RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldberg Skylark 56 Mark II

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldberg Skylark 56 Mark II
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RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldberg... - 9/13/2005 5:10:39 AM

shd3920

Posts: 277
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Status: online

quote:

. . . I have a concern you may want to look at. I believe from looking at the pictures, that the plugs are the old "G" style Futaba connectors. They are not the problem, but Futaba has not used those plugs in many years and your radio may be a pre 1991 radio that is not gold stickered for current use. That would make it illegal to use
You may want to investigate and make sure it is a narrow band TX.

RED LIGHT - - - CONCERN - - - How do I check into this??? If that is the case then I am stuck with a radio that CAN NOT be returned because he does not refund or exchange used items and CAN NOT be used legally. Suggestions please - - -what do I do? and how can I check into the:

quote:

. . . gold stickered for current use

and

quote:

. . . make sure it is a narrow band TX.

? Please advise!!!! Beginners like me get suckered like this all the time huh - can only hope it is not the radio CCRC1 thinks it is or I am stuck. Is it only illegal used just in a RC club or worldwide illegal????

< Message edited by tigerdude426 -- 9/13/2005 5:41:47 AM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 151

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 5:48:22 AM

CCRC1

Posts: 1109
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Waldorf, MD, USA
Status: offline

On the back side of the transmitter should be a gold decal that indicates the radio meets 1991 requirements. A lot of the older systems could be sent back to the original mfg. and updated to the 1991 narrow band specs so it may be OK, but you want to check. I went through all my radios to try to take a picture of the decal, but all mine are high end computer radios mfg. within the last couple of years or are in my collectible inventory so I don't have one. Maybe one of the other folks here can take a quick photo of one so you know what it looks like.
I cannot tell from your earlier photo what servos you have or what receiver is included, so you may have a mix/mash of parts in the box, I just can't tell from that photo. If you can list the part #'s on the receiver and servos we can tell you approx. how old the stuff is. What caught my eye was the stranded (twisted) servo leads. They used that type of wire on the old "G" style connector. When Futaba switched to the "J" connector, now in use, they went to a flat ribbon wire. Those connectors tell me the components are probably 20 years old or thereabouts.
Just curious, did your local "model supplier", the same guy who told you that all the iron on films were basically the same, sell you this radio?

< Message edited by CCRC1 -- 9/13/2005 7:33:41 AM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 152

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 6:05:53 AM

shd3920

Posts: 277
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Status: online

HERE IS THE INFORMATION I JUST GOT OFF THE EQUIPMENT - HOPE IT HELPS DETERMINE THE OUTCOME:

Futaba Conquest 4 ch transmitter
FP-T4NL
Serial # 80103924
Cycled capacity 582 MA/HR
Rated capacity 500 MA/HR
Dated 6-93
72 MHz

Red sticker on back says: Model aircraft use only. Surface use prohibited by FCC regulation

Gold sticker on back says: R/CMA RFCHECK AMA Date 6-93

Receiver - Futaba FP-R4F

Servos - 3 Futaba FP-S48; 1 FMA-S300

DOES THIS INFO HELP DETERMINE THE OUTCOME - IS THIS RADIO LEGAL
If it is not legal, is it only not legal in a RC club or is it not legal everywhere????

Yes, my local supplier sold it to me, me being a beginner sounded like a great deal to me - $85.00
Maybe my major purchases should be done by Tower Hobbies mail order for now on!!!

< Message edited by tigerdude426 -- 9/13/2005 6:11:25 AM >

(in reply to CCRC1)

Post #: 153

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 6:38:50 AM

CCRC1

Posts: 1109
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Waldorf, MD, USA
Status: offline

OK the transmitter is narrow band so its OK to use. Give me a few minutes I want to check a few things on the rest of the parts.

OK I am back. The Futaba servos are at least 20 years old or better. The transmitter is OK if it has the gold sticker, that indicates it has been updated to narrow band specs. Does the receiver have a similar gold sticker? If it does not you may have to do some checking. You did not indicate what channel this system is on. If the RX is still a wide band RX, it will receive and fuction with the TX. The problem is that it also will receive signals from the channels next to it as well. (For example, if the RX is a wide band RX on channel 50, it will receive signals on 49, 50, 51 all at the same time.) The easiest way to test this is get someone with a transmitter on the channel next to the one your system is on and test the RX to see if it will receive the signal.

