J-Line Quattro

Model Airplane News, Jan 2001 by Aberle, Bob

Ease of operation, basic controls and a low price tag make the new J--Line Quattro radio from JR Remote Control* very attractive to newcomers and advanced modelers who want a basic extra transmitter. With four control functions (aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle), this FM radio is very simple to operate, and an easy--to--tead, extremely thorough instruction manual will help new modelers understand the system. The Quattro also has four servo--reversing switches, one for each channel, and a trainer cable input and switch.

The system comes with a transmitter, a JR R600 6-channel receiver, four JR NES-507 standard servos, a dual--oupput battery charger, Ni--Cd battery packs for both the transmitter and receiver, a switch harness, an aileron extension cable, extra servo output arms and mounting hardware, a frequency flag and an instruction manual. The system is available on all 72 to 73MHz RC aircraft channels except channels 11 to 14.

TRANSMITTER

The Quattro transmitter is of the conventional dualstick variety, with aileron and elevator control on the right stick and rudder and throttle control on the left. If you fly a 3-channel model that has only rudder, elevator and throttle, then both rudder and elevator would be handled by the right stick. Each of the four channel functions has a trim lever that allows you to precisely set your model for level flight attitude.

A rechargeable, 600mAh 8-cell Ni-Cd battery pack can be accessed using a compartment door on the lower rear of the transmitter case. The servo-reversing switches are underneath the battery. After you've set the switches for a particular model, there's no need to access them until you fly another model.

The main power switch and three colored LEDs that indicate battery condition are on the front of the transmitter. If all three LEDs are glowing (green, orange and red), it is OK to fly. If the green LED goes out, it's time to recharge, and when just the red LED is glowing, don't fly. This LED system is simple and effective.

You can adjust the length of both control sticks but not the spring tension. Under the handle, there's an attachment point for a neck strap (an optional accessory).

TRAINER FUNCTION

A nice, extra feature on the Quattro is its trainer capability. At the top left comer of the transmitter case, there's a springloaded switch labeled "trainer." To take advantage of the trainer capability, you need only a JRPA130 trainer cable (available separately) and another JR transmitter (preferably another Quattro).

To operate this trainer function, simply connect the trainer cable between the two transmitters. Make sure that the servoreversing positions on both transmitters are identical. When the student flies, the instructor holds the trainer switch; if the student needs assistance, the instructor simply lets go of the switch and takes over flying. A very basic transmitter like the Quattro is perfect for this trainer application.

AIRBORNE GEAR

The JR R600 FM 6-channel receiver is small and weighs just 1 ounce. The JR NES-507 standard servos weigh 1.5 ounces each and have an output torque of 40.3 oz.-in. A 600mAh Ni-Cd 4-cell battery pack provides the airborne power and weighs 3.2 ounces. The all-up weight of this airborne pack, with the switch harness and an aileron extension cable, is 11 ounces.

If you want to fly small parking-lot or indoor RC models, you can use JR's new 0.5-ounce R-610M micro receiver and 0.32-ounce, NER-241 sub-microservos. Like all JR RC equipment, these components are fully compatible with the Quattro transmitter and can be combined with lightweight, low-capacity battery packs to produce an airborne system that weighs only an ounce or two.

SUMMARY

The J-Line Quattro is a good first radio system that's easy to operate, and it comes with an excellent, very thorough instruction manual-especially important for a basic radio that's intended for beginners or sport fliers. The Quattro's servo-reversing switches and built-in trainer capability are a real touch of class and, of course, the bottom line is that the J-Line Quattro is very affordable. If you're looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-use RC system, this one is just the ticket.

*Addresses are listed alphabetically in "Featured Manufacturers" on page 198.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: J-Line Quattro

Manufacturer: JR Remote Control

Type: basic 4-channel, FM radio available on 72 to 73Mhz aircraft channels. Modulation is FM (PPM) with high-side deviation.

Transmitter: 26.7 oz., 4-channel dual stick (Mode-11) with conventional trim levers. The RF module is built into the case and is not removable. Charging jack's center pin is negative. Three colored LEDs indicate battery charge status.

Receiver: JR R600 (1 oz.); uses ABC&W circuitry; has six available channel functions. JR connectors plug into the end of the case.

Servos: four JR NES-507 standard size (1.5 oz. each), output 40.3 oz.-in., 0.25second transit time for 60-degree rotation. Servo cables are 11 inches long.

Accessories: switch harness with charging jack, 4-cell 600mAh airborne Ni-Cd battery pack, dual-output battery charger, aileron extension cable, servomounting hardware and extra output arms, frequency flag set and instruction manual.