Airtronics RDS 8000 FHSS 2.4 Ghz Radio System

Introduction:

The Airtronics RDS 8000 2.4GHz FHSS
is an 8-channel radio system designed for both helicopters and fixed-wing model
aircraft. It can be configured as a basic transmitter to fly simple three or
four-function models or as a more advanced programmable transmitter with features
such as different helicopter flight modes or complex aileron and flap mixture
combinations. This versatility is a feature of the RDS 8000 FHSS.

The transmitter and receiver are
sold either as a unit for ~ $150 or as a transmitter and two receivers for ~$230. You supply your own servos. This is the
best way since many 2.4 Ghz systems are being purchased as direct replacements
for older 72 MHz systems already in place inside an aircraft. In this way Airtronics
makes updating your aircraft, even advanced aerobatic airplanes and
helicopters, more cost efficient this way. And since the system is made by
Airtronics, one of the oldest and most trusted manufacturers of RC radio
systems, this is a double value.

     

The RDS 8000 uses Airtronics’ FHSS
2.4GHz communications frequency hopping technology and is designed not to interfere
with other 2.4GHz systems so you never have to worry about other fliers being
on your frequency. No more accidental “shoot downs”.

The RDS 8000 does require some
programming to get it to do what you want. Computer radio manuals tend to be
organized by technical features rather than how a new user would approach the radio
for the first time. The RDS 8000 manual is pretty good if you already know something
about computer radios.

This article is written in such a
way that it takes into consideration that Model Aviation’s Sport Aviator is dedicated to
helping new R/C airplane pilots succeed. The flavor of the review will
therefore be both an evaluation and an explanation at the same time.

Located throughout the body of
this review you will find short video clips that are intended to provide a more
visual explanation of how to navigate and program the functions.

Description:

This review of the RDS 8000 has
tried to avoid the natural temptation of being just a parody of the manual. Instead,
the capabilities have been divided into new categories that build from the simpler
new user view through to the more functionally complex:

GENERAL
FEATURES–covers the physical layout and operational principles.

PRIMARY CONTROLS AND BUTTONS–shows
the radio configuration and communications with the programming.

DISPLAY
& AUDIO COMMUNICATIONS–How the radio “talks” to you.

INITIAL
NAVIGATION–How to work your way around this computer transmitter

BINDING TO
THE RECEIVER–A fundamental process of the new 2.4GHz radio frequency
usage.

RDS 8000
HIERARCHY OF OPTIONS–How the RDS 8000 functions are structured.

BASIC & ADVANCED FUNCTIONS–Programming levels that range from
the primary radio to the features that are nice to have or essential when doing
complex installations, such as crow-flap and aileron deployment with auto-compensating
down-elevator.

General Features: –

You could also call this the “look
and feel” of the radio. The general features
section looks at the physical and electronic interface functions of this
computer radio.

     

Photo 3      Photo 4

The RDS 8000 has a black plastic
case that is a clamshell held together by six screws at the back. (You are
allowed to take this radio apart to work on internal switch and stick-strength
changes). A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen is provided so that you can see
the values of what you set and change. When the transmitter is switched on, the
LCD will show the model name (make sure it is the correct aircraft) and the transmitter’s
voltage reading. This screen tells you almost everything that is going on with
the radio. The control sticks can be adjusted for length to suit most hand
sizes.

Photo 5

The short
2.4 GHZ antenna is very convenient and does not get in the way as do the older
72 MHz antennas.

Photo 6

The manual
is well put together and easy to read. You do need to read it all the way through
to figure out the navigational logic and primary set-ups. Once the concept is
mastered, the radio is quick and easy to program. (Ed. Note: No matter how “simple” any computer transmitter is to
program, having the manual remains vital. Make a copy and keep it in a safe
place just in case your cat eats the original. If your dog then eats the copy,
you can always access a copy of the manual at: http://www.airtronics.net/manual/RDS8000.pdf)

     

Photo 7      Photo 8

The
drawings of the transmitter and receiver are very clear and the labeling is easy
to follow. Study the navigational logic and primary set-ups. There are a lot of
extraordinary abilities and features in this system that are not normally found
in a transmitter anywhere even close to this price range. Once the concepts are
mastered, the transmitter is quick and easy to program.

