Overview

The Futaba T4GRS 4-Channel Surface Radio with R304SB Rx is a mid-range twin-stick transmitter system engineered specifically for competition-level RC car and boat use. Whether you're racing a buggy, truggy, crawler, or large-scale gas-powered vehicle, this award-winning Futaba radio delivers the precision control and advanced telemetry that serious competitors demand. Based in the UK, RC enthusiasts have trusted Futaba radio systems since 1962, and the T4GRS represents the perfect balance of performance, programmability and value for racers who want professional-grade equipment without breaking the bank.

This complete ready-to-run radio system comes with everything you need to get started immediately: the transmitter, R304SB S.Bus2 receiver, switch harness and comprehensive instruction manual. The T4GRS is renowned for its rapid 4.4 millisecond response speed, advanced telemetry capabilities, and extensive mixing functions that make it ideal for multi-function vehicles. If you're upgrading from an older AM system, switching from wheel transmitter to stick control, or building your first competition RC vehicle, the Futaba T4GRS is a genuine game-changer that will grow with your hobby.

With 40 model memories, a backlit 64x32mm LCD display, and support for both 2.4GHz T-FHSS and S-FHSS protocols, this is one of the most versatile surface radio systems available to UK buyers. The T4GRS isn't just a control system—it's an investment in reliability, features and customer support that Futaba is famous for delivering.

Key Features

• 2.4GHz T-FHSS Telemetry System — The T4GRS incorporates Futaba's advanced bidirectional T-FHSS (2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) communication protocol, which ensures secure, interference-free control of your RC vehicle even in crowded racing environments where multiple transmitters are operating simultaneously. Telemetry data flows both ways between transmitter and receiver, allowing you to monitor real-time vehicle performance data on your transmitter screen.
• S.Bus2 Receiver (R304SB) — The included R304SB receiver uses Futaba's advanced S.Bus2 digital protocol, which opens access to sensor data and sophisticated mixing options that analogue receivers simply cannot provide. This digital receiver supports multiple telemetry channels and integrates seamlessly with Futaba's ecosystem of compatible ESCs and sensors.
• 4.4 Millisecond Response Speed — This supremely fast response time is critical in competitive racing where every millisecond counts. Steering inputs, throttle commands and brake applications register instantly without lag, giving you the razor-sharp control required to win races and execute precision manoeuvres on challenging terrain.
• 40 Model Memories with 10-Character Names — Store up to 40 completely different vehicle setups in the T4GRS, each with a custom name using up to 10 letters, numbers and symbols. Switch between your buggy, truggy, truck, boat and crawlers instantly without reconfiguring the radio each time. The model copy function lets you duplicate existing setups to create variations quickly.
• Backlit 64x32mm LCD Display — The clear, illuminated screen displays menu options, trim positions, timers, telemetry data and model information in bright daylight or low-light conditions. Navigation is intuitive with two-level menu selection that keeps frequently used functions just a few button presses away.
• Adjustable Stick Position and Tension — Customise the feel of your transmitter by adjusting stick tension and throttle trigger spring pressure from inside the housing, tailoring the control response to your personal preference. For drivers with different hand sizes or control styles, this flexibility ensures comfort during long racing sessions.
• Mechanical ATL (Adjustable Throttle Limit) — Reduce the forward or brake travel of the throttle stick mechanically without affecting other functions, allowing you to fine-tune the control throw for delicate manoeuvres or full-power applications depending on driving conditions and vehicle characteristics.
• Advanced Braking System (ABS) — The T4GRS applies brakes intelligently so that tyres on gas-powered cars and other vehicles don't lose grip during cornering braking. This prevents wheel lock-up and maintains vehicle stability when braking at high speed or during aggressive cornering.
• Throttle Acceleration Function — Gas-powered RC vehicles experience a time lag before the clutch engages and brakes become effective. The throttle acceleration function reduces this lag by anticipating clutch engagement, allowing smoother acceleration and more responsive control of petrol-powered cars.
• Throttle Speed Control — Prevent wheel spin on slippery surfaces by softening sudden throttle inputs. The throttle speed function reduces the rate at which the throttle moves, allowing smooth acceleration even in challenging conditions whilst also reducing battery consumption on electric vehicles.
• Steering Speed Adjustment — If your servo response feels too fast or aggressive, adjust the maximum servo operating speed for steering input in either direction. This fine-tuning lets you dial in precise steering feel for tight technical courses or high-speed runs.
• Programmable Mixing Functions — Beyond the standard mixing options, the T4GRS offers powerful programmable mixing capabilities that let experienced users create custom control combinations tailored to their specific vehicles and driving style.
• Brake Mixing for Large Cars — For 1/5-scale gas-powered cars and other large RC vehicles, adjust front and rear braking independently to optimise stopping power, weight transfer and vehicle balance. This professional-level feature is essential for tuning large-scale platforms.
• 4WS Mixing (Four-Wheel Steer) — Crawlers, scale trucks and other four-wheel steer vehicles can be fully controlled through dedicated 4WS mixing, allowing independent operation of front and rear steering for maximum articulation and obstacle negotiation.
• Dual ESC Mixing for Crawlers — When you have separate ESCs controlling front and rear motors (common in crawler and large-scale builds), the Dual ESC mixing function allows independent speed control of each end, critical for mastering difficult terrain and maintaining traction on extreme angles.
• Gyro Mixing — Integrate Futaba rate gyro sensors directly into your control system with gyro mixing, allowing you to adjust gyro sensitivity from the transmitter. This is essential for high-speed buggies and trucks where gyro assistance prevents spinouts.
• CPS-1 Mixing (LED Light Control) — Use the T4GRS to control LED lighting and flashing effects via the CPS-1 channel power switch, matching lights to steering and throttle operation. This is perfect for scale models and night running.
• MC Link Function (ESC Link) — The dedicated MC Link function allows your T4GRS to communicate directly with compatible Futaba speed controllers including the MC950CR, MC850C, MC851C, MC602C, and MC402CR. Adjust variable frequency, brake strength, timing and other ESC parameters directly from the transmitter without a separate programming card.
• Racing Timer with Lap Recording — The built-in timer records up to 100 lap times and total race duration, with automatic start triggered by throttle operation. Audible alarms signal refuelling breaks and race milestones, whilst lap timing data helps you track performance improvements across multiple runs.
• Fail-Safe Function — If radio connection is lost, the receiver automatically returns throttle to a safe neutral position and steering to centre, preventing runaway vehicles and collisions during signal dropout scenarios.
• Boat Mode — Switch to dedicated boat mode for marine applications, where control logic differs from car operation. This mode optimises throttle and steering response for water-based RC boats and racing craft.
• Digital Trim with Step Adjustment — All trim adjustments are digital and displayed on the LCD, with programmable step sizes for fine or coarse adjustment depending on your needs. Trim positions are automatically recalled when you select each model, eliminating setup time.
• Function Select Switches and Dial Functions — Assign secondary functions to two programmable switches and a digital dial, controlling everything from gyro sensitivity to channel mixing with a simple flick or rotation. Steps and operating direction are fully configurable.
• S-FHSS and T-FHSS Protocol Support — The transmitter supports both surface-specific protocols (S-FHSS and T-FHSS), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Futaba receivers and future-proofing your investment as compatible equipment evolves.

