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Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 6:03 pm
by NWarty
All of vintage restorations have period gear.
I'm still on the look out for a decent Airtronics XL2P. Both of mine have spontaneously combusted due to faulty battery holders.
The Magnum Jr., XL2P, and MX-3 are my favorite radios of all time.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:20 am
by Frankentruck
Most of the 4+ channel radios I see are 72mhz and labelled to be used for aircraft only. One I came across says it's a 72mhz radio with a 75mhz crystal in it. Does that work for surface vehicles? Is there a good reason not to use 72mhz for surface vehicles? Maybe that's just to not mess up flying RCs by stepping on their frequencies.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:45 am
by juicedcoupe
I see 27mhz 4 channels pop up occasionally.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:43 pm
by Frankentruck
If 75mhz crystals really do work as a system in 72mhz radios, that opens up my collection of crystals and receivers to new possibilities.
My son is thinking he'd like us to do a battle bot someday and there would be baby steps along the way. The 'use what ya got' kind of baby steps.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:54 pm
by MadZero
Itβs a yes from me, all my vintage 1/8 have period radio. Futaba FP-2F steerwheel is probably my favourite because itβs so out there l but I also have a soft spot for the MRC 772 & Sanwa GC2200 systems, personal nostalgia thing basically. The modern(ish) stuff I run all get told what to do by a Sanwa MT-44, impressive bit of kit & gets the job done in a soulless plasticky way.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:51 pm
by coxbros1
I grew up with Airtronics stick radios, then to pistol Magnum sports and jr.s....Jr's being oh so classic....but my all time favorite vintage transmitter is the Airtronics M8, partially because Thumbs got one for Xmas one yr (probably 96'ish) when I had fallen out of rc and he was still in it hard-core, and secondly because I bought a TC5 used, that came with a M8, and found out just how righteous it was!
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:23 am
by EvolutionRevolution
coxbros1 wrote: βMon Dec 27, 2021 8:51 pm
I grew up with Airtronics stick radios, then to pistol Magnum sports and jr.s....Jr's being oh so classic....but my all time favorite vintage transmitter is the Airtronics M8, partially because Thumbs got one for Xmas one yr (probably 96'ish) when I had fallen out of rc and he was still in it hard-core, and secondly because I bought a TC5 used, that came with a M8, and found out just how righteous it was!
Do you have the charger for your M8, and could you please take a picture of the label on the charger that lists voltage, plug polarity, etc.?
Some years ago I received a Sanwa M8 that sadly lacked the charger, and the manual that I found online has no specifications for the charger.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:15 am
by coxbros1
Sadly, I don't have any of it anymore, but Thumbs on here might

Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:58 pm
by THEYTOOKMYTHUMB
I still have the radio somewhere. I didn't have a charger with mine. Just took AAs. You may be able to use a universal one. They have different size inserts and they are based on voltage I think. I bought one for an old electronic dart board with no cord and it works well. Something like this. May find one cheaper. First I saw.
[Upgraded Version] SoulBay Universal AC/DC Adapter Multi-Voltage Regulated Switching Power Supply with 8 Selectable Adapter Plugs, for 3V to 12V Home Electronics, 2Amps Max
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2K48HR/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_N0QDTP0K49S8PGPFJ68A
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:23 pm
by coxbros1
That should work!
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:41 pm
by Lavigna
I am a big fan of the Caliber radios from Airtronics. I feel lucky to have found these 3 examples in new condition. These radios feel so good in your hand.
Their quality is comparable to my modern Futaba 7PXR.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 1:59 pm
by EvolutionRevolution
THEYTOOKMYTHUMB wrote: βTue Dec 28, 2021 7:58 pm
I still have the radio somewhere. I didn't have a charger with mine. Just took AAs. You may be able to use a universal one. They have different size inserts and they are based on voltage I think. I bought one for an old electronic dart board with no cord and it works well. Something like this. May find one cheaper. First I saw.
[Upgraded Version] SoulBay Universal AC/DC Adapter Multi-Voltage Regulated Switching Power Supply with 8 Selectable Adapter Plugs, for 3V to 12V Home Electronics, 2Amps Max
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2K48HR/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_N0QDTP0K49S8PGPFJ68A
Sure, but I don't know the polarity of the plug I need. It isn't marked on the transmitter.
I guess I could try measuring whatever charge is still in the battery, I guess...
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 2:14 pm
by THEYTOOKMYTHUMB
EvolutionRevolution wrote: βSat Jan 01, 2022 1:59 pm
THEYTOOKMYTHUMB wrote: βTue Dec 28, 2021 7:58 pm
I still have the radio somewhere. I didn't have a charger with mine. Just took AAs. You may be able to use a universal one. They have different size inserts and they are based on voltage I think. I bought one for an old electronic dart board with no cord and it works well. Something like this. May find one cheaper. First I saw.
[Upgraded Version] SoulBay Universal AC/DC Adapter Multi-Voltage Regulated Switching Power Supply with 8 Selectable Adapter Plugs, for 3V to 12V Home Electronics, 2Amps Max
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2K48HR/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_N0QDTP0K49S8PGPFJ68A
Sure, but I don't know the polarity of the plug I need. It isn't marked on the transmitter.
I guess I could try measuring whatever charge is still in the battery, I guess...
I don't know much about that. Derek may know.
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 2:20 pm
by coxbros1
Actually I am not sure either....looks like testing it with what charge is left to determine polarity is your best option
Re: Do old radios and receivers hold any value to anyone?
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:23 pm
by Frankentruck
The standard convention is center/tip is positive. However, maybe something like this would help.
.