MC24 from Graupner
Name: MC24
Manufacturer: Graupner / JR
Sold by: Miscellaneous
Channels: 12
Battery: 8x NiMh (9,6V)
Price: ~1000€
Link to the Shop: Not available anymore
Manufacturer: Graupner / JR
Sold by: Miscellaneous
Channels: 12
Battery: 8x NiMh (9,6V)
Price: ~1000€
Link to the Shop: Not available anymore
The Graupner MC24, a legend under the pilots and maybe the most often sold transmitter all over the world. In the publishing year 1998, she was the absolute high end model and all other transmitters weren't capable of the functions. She was the flagship from Graupner until 2012 when the introduced the MC32. Nevertheless of her high age, she can catch up to actual transmitter and is still one of the most seen transmitter on flyingfields all over the world.
Features:
The MC24 has 12 full controllable and proportinal channels and compeltely free chooseable switches, buttons and slider. here is a short overview of the most important features:
40 model memories
Dual Rotary 3D Encoder, 14 programming keys and a big display
4 modulation systems: SPCM 20 (10 channels), PCM 20 (10 channels), PPM18 (9 channels), PPM24 (12 channels)
10 free programmable mixer, thereof 8 linear mixer, 2 curve mixer (with a 7 point curve) and 2 pre configured cross mixer
Model depending, pre configured mixer (e.g. butterfly, differential etc.)
5 point throttle curve
6 free configurable flying phases with pre configurable rudder positions and variable switching time
2 different dual rate and expo values per flying phase for all steering functions
Up to 16 full free configurable switches
Up to 8 full free configurable control switches
Swashplate mixing for all common types
Pre configured, helicopter typical mixers (e.g. Pitch -> throttle, pitch -> tail etc...)
5 point pitch curve
Pitch / throttle curve configureable for every flying phase
Trim travel reduction
Servo speed configurable for every servo or control
6 programmable clocks
Can be used as teacher or as student transmitter
Supports Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, Mode 4
Originaly the transmitter was shipped with two controls, two sliders, a three way control switch, three normal switches and one safetyswitch in the middle. Control switches and extra switches were available in the accessories program.
Also there was an original case for a safe transport:
40 model memories
Dual Rotary 3D Encoder, 14 programming keys and a big display
4 modulation systems: SPCM 20 (10 channels), PCM 20 (10 channels), PPM18 (9 channels), PPM24 (12 channels)
10 free programmable mixer, thereof 8 linear mixer, 2 curve mixer (with a 7 point curve) and 2 pre configured cross mixer
Model depending, pre configured mixer (e.g. butterfly, differential etc.)
5 point throttle curve
6 free configurable flying phases with pre configurable rudder positions and variable switching time
2 different dual rate and expo values per flying phase for all steering functions
Up to 16 full free configurable switches
Up to 8 full free configurable control switches
Swashplate mixing for all common types
Pre configured, helicopter typical mixers (e.g. Pitch -> throttle, pitch -> tail etc...)
5 point pitch curve
Pitch / throttle curve configureable for every flying phase
Trim travel reduction
Servo speed configurable for every servo or control
6 programmable clocks
Can be used as teacher or as student transmitter
Supports Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, Mode 4
Originaly the transmitter was shipped with two controls, two sliders, a three way control switch, three normal switches and one safetyswitch in the middle. Control switches and extra switches were available in the accessories program.
Also there was an original case for a safe transport:
The backplate can be removed easily to access the inner life of the transmitter. Here you can see my one with a lot of extra accessories:
Radio system:
The MC24 is still an on the top transmitter system, only the absolute flagships of other competitors have a longer feature list. The only thing that has really became old is the 35MHz radio system. But because the MC24 was loved by so many people, there were conversion kits available from nearly every radio manufacturer which included all necessary parts for a conversion to 2,4GHz.
