HELI SIDE OF THE XP9303, THE

Model Airplane News, Jan 2005 by Bell, Rick

IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE COMPUTER RADIO, RC helicopters wouldn't be able to do the stunning aerobatics that are so commonplace today. The new JR XP9303 heli system neatly fills the gap between JR's mid-range XP8103 and the high-end PCMlOX.

The XP9303 looks very similar to the 1OX with its large display screen, digital trims and switches. The main difference between the two (aside from programming functions) is that the 9303 uses a scroll wheel to input data instead of the familiar touch-screen. You access the menus via pushbuttons on the left side of the screen. Like the 8103, the 9303 has digital trims except on throttle.

As on all JR radios, there are two main menus to program. The system menu is used to set up a model's basic parameters such as model type, model name, swash-plate type, modulation, etc. The function menu is the heart of the system and has no fewer than 20 functions to choose from.

The radio has all the usual JR features plus a couple of new ones. First, it provides the ability to disable a number of switches on the transmitter; Pitch Trim, Gear, Aux 2, 3 and 4 can, in essence, be turned off. This is very useful when you use auxiliary channels for special or mixing purposes.

Also new is a special governor program that will work with most governor systems and allows independent rotor rpm setting of each of the active flight modes.

When I scrolled to Swash Typ and pushed the rolling selector, the screen showed six types of swashplate control: the usual one-servo mechanical mode (non-CCPM) and five CCPM modes. When you choose a CCPM mode, a small circle appears and shows the type (90, 120, 140, or 180 degrees) and channels in the receiver into which you must plug the servos-no more flipping through the manual to find this information.

The 9303 offers up to five separate throttle and pitch cutves, each with seven adjustable points and the option to smooth out the cutves with the exponential function. There are three default curves and two that are activated when the Flight Mode Extra function is enabled in the Device Select menu.

The radio offers six programmable mixes. The mix can remain on all the time, or you can switch it off and on using a variety of switches. Mixes 1 and 2 have the capability for multipoint programmable mixing (much like a throttle or pitch curve), which is represented by a graph-again like the throttle- and pitch-curve functions.

The 9303 has a comprehensive list of functions, and these are straightforward to access and use with the new rolling selector. With its 30-model memory, this could possibly be the last heli system you'll ever need to buy. The transmitter feels solid and comfortable in your hands. I think the scroll wheel is an improvement on the touch screen, and it's easy to use. This system with receiver and 4 digital servos costs $799.99. With all the features this radio offers, it's a great value. JR certainly has a winner on its hands! -Rick Bell