RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros >> RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*

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RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 12:21:13 AM

Zippi

Posts: 3024
Joined: 6/29/2004
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Status: offline

MaineBear,

It wasn't the antenna (wire) that broke. It was the plastic housing that holds the antenna in place on the top of the TX. I have just completed an easy fix to the problem with a piece of fuel tubing. I've worked the antenna back an forth a lot and it seems to hold great. The fuel tubing seems to put enough presure on the side wall to hold it in place even with the one side broke. I don't have time now but I'll post pics of the part that broke and the fix tomorrow.

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RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 2:24:39 AM

Zippi

Posts: 3024
Joined: 6/29/2004
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Status: offline

Here are the pics of the antenna problem. In the first pic you can see the arm broke off that should be attached at the left hand side of the antenna wire. The second pic shows a piece of 1/4" OD fuel tubing I cut 1/2" long and cut all the way down one wall so the antenna wire could fit inside and placed it inside the plastic. The third pic shows the two plastic half’s around the fuel tubing and this supplies enough pressure on the wall to hold it all in place. The next pic shows it installed back into the hole in the TX bracket. The last pic shows the whole assemble installed on the TX. This seems to work very well and should last until hopefully an upgrade antenna from Airtronics becomes available.

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< Message edited by Zippi -- 7/11/2008 2:36:39 AM >

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Post #: 802

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 6:39:37 AM

MikeGreenshields

Posts: 158
Joined: 3/15/2005
From: Fountain Valley, CA, USA
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Thank you for posting the pictures! I can show this directly to Sanwa. If we have any questions we may be contacting you Zippi! Mike

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Post #: 803

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 4:18:00 PM

MaineBear

Posts: 51
Joined: 4/16/2002
From: PRIVATE, VA, USA
Status: offline

Hi Zippi!

Thanks for the pics. Your fuel line fix looks good and should last until Airtronics corrects their design and supplies you with a new one. Also, good to read Mike G will be following up with Airtronics.

Mike G.: Would you get back with everyone on this as to what Airtronics plans to/will do - and when? For everyone's peace of mind I'm sure we'd all like to know what Airtronics action is taking. Thanks...

Your pics tend to confirm my thoughts that perhaps one of the reasons the RDS8000 is so price competitive is because Airtronics peobably used existing RD8000 tooling for their RDS8000 case design thereby eliminating new tooling (mold) costs. Makes sense; many companies frequently take this approach to save costs - but it doesn't always go smoothly. What you found out, though - and what others might, too - is that when the RD8000's collapsible metal antenna was removed and the older case design is used, only the thin plastic molded wall (around it) is left, and this - by itself - is not strong enough to fully support the 2.4 wire antenna cover extending above the case, which, when being assembled, or when being handled during normal use, the thin wall plastic would be subject to breakage.

Anyway, good to read you are back in business. One question, though: would you recommend everyone place something solid and supportive - like fuel line, as you did - around their antenna wire to fill the space that space that now exists (between the antenna wire and the plastic) ? Sounds like it might be a good move.

Thanks again, Zippi, for bringing this problem to everyone's attention...

Dick

(in reply to MikeGreenshields)

Post #: 804

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 5:14:13 PM

CCFPILOT

Posts: 66
Joined: 1/22/2008
From: Orange, CA, USA
Status: online

Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.

(in reply to MaineBear)

Post #: 805

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 6:16:45 PM

Zippi

Posts: 3024
Joined: 6/29/2004
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Status: offline

I have to kinda agree with CCFPILOT on this one. Mike G. had meantioned that they had never seen this problem before and it may be an isolated case. However, I don't think I would do anything to your TX MaineBear unless something happens to your antenna. I looked at my TX case and depending on how the case is setting the TX could be upside down sometimes and the undo pressure on the antenna from the foam may have something to do with why the plastic piece broke but I'm just not sure. The foam in my TX case is real tight to the TX so it doesn't flop around so like I said, if it had anything to do with this issue I really don't know.

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Post #: 806

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 6:34:35 PM

GotSky

Posts: 232
Joined: 10/17/2005
From: Castaic, CA, USA
Status: online

Wow. Mainbear sure do have a lot to say for someone that dose not even own this radio. Just to let you know I now have 2 of these radios and use them almost daily. Never had one issue with any area of this set up.. "

quote:

Mike G.: Would you get back with everyone on this as to what Airtronics plans to/will do - and when? For everyone's peace of mind I'm sure we'd all like to know what Airtronics action is taking."

