[Chskin]

Hello

I have an old JR XF421 (5 channel FM) that I am thinking of turning into a buddy box. My son is showing an interest in the hobby and my plan is to buy a newer radio for my self and give him the XF421 which would also be used as a buddy box to teach him.

So my question is: does a buddy box have to be the same make as the master or can you mix brands.

If I have to stay with JR (I like their products) then I will probably buy the XG7 from overseas however if a buddy box master/slave can be of different makes, then I may look at the Futaba C7.

Thanks in advance
Craig

[Wayne MIller]

Hi Craig,

They can be mixed.

There is a cable from Horizon that allows JR (master) to work with Futaba (slave) - it will also automatically switch the channels to the proper order.

There is also a site Tx2Tx that explains the operation of buddy boxes and the wiring. The link to the description of the different sections can be found on the left side of the page.

Both sites are listed below:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...?ProdID=HAN173
http://users.belgacom.net/TX2TX/tx2t...h/tx2txgb1.htm

I hope this helps.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne

[Max]

I find the JR-Futaba adapter a MAYBE device. A never ending source of frustration.

"Maybe" it will work.. "Maybe" not...

Save yourself the headache. For best results with buddy boxing, stick to one common brand. JR with JR, Futaba with Futaba.

One final question: Why overseas?
when you add up the cost of the unit, plus shipping, how much are you really saving?

My experience (and what I suggest to newcomers) is to ALWAYS buy your radio locally from a well respected hobby shop.

Why? because is anything goes wrong, your LHS will help you make it right.
My experience with my students here has been: any problems are sorted by the LHS. In some cases they will replace a defective part on the spot. In other cases, they will send the radio back for repair for you.

Now in contrast we had a case where 2 members get a radios from overseas.

first guy ended up with a mode1 radio. Everything was backwards, and I am not talking about just going to the program screen and changing it to mode 2, all the buttons and switches were backwards too. FAIL!

Second guy had a defect in the radio. No Warranty in North America. Try sending that back for repair. $$Kaching!$$ FAIL!

Honestly; for the cost of a few extra bucks, consider buying from a LHS

[Chskin]

I may have to buy it overseas because the mid range JR XG7 and XG8 are not available in Canada.

I totally agree with your argument about warranty coverage and I always try to support my local store when ever possible.

I can wait till the spring to buy this radio (my son's trainer will not be build till late fall, it's slow with an eight year old). Hopefully they will be locally available by then.

Thanks for answering my question

Craig