Viper87

I am about to purchase my first ARF and will need to get a new receiver for my Futaba 6 channel radio. Can I use any brand receiver? If so what kind of compability issues should I be looking out for?

Thanks for the help,

Viper

hankpajari

My Feedback: (1)

I use Futaba transmitters. I have a ton of Hitec receivers. All work flawlessly.

Dr1Driver

The best bang for the buck is Hitec or FMA. Both can be purchased compatible with Futaba, are cheaper than Futaba and have better capture ratios.

Dr.1

rcfury

My Feedback: (5)

Agreed what was said above. I normally fly my bigger planes with futaba recievers (PCM) but, my smaller ships usually use hitec rx's. Either way they will work but, of course be sure its negitive shift.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Three things for success when mixing receiver brands with your Futaba Tx if your Tx was purchased through the North American market (which means it is negative modulation shift only)

1. All FM tx's and rx's must function on either positive or negative modulation shift and both the Tx and Rx must function on the same shift or the combination will not work. The choice of modulation shift is an arbitrary choice by the manufacturer and it makes no difference in performance.

2. Modulation type (AM, FM(ppm) and PCM) must match you cannot use a Fm rx for example with an AM tx. It interesting when we get to PCM units as all brands use propriatory encodeing and there is no brand mixing among tx and rx's possible. Even within the same brand not all will work as there are differences between newer and older units.

3. Band and frequency must match. Both the Tx and the Rx must be intended for the same band i.e. in the US 27mhz, 72mhz air only , 75 mhz surface only etc. You cannot use a 27 band crystal in a 72 band rx and expect it to work.

The Tx and receiver of course must have the same actual frequency or channel number. For the record in the US yes you can change rx crystals at will however you cannot change a crystal in the tx with out a retune. It is illegal and goes far beyond whether or not it just works in your radio but how we affect commercial primary users between each of the 72 band hobby channels.

So You see your question if far from simple and I have only just outlined it a little. So When ordering another brand Rx assure that it is in your case a negative shift unit (many manufacturers sell products in both shifts as well as some selectable Rx's or automatic select.).

Confirm the rx you are ordering is the same band as well as the same frequency you need.


One last thought when you need to ask a question about your Tx, just identifying it a a six channel Futaba is of almost no help at all. That could litterly mean dozens of models past and present.

John

Viper87

Thanks for the help. I see now that it is not as simple as I thought.

About the model number... I was going to list it but I was at work and only had a few minutes to post and could not remember the number off the top of my head. After looking it is the Futaba 6EXAS.

I will double with my LHS when I go and get one soon for compatibility.

Thanks again,

Viper