     

Photo 9      Photo 10

The Airtronics 92824 8-channel 2.4
GHz receiver is only 1.8″High x 1.1″Wide x 0.60″ Thick, and
weighs just half an ounce. It has two approximately 6-inch antennae. These
antennae must be installed at an angle of 90 degrees to each other to obtain
good signal reception. This may not be that easy to do in a small fuselage and
may require some external routing.

     

Photo 11      Photo 12

There is a
charging jack in the side of the transmitter case. The RDS 8000 uses a 110 V AC
wall-charger. The charger has two leads. One is for the 700 mAh 8-cell Nickel
Cadmium (Ni-Cd) transmitter battery and one is for
charging the receiver battery. Since the transmitter only draws 180-190 mAh,
the transmitter battery will last for at least 2.5 hours, with reserve.

Photo 13

This DIN connector socket is for the trainer/buddy cord (not supplied).
The trainer cord is available separately. The cord allows two Airtronics
transmitters, (does not have to be another 8000 FHSS), to function as dual
controls. The instructor mans one transmitter and the student another just as
is done in full-size trainers. Unlike full-size trainers, the instructor can
override the student’s controls if necessary.

There are also some general software
options that should be mentioned with the physical description:

Click (CLK) - this would be better named “beep!” It is the
function that lets you turn off or on the audible sound that you get when you
press a function key. (The stopwatch will still give audible notifications even
if the key-sound is turned off). An expert might want to dispense with audible
beeping during programming.

Model Memory – with a 10-model memory radio you will need a way to
select one of ten stored models in memory that you intend to fly.

Model Type selection (TYP) – lets you change from an initial
helicopter profile memory into a fixed wing or vice versa. (The radio is supplied
pre-loaded with a basic version of five of each type).

Data Copy (CPY) – many of your models may be very similar in their
set-up. Data copy is a nice short-cut that lets you copy one model to another and
then just make a few changes. An important change is to give the copy a new
name! The most important change is to make sure that all control surfaces move
in the correct direction.

Model Naming (NAM) – only has three letters. A few more letters would
have been more welcome, but then a larger screen would be required.

Data Reset (RST) – lets you clear one model
memory at a time and then start over again.

Stop Watch (STW) – is a feature/function that you can use for either
counting time up or down during a flight. Using the counting down function is
one way not to overstay your welcome in the sky and then run out of
fuel/electrons.

Dual rate switch alarm (D/R-A) – if you are concerned about
being on the wrong rate setting when you switch on, then you should use this
alarm. Returning the rates switches to low-rates turns the beeping rates-high alarm
off.

Throttle Alarm – this is a feature that you cannot program. It is
always there to warn you if the throttle is not at the low-setting when you
switch on the radio. This is especially good when working with electric motors
that can burst into life if the throttle is in the wrong position. Returning
the throttle stick to the low position turns the beeping off and allows the transmitter
to turn on.

Low Battery Alarm - is also not programmable. The transmitter will
sound a warning when the battery level goes below 9.5 volts. This should
usually give you enough time to land.

Trainer system – needs another RDS 8000 or VG 4000, VG600, RD6000, RD 8000
Radiant or Vanguard PPM transmitter. Use the ATX #87100 Airtronics trainer-cord
with this feature.

Primary Controls and
Buttons:

Photo 14

The on/off switch is located on
the lower right-hand side to keep it away from the trim levers. This can
prevent accidentally switching the transmitter off while flying.

     

Photo 15      Photo 16

High and
low throttle dual axis control stick with rudder on left side of the
transmitter. Both sticks can be adjusted for length and spring tension.

Photo 17

Elevator and ailerons are located on the dual axis control stick on the right
of radio. This setup is called Mode 2 and is the way most RC pilots fly in this
country.

