Large Scale Central

HK radio for Beltrol & Railboss

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

The Hobby King 6 channel radio that can be used for the Beltrol & Railboss is a great value for the money ($33). Extra receivers are only $15. There is one thing to be aware of when ordering from the Hobby City page- (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?catname=2.4Ghz+HobbyKing&idCategory=295&ParentCat=190)
Do not include in an order any items showing a negative number in the IN STOCK box. Even if it is an inexpensive item, because its showing as out of stock (negative number), your whole order will be hung up until that item comes back into stock. They don’t do partial orders.
This company is extremely active and the RC air guys are using it because of the great deals on various items.

This radio system has proven in my case to be very reliable. I have it in a locomotive, an RC sailboat and an RC plane. These are 3 very different environments with their own unique problems and I have had no problems what so ever in all three. Where 75mhz & 27mhz glitches this 2.4 system has been solid and will undoubtably make the Beltrol and Railboss work flawlessly. It runs the older RCS EVO’s perfectly with great range also. I intend to order a couple more radios & extra receivers when they are back in stock.
Dave

#2

Those are astounding prices.

#3

Those are outstanding R/C systems. Regardless of the price. Absolutely perfect for our purposes, including operating live steam locos.
JR Spektrum, had better watch out or they will lose all their park flyer business.

#4

Now just as soon as they come back in stock!

#5
Bart Salmons said:
Now just as soon as they come back in stock!
Well, if Tony W says they're OK, I t'ink I may invest ... And so I did, today, after an advisory that they had the beasties back in stock. It's my birthday present to myself ... a month early, but what the hay :P
#6

Just poke around the net for them.

Right now they are sold under at least 4 different brand names that I know of.

I brought mine in from Hong Kong and had to add US$26 Air Shipping to the base cost of US$33.
One good thing I have noticed with them is the linking procedure between the TX and RX is almost instantaneous compared to Spektrum which can sometimes take 10 - 20 seconds.

#7

I ordered one of the other “brands,” Exceed RC. It arrived with no instructions–none–and no software CD. Searching the web I managed to find the instructions, but it must be faulty–I can’t get it to bind. The led flashes once and that’s it.

Supposedly they have customer servic after 3 EST. I will call and see

#8
mike omalley said:
I ordered one of the other "brands," Exceed RC. It arrived with no instructions--none--and no software CD. Searching the web I managed to find the instructions, but it must be faulty--I can't get it to bind. The led flashes once and that's it.

Supposedly they have customer servic after 3 EST. I will call and see


Ouch. Hope you get it straightened out.

#9

I just called them. there was no tech support–they promised to email directions on sending it back for a refund

Hmmm.

#10

Even though it is supposed to bind without any reprogramming it is a good idea to make sure it is set up for aircraft before you start to do anything with it.
I know that is impossible without any instructions or software.
If you cannot get satisfaction from the supplier by way of obtaining a credit refund your only avenue is to refuse to pay that portion of your credit card bill whilst the CC holder investigates.
If you get the situation resolved to your satisfaction and still need information, I have details on how to set up and program these systems at the BELTROL website.

Instructions: http://www.copterx.com/CX-CT6A_manual.pdf

Advised settings: http://www.beltrol-rc.com/PDF/instructions/LOW%20COST-T6A/BTL%20LC-T6a.pdf and scroll down to page # 8.

#11

Wouldn’t you know that LAST NIGHT I ordered a Spektrum 5 channel and receiver for $99. Today I read this message (found it with a search) and sure enough, Hobby King still has the house brand 6 channel tx and rx for $33. Groan. But at that price, I’m probably gonna order one just because!

Bruce

#12

Hello Bruce.

I really like those HK units. But be advised the only way to set the servo reversing is via a computer. Be sure and order the programing kit too.

