Horizon’s website indicates shipping late this month, although we all know how that works. The official JR site has yet to be updated at this time.

A couple new features myself and many many others really wanted to see got incorporated as well:

A backlit LCD display 

The ability to trigger the timer with the throttle. No more forgetting to start the &$%@ flight timer!

Manufacturers Advertised Price for the radio & 9-channel R921 receiver w/no servos is $549, $80 less  than the previous MAP of the X9303. Considering the R921 is worth $169 alone, it’s a good bundle.

Then again, not everyone sells for MAP – “add to cart” and you’ll see what I mean. I would imagine this reputable vendor should have the X9503 radio priced similarly.

The radio retains %100 of the legendary 9303 programming, which was introduced with the 72Mhz S/PCM XP9303. Naturally it is compatible with all Spektrum aircraft receivers.

Add. model memory, more features (and useful ones at that) @ a lower price.

Although I won’t be in a hurry to replace my X9303 with this upgraded model it will be quite tempting!

-Zeke

 I hate sending radios in for service.   I say that, even though I’m told that Horizon will do all sorts of wonderful things to your radio while it’s in their care.

So, when my DX6i turned up with a broken rudder trim tab switch, I started using sub trim instead of sending it in.  I have other radios, but that is my only DSM radio.

Last week, I tripped on East R/C.  They are out of Florida, they sell on Ebay and direct, and they have a few special parts, such as the machined aluminum trim tabs I bought from them last week.  Apparently the little plastic levers themselves are typically the part that fails, so this is a functional and cosmentic upgrade.

Actually opening up your radio is not for everybody, especially if your radio is still under warranty.  The instructions that they wrote are well illustrated/easy to follow – check it out.

Broken trim tab

I am very pleased with the result.  It gives the poor old DX6i a little bit of a nicer feel, and I plan to check out their aluminum ERC roller button upgrade!

The finished product

Here’s hoping that everybody gets something they enjoy this week.  Cheers!

- Eli

As with all e-flite ARF’s all hardware is supplied. No modifications necessary, although I do recommend going over weak spots with either thin CA or epoxy as you see fit. Spots get missed in the factory.

The covering is nice, wrinkles always seem to be there though I can have Eli show me how to work them out. //*//UPDATE – wrinkles cleaned up quite well with a heatgun.

There is room to neatly route cables, always a plus. The battery compartment can accomadate nearly any 3s or 4s lipo.

Hinging is required for all control surfaces.

Basic shop tools used, nothing fancy.

For this build I will be using the following gear:

E-Flite power 32 motor, 770kv, on 4s lipo

Castle Phoenix 60 ESC + Castle BEC

4x JR Sport MN48 Servos

Spektrum AR7000 RX w/Flight Log

APC 12 x 8 & 13 x 6.5 e-props w/e-flite aluminum spinner

Dual ailerons configured in TX. It will be flown by a JR X9303 DSM2 radio.

OK some pics already, I was in a rush to build so started right into it.

RX installed

ESC & BEC

M0Tar

Getting there

Wow it's purple

And done! Fairly aggressive control surfaces

If I had not slacked towards the end of the project, it could have been completed in a few nights time, given a few hours each night.

The ailerons were a pain to hinge, then again I always dislike hinging. This involves patience and careful application of thin CA to the hinges. I ended up with minor mis-alignment on each aileron due to the pre-done hinge slots in the wing not aligned. //*//UPDATE//*// Eli has since used his heatgun to tune the ailerons, no more twists!

After hinging the horizontal & vertical stab, they both installed quickly and accurately after checking alignment. Thin CA was used to wick into the fuse after the covering was neatly cut.

Servos installed with no problems using the stock JR hardware included, + some 12″ extensions. I did use the special long servo arms from JR, and the stock e-flite pushrods, etc. Topped it off with Parsons retainer clips where the servo extensions join.

The hatch simply requires careful alignment and the use of canopy glue to apply the canopy. It should sit for a few hours at least before handling.

The power 32 motor bolts right up to the firewall using the included hardware – no spacers needed for the shorter motor (as opposed to the power 25).  There’s room to neatly mount the ESC / BEC and route all cables to the battery compartment / receiver area. I used some spiral wrap to keep things outta my way.

The one-piece wing is a snap to install – and bolted in via a single large nylon bolt.

Given careful alignment and markings for the pin drill, the cowl is a simple job. I’d drop some thin CA into the pilot holes you drill for the cowl screws to add some strength.

Overall, this was a fun project, and definately a quality ARF.

If you want to check out the manual, it is here

-Zeke

So, I called Dennis over @ Porkeez and had him put me down for one. I paid the MAP price of $169, then noticed it dropped to $139 a couple days ago. Oh well, I’d rather support the LHS anyway.

For this build, I will be using the following gear:

E-Flite Park 480 1020kv moter

Castle Creations Thunderbird 36 ESC and CC-BEC

Hitec HS-65MG’s for Elevator, Rudder, and Flaps

Hitec HS-5065MG’s for Ailerons

Spektrum AR6200 receiver

APC 12 x 6 prop (don’t try a 10 x 7, ask me how I know!)

When I took it home, I immediately checked contents. Yup, everything there, and in good condition. Like all these E-Flite ARF’s the covering needs to be cleaned up with a heatgun.

Everything here!

Plenty of room!

Time to install servos & radio gear! I mounted the AR6200 receiver with servo tape off to the side, for easier cable routing.  Placed the satellite receiver dead-center with the antennas oriented 90 degrees from the main receiver. Installed the 2x HS-65MG servos for the elevator and rudder. Also installed the supplied velcro battery straps. Quite straight-forward.

Radio & servo gear installed

Next was installation of the motor and ESC + BEC. The motor bolts right up to the motor mount with the included hardware. Easy. I soldered up the Thunderbird 36 and CC-BEC, then installed the ESC off to the side of the motor mount – for good airflow. I installed the CC-BEC on the firewall as it’s small.

Motor, ESC and BEC.

The CC-BEC is rated for 5A constant, and 10A burst. It’s small, light, switchmode, inexpensive, and a good idea for a 5 servo setup.

Extra Insurance!

So today is my b-day and yesterday my gift to myself arrived from Todd over at www.toddsmodels.com – a JR X9303 radio + goodies!

Following the JR naming convention this is a (9) channel, (30) model memory, (3) type TX – air / heli and sailplane. This is effectively the XP9303 w/integrated Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM/DSM2 technology. It’s been on the market since approx. late ’07 if I recall correctly and is regarded as a highly flexible radio. It came bundled with a JR R921 receiver.

I also picked up the USB interface & PC software, you’re able to backup model definitions and theoretically fully configure a model via the GUI then commit it to the radio. Naturally I had to get a neckstrap and the dual TX case from JR as well – the same one Eli uses.

I’ve unpacked it and charged the TX battery overnight, and hope to start playing with it this afternoon. More to come!