Photo 18

There is
one of these digital trim levers for each stick axis. They are called “digital”
because they act independently of the stick itself and add or subtract a
digital percent of the servo centering position. They also have the feature
that they can be programmed to have different degrees of sensitivity per
control.

     

Photo 19      Photo 20

The three-position flap switch or helicopter “flight mode” selector is
located on the transmitter’s top right side.

Photo 21

The retractable
landing gear switch is on the top left (rear in photo) of the transmitter. This
switch also controls Mode -3 in helicopter mode. The trainer button, elevator dual
rate switch, or helicopter Gyro switch is on the right side front panel.

The Aux-I channel
switch is also used to switch on/off programmed mixes between two channels. (The
term auxiliary [Aux] means that the channel is not controlled by any one on the
primary four control sticks).

Photo 22

The Aux-2
or helicopter-hover throttle increase or decrease switch is on the front right
panel. This switch can be physically swapped with the flight mode-3 switch, as
per the manual.

     

Photo 24      Photo 25

These trim
switches are digital and beep settings that allow helicopter pilots to increase
pitch and throttle while trimming for a good hover.

Photo 26

These are
the four significant keys that give access to the “magic kingdom” of
programming the RDS 8000. They allow you to enter menus and navigate up and
down to select the function that you want once you are in there.

Photo 27

Once you
are in a function, you will need to do things like increase or decrease values.
Sometimes you have to answer yes or no. The flight mode selection has a special,
dedicated key for helicopter users.

Display
and Audio Communications:

     

Photo 27      Photo 28

The RDS
8000 has a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that conveys all the visual Information
to the operator.

     

Photo 29      Photo 30

There is a
lot of information presented within the predefined frame lines. The “1″ means
that it is model number one of ten. “AERO” indicates that this model is an
airplane. “AR1″ is the three-letter name of the model. (It has a default of AR1
until the user changes it to something more meaningful. For example: “CUB”).

The
voltage being delivered by the transmitter’s battery pack, in this picture, is
10.6 V under the load of the electronics of the radio. The word “BASIC” is
telling you the level of programming that this model has been given. The = bars next to each of the four scales
tell you where the digital trims are set for each of the stick controls.

Video 1 – Beeping Around

Dialup | Broadband

There
is also audio information that comes to the user as a beeping sound when keys
are depressed or trim levers moved. There are two alarms that sound if the
throttle is up when the radio is switched on or if the dual rates have been left
in the “high” position. There is also an audible sound alarm when the timer
activates and reaches its end.

Photo 31

There is a
protective film on the screen and control keys. (This film was subsequently
removed for video and still-camera work.)

     

Photo 32      Photo 33

There is
one other indicator that is used when the transmitter is initially paired with
a receiver. Both the receiver and the transmitter have a blue light that
displays information during and after the process of “binding”. This blue light
should be on when you are operating the radio system.

Binding
to the Receiver:

Video 2 – Binding

Dialup | Broadband

You can
program the transmitter without connecting to the receiver. But at some stage,
they need to talk to each other. With the new 2.4GHz radios, the transmitter
identifies itself to the receiver. The receiver then stores that identity and
will only listen to that transmitter until otherwise paired. This process is
called “binding”.

With the RDS
8000 you:

1. Set the
throttle to low and, if using a helicopter, move the mode switches away from
you.

2. Turn on
the Transmitter.

3. Press
and hold the bind button on the receiver until the bind light flashes, then
release the button.

4. Press
the bind button on the transmitter and hold down until the receiver light goes
solid.

Your
transmitter and receiver are now “married”. Because you need to press a button
on the receiver in the binding process, you will most likely have to allow for
this in your radio installation.

You should be aware that during
the binding, the servos using channels 1-4 are given a memory of where to go if
the transmitter signal is lost–this is called Failsafe/Hold. If you do a lot of programming after the first bind,
you should do the bind process over again after all the programming is complete
and all servos are installed. Changes, such as the centering/neutral position
of servo-arms and the low throttle position, need to be communicated to the
receiver’s failsafe-memory.

