Page 2 - JR Propo R1 Racing Radio

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Now I will cover the System Mode Functions and the Function Mode Functions.  There are quite a few and some of these are not very useful in off-road racing (at least in my humble opinion).  But since this radio is made for all R/C cars, some of the features are very useful in on-road racing, some are a must have.  Necessary or not, they are available which gives the user more options. The System Mode Functions, also called System Setup Mode.  These are features or functions that are normally only set up and/or adjusted once during the radio's initial setup for a particular car.  Once set they are seldom, if ever, changed at the track.  To enter this mode you must press and hold the MODE/LIST key and while holding it down turn on the transmitter.  Then press it again to access the select menu.  Use the UP/ST.EXP key to scroll up through the menu and the DOWN/TRIM POS key to scroll down though the menu.  Below are the features of this mode:

Reverse Switches- this allows you to reverse the direction of the servos travel so that you may use any servo with this radio system.

Function Select- this allows you to program the five available digital trim switches, the two silver rocker switches, and the silver timing button switch to different functions.  Which ones will depend on the switch you are changing.

Trim Rate- this allows you to set the amount of trim available (also know as setting your endpoints).

Model Name- you may give each of up to ten different models its own name using up to eight characters.  

Model Reset- or data reset for whichever model you have selected.  This resets all the functions back to the factory default settings.

Modulation-this is the type of radio signal you want to use on each model.  There are three different modes depending on which receiver and you are using.  PPM, ZPCM, and SPCM.  PPM is like normal "FM" and is used with the JR RF200 receiver and other after market FM receivers.  ZPCM is "Pulse Code Modulation" with a 512 step resolution and is used with JR's233 Receiver.  SPCM is "Pulse Code Modulation" with a 1024 step resolution and is activated when using the JR 330 PCM receiver.

Fail-Safe- this function is only available with the PCM modulation receivers, and is used to set the servos or speed controller to go to a position the user determines (usually full brakes and straight steering) in the event of radio interference. 

Transfer- or Data transfer, this feature allows you to transfer the memory of one R1 radio to another R1 radio, you need a JRtrainer cord to do this (part #JRPA130)

Programmable Mix 1 and 2- these are used to mix any two channels together, should you need a second servo to help do the job.  Like possibly two servos for the steering, the steering and aux channels could be mixed together so that both servos act as one.

Transmitter Mode- this mode accesses several features which include:  Selection of Expert or Beginner, and also the Buzz alarm loudness.  The Aux third channel, which can also be assigned to any available trim, or switch.  Warning, allows you to turn off the warning beep for the Idle Up and Drive Mode switches.  D.T. Display, allows you to turn on or off the graph display on the info screen which shows the digital trim positions. 

The Function Mode Functions- ( I know, kinda redundant ain't it) are the meat and potatoes (so to speak) of the Radios features.  This is where you can really adjust and fine tune to get the most out of your model.  These features are the most common ones you will be changing at the track to dial in your models performance.  To enter the function mode, turn on the radio and press the MODE/LIST key two (2) times. 

Dual Rate/Exponential-  now this is one of the rather cool features of the radio.  There are two steering and exponential rates that can be programmed and selected by use of the Drive Mode switch.  The Dual Rate setting affects the total throw (turning distance) of the steering servo.  Reducing the dual rate makes the model less sensitive (twitchy) around the neutral (center) position of the steering wheel in addition to the total amount of steering being reduced.  The Exponential allows you to adjust the speed of the steering control reaction (making it slower or faster responding to your inputs) without losing any of the throw of the servo.  

Sub-Trim- this setting allows you to electronically adjust the center position of your servos.  This function is available for all three channels and is adjustable from zero to one hundred twenty-five percent. 

Travel Adjust- this is the function for setting your servos endpoints (also known as travel volume or servo throw).  The travel adjustment range is from zero to one hundred fifty percent.  

Throttle Hold- when the throttle hold switch is pressed (if you have this function active), it will move the throttle servo to a pre-selected (set by you) position.  This could be full panic brakes for an emergency stop or whatever else you might want it to do.  When Throttle Hold is on, all throttle settings except sub-trim and reverse switch are inactive, including the throttle digital trim. 

