So many channels...

[cccp31337]

Hi! I'm new to the RC heli scene, and am just confused as to what all the channels are on RC choppers.

What makes sense to me (If this is even right):

CH1: Throttle
CH2: Rudder Throttle
CH3: Pitch Forward/Back
CH4: Pitch Left/Right
CH5/6/7: ??????????


Also: I want to get this chopper: (http://www.bananahobby.com/1202.html) which is a Walkera 35#C just because I feel I don't have to do anything difficult at first, but when I want to, the ability would be there. It also seems like a great deal.

[Aztek1701]

Hi there,

Welcome

Heli channel assignments vary depending on 2 things... 1 the heli, 2 the radio flying the heli therefore you cant say that channel 1 is throttle because it depends on what radio you have (on mine, throttle is channel 3 for example)

To answer your question.. Heres what the channels do.

Throttle,
Alieron (pitch left/right)
Elevator (pitch forward/back)
Rudder (tail control)
Collective Pitch (up/down together with the throttle on one stick),
Gyro Gain (heading hold or not)
Governer on / off (Either maintains the rotorhead at a constant speed or varies on the throttle)

We use things called pitch and throttle curves to tie the throttle and collective pitch together so that for a certain throttle stick position, there is a certain ammount of throttle and a certain ammount of pitch on the blades.
I hope this makes sense to you lol, trust me if it doesnt at the moment, it will after youve been reading the forum a bit if your still having problems, feel free to post back and Im sure we'll help.

I took a look at the heli your interested in, it looks fine except for a few issues.

1. Its a Walkera and Ive heard and seen evidence that they are very inconsistent with their production values. This means you could get a good heli or a pup, you wont know until you get it and try to fly it. My experience of walkeras is limited but Ive heard of more pups than good ones... Caveat Emptor.
2. There is not really any such animal as a ready to fly model heli. (by ready to fly, they mean complete i.e. not a kit) This is especially true of a full collective pitch job like your are looking at. They MUST be properly checked and test flown after they get to you because helis are my nature very delicate and very highly stressed, one component getting a knock in transit, and it could result in a crash or failure to fly.
3. The heli you are looking at isnt really beginner friendly and you would have a VERY steep and expensive learning curve trying to learn on this. Most model helis arent easy to fly despite what some advertisments say and a fully 3D capable machine will move very quickly and will be very unforgiving.
4. It might seem like a great deal but ask yourself this... Why is this Walkera only $219 and all the competition (such as the Align T-Rex or the Century Hummingbirds) at LEAST double the price?... Its not because they are just trying to rip you off its because of my first point, in truth, Id say its walkera thats trying to rip you off.

My advice to you would be to look at a more beginner friendly machine, such as the Blade CX which wont cost much different to the walkera but will be controllable. When you can fly that, move on to a "proper" 3D capable heli such as the T-rex 450. The alternative method is to get yourself a decent simulator and transmitter and learn on that then jump straight to the trex.

Sorry if this seems to be a negative reply to your post but I wouldnt want to see a potential "brother in addicion " put off by a badly build, hard to fly machine.

Take care... Azzy

[cccp31337]

Thanks for the info!

But...what do you lose in a 6 channel vs a 7?

[Aztek1701]

Hi dude,

For a beginner, nothing.

Channel 7 is usually used to control the governer on a Nitro heli. To NEED 7 channels, you first need to be advanced enough to need a constant rotorhead speed irrespective of the load on the head. That ususally means that your doing aerobatics, and it also usually means that your not a beginner.

I think the 7 channel thing in the machine you are looking at isnt actually 7 channels. Its talking about using the "7th channel" for what Id call an "idle up switch" which changes the pitch and throttle curves to allow aerobatics. A proper 6 channel computer transmitter will have this functionality actually a proper 6 channel would never need to be "set up" every time you fly anyway... Its done once then changed when you need to.

Hope this helps... Azzy