What is a computer radio for RC planes?

by Matthew
(Waikato)

Thanks for this page. I stand enlightened. But can you explain what a computer radio is, and what it does.

Matt's Reply: Computer Radios
Hello Matthew,

There are several things a computer radio can do to make your life easier. And for some aircraft such as RC helicopters, computer radios are essential.

Model memory is one of the most basic functions of a computer radio that makes life easier. When you set up an RC airplane you never know which servos will need to be reversed, what mixes may be needed, and how much you have to trim each control surface.

Model memory allows you to save this information for each model. If you have ever had a non-computer radio you probably have noticed that it doesn't take much to knock the trim tabs around. Unless you are really careful, your plane stands a good chance of needing to be re-trimmed every trip the the field. A computer radio stores these trim settings. So you can move the trim tabs around all you want while the radio is off and it doesn't affect anything.

Let's say you have two different airplanes and you want the servos reversed on the ailerons for one of them, but not the other. Lets say you get to the flying field and power up your radio and it is set for the WRONG model! This has happened to me, it's not fun trying to fly an airplane with the servos going in the wrong direction!

The new 2.4Ghz radios are binded to the receivers of each airplane you have. This is great because it will keep you from trying to use the wrong model set up on the wrong plane. If you have your radio set for the wrong model, your airplane won't even respond to the TX.

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What is a computer radio for RC planes?

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Continued
by: Matt

This commend form cut me off! lol. Guess I am getting a bit too windy...

Another very convenient feature of computer radios for RC airplanes is the end point adjustments. It's always a good idea to adjust your control surfaces as much as possibly by mechanical means. Such as turning in or out clevises, etc. But it's very convenient to be able to fine tune the end point adjustments of each throw with a few clicks of the radio.

High and low rates allow you to set up different throws on the control surfaces for different types of flying. For example, you want extremely large movement on the control surfaces for 3D flying. But then you can flip the switch and have very moderate throws for sports flying.

Exponential rates is another feature of RC airplane computer radios that make flying much easier, especially when it comes to 3D flying. Exponential rates allows you to change the sensitivity of the sticks as they move away from normal.

For example, a 3D pilots want the sensitivity of control sticks near the neutral position set so that he control surfaces move with more precisions, but less movement. And they want the sticks to move the control surfaces a lot more at the extreme positions.

RC airplane computer radios also give you the ability to mix different channels together. There are many different applications for this.

Many radios come with a few pre-programned mixes and then allow you to add your own custom mixes. One common pre-programmed mix is the V-tail mix. This allows you to us elevons. This is where a v-tail is used as both an elevator and as ailerons at the same time.There are many other mixes pilots used depending on the aircraft and what they are trying to accomplish.

An RC helicopter relies on mixes from the radio. Depending on the type of swash plate, different mixed need to be programmed in to the radio to make it function properly.

Here is some more info on Computer Radio Functions.

Most everyone who stays with the hobby gets a computer radio of some sort. Non-computer radios are good for people who are just testing out the hobby and don't want to spend much money. But if you're serious about the hobby you really can't live without a computer radio.

Let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck!

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