Hello folks...newbe here...some questions...

[Herb Mills]

I have a Futuba Skysport 6A (FP-6VA) FM on Channel 49. Although purchased several years ago new, it's virtually new and has never flown.

My question(s)...

Is this still usable?
Can it be used safely in an suburban environment?
Is it possible to upgrade it to digital? If so, how about the receiver and servos?

Thanks...looking forward to re-entering the hobby and getting caught up on technology.

Regards to all...

[Unbalanced]

Hi Herb.
The Skysport is still usable. If you plan on using it on a smaller (1.20 or less) plane. I would suggest replacing the battery packs regardless of their prior usage. The servos and Rx should be fine for a .40 size sport glow plane or possibly a .60 size leisure plane.

??? Define suburban environment?

[BarracudaHockey]

Its still perfectly usable if nobody else is on your channel.

It can't be upgraded though.

If you're going to be serious I'd reccomend a DX7 or something similar. You dont have to worry about getting shot down and its a very flexable computer radio for a decent price.

[DR10044]

Just a word of caution. Whether they are usable or not may depend on how you stored the radios. When we moved into our new house a few years back, I put all my RC gear above the garage in an unheated or air conditioned room. I had pulled all the batteries from the transmitters before they went up there. When I decided to get back in the hobby, I went out and purchased new batteries for all the transmitters. Long story short, all but one of the transmitters were toast. The cheapest one still worked. I looked at the receivers and there was some corrosion through out. Again the cheapest one still worked. I guess the humid summers and uncontrolled temperatures in the room did them in.

Oh well, it gave me a good excuse to upgrade to 2.4. Just give them a good going over before you spend any money on them and make sure you do a good range check if you do replace the batteries.

If it was me, before I would put any money in an old system, I would go out and purchase a 2.4 system from Futaba or Spectrum/JR.

Good luck!

[Herb Mills]

Thanks for all your replies. Your comments have helped considerably.

[Unbalanced]

Why not just send it in to Futaba for a check-up?? Shouldn't cost you much and it will put your mind at rest as to if the system is servicable.

Vietnam vet? God bless you!

[Herb Mills]

Thanks Jeff...That has crossed my mind to do. Good idea.

Yes, Vietnam '68-'69 Sentry Dog Handler