#13

Hi Tony…
Very good advice. I wasn’t aware of that. After reading your message, I went back to the HK site and read more carefully. In the reviews from customers - which were generally very good - many commented on the need for the correct programming software and even drivers. Folks there have posted links to locations to download the software. In addition, the system doesn’t have any instructions, but those are also available by download. The downloads are all free of charge, but it’s good to be aware that while these radios are apparently excellent buys, there are a few quirks. I don’t think it’s anything that would cause anyone on this site much problem, but it’s good to know about it and be prepared.

Bruce

#14

We have an Australian distributor here for a different brand clone of the HK system that comes set up for helicopters.
They are also supplied with the CD and USB - serial port cabling. So I have to reprogram each one when I sell them here.

I did order a mode # 2 system from Hong Kong and it arrived set for aircraft Mode # 2. I donwloaded the setting from that TX and saved it so I can simply upload into any others that come in.

#15

Yea if you leave these radios programmed in the heli mode it does some weird things to the throttle settings. Note the HK radios are the same as Esky, Flysky, Exceed etc. A number of vendors sell them HK is a good vendor but with their shopping costs its sometimes just as cost effective to order from one of distributors here in the states.
As far as mode goes, if you’re just using the radio for trains I don’t see that it matters. If you fly and are might use the radio for that then you’ll want to match the mode you are used to. Also if memory serves me right, you can adjust the mode with the programming software.
Dave

#16

It is because of the programming requirements for the HK, Exceed, and others, that I don’t show them on my list of recommended radio systems for the RailBoss. Also, many are 6-channel radios, and the RailBoss system only requires 4 channels to perform all of the needed functions. So, much less clutter on the radio (simple is better).

At present, I recommend the Spektrum DX5E or the E-Sky 001695 (was EK2-0404G) systems. Although, the HK and other knock-offs will certainly do the job just fine! I do expect to be recommending more radio systems in the future. I also don’t want to recommend systems that haven’t actually been tested with the RailBoss.

#17

In all honesty, sticking with a slightly more expensive but also more user friendly TX is probably the way to go, especially for those who, like me, are just venturing into the remote control battery powered arena. With no experience to draw on, I don’t need anymore challenges than absolutely necessary! I need to know that the TX and RX are going to work with my rsc assuming I get the right wires going to the right places. However, it is nice to know that once I’ve figured the basics out and am ready to tackle the next loco, there are some very inexpensive alternatives to look into. Imagine a transmitter and receiver for less than $40! Add the rsc and battery and you have an R/C loco. And additional locos on the same TX for less than $20 plus rsc and battery. Now that is a attractive proposition.

But I’m getting ahead of myself…I gotta do the first one first!

Bruce

#18

So far I have tested four different brands of (so called) “Park flyer” 5/6 channel 2.4 GHz radios.
They each have plusses and minusses, but in general I would rate them in my order of favouritism thus.

  1. Spektrum DX5e. +++'s Low voltage TX, externally bind-able, simple operation, trimmer switches. —'s The most expensive.
  2. E-Sky 6 channel. +++'s Low voltage TX, simple operation, trimmer switches, lowish cost. —'s Cannot be bound externally of loco.
  3. Planet twister 5 ch. +++'s Low voltage TX, simple operation, trimmer switches, Low cost. —'s Cannot be bound externally of loco.
  4. Hobby King 5 ch. +++"s Simple operation, externally bind-able, trimmer switches, the lowest cost. —'s Must use computer for setting servo reversing. Uses 8 x batteries.

They all have great range.
Low TX voltage = lower TX weight.
Except for the Spektrum RX’s, they all have low cost extra RX’s.
None will work with another brand.

A note on binding. This is a quite simple process whereby every TX has a different “address” and can acquire (i.e. bind) as many same brand RX’s as you desire. This can be handy for “acquiring” and “handing off” helper locos to another TX.
Being able to externally bind the RX is an advantage over not being able to. But, this would only be a feature if you intended to do the above. Once bound, there is usually no need to ever do it again.

I hope the above is of assistance.