2 joy sticks controlling 4 channels and then the other 2 on an aux switches. I have no use for 2 joysticks I just need left and right, forward and backwards and then the other channels left to switch on relays. Could anyone give me some advice in a handset to buy? Thanks in advance.

[John WeatherillParticipant @johnweatherill70682]

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

The adventurous who do not worry about voiding warranties have been known to rewire the pots on an unwanted stick to a case mounted one and to use a switcher at the receiver end. This could be a multi switcher giving lots of functions controlled from one channel. An alternative to a pot is a switched resistor network to give the same effect as a pot with a rotating knob, but with a switch or switches. Not for the faint hearted.

Or a comprehensive, top of the range radio.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I saw this some time ago. It's primarily a truck radio and I seem to think that somewhere it said "not recommended for model boats" but that might just be a range issue. **LINK**

BTW strictly a "handset" is that nasty little plastic thing much beloved of players of video games. Our device is known as a transmitter – it makes us feel more important!

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 02/11/2017 10:04:28

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

John , When I found myself in a similar situation to yourself , my solution was to buy a Robbe Futaba F14 Navy set which has the twin sticks you're looking for . I have supplemented the set with an 8101 switch module and matching 8370 decoder . These give me 12 switched channels ( some momentary ,some latching ) and 2 servo channels . The decoder will switch up to 24 volts and up to 1.8amp per channel . For loads up to 5amps I have 2 off 8444 Mono Switches . I also have 2 off 1601 Prop Modules which give me a further 2 servo channels . As supplied , the set is 40mHz , but it can be easily converted to 2.4gHz using the TFH module . Sorry not good at doing a link , so for further info go to Ripmax – Radio Systems – 40mHz – Navy F14 – Spares Category and scroll to bottom of page . No vested interests in this equipment or supplier . All purchased through excellent local model shop . Again , no vested interests . Hope you find the above of I interest .

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

John

I bought a Radio link AT9 for about £90 , this included a 9 and 6 channel RX. Not sure on the price now. The switchable channels can be assigned to various switches, rotary controls or sliders. Primary designed for aircraft or heli but easy to use. There is an AT10 but I think that is about £130 . Have a look on Amazon.

Tim

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

John

The Robbe F14 Navy set (or its siblings) is often the set of choice for those who want multiple switching functions.

http://engel-modellbau.eu/shop/en/R-C/ROBBE-Futaba-40MHz/Robbe-Futaba-F14-R-C-System-40-MHz-F4039.html

Engel seems to be cheaper than UK for these sets at 199 euros which is where I got mine a couple of years ago, but hunt around for the best price. Engel has a good mail order service – 4<5 days or less from Germany by established courier.

There are perhaps the newer alternatives such as the Carson as mentioned by DM, but Robbe r/c gear is a known quantity and why risk the model you have sent many hours on to perhaps save a few £'s?

Paul (now happily retired ex-Editor of MB!)

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

John ,

I recently ordered some stuff from Harbor Models in USA , which arrived most promptly , BUT the GPO refused to release the parcel until I'd paid the 20% VAT our goverent had slammed me with , which amounted to some £50 + .

Trevor .

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

John

There is no extra VAT to pay if you buy from the EU (at least while we are in it!), which is why if you look at some of the German & European model shops/online retailers, some items can be, but are not always, cheaper than UK. Since many of us buy online rather than from a local model shop (unless there is one near you), it makes no difference where you order it from in the EU.

On another matter, but related, I see that Al's Hobbies is now offering a UK service department for Spektrum r/c gear which is handy, since after the closure of Horizon hobbies (UK) at Harlow, servicing could only be done in Germany.

Al's also list numerous spares as well.

Paul.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

While the UK and Germany both remain in the EU then there are no additional taxes or handling charges to pay. After we leave well – who knows?? I bought my FC16 from Engels and was very impressed with the price and the service.
HOWEVER before you buy the Robbe radio make sure you can also obtain (and afford…) the additional encoder and decoder modules. On-board switching units like this one might be a much more cost-effective option
**LINK**

DM

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

I agree with DM that the Robbe F14 is easy to expand. I added 2 slider controls to mine and a multi-switch plus prop to give the switches and 2 more proportional channels. But that probably cost another £150 . Nice set to use though.

Tim

[CookieParticipant @cookie15923]

John ,l have the Carson radio DM is on about in his post ,it as the 4 normal stick channels plus 5 latching switch channels and 5 none latching switch channels ,i like yourself want as much as i can to be under RC control as possible ,and at 95 quid for 14 channels its a bargain .if you are interested contact Steve at Scale Hobbies in Skelmersdale Lancashire .

Dave

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

I agree with DM in exercising care both with supply and costs . In my case , I obtained the majority of my order on a Tuesday , and collected the balance on the Thursday , which is far better service than I've received from a couple of mail-order only companies recently . Again , I agree that the P62 is an excellent unit , and is one of those I originally considered , primarily because it's low cost resolves to around £8.25 per function ( excluding postage ) . Ultimately however , I decided to go for the Robbe option at the slightly higher cost of around £8.48 per function because I preferred the use of dedicated switches plus the option to use 2 servos .

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