Initial Navigation

Video 3 – First Steps

Dialup | Broadband

There is
no special way to enter the programming of the RDS 8000. The screen displays
the navigation as you go. The CH+ key moves your selection to the right and the
CH- key moves your selection to the left. The CH area on the screen will
display EL for elevator, then AL for aileron, etc. as you move across through all
of the channels. When you stop on a specific channel, you then use the function
UP and DOWN arrowed keys to navigate to options such as SERVO REVERSE or DUAL
RATES, etc.

There is a
plus (+) and a minus (-) key to let you change the values as you program. When
you are done, or if you just want out of the programming, the END button is a
lifesaver. You just hit it once or twice to go straight back to the main
screen.

To get to
higher level functions such as MODEL SELECTION or ADVANCED, you move across the
display with the CH+ key until you see ETC highlighted. When you move down from
this position, all of the programming selections are displayed, one at a time.

RDS 8000 hierarchy of
options.

With all programming of any computer
transmitter, you have to begin somewhere. You need to make some early decisions
as to what you are trying to achieve. Of course, this can be quite difficult if
you are not familiar with the capabilities of the transmitter.

The AIRTRONICS RDS 8000 FHSS sets
out to give you an easy-to-understand starting point. First, you must select a
model number/name (there are ten to choose from). Then, you tell the radio if
you want to program an airplane or a helicopter.

Next, you state how complex you
would like the programming to be. They have a level called BASIC or a level
called ADVANCED that you can select.

The BASIC and ADVANCED level
function menus both have the following settings or changes that you can make at
any time:

-          Basic ON
or OFF (BASIC) - This is much more than what the title might imply.
The words BASIC and ADVANCED in RDS 8000 “speak” refer to the levels of
programming that can be accessed and changed. The levels available are
determined by the BASIC command.

-          A
Countdown timer or Count-up Stopwatch (STW) - to time your flight or
warn you how long you have been flying.

-          Center
Adjustment (CNT) on all
channels – Airtronics servos will center correctly with this radio. Other
manufacturers’ do not all use the same centering values but can be re-centered
using the transmitter’s SUB-TRIM function. This function lets you center the
servo arms before you begin. It is available to all channels except for the
retract servo; which does not need center programming.

-          Dual Rates
(D/R) – for the fixed wing Elevator and Aileron channels and Rudder
on Helicopter.

-          Servo
Reversing (REV) – allows you to reverse the direction of the servo
relative to the channel control.

-          Endpoint
adjustment (EPA) - is available
to all channels and lets you adjust how far the servo arm moves in a range of
0-150% in either direction.

-          Reset of
program settings (RST) - at some stage during the programming of a model,
you might decide to start again or simply clear an existing model of all of the
settings.

BASIC & ADVANCED SELECTION

There are five (5) functions that
are always available at the top of the hierarchy of commands. They will be
found under the ETC command heading which shows up after you scroll past all of
the channels.

They are STOPWATCH, MODEL SELECT,
MODEL TYPE AND RESET. The fifth is the command to turn off and on the BASIC
limitations.

Video 4 – Basic On

Dialup | Broadband

The command “BASIC” is listed in
the menu. This clip shows you how the RDS 8000 selects BASIC or ADVANCED
function lists. In “BASIC ON” you can see how this option greatly reduces the
programming options available. You would select this when all you need to
program, for example, is a simple model.

BASIC FUNCTIONS

When “BASIC ON” is selected the transmitter
only shows a selection of the following, listed under the various channel
headings:

-          Stopwatch (STW)

-          Servo
reverse (REV)

-          Dual rates
(D/R)

-          Servo
centering (CNT)

-          End point
adjustment (EPA)

Helicopters also get;

-          Throttle
curves (CV-)

-          Revolution
mixing (RV-)

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

When the BASIC command is set to OFF, the radio user will have access to all of the Advanced Programming functions.
Advanced Programming is really nice to have, maybe even essential, when doing
complex installations such as crow-flaps and flaperon deployment with auto
compensating down-elevator. Most final aerobatic trimming uses these functions
such as trimming out “walking” in knife edge flight or preventing the airplane
from pulling itself out of a straight vertical down line.