Technical Performance

The Futaba T4GRS is engineered to the highest standards with professional-grade build quality that reflects Futaba's 60+ years of radio control heritage. Weighing just 556 grams with compact dimensions of 180mm length × 55mm width (excluding handle) × 195mm height, the transmitter fits comfortably in adult and teenage hands for extended racing sessions without fatigue. The ergonomic twin-stick layout provides intuitive control with one stick handling throttle and braking whilst the other manages steering, a configuration that racers find more intuitive than wheel-type transmitters for surface vehicles. The included R304SB receiver is a sophisticated microcomputer-based unit that communicates at digital S.Bus2 protocol, allowing the system to report real-time telemetry including receiver battery voltage, temperature sensors, RPM data and external voltage measurements. This bidirectional communication backbone enables the advanced mixing and ESC link functions that serious competitors rely upon. The 2.4GHz frequency band with automatic channel hopping eliminates interference from Wi-Fi, cordless phones and other 2.4GHz devices common in modern UK homes and racetracks. The backlit LCD display uses efficient LED backlighting to ensure visibility in bright daylight or dimly-lit indoor racing venues. Mechanically, the stick mechanisms feature adjustable tension springs and a robust construction that withstands repeated heavy use in competition environments. The transmitter accepts four standard AA batteries, providing reliable power without the complexity of rechargeable packs. Every function has been optimised for racing: the 4.4-millisecond signal processing speed ensures instantaneous response to control inputs, whilst the programmable acceleration curves and speed limiters allow infinite customisation for different vehicles and driving styles. Whether you're campaigning a highly-tuned 1/10 electric buggy, a competitive 1/5-scale nitro truck, or a technical scale crawler, the T4GRS has the performance and programmability to unlock your vehicle's full potential.