Dude, To be honest with you, there aint no way I would have paid $85.00 for that stuff. I sold a bunch of those old two digit "G" series Futaba servos that were brand new and never used at my last swap meet for $2 a piece!! In the future, before you buy anything like that, write down the specs and post it here for feedback. All of the folks here have been giving you very good, honest advice. For about 40 bucks more you could have purchased a brand new Futaba Skysport system complete with 4 servos. I am willing to bet that you will spend an extra 30 bucks just to update that old system with fresh NiCads.
At least you know the TX is legal to use. The RX, if it is wide band, is not illegal to use but you are far more likely to get interferance. If you fly at a club, you would have to pull several frequency pins when you fly just to make sure someone doesn't turn on with the channel(s) next to yours. If the RX has a gold sticker on it you should be OK and won't have to worry about anything. Please, before you give any more of your hard earned dough to your local crook, uh,........ I mean hobby shop, just ask for some feedback here first.

< Message edited by CCRC1 -- 9/13/2005 7:28:32 AM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 154

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldberg... - 9/13/2005 7:49:26 AM

CCRC1

Posts: 1109
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Waldorf, MD, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: tigerdude426
Although the batteries tend to die very quickly even with the signals turned off? Is this typical with transmitters? My hobby supplier tells me that it is - that all radios, new or used lose their charge quickly weither they are used or not, that is why it it a good idea to charge then every day.

O, Lord give me strength. Does your hobby supplier have a really long nose?

Typical NiCads (500mah TX pack) should have about 3 hours of "on" time before they need recharged. They should not need a recharge every day when the TX is not turned on. If you charge the TX overnight and it looses most of its capacity with 24 hours when not in use, throw the batteries in the trash!!!!

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 155

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 1:33:22 PM

bruce88123

Posts: 10731
Joined: 11/26/2004
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Status: online

CCRC1 has been steering you correctly on the radios. The only place I MIGHT differ is that I am not sure that the RX needs to be narrow banded. That was never an issue.

I suggest that you go to this forum: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_125/tt.htm

and post your exact model of RX and TX and any other info you have radio questions on and let the Futaba support people advise you some. Then come on back here if you have more questions on this for us. Not chasing you off, just going to the horses mouth.

CCRC1 is also right about your battery life. They should be able to sit around for a couple of weeks at least and still work. I wouldn't fly w/o a topoff charge overnight but they should still work.

_____________________________

3-D is for Monster Movies

(in reply to CCRC1)

Post #: 156

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 3:27:34 PM

shd3920

Posts: 277
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Status: online

Well, well, well - an $85 lesson well-learned

. Buy brand new and from a respected dealer (such as Tower Hobbies). This was a costly mistake

. I have learned my lesson

and will only make my major purchases through Tower Hobbies.

Could the harness switch and servos I have be used so I can save a little money, and get brand new receiver and batteries? I have tested the servos and they do work - its just the batteries die fast and should be replaced. What receiver and batteries would go with the Futaba Conquest transmitter I have? And how much will all this cost me to buy? The transmitter you tell me is legal so could someone please link me to the cheapest receiver and batteries at Tower Hobbies or other acceptable company that could be used with it?

If you really think the servos should be replaced also, could you also link me to the cheapest at Tower Hobbies or other acceptable company (I am only seeking 3 servos so I can use on the Air Scout)?, If I could get away with using the servos I have with only a new receiver and batteries that would be good.

Thank you for all your concern.

< Message edited by tigerdude426 -- 9/13/2005 4:05:36 PM >

(in reply to bruce88123)

Post #: 157

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 4:25:30 PM

shd3920

Posts: 277
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Status: online

1) Will these products work with my Futaba Conquest?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJKR4&P=0

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXBFJ9**&P=V

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH335&P=M

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL303&P=M

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDEL4&P=M

2)Can I use the switch harness from the used radio to save a little money?
3)Can the charger I have with the radio be used with the new batteries?
4)I would imagine that the Receiver being new and all, that it would not be compatible with the servos I already have would it, to save me some money? - they are Futaba servos and they do work. But different frequency huh?