Video 5 – Selecting Advanced

Dialup | Broadband

When the BASIC condition is set to
“OFF” it means that ADVANCED has been turned on. This can be a little bit
confusing, but it means that the user now has access to a list of twenty-five
(25) more programming options.

As well as more options becoming
available in the Advanced-list, there are additional functions that now appear in
the channel lists for Elevator, Aileron Rudder, Throttle and Flap. For example,
Exponential, Trim adjustment and Elevator to Flap mix-commands are now visible in
the Elevator channel list. The Rudder channel now shows extra options that allow
you to program Trim, a mix of Rudder to Elevator and a mix of Rudder to
Aileron. (BTW–the last two are great options to use when electronically-trimming
an airplane for knife-edge flight.) (Ed.
Note: Having these advanced mixes preset is usually only a feature found in the
most very expensive transmitters, not in a real value like this system.)

The list of functions under the
ADVANCED option is quite long and contains several different types of command. Some
commands will turn options on or off in other menus. Some commands will make
big changes to how the transmitter sees the channels are being used by the
receiver. An example is that you could select the DELTA option and the Elevator
takes up two channels. In DELTA, the Ailerons use the same two channels. The
Aileron control stick would move the two channels like ailerons (one side up and
one side down). The Elevator stick would move both channels up or down at the same
time. The elevator trim control would move both servos at the same time.

Video 6 – Stopwatch

Dialup | Broadband

-          Stopwatch
(STW) - this command is always at the top of each channel list so
that the timer can be started from any position. To change the value of the countdown
timer, you need to go to the Advanced menu.

-          Digital
Trims settings (TRM) – are the values that are usually set by the
trim-levers next to the transmitter’s four primary controls used for throttle,
aileron, elevator and rudder. There is a digital display “=” of the trim
position. In Advanced mode, the trim values can also be altered by a program
function. This should not be confused with the servo-centering feature. The
best way to use this feature is to make the coarse trim adjustments on the
first few flights. Then reduce the amount of control surface movement per trim
click and then make the fine adjustments.

Video 7 – End Point Adjustment

Dialup | Broadband

-          End Point
Adjustment (EPA) on all channels – this is often called servo throw
or adjustment of travel (ATV). The servos begin with 1005 points of movement (“throw”)
in each direction and can be increased up to 150% or reduced to as little as
0%. This feature is mostly used to adjust control throws that have been set up mechanically.
That is to say the linkages, horns and servo arms are close to what is
required.

-          Dual Rate
Alarm (D/R-A) – this is an optional safety feature (if you want it) to help
prevent you from unwittingly taking-off on high-rates. If you are concerned
about being on the wrong rate setting when you switch on, then you should use
this alarm. It can be annoying, however, because if selected it is always ready
to be on. Just because you return the rate-switch (switches) to the low
position while the radio is on, it does not turn off the alarm function. As
soon as you go to high rates again, the alarm will start sounding every 15
seconds.

-          Exponential (EXP) – is a feature that is often
misunderstood. It is used to increase or decrease the reaction of a servo to
the same amount of control stick movement. The word “exponential” really refers
to the graph of control surface movement against control-stick movement. In
most cases, the exponential function is used to give a softer response around the
initial center movement of the control stick. This makes an aircraft easier to
fly because the controls are less sensitive near the neutral position, but will
still give full control surface deflection when the stick is moved all of the
way over.

It is not a bad
idea to use approximately 20% exponential on a servo to address the geometry of a rotating servo arm and the
control horn’s not giving a linear action to the control surface.

-          Aileron
Differential (AI-DIF) – is handy when you are flying an airplane with a
flat-bottomed wing section. It allows you to program more up aileron than down
aileron to get better rolling action into the bank for a turn. It requires you
to have two servos in two separate channels and for the Flaperon-mix to be
turned on in the Advanced menu. The purpose of this exercise is to reduce Adverse Yaw effects.