There have been three favourites which you can see up today the most time:
Spektrum with a 9 or 12 channel system (not available anymore)
Jeti with a 12 channel radio and external telemetry (still available)
Graupner with a 12 channel radio and internal or external telemetry (still available)
Up to date, Spektrum and Jeti will have the most installed modules, but HoTT is getting more and more common. The Spektrum module i already aged and not anymore recommendable, on the one side it sill uses the old DSM2 protocoll and not the new DSMX and on the other side there is no possibility to use telemetry. With Jeti there is the possibility for telemetry but only on an external display which you have to attach somewhere. HoTT is directly from Graupner, here is the advantage that a softwareupdate is available that shows you the telemetry values directly in the MC24 display, otherwise you could also use a external display.
When I modified my transmitter, there was no HoTT system available, thats why my decision was the 12 channel DSM Spektrum module. I also have now a lot of DSM2 receiver, so I won't change my radio system until the MC24 retires.
There have been three favourites which you can see up today the most time:
Spektrum with a 9 or 12 channel system (not available anymore)
Jeti with a 12 channel radio and external telemetry (still available)
Graupner with a 12 channel radio and internal or external telemetry (still available)
Up to date, Spektrum and Jeti will have the most installed modules, but HoTT is getting more and more common. The Spektrum module i already aged and not anymore recommendable, on the one side it sill uses the old DSM2 protocoll and not the new DSMX and on the other side there is no possibility to use telemetry. With Jeti there is the possibility for telemetry but only on an external display which you have to attach somewhere. HoTT is directly from Graupner, here is the advantage that a softwareupdate is available that shows you the telemetry values directly in the MC24 display, otherwise you could also use a external display.
When I modified my transmitter, there was no HoTT system available, thats why my decision was the 12 channel DSM Spektrum module. I also have now a lot of DSM2 receiver, so I won't change my radio system until the MC24 retires.
Good to know:
If you aren't familiar with the programming system of a Grauoner transmitter, then you will get overrun by the features of it. This is more or less a problem of all Graupner transmitters because they give the pilot the freedom to programm everything like they want to have it. If you are into it, then the programming is very easy going and even complex models can be setup in a few minutes as you want it. Very helpful is the really well done manual. With a transmitter of that size, you should take some time to go through the manual very careful.
I won't get into details for programming, this would be too much for here. Also the MC24 is a quite old transmitter and nearly everything was discussed a few times. If you need help, you can contact me over the contact page or try to search on google.
Therefor I will go into detail for the teacher / student system, about that you can't find many informations on the internet and if, then they are very confusing...
A teacher / student system is a possibility to control one plane with two transmitter. Both transmitter are conencted (earlier by wire, today by radio) and the teacher is flying the model. If he activates a switch, then the controls are moved to the student as long as he activates that switch. Should the student now get into a critcial situation, the teacher only needs to deactivate the switch and then he controls the plane again and can secure the situation.
This method is by far the best to learn flying. The learning effect is very high and there is a very low chance for damage and you can try to fly models you wouldn't be able to fly alone. Unfortunately it is very time consuming for the teacher and there are only a few people who like doing that today.
Also it is a good idea to by a simulator for training. It won't reach the real flying feeling, but it can teach a good feeling for controling.
But here now the possibilities for upgrading the MC24 with a t/s (teacher / student) system or for connecting it with a computer:
Using the MC24 with a sim:
There are two possibilities:
DSC- Jack:
The DSC Jack (Graupner Nr.: 3290.24) will be plugged in directly on the motherboard and get mounted on a free place of the switchboard. For the connection with the interface a 3,5mm mono plug will be needed. If a plug is connected, the transmitter will start up without activating the radio.
Student module:
The student module (Graupner Nr.: 3290.3) will be plugged in instead the radio module, the jack will also installed at the switchboard like the DSC jack. For connection with a interface, a 3,5mm stereo plug is needed.
Advantages of the DSC module: The radio can left built in, nevertheless the radio will not be activated.
Disadvantage of the DSC module: It can't be used as student jack.
Advantage of the student module: Beside the sim you can use it of course as student jack.
Disadvantage of the student module: You have to remove the radio everytime you want to use it.