Throttle Curve- the radio has an eight point adjustable throttle curve that allows you to precisely adjust the throttle and brake response.  Two different curves can be set up and either one selected by use of the Drive Mode switch.  This is very useful on a slick track where traction is hard to come by as you can set your throttle and or brakes for a smooth consistent throw this way.   You may also choose the Exponential function inside the throttle curve function to automatically smooth out the throttle/brake curve.

Speed Adjust- Another cool feature,  this one allows you to adjust the Steering servos speed independently away from center (while turning) and or back (while returning) to center.  You may also choose a point in both turn and return as well as change the speed between each point independently.  Two separate speed adjust settings can be set and selected by use of the Drive Mode switch.

Advanced Braking System (A.B.S.) -while not a true anti-lock braking system, use of this feature allows you to pulse the brakes for much greater control of the model under hard brakes in a turn.  You can change the time between pulses as well as the strength of the pulses.  You can also program in a delay of when the A.B.S. kicks in.  This feature also allows you to choose the steering mix function inside of the A.B.S option menu.  Choosing this will increase A.B.S. the harder you turn. 

Idle Up- this function is used to move the throttle (on gas models) up to a slightly higher position to help you crank your gas powered model.  Again, you must choose the position it moves to when activated.

Quick Throttle- this function allows you to reduce/eliminate the slack throttle area that exists between idle and start of brakes.  There is almost always a little "dead area" here that the servo must take up before the brakes come on.  This feature takes out that "dead area" electronically.  It might sound kinda weird, but once you use it you will wonder why all radios don't have it.

Timer- (as already covered in the first page), you have four different timer functions included in the radio.  These are very, very useful, especially for someone that has to practice by themselves or without a track timer.

Model Select-  the R-1 is capable of storing ten different models along with all of their functions (including their programmed functions).  This lets you scroll through the models to choose the one you want to run. 

Position- this is a graph on the display that allows you to visibly see the digital trim positions of your servos, it will also display the servo position as it is from its center point.

Whew, now that all that technical stuff is out of the way, let me tell you about how I feel about the radio.  I have but a few small gripes about it.  The main one being the weight (hmm, didn't I say that already),  it's not light, but by no means is it so heavy that you can't handle it.  The balance of the radio with the batteries installed prevents me from having very much hand fatigue.  I raced it for about two hours straight, with just down time to refuel and my fingers were just starting to get a little numb.  I have heard similar complaints about JR's competitor's radios, so it's not a big gripe to me.  The instruction book that comes with the radio is excellent!  It covers all the details and features.  The one part of the instructions that could be improved upon is the way it is written.  For beginners or people that are not familiar with some of the terms and aspects of R/C it can be confusing.  For that reason, it would be more helpful if the explanations were broken down more (the military calls this KISS, keep it simple stupid).  No,  I am not calling the military or you (the reader) stupid.  I'm just trying to get the point across that sometimes "less is more".  

The features of the radio itself are overwhelming if you try to do them all at once.  Take your time to read and experiment and you will be thrilled with the improvements you can add to your driving with the use of the JR R-1 radio.  

Some other impressive features are that the antenna is removable, and on the back of the radio is the Transmitter Module.  You can change this module to use a total different band instead of having to use an entirely different radio for another band.  Mine came with the R200 Receiver in FM band and is the smallest, lightest two channel receiver made.  It fit very nicely inside the radio box of the Mugen MBX4XR that I used for the test.  The display on the radio is easy to read and understand, once the controls are well marked and after a little practice.  The fit and finish of the radio is excellent as well.  It tends to draw a crowd of onlookers by simply sitting still on my pit table.  The JR R-1 is, without a doubt, a different looking radio.

The battery life of the R-1 is great (at least for me).  I get an average of 4 hours of continuous use out of it when powered by eight 1500 mha Nimh batteries.  I have done this on several different occasions and have no complaints in this area.  A rechargeable battery pack is available from JR if you don't want the hassle of a passel of  AA's.  JR Claims 7 hours running time on a set of Alkaline AA's.  I have not tried this out yet. 

Overall, the JR R-1 is one of the best radios I have ever used!  It is feature packed and comes with an exceptional three-year warranty.  Not only is it pleasant to use,  it's appearance is eye catching as well. So if you're in the market, consider the JR R-1, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Any questions or comments please feel free to email me

depdog@off-road.com

Thanks for reading

Glenn