F350 Hi lift (or any other 3 speed) radio

[Snake Plissken]

As the release date of the F350 is nearing I'm starting to think about a 4 channel radio for it. I've never given any thoughts to these radios as the 3 speeds were always too costly for me, and I was never into the semi trucks anyways, but now as I started looking for options I only managed to find this Futaba remote unit: Futaba 4 Channel

Is that the only 4 channel surface remote available?

I was thinking of using my brother's 4 channel glider radio but am concerned of using an Air remote for suface duties (mainly because of possible interference to other glider users)

[Old Busted Hotness]

Any 4-channel radio on 75MHz (USA, not sure about Europe, is it 40 MHz?) will work. Many brands can be had on either 72 or 75 MHz, but there's an extra charge sometimes for 75MHz as it's less common.

You might even think about a six-channel radio. That way you can add a winch, tilting bed, etc without going through the MFU, if the MFU even supports these functions. And a six-channel isn't that expensive these days. You can find a basic one for about $150 (Futaba Skysport 6)

[Acto-Tuned]

There should be a national organization devoted to radio
controlled cars/planes/boats in your country that can tell what frequency you
can use on your RC cars.

Here in Norway
we use 27MHz, 35MHz and 40MHz and then there is
regulation on what channels/frequency that can be used to boats, cars or
planes. So I will just buy something like this FM40 Futaba radio from
Stellamodels.

Ole

[birdy233]

This is what I picked up.  I use the spektrum system on my touring car and it works great.  $159 on ebay as well.

 

DX6 DSM 6CH Park Flyer System w/4-S75

Key Features

6 Channel Park Flyer System

10 Model Memory

2.4GHz DSMâ„¢ (Digital Spectrum Modulation)

AR6000 Receiver and S75 Servos Included

Servo Channel Resolution: 1024

Overview

You’ll say goodbye to channel concerns at RC sites. Glitching and range impairment from motor, servo, ESC and mechanical RF “noise†will be a thing of the past. And no form of channel selection will be necessary on your part.

 

[pabbs]

Im new to this scale model stuff and ive just ordered 1 of these f350 high lifts [<)].Does any 1 know how many channel radio gear they run on ? Is it a auto change or do you need a 3rd or 4th channel to change gear? Do they just come as a kit or do you get radio gear with them ?

[Bullitt3577]

You Can also use the Futaba 3PJ and 3PK pistol radios. You can set the third channel to be a three posistion switch.

[mavrick0]

Knowing Tamiya the Futaba radio will be the standard since they've used it on all their tanks, trucks, etc... You can use a flight radio and change the module to a surface but the only problem with flight radios is the left stick is not a self centering.  They are a ratchet up and down.  Some of them you can order a kit from the manufacturer to make them self centering but then of course you need to open up the radio and do the mod yourself or pay someone to.

The truck it self shouldn't need anymore then a 4 channel, front steering, rear steering, 3-speed and speed control.  If you get the MFU for all the light functions and sounds you will still only need the 4 channel since the MFU allows multiple functions from only a 4 channel radio.

[billg4]

use a traxxas tq3

it can be had for under 35 bucks

then install a spdt switch with center off costs about 4 bucks

Remove factory red rocker switch. Install new micro switch. Solder the grey wire to the center of the switch. Black and white to outer terminals. Simple, easy setup.

 

works great, I've done 2, and bought another to do for my hilift when they're released.

pictures and how to at rcmt.net http://rcmt.net/ forums

[Snake Plissken]

the only problem with flight radios is the left stick is not a self centering.  They are a ratchet up and down.  Some of them you can order a kit from the manufacturer to make them self centering but then of course you need to open up the radio and do the mod yourself or pay someone to.

I just checked with my brother's glider remote and I'm afraid you're right about the ratchet movement on up and down. This is too uncomfortable to use as a throtle on rc car (and I don't want to modify the remote as it might still be used occasionally for glider duties) so I guess surface radios are the only way to go. The 3pj/3pk are not really an option as I want to be able to use the mfu in the future (and I dont have any 3 channel radio at the moment anyway). The problem is that it seems like only Futaba makes this kind of remote, but I know KO used to make one as well (I think it was the stick remote Massami was using?). Does anybody knows of other stick type 4 channel options?

[billg4]

here is a pic of a tq3 modified for a blaing blazer 3speed

[TWINSET]

I got a centring cam and spring for the DX6 no problem - It uses a JR case and hardware,  the XP662 by the looks of it, so any JR dealer should be able to get the  bits

 

[pabbs]

I have a spektrum dx3 which is 3 channel will that work ok ?

[DJTheo]

If you dont use the MFU which needs 4 channel, why not?

Cheers

[pabbs]

cheers for the info im not plannig on using the mfu so i should be sorted then cant wait to get it now ![<)]

[BiggusDitchus]

err, mistake please delete or ignore LOL

[DJTheo]

Am sure it will have integrated ESC, for its size check the F350 threads, there are some pics there.

Cheers

[Shodog]

The Futaba 4VWD attack is the generally accepted four channel radio to use in conjunction with the MFU.  They can be bought for $109. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...XBCP2**&P=7

[Tamiya King]

If I remember right, the Futaba you have a link to also comes with a shift gate so you don't have to buy one. I am personally using a Futaba Skyport which is designed for Airplanes ( Don't tell the FCC) and I bought a RC4WD.com shift gate! Here is a pic of it.

[DJTheo]

Got my Futaba 4VWD already and it has a got a shift gate and seems well built (like all Futabas)

Cheers

[nzl60]

Took me ages to find (no idea why really) but Stella sorted me the

 

 

futaba 4VWD 4-Channel at a good price and as Theo says it is the usual futaba quality, certainly compared to my last hitec 4 channel set, that set was complete rubbish, though I do believe I lucked out and copped a badly made one. I do like how the futaba comes complete and ready to run with shift gate but minus rechargeable batteries (why futaba why???!!).

Roll on Sept 25th![<)]

[Jeckler]

I use a Hitec Laser 6 in my TXT. It costs nothing to convert to a non-ratcheting throttle. That's the radio I plan on using when I get a Hi-Lift. And it comes with a rechargeable Tx pack. It's FM too.

I would ASSume the Hi-Lift will include a shift gate.