Using the MC24 as student transmitter:
Herefor you only need the already discussed student module.
Using the MC24 as teacher transmitter:
To use the MC24 as teacher transmitter, you have to connect the teacher module 3290.2 to the interface distributer 4184.3. If you have no interface distributer, you have to use the adapter cable 4184.1. If the Mc24 will be used as teacher transmitter, there are two really useful functions: The teacher can decide which controls are handed over to the student, so if there is a beginner, you could hand him over only the rudder and the teacher is still controling the elevator. The received commands from the student transmitter will be processed as control commands, so all programmed functions like dual rate, expo etc. are used from the teacher transmitter. The student transmitter needs now programming, also not if you are flying a helicopter. All mixers are used by the teacher transmitter, the student transmitter replaces, more or less, only the controls from the teacher transmitter.
I won't get into details for programming, this would be too much for here. Also the MC24 is a quite old transmitter and nearly everything was discussed a few times. If you need help, you can contact me over the contact page or try to search on google.
Therefor I will go into detail for the teacher / student system, about that you can't find many informations on the internet and if, then they are very confusing...
A teacher / student system is a possibility to control one plane with two transmitter. Both transmitter are conencted (earlier by wire, today by radio) and the teacher is flying the model. If he activates a switch, then the controls are moved to the student as long as he activates that switch. Should the student now get into a critcial situation, the teacher only needs to deactivate the switch and then he controls the plane again and can secure the situation.
This method is by far the best to learn flying. The learning effect is very high and there is a very low chance for damage and you can try to fly models you wouldn't be able to fly alone. Unfortunately it is very time consuming for the teacher and there are only a few people who like doing that today.
Also it is a good idea to by a simulator for training. It won't reach the real flying feeling, but it can teach a good feeling for controling.
But here now the possibilities for upgrading the MC24 with a t/s (teacher / student) system or for connecting it with a computer:
Using the MC24 with a sim:
There are two possibilities:
DSC- Jack:
The DSC Jack (Graupner Nr.: 3290.24) will be plugged in directly on the motherboard and get mounted on a free place of the switchboard. For the connection with the interface a 3,5mm mono plug will be needed. If a plug is connected, the transmitter will start up without activating the radio.
Student module:
The student module (Graupner Nr.: 3290.3) will be plugged in instead the radio module, the jack will also installed at the switchboard like the DSC jack. For connection with a interface, a 3,5mm stereo plug is needed.
Advantages of the DSC module: The radio can left built in, nevertheless the radio will not be activated.
Disadvantage of the DSC module: It can't be used as student jack.
Advantage of the student module: Beside the sim you can use it of course as student jack.
Disadvantage of the student module: You have to remove the radio everytime you want to use it.
Using the MC24 as student transmitter:
Herefor you only need the already discussed student module.
Using the MC24 as teacher transmitter:
To use the MC24 as teacher transmitter, you have to connect the teacher module 3290.2 to the interface distributer 4184.3. If you have no interface distributer, you have to use the adapter cable 4184.1. If the Mc24 will be used as teacher transmitter, there are two really useful functions: The teacher can decide which controls are handed over to the student, so if there is a beginner, you could hand him over only the rudder and the teacher is still controling the elevator. The received commands from the student transmitter will be processed as control commands, so all programmed functions like dual rate, expo etc. are used from the teacher transmitter. The student transmitter needs now programming, also not if you are flying a helicopter. All mixers are used by the teacher transmitter, the student transmitter replaces, more or less, only the controls from the teacher transmitter.
Conclusion:
The MC24 is by far one of the best transmitter ever produced, that must be the reason why she can be found still today all over the world. Beside of a few special things, she can catch up with todays flagships and thats why I'll gonna use her for a few more years. You should be careful with used transmitters from people you don't know very well, a transmitter is always only as good and reliable as he was taken care of. The prices on the second hand market vary very much, old unkempt ones with 35MHz start 100€ up to very good mantained ones with 2,4GHz around 600€. if you decide to buy a used one, I only can recommend you to send it to Graupner for a full inspection.