-          Landing
Differential (L-DIF) – lets you alter the effect of the differential
settings when the ailerons are being used in a “Crow”
airbrake configuration. Both the ailerons will be in the up-position and the End
Point Adjustment would need to be reduced on the up sides to prevent the servos
from trying to travel too far.

Video 8 – Trim Authority

Dialup | Broadband

-          Trim
sensitivity (STEP) – this is a useful feature. When a model is being
tested for the first time, you might like to have the trim-levers be very
responsive. One beep having a large effect will help you quickly “dial” a model
out of a badly trimmed situation. Then the trim sensitivity could be set to
give much less of a response. It would now take several beeps of the trim lever
to get the same result. This allows for fine-tuning and more accurate trim
resolution once the model is nearly trimmed to fly.

-          Crow (CR-LA) & (CR-RA) – adjusts and pre-selects
the channels for the airbrake effect called “Crow”. This usually requires two
aileron channels and one or two flap channels. In the active position, you can
select how much both the ailerons move up and how much down flap you want.

-          Throttle
to Elevator Mix (T>E), Flap to Elevator Mix (F>E), Rudder to Aileron Mix (R>A)
and Aileron to Rudder Mix (A>R) - are all very easy to use. Each
function is listed directly under each associated channel. If you want to add
some down elevator as the throttle is advanced, to prevent some ballooning
under full power, just go directly to the elevator channel functions. Once there,
you select T>E and adjust accordingly.

Video 9 – Aileron to Rudder Mix

Dialup | Broadband

The
aileron action sometimes needs some help from the rudder when entering a turn.
It is very easy with this function.

-          Flaperon-Mix
(Flap), Delta-Mix (Delta), and V-Tail Mix (V-Tail)

-          The user can tell the radio that the model has different fundamental
types of control configurations.

-          2
Compensation Mixers – There are a lot of channel-to-channel mixes already available
in the programming of the RDS 8000. They were chosen for you in anticipation of
your usual mixing needs. In the case where you have a different mixing
requirement, the RDS 8000 gives you the commands (MAS-1), (MAS-2), (SLV1) and
(SLV2). These commands let you select
your own choice of the master and slave servos in any mix combination that
might suit your aircraft installation.

-          Throttle
Cut (T-Cut) - shows up as a command under the throttle servo command
list. It allows you to choose a percentage of throttle movement that will cut
the motor when the throttle stick is at idle. This is very easy to use at the
field once you have set up the engine.

-          Dual
Elevator Mix (D-EL) - allows you to use two separate servos on two
elevators. You can individually center and set end points for each elevator. However,
the trim lever and elevator control stick will work both elevator halves at the
same time. (Ed Note: This is another
feature found only on the most expensive transmitters, sometimes costing a
thousand dollars or more. It is unheard of at a $150 price!!)

-          Switch
Reversing (SW-R) - lets you determine whether a switch lever is on
when up or down.

-          Flight
Modes – the advanced Helicopter Features also have 4 Flight Modes – which allow you to vary
the pitch of the blades with switches. There are three throttle-curves with
five selectable throttle-points per curve.

-          Tail-rotor
revolution – You can also adjust the tail-rotor revolution with high,
medium and low positions using (RV.H),
(RV.M) (RV.L) mixing.

-          Gyro
Sensitivity (GYR) - has two settings per flight mode if the gyro has
the capability.

-          Swash
Plate (SWH) - the RDS 8000 recognizes five (5) types of swash plate
set-up and design.

MENU OPTION – (OPT)

Video 10 – OPT Effect

Dialup | Broadband

This feature/command is worth a
special mention. It is a most convenient and unusual command that gives you
entry to a control menu where the ADVANCED options can be hidden.

You might want to protect your
settings from accidental changes in the heat of the moment at the field. You might
just want to reduce the size/length of the menus that you have to go through simply
for the sake of efficiency.

