Transmitters and receivers

[BlueWotsit57]

With my R/c boats often I would use TX / RX combos which allow for so many extra things such as lights, rotating masts etc

I know Heng Long TXs are fixed without additional RX units which I think is frustrating but thats one of the downsides of these. But with other brands like Tamiya

How many channels are optimum ?

1 or 2 possibly for motors

1 for turret rotation / elevation

1 for main gun

1 for machine gun

1 for spotlights

So thats 5 possibly 6 channels that I can see in my novice experience so far in the hobby.

So what Transmitters and RX units do other members of the group use ?

With my boats I used Futaba until the receivers became stupid money, and more lately Spectrums - however my boat transmitters I have the left stick set up for sails, so its on a ratchet as opposed to a spring.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Nowadays 8 ch is a minimum for most rc tanks electronics. Some of them even use 16. There are way more functions to trigger than the ones you mentioned.

I recommend the frsky QX7 radio or even better, the Jumper T16. This one might be the best radio in the market and for what it does, price is a bargain.

Stay away from Futaba radios, unbelievable overpriced for ancient technology, and from spektrum, way too expensive and you lack flexibility you will end needing at some point.

Of course for an old tamiya tank with stock electronics any plain 4ch radio with christals will work, but IMHO is fun for the first 5 minutes.

[BlueWotsit57]

Rad some interesting words

- as mentioned I am a novice where tanks are concerned so listed what I thought were a few options for different channels, a couple more I have thought of could be smoke and engine noise (though why latter would want to be turned off I dont know) what other things can channels be used for

[Rad_Schuhart]

Rad some interesting words

- as mentioned I am a novice where tanks are concerned so listed what I thought were a few options for different channels, a couple more I have thought of could be smoke and engine noise (though why latter would want to be turned off I dont know) what other things can channels be used for

Well, some functions in some of my tanks:
Tons of user sounds, horn, musics, marches and so on.
You mention one machine gun... tanks had 2, 3 and even 4!
More lights, convoy lights, spotlights, blinkers in modern tanks, interior lights...
Moving parts like hatches, moving tank commanders, rotating cuppolas...
Some boards lets you use complex battle system and lets you use "piercing rounds" or "High explosive rounds"
Basically, the limit is your imagination. Dont let the radio be your limit.
One of my tanks here:

phpBB [video]

Note the tank commander is shouting some commander voices and then the orders are executed. All those extra things take channels and radio software flexibility.

[BlueWotsit57]

definitely similar to how I have been with some of my boats over the years - hear a new idea and try and install it LOL

Do you tend to have the motors on separate channels or single channels usually

That is awesome

[Rad_Schuhart]

definitely similar to how I have been with some of my boats over the years - hear a new idea and try and install it LOL

Do you tend to have the motors on separate channels or single channels usually

That is awesome

You are always going to need two channels for the main motors. No matter the electronics you use, you need two for them.

[Max-U52]

Most of the aftermarket boards available today will operate on a 4-channel radio but most guys really like a 6 channel so they can add extras, like lights, or volume control. Personally, I like my FlySky I-10.

There are some very good 6 channel radios out there, and like Rad said, 8 is good, but I really like having ten. I'd rather have two channels that I'm not using than be 2 channels short for what I want to do.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Most of the aftermarket boards available today will operate on a 4-channel radio but most guys really like a 6 channel so they can add extras, like lights, or volume control. Personally, I like my FlySky I-10.

There are some very good 6 channel radios out there, and like Rad said, 8 is good, but I really like having ten. I'd rather have two channels that I'm not using than be 2 channels short for what I want to do.

You should also mention operating aftermarket boards with 4 channels means not being able to use half (and even more) of the functions.

[BlueWotsit57]

I have had flysky in the past - but am I correct in thinking that one of the main controls is on a ratchet and not a spring loaded one - I use ratchets on my sail boats, but is spring loaded not better for tanks ?

[Son of a gun-ner]

I have had flysky in the past - but am I correct in thinking that one of the main controls is on a ratchet and not a spring loaded one - I use ratchets on my sail boats, but is spring loaded not better for tanks ?

You are correct in your assumption, one toggle is not self centering, but I don't think they're all a ratchet. My lad has a Flysky, and it has the conversion that most tankers use.
You can purchase a kit that converts the non sprung toggle.
Like this.

Transmitter Stick Centering Spring Kit
https://www.rctankelectronics.com/store ... g_Kit.html