DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
05-21-2007, 07:47 PM
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DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
I've heard that some of the jet guys are flying their flite metal covered aircraft with DX7 radios.If so did they have external antennas or something? Or is it ok to install a DX7 or the Futaba FASST inside an aluminum covered aircraft fuse?
Steve
Steve
05-22-2007, 09:38 AM
#2
RE: DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
It should work just fine, but as with any radio system it is required to range test before operating the model. There should be no problems however. I have no information on the Futaba system, you'd have to ask them.
05-22-2007, 06:33 PM
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RE: DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
Someone else already asked them on another thread at the Futaba forum support and their reply was basically to stay on 72 mhz because the metal will block the 2.4 GHz signal and that one would have to get the antennas outside the fuse.
Steve
Steve
05-23-2007, 06:09 PM
#4
RE: DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
An F-100 was flown on a Spektrum DX7 system at Top Gun this year. Prior to Top Gun
the plane was flown extensively and range tests were conducted to the satisfaction of
the owner/builder and pilot team of Baggman and Taylor with antenna inside the plane.
As for a formal Futaba, Xtreme, and Spektrum test...a test was conducted Friday May
18th with the Flite-Metal covered fuselage of George Maiorana's Top Gun winning TU4.
The fuselage wing saddle was completely covered with Flite-Metal aluminum, all holes
in the fuselage were covered with Flite-Metal aluminum. The fuselage was tested facing
the transmitter, and sitting at 45 degrees left and right of the transmitter. All results
were recorded as follows:
(1). Spread Spectrum system completely within fuselage with no antenna(s) to the
outside of the fuselage.
(2). Antenna outside the fuselage per manufacturer's placement directions.
(3). Entire spread spectrum system sitting on a flat test bed, not in a plane.
In this manner we were able to see if the Flite-Metal fuselage had any effect on the
performance. The elevator and rudder were driven by the spread spectrum system
and when tested outside the airframe a flag was mounted on a servo so it could be
observed if its performance was effected by distance.
Three people were involved in conducting this evaluation. One person stood with the
plane to observe deteriation of or failure of the system to smoothly and consistantly
control the elevator and rudder during the test.
Test results were identical for all three spread spectrum systems evaluated:
Futaba, Spektrum DX7, and an Xtreme system were evaluated. It was our intention
to observe performance differentials and effects of the system used within airframe
and the system standing alone outside an airframe. These walkaway comparisons
were conducted to a distance of 700 plus feet without any change in performance.
That is to say no change in system performance whether the systems were in state
(1), (2), or (3) with the systems set to normal flight power mode.
Test Particulars:
The fuselage sat upside down on its transport cradle elevated approximately three
feet above the ground. Flite-Metal was placed over the wing saddle and all holes in
fuselage so a signal would not have entry to the receiver except passing through
Flite-Metal covered fiber glass fuselage.
Systems were tested individually with placement of antenna(s) per manufacturer's
illustrated instruction manual. Futaba's system diversity antennas were mounted on
a wood and plastic apparatus to maintain the 90 degree angle specified in their
instruction manual. The diversity antenna and coax were each placed in Futaba's
recommended 45 degrees to the vertical; with the antenna pair 90 degrees to the
fuselage length. Antenna and coax were held firmly in place to assure position did
not change during test.
After the initial test of the Futaba system it became apparent receiver and antenna
placement was of little concern because test results were the same as when system
sat outside of plane on a test board. Please re-read this paragraph before continuing.
The results of the test were the same, whether each system was sealed up within the
fuselage, or sitting on the flat test bed not in any airplane.
While it was not my intention to provide technical "proof" but to simply record results
of testing inside sealed up, inside with the 2.4 antenna(s) mounted outside, and sitting
alone outside of any aircraft, we were so pleased with a lack of difference that the test
data was left virtually without need for intricate comparison.
Details and photographic images taken of system installation during the evaluation will
appear within the Flite-Metal website shortly. This with step by step results.
the plane was flown extensively and range tests were conducted to the satisfaction of
the owner/builder and pilot team of Baggman and Taylor with antenna inside the plane.