What's in the Box

• 1x T4GRS 4-channel transmitter
• 1x R304SB S.Bus2 receiver
• 1x Switch harness
• 1x Comprehensive instruction manual

What You Need to Complete

• 4x AA batteries for the transmitter (not included)

Telemetry Functions

The T4GRS telemetry system monitors and displays four critical data channels in real time:

• Receiver Battery Voltage — Monitor the power level of your receiver's battery pack, warning you before voltage drops to dangerous levels that could cause control loss.
• Temperature — Track receiver temperature to prevent overheating during long racing sessions or in warm environments.
• RPM — Monitor motor speed on electric vehicles, useful for diagnosing drivetrain issues or comparing performance between different setups.
• External Voltage — Monitor external sensor inputs including speed controllers, allowing real-time visibility of ESC status and performance data.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Futaba T4GRS suitable for racing buggies and truggies? — Yes, absolutely. The T4GRS is specifically designed for competitive racing use. Its rapid 4.4ms response speed, advanced telemetry, and programmable mixing functions including brake mixing and 4WS support make it ideal for racing buggies, truggies, short-course trucks and other competition vehicles. Customer reviews confirm successful use in competitive racing environments across the UK.
• What batteries does the T4GRS transmitter need? — The transmitter requires four standard AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries. These are not included in the box, so you'll need to supply them separately. AA batteries are widely available and relatively inexpensive, making this an economical choice compared to proprietary rechargeable packs.
• Does this radio come with a receiver? — Yes, the package includes a complete R304SB S.Bus2 receiver, so you have everything needed to control an RC vehicle immediately upon purchase. This eliminates the need to buy a receiver separately, making this a true ready-to-run system.
• Can I use the T4GRS to control 4WD crawlers and large-scale vehicles? — Yes, the T4GRS includes dedicated mixing functions for crawlers including 4WS (four-wheel steer) mixing and Dual ESC mixing. These advanced features allow you to independently control front and rear steering and separate motor speed controllers, which is essential for crawler operation. The system also supports large-scale applications with brake mixing for front and rear independent braking.
• What is the difference between T-FHSS and S-FHSS protocols? — Both are surface-specific protocols from Futaba. T-FHSS is the newer bidirectional telemetry system that allows the receiver to send data back to the transmitter, enabling advanced features like telemetry monitoring and ESC linking. S-FHSS is the earlier unidirectional standard. The T4GRS supports both, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Futaba receivers and sensors.
• How many model memories does the T4GRS have? — The transmitter stores 40 complete model memories, each with a custom 10-character name. This allows you to configure completely different vehicles with different settings, mixing options and timers without needing multiple transmitters. Model copy function lets you duplicate setups to create variations quickly.
• Can I use the T4GRS for both RC cars and boats? — Yes, the T4GRS includes a dedicated boat mode for marine applications. The control logic automatically switches to boat-optimised settings, making this system versatile enough to control cars, trucks, buggies, truggies and boats with a single transmitter.
• What is MC Link and which ESCs does it support? — MC Link is Futaba's proprietary digital communication protocol that allows your T4GRS to directly control compatible Futaba brushless speed controllers. Supported models include MC950CR, MC850C, MC851C, MC602C, and MC402CR. This link allows you to adjust variable frequency, brake strength, timing and other parameters directly from the transmitter without a separate programming card.
• How far is the range of the T4GRS? — The manufacturer does not specify an exact range, but the 2.4GHz T-FHSS system provides reliable control at several kilometres distance under normal conditions. Signal strength depends on antenna orientation, terrain obstacles, and environmental interference, but the FHSS protocol with automatic frequency hopping provides robust long-range control suitable for racing.
• Is the T4GRS a beginner-friendly radio? — The T4GRS is a mid-range competition radio with extensive programmable features, making it suitable for drivers who already have some RC experience and want to advance their skills. Beginners should be aware that the menu system and programming functions require reading the instruction manual carefully. However, it can be operated at a basic level without using advanced functions, so it has room to grow with your skills.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Futaba T4GRS 4-Channel Surface Radio with R304SB Rx FUT05003095-3 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.