An example would be that you have
elected to use the SPOILERON option, but you don’t need to see it every time
you go in. Even though you cannot see the functions in the menus, the functions
are there and are still working. A short trip to the OPT menu lets you make
them visible again. Once the functions are visible, you can use the ADVANCED
menu to change their settings.

You can hide and hence protect
almost all of the ADVANCED options. There is even a command that lets you do a blanket
ON or OFF of the ADVANCED content. The primary command (OPT) still remains, but
there would be nothing on display below each servo heading. This is quite a
remarkable idea and concept.

RADIO INSTALLATION

The receiver
needs to have the 6-inch long dual antennae routed at right angles to each
other. This was easy to do in a large
cabin airplane like the Model Tech Super Cub ARF that hosts this radio system. But it could prove to be a little problematic in
a small, narrow fuselage. Otherwise, everything else was straightforward and
simple.

In tight
confines, just allow one of the antennae to exit the fuselage as if it were a
72 MHz antenna. This may even enhance reception but that has proven not to be a
problem with this radio even when flown at extreme visual ranges.

Of course,
before flying any new radio system, a range check is mandatory. Unlike the
older 72 MHz systems, you can’t just collapse the fixed antenna of the
Airtronics 8000. Instead, hold the bind button down and switch on the
transmitter. The transmitter’s bind light should shortly go out. Then release
the button and the light should come back on but be blinking this time. That
means the transmitter is now producing very little output and is in the “range
Check” mode. Try the controls, still from 30 yards away, and everything should
work fine. Remember to remove the transmitter from the bind mode before flying.
A simple on/off cycle should do that.

FLYING TEST

The RDS
8000 was used in the Model Tech SUPER CUB review. It provided great range with never a sign of any radio problems. The
low throttle was easy to set while the engine was being broken-in. It only took
a few seconds to turn on the throttle-kill function and get an engine-cut that
was instant and could be depended upon.

The dual rates
were set to 80% for regular flying and 100% for more adventurous maneuvers. The
flaps were adjusted at the field to give better landing characteristics. The
auto-down-elevator really helped keep the nose down when the flaps were
deployed. It was easy to adjust until just right.

The
aileron to rudder mix was very effective with the SUPER CUB. A little more was
added after the first flight test. This function was left as visible in the OPT
function and was therefore quick and easy to find.

OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

Overall, the AIRTRONICS RDS 8000 was
very easy to use. The controls and switches were easy to find while flying. The
neck strap was mounted in a position where the radio balanced well.

The feature/function logic was
simple to follow. The range of capabilities was impressive for a radio at this price
level. There will not be much that a new or experienced user will need beyond
this radio and its advanced functions. Helicopter and fixed-wing pilots should
find almost everything that they need.

After extensively testing the
Airtronics RDS 8000 FHSS system, I have been truly amazed that an 8-channel,
2.4 Ghz radio of this caliber and with so many advanced features can possibly
be sold at $150 for transmitter and receiver. I don’t how a value like this is
possible but all of us should take advantage of this great value before
Airtronics and Hobby People come to their senses.

Some of the Things I liked
about the Airtronics RDS 8000 FHSS:

O       2.4GHz binding
process was quick and easy to understand. It visually told you what was going
on.

O       Could not
shoot down other pilots.

O       No long transmitter
antenna in the way or vulnerable to being bent.

O       Quick
stick-to-servo responses.

O       Very wide
range of functionality.

O       The ability
to select the number of functions displayed.

O       The way
functions lined up under each channel once they were turned on in the advance
list.

O       Many
features found only on transmitters that are far more expensive.

The Very Few Things That Could Be
Improved:

O    Dual-rate alarm is annoying and of little value. The pilot
knows instantly what rate the airplane is flying on either by its
responsiveness or when checking control movement just prior to takeoff.

O    Would have liked to have seen fail-safe at least on the flap
channel as well as on the main controls.

For more information on this
incredible steal of a radio deal, go to: http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/751700.asp

Short URL: http://masportaviator.com/?p=936