Why would you ask this question? Mike has shown that he takes care of his customers just chill and stop trying to stir the drama pot.

(in reply to Zippi)

Post #: 807

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/11/2008 7:35:10 PM

MaineBear

Posts: 51
Joined: 4/16/2002
From: PRIVATE, VA, USA
Status: offline

We'll hope it is an isolated case, that's for sure. But, experience is something worth learning from and knowing. Nope..., don't own one (yet) but planning to shortly.

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Post #: 808

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/12/2008 7:34:40 AM

MikeGreenshields

Posts: 158
Joined: 3/15/2005
From: Fountain Valley, CA, USA
Status: offline

I always error on the side of caution, and as I said I have shown this to Sanwa.

At this time I do not think there is anything to change. The antenna is reliable and after thousands sold, someone's bound to break something. And as for "retrofitting" the radio, the portion that holds the antenna is NEW. It is not a retro fit. We've reviewed the design and find it to be as reliable and durable or more than it's contemporaries.

Did you know we flew 50 different radios on 4 different continents during the "everyday-pilot" test phase of this radio? We started that testing MONTHS before going into production.

I flew again today, mindful of the antenna and I believe there is no problem. Two other pilots were there who also fly the RDS8000 and they have no problem. And both of those guys are flying with it daily.

I do not claim we're perfect. NO ONE is. But we've been pretty thorough and all involved, including those involved with our extensive sponsored pilot network report no problems with the antennas.

Mike

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(in reply to MaineBear)

Post #: 809

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/12/2008 1:42:21 PM

MaineBear

Posts: 51
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From: PRIVATE, VA, USA
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Thanks Mike. Your thoughtful comments are apprecriated. Coming from a manufacturing engineering marketing background, my instincts tend to pick up on things like this, and while they might sound trivial to others (as some seem to indicate), they could later become a problem. Your positive comments and actions here are most welcomed. Thanks for keeping us tuned in.

Dick

(in reply to MikeGreenshields)

Post #: 810

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/21/2008 5:33:50 AM

bigedmustafa

Posts: 2500
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: online

Wow! Hobby People is now selling the RDS8000 with two receivers for $229.99! It looks like the best deal out there for a 2.4Ghz radio system just got twice as good!

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/751710.asp

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Post #: 811

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/21/2008 10:24:09 AM

Bob Paris

Posts: 721
Joined: 11/4/2002
From: Lahaina, HI, USA
Status: offline

Hi guys,
I've been flying Airtronics gear for over twenty years. From the Module 7, Infinity, Stylus and now the RDS8000. This radio is working flawless, seems to have a faster response time then my Stylus, and a whole buch easyer to program too. I'm happy I waited to get into the 2.4 gig band wagon...and it was worth the wait.

After flying the Stylus for the past six years...and use to flying a heavyer Tx, the light weight of the RDS system was a nice surprise. My only complaint is that I like using a lever for flap or flaperon operation, the RDS8000 uses a three position switch.

Is Airtonics coming out with 2.4 gig modules for the Stylus or Infinity ?

The reason I've kept with Airtronics for so many years has been their great customer service. A great bunch of guys and always quick answerers and inexpensive repairs.

Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

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Post #: 812

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz* - 7/21/2008 4:15:33 PM

otrcman

Posts: 98
Joined: 10/11/2004
From: Arroyo Grande, CA, USA
Status: offline

One more positive report on the RDS8000. I bought mine on July 4 at the great $169 price. Flew it for the first time last Saturday. The flights were identical to my previous RD8000 experience, which is to say that everything worked fine.

The only thing of interest to report was the range test. I made the test as described in the manual, out to 100 feet. All OK. So I kept walking. At 225 feet, I ran into muddy ground and had to stop my test. But at the 225 foot point, the radio was still working perfectly. As a matter of fact, I deliberately pointed the antenna at the airplane (carefully sighting down the antenna toward the airplane) and the controls continued to work.

Mike Greenshields, could you tell us a bit about the Fail Safe function ? I did set the surface positions for Fail Safe, and tested the function by turning off the transmitter. Sure enough, all surfaces went to neutral and the throttle to idle as I had programmed. My question is: What events will trigger Fail Safe ? Is it only loss of signal, or does the receiver check for valid signals in some way ?

Dick Fischer

(in reply to Bob Paris)