[AJCoholic]

When I started into RC modelling, back in the 1980's, I had two radio sets. A 3 channel Kraft transmitter, with a two servo/receiver brick, and an early Futaba (udisco badged) 6 channel transmitter in the tan coloured case, with 4 separate servos.

There was (on both transmitters) no reversing switches. No dual rates. No expo. No end point adjustments. The Kraft had square output shafts so no fine adjustment.

Those were the days where you had to plan the radio installation, from the beginning. Which way the servo was going to operate, the correct length of horns/servo arms/servo wheel offset etc.

It was a lot of effort to get throws the correct way, with the correct throw amount and any differential if needed. Throttle especially could be a PITA.

I remember I bought my first transmitter in 1991, an Airtronics VG6-DR that had rates and reversing switches. Then my first Airtronics computer radio, in 1992, that had (Gasp!) centre trim, endpoint adjustments, rates, reversing etc. It became very easy to set up your plane, from a general install with everything done from the radio.

The reason I bring this up, is that i recently acquired a 3 channel Kraft transmitter that was converted to Spektrum 2.4 gHz Of course, the rest of the transmitter is the same so I am back to trying to set things up the old school way as I did 30 years ago.

We are spoiled today! That's for sure....

[NEW222]

Neat. Now just one question. Since you mentioned it as being converted to Spektrum, what all does that involve? Is it as simple as gutting one and replacing the innerds with those of the donor transmitter, or is it all original with only the electronics swapped? Main reason I ask is I would have thought if all the innerds were swapped, one would also swap over at the minimum the trim switches, and if a DX5e, possibly the reversing switches as well. Now you got me all curious.....

[scaleguy]

You say Spoiled?

I say EVOLVED!

[AJCoholic]

Originally Posted by NEW222

Neat. Now just one question. Since you mentioned it as being converted to Spektrum, what all does that involve? Is it as simple as gutting one and replacing the innerds with those of the donor transmitter, or is it all original with only the electronics swapped? Main reason I ask is I would have thought if all the innerds were swapped, one would also swap over at the minimum the trim switches, and if a DX5e, possibly the reversing switches as well. Now you got me all curious.....

You just change the RF deck (which outputs the signal previously in the 72 MHz band) to a Spektrum compatible unit. The gimbles/pots, trimmers, stay the same. There isnt much going on in these early transmitters. Its not a swap of the entire innards.

[AJCoholic]

Originally Posted by scaleguy

You say Spoiled?

I say EVOLVED!

Well Duh... I didnt say I liked it better lol.

I dont walk around listening to cassette tape recordings on my Walkman anymore, either!

I just thought it was neat that I got a functional radio, which I am going to use on my Junior 60 old timer I am finishing up.

[stegl]

Hey Andrew , missed on the fact that some of the Kraft servos did have servo centering . Takeout the screw holding the arm on and using a very small screwdriver , you could adjust the pot to centre the arm or even give it some offset. Not sure if it was on the 4 wire servos they had for a while but worked on all my 3 wire servos.

I missed out on a new kit in the box ; Andrews A_Ray trainer which was my first aircraft . There was one on RCC for sale and just missed out getting it . Would have been a blast to build one again.

[scaleguy]

Originally Posted by AJCoholic

Well Duh... I didnt say I liked it better lol.

I dont walk around listening to cassette tape recordings on my Walkman anymore, either!

I just thought it was neat that I got a functional radio, which I am going to use on my Junior 60 old timer I am finishing up.

Andrew,

Congrats on the find to enable you to resurrect an old radio and re-purpose it.

I don't have any more walkmans but I STILL listen to the 2500 45's and 1100 LP's I still have and my Vietnam Era Sony 16 track Reel to Reel tape recorder.

Just wish I still had a tubed Amp as WAY better sound then ANY solid state Amp today.

I use to have that same Kraft Radio but the surface model for a boat I us to have. Forgot about those square output shafts. LOL Thanks for the memories.

I still have my old 1980's Isotronics 7ch Master Series Radio on BLU/WHT, 72.160MHz!

[Bushman]

Oh yeah - old tech: go price out some TDK cassette tapes. 40-50 bucks for the metal ones. I wish my old radio gear would increase in value like that! LOL

[scaleguy]

Originally Posted by Bushman

Oh yeah - old tech: go price out some TDK cassette tapes. 40-50 bucks for the metal ones. I wish my old radio gear would increase in value like that! LOL

DANG! Through out a couple of Hundred of them a few years ago. Could have wiped them and financed a Carden 40% with DA200! LOL!

Everyone else was Team Memorex, Ive ALWAYS bucked the crowd, I was TEAM TDK! LOL!

Andrew Sorry for the HIJACK!

[Bushman]

Originally Posted by scaleguy

DANG! Through out a couple of Hundred of them a few years ago. Could have wiped them and financed a Carden 40% with DA200! LOL!

Everyone else was Team Memorex, Ive ALWAYS bucked the crowd, I was TEAM TDK! LOL!

Andrew Sorry for the HIJACK!

Yeah, I too gave away a full new box of TDK SA 90 tapes - 300 bucks! Argh!