As for a formal Futaba, Xtreme, and Spektrum test...a test was conducted Friday May
18th with the Flite-Metal covered fuselage of George Maiorana's Top Gun winning TU4.
The fuselage wing saddle was completely covered with Flite-Metal aluminum, all holes
in the fuselage were covered with Flite-Metal aluminum. The fuselage was tested facing
the transmitter, and sitting at 45 degrees left and right of the transmitter. All results
were recorded as follows:
(1). Spread Spectrum system completely within fuselage with no antenna(s) to the
outside of the fuselage.
(2). Antenna outside the fuselage per manufacturer's placement directions.
(3). Entire spread spectrum system sitting on a flat test bed, not in a plane.
In this manner we were able to see if the Flite-Metal fuselage had any effect on the
performance. The elevator and rudder were driven by the spread spectrum system
and when tested outside the airframe a flag was mounted on a servo so it could be
observed if its performance was effected by distance.
Three people were involved in conducting this evaluation. One person stood with the
plane to observe deteriation of or failure of the system to smoothly and consistantly
control the elevator and rudder during the test.
Test results were identical for all three spread spectrum systems evaluated:
Futaba, Spektrum DX7, and an Xtreme system were evaluated. It was our intention
to observe performance differentials and effects of the system used within airframe
and the system standing alone outside an airframe. These walkaway comparisons
were conducted to a distance of 700 plus feet without any change in performance.
That is to say no change in system performance whether the systems were in state
(1), (2), or (3) with the systems set to normal flight power mode.
Test Particulars:
The fuselage sat upside down on its transport cradle elevated approximately three
feet above the ground. Flite-Metal was placed over the wing saddle and all holes in
fuselage so a signal would not have entry to the receiver except passing through
Flite-Metal covered fiber glass fuselage.
Systems were tested individually with placement of antenna(s) per manufacturer's
illustrated instruction manual. Futaba's system diversity antennas were mounted on
a wood and plastic apparatus to maintain the 90 degree angle specified in their
instruction manual. The diversity antenna and coax were each placed in Futaba's
recommended 45 degrees to the vertical; with the antenna pair 90 degrees to the
fuselage length. Antenna and coax were held firmly in place to assure position did
not change during test.
After the initial test of the Futaba system it became apparent receiver and antenna
placement was of little concern because test results were the same as when system
sat outside of plane on a test board. Please re-read this paragraph before continuing.
The results of the test were the same, whether each system was sealed up within the
fuselage, or sitting on the flat test bed not in any airplane.
While it was not my intention to provide technical "proof" but to simply record results
of testing inside sealed up, inside with the 2.4 antenna(s) mounted outside, and sitting
alone outside of any aircraft, we were so pleased with a lack of difference that the test
data was left virtually without need for intricate comparison.
Details and photographic images taken of system installation during the evaluation will
appear within the Flite-Metal website shortly. This with step by step results.
05-23-2007, 08:00 PM
#5
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RE: DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
Very interesting Ed;I'm just wondering has anyone flown a gas engine powered FliteMetal covered aircraft with one of these setups ?
Steve
Steve
05-23-2007, 09:06 PM
#6
RE: DX7 ok with FliteMetal ?
The issue was receiving the signal. The SS signal has not been effected by
spark ignition to my knowledge. The virtual transparency of the Flite-Metal
with respect to 2.4 gig is not an issue. Previously engines, gas and glow have
not been any issue with respect to Flite-Metal.
I have not looked to see if there were 2.4 controlled Flite-Metal recip powered
planes at Top Gun in any of the classes.
spark ignition to my knowledge. The virtual transparency of the Flite-Metal
with respect to 2.4 gig is not an issue. Previously engines, gas and glow have
not been any issue with respect to Flite-Metal.
I have not looked to see if there were 2.4 controlled Flite-Metal recip powered
planes at Top Gun in any of the classes.
