jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

OK, I am not looking for advice on a brand of radio to get, or if this brand is better than that brand. I have a JR 8103 that has the Spektrum 2.4 DM9 module. I have flow this set up for 3 years with zero problems. ZERO. Then last week, I lost contact with my plane while flying less them 500 ft away and did not get the signal back until the plane was back in the pits. The plane went into fail safe, and glided to a stop with almost no damage. I checked the battery levels, plane 5.8, transmitter 10.4. Then I did a range check and found that I could not get more than 10 feet away before the failsafe kicked in. Well I thought the battery in the TX is still the same one that came with the radio when new, 12 years ago. So got rid of that and upgraded the TX battery. Range check failed again. OK, relocate the dual receivers in the airframe. No dice. Grab another airplane that flew last year and got the same problem. A bad range check. Both planes have dual receivers, and they are both Spektrum, one is a 6 chanel rx and the other is an 8. Do transmitters go bad or am I missing something? Thanks for any help.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Forgot to mention. When the plane was out of contact but still in the air, I looked at the transmitter and it was on and the red light that shows the module is operating was on. Also the antenna was not pointed at the airplane.

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

Is the 2.4 module securely inserted in the radio ?
Is the antenna wire loose or broken ?
Do you have or know someone who has another JR radio where you can install your 2.4 module and check it out ? This will determine if it's the module or the radio.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Yes the module is tight in its place. No the wire is all good, not broken or loose. I will ask at the clubs for other JR radios. Nice idea. thanks.

rcjetflyer0718-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

I would send both the transmitter and receivers back to Horzon for service. I have had nothing but exceptional service on my radios from horizon. They have repaired and upgraded my radios at little or no cost even when not covered by warranty.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

But that would put and end to my flying until it gets back.
I had thought about sending it in, but thought I would come to RCU and pick a few brains first. After all, thats what this place does best!

huck1199

Does the radio work with 72mhz rx's without the module?

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

OOOOOOHHHHH.....Good question. I will go check it out.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

SO, with the 72mgz set up I did a range check and with the antenna down I can get about a block away and still have control. SO... that could tell me the module is bad? I doubt it is the receivers, since both of them do the same thing and are different. Nice answer HUck. Thanks to all. I told you this is a great place for information!

rcjetflyer0718-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

They should fix it in less than 1 week unless they are really backed up. call them first and see how long the wait. I usually got my radios back within 2 weeks shipped to California.In the late 80s I would drive to Las Vegas and drop them off and go back later in the day and pick them up.

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

I would say if it works with the 72 module then the 2.4 module is suspect. I also doubt it would be the receivers. Still it would be nice to verify with the 2,4 module in another radio prior to sending it in.

huck1199

I would suspect the connections on the module - 12 yrs is a long time.

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

Yes especially if the module is removed and inserted many times or worse every time it is used and put away. When I see folks removing the module when storing the radio I tell them to leave it in. The pins on the radio and module have a duty cycle (number of times they can be connected and disconnected) before they start to wear out and give intermittent connections. Also on the board the solder joints can become stressed ,cracked . Sometimes it's a simple fix by removing the case and re-flowing the solder points on the header but don't attempt if you are not very good at electronic repair.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Or I could run to the LHS and drop in a different mod and see if that solves the problem. But it looks like I will be sending this off to Horizon. "Oh hun, My 12 year old transmitter is broke. Can I get a new one? " This could be a great time to upgrade! Thanks again to all.

huck1199

Time for a dx8!

Granpooba

My Feedback: (5)

Do ducks go quack, quack in the water ?

lopflyers

My Feedback: (12)

Dx18. You can't be sad, twelve yrs is an eternity in transmitters years.

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

yes that wii stop you from flying for a while i have 10 futabas on 72 10 planes never once had any trouble i have seen other men come to my field had to wait like you will do not me

K.O.

My Feedback: (16)

I lost my first jet due to a broken antenna wire in my 9503. The wire broke where the antenna hinges.
k.O.

rgburrill

You show you are from Michigan.  It is humid there and humidity, temperature cycling, age and corrosion go together.  Everything electronic suffers from corrosion.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks for all the help. I have sent the TX and module off to Horrizon. I could have flown on 72mhz, but that would be a pain to get to the receivers in my planes. Off to the LHS for a new TX. I always wanted another one anyway.

dirtyoldman00

My Feedback: (100)

had the same problem found where the pin on the antenna lead pulled off the antenna and was making bad connection new antenna cured it

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Just got it back fron Horizon. They replaced the Module. They listed the problem as a bad antenna wire. No charge, and back in a week. Gotta love that type of service.

jester_s1

Yes, that kind of service on a 12 year old item is unbeatable. Kudos to Horizon.