Radio Gear - 1970's
The 60's had seen a change from very basic units with reed control to fully proportional 'full house' sets. DIY was a major factor and there were many manufacturers around all offering good radio control sets however, this was to change by the end of the decade.
Skyleader SL4 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Jan 1970
Quantum 70 Rx - Build evaluation and test - Mar 1970
Futaba DigiMax 4 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Aug 1970
Sprengbrook Mini-Sport - Radio gear evaluation and test - Sep 1970
Styling of transmitters were beginning to change and those who previously had the 'old' 60's look brought out new versions with the plain pressed steel cases. More progressive makes such as Futaba were changing styling away from a plain box into a shaped steel case with plastic side covers whilst Flightlink went the full futuristic plastic case look. Generally there was a slight reduction in prices with a number of manufacturers bringing in slightly lower spec 'budget' models i.e. Skyleader Clubman.
Digiace 4 - Radio gear evaluation and test - 1971
Flight link series 4 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Feb 1971
G45 Space Commander - Radio gear evaluation and test 1971
Waltron 4-5 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Jun 1971
Simprop Alpha 5 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Aug 1971
No real technical developments though a number of manufacturers now starting to make 'space age' looking transmitters. Flightlink though brought out a new transmitter with a three axis stick and though not specifically aimed at the helicopter flyer it was to catch on for this application to some extent over in the USA. However, despite their 'blurb' that the layout appealed to the UK flyers, this was not to prove so and received a very definite 'thumbs down'.
OS Cougar 4 - Radio gear evaluation and test May 1972
Teleradio Apollo 6 - Radio gear evaluation - Jul 1972
Horizon HS 4D - Radio gear evaluation - 1972
Digifleet 4-6 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Nov 1972
Servo specifications were starting to improve with many manufacturers offering different options of speed or power by supply different gear ratio's etc.
Skyleader SLX6 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Jan 1973
Sprengbrook Series 73 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Apr 1973
G45 MkII Space Commander - Radio gear evaluation - Jun 1973
More use of IC's allowing size of equipment to start reducing.
Macgregor Digimac 4 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Jan 1974
Skyleader Clubman 6 - Radio gear evaluation and test - Jun 1974
Futaba M series - Radio gear review - Jun 1974
Waltron 4-5 Sportsman - Radio gear evaluation and test - Oct 1974
Futaba 6M - Radio gear evaluation and test - Nov 1974
Interesting marketing technique by Irvine engines to include a full carrying case for the MRC radio set though a bit redundant after all the gear is fitted; useful for carrying tools.....
UK magazine adverts 
US magazine adverts
EK Logictrol Super Pro - Radio review Jan 1975
Sprengbrook Sportsman 4-6 - Radio review Jan 1975
Blue Max Expert - Radio test May 1975
Sanwa 6 - Radio review Sep 1975
MRC Mk5 - Radio review Oct 1975
General comment on home build radio's and the indication that its popularity was on the decline.
OS cougar Mk2 - Radio review Jan 1976
Mathes 5 function - Radio review Jul 1976
Digifleet Custom 2 - Radio review Feb 1978
OS Cougar - Radio review Mar 1978
Servo Comparison - Review of standard size servo's May 1978
KO Digi Ace - Radio review Jul 1978
MacGregor Series 2000 - Radio review Jul 1978
Sprengbrook Variomodule - Radio review Aug 1978
Reftec UHF - Radio review Oct 1978
Sanwa Custom - Radio review Oct 1978
Simprop SSM - Radio review Dec 1978
Futaba FM6 - Radio review Feb 1979
Futaba P-FJ8 - Radio review Jul 1979
RCM&E RX build - Radio homebuild article Jul 1979
Micron FM - Radio homebuild article Aug 1979
Futaba J series - Radio review Sep 1979
RCM&E Setup - Radio homebuild article Oct 1979
Servo comparison - Review of mini size servo's Nov 1979
Top of the range Futaba unit P-FJ8 above included servo throw, rates and for the first time, mixers suitable for helicopter use such as revo.
Overview 70's
The Seventies started off with basic radio control with top of the range having six proportional channels and excepting mechanical trims, no other kinds of adjustment however, by the end of the decade dedicated transmitter types were developed for Helicopter use.