< Message edited by tigerdude426 -- 9/13/2005 4:33:17 PM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 158

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 4:56:11 PM

CCRC1

Posts: 1109
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Waldorf, MD, USA
Status: offline

Dude, the plugs you have are obsolete. You will have to change everything you have to accept current production connectors so that the new components will match up. You will have to do this by soldering or buying a crimping tool and the individual plugs (which by the way are about $10 for 3 plugs). That box of stuff is going to be nothing but a headache I am afraid.
I would try and take that box of junk back to your bandit LHS and at least try and get him to give you store credit for the return.

Bruce, what I am trying to tell him about the RX is that its OK to use, but the Rx will pick up the newer odd channels on both sides of it and he is more likely to catch interference. If he is flying on channel 50, and someone with channel 49 turns on, Tigerdude will get a serious radio hit. The Rx is legal to use, thats not the issue. This info comes from first hand experience and Futaba's web site.
Scroll down on the site to "is my receiver safe to use".

http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/service-faq.html#q41

Tigerdude, Remember all this only applies if you receiver is a wide band. If it was updated and is now narrow band you need not worry. Look for a sticker on the RX itself.

< Message edited by CCRC1 -- 9/13/2005 5:20:33 PM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 159

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 5:18:58 PM

shd3920

Posts: 277
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Status: online

So the products I listed will not work for the radio I have? I am willing to replace the receiver, batteries, switch harness and servos with the products listed above. If everything is replaced what plugs would be obselete?

quote:

. . . the plugs you have are obsolete. You will have to change everything you have to accept current production connectors so that the new components will match up.

I am willing to change everything I have by buying the replacement parts. Everything with plugs will be replaced with new. The transmitter is 72 MHz and the components listed above are for 72 MHz so why would they not be compatible? I am getting the impression that I am making you mad CCRC1, and I am sorry

it is not intended in any way so please forgive me. I am just so confused and upset that this dealer would take advantage of a beginner like me. Buying and replacing all the components would be easier than trying to replace the system I bought from him I believe.

< Message edited by tigerdude426 -- 9/13/2005 5:22:04 PM >

(in reply to CCRC1)

Post #: 160

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 5:33:29 PM

CCRC1

Posts: 1109
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Waldorf, MD, USA
Status: offline

No, no no

You are not making me mad at all.

Sometimes in the electronic world you can't see folks face to face so you miss the most important part of the conversation. The smiles and laughs.
The only thing I am upset about is that your LHS, where you go for advice, is full of bull biscuits!
You asked in post 157 if the switch harness and servos could be used to save you some money. If you purchase a new RX, none of the old stuff you have will plug into it. Thats all I was trying to tell you

If you buy a new onboard pack to match the TX, everthing will work OK.
BUT... look at the price of the onboard pack.....TOTAL!
You still are better off buying a new Skysport 4 channel system for $129.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEFJ4**&P=0

All new servos, brand new charger, all the right hardware and plugs, brand new NiCads..........Well you get point

< Message edited by CCRC1 -- 9/13/2005 5:40:35 PM >

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 161

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 5:57:21 PM

bruce88123

Posts: 10731
Joined: 11/26/2004
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Status: online

My turn I guess. The first 2 items you chose simply won't work because thay are for an AM system and since your old reciever p/n is FM I'll have to assume the transmitter is FM also.

You could use this:http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXASY3&P=0 and order the appropriate crystal.
That brings up the next problem. You keep saying you are on 72 MHz. OK, there are a bunch of "channels" on 72 MHz and you need to know which one you are on. There should be a tag or sticker on the Tx or Rx saying what channel you are on between 1 and 72 and not likely 72.

You need to find out what it is and then we can tell if you need a "HI" or "LO" band RX. I know, something new to worry about, it keeps coming but you will get used to it and it gets easier eventually. Your LHS man is a con artist or just an idiot IMO. (Based solely upon your info)

Your turn.

_____________________________

3-D is for Monster Movies

(in reply to shd3920)

Post #: 162

RE: Beginner's Corner - building of my new Goldber... - 9/13/2005 6:01:11 PM

cwrr5

Posts: 2135
Joined: 5/19/2004
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Status: offline

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, what they said.

Stuff gets lost in translation here. Go with CCRCs advise, and just buy a radio, new, as a set. (I suggest a comp. radio, with multiple model memories, but that's just my suggestion)

Things that seem like good economy in this hobby often are not, as you found out(the hard way, unfortunately). Beware of anything "used", unless you know and trust the source.

< Message edited by cwrr5 -- 9/13/2005 6:03:14 PM >

(in reply to CCRC1)