Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
01-14-2008, 11:58 AM
#1
Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
I have a Kraft Series Bicentennial 7ch. system that is almost new in box. I need to know how to tell if it's AM or FM. No stickers. This system has 2 moduels 72.240 and 72.080 for both tx and rx. Need advice. Thanks
01-14-2008, 12:16 PM
#2
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
As neither of those frequencies is on the currently approved "Air" list I would allow it to remain a paper weight.
See http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/frequencies.aspx
See http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/frequencies.aspx
01-14-2008, 02:01 PM
#3
RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
At the very least they would require crystal changing by an approved shop. Even if FM the system may not be "narrow band" approved and require MORE work. Contact Radio South and inquire there of there people for details.
http://www.radiosouthrc.com/
http://www.radiosouthrc.com/
01-14-2008, 03:59 PM
#4
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
The FM modules were about a 3/4 of inch higher than the top surface of the transmitter In other words they stuck up this far and had the FM on the front face The am modules were level with the Top of the case and had the freq label on the top surface
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futabaflyer (11-03-2020)
01-14-2008, 05:57 PM
#5
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
I was a big proponant of Kraft Radios and did not know they offered FM radios "ever" and especially this early in the game! 1976 is really early for FM. However, it certainly could be.
Your radio was state of the art in 1976. However, what is available now, is so much better. However, it's your call and worth a try to contact Tony Stillman of Radio South to see what he says.
Your radio was state of the art in 1976. However, what is available now, is so much better. However, it's your call and worth a try to contact Tony Stillman of Radio South to see what he says.
01-14-2008, 09:37 PM
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
I also have one of those old radios. I had a friend who had a Kraft dealership back in those years. I acquired it from his collection after
he passed. I flew Kraft for many years and still use a couple of the 8 or so on my shelf. It IMO is worth an upgrade if you like the occasonal feel of days gone by. (How many of us old timers don't still like to remember the way it was back then.) I am also sure they offered sets in FM. We never felt the need as the AM worked just fine for us. They also sold a dual conversion RX that was in a metal case, as I have one. I have several of the Kraft catalogs from those years and could probably look up the info on the FM sets if anyone is interested.
I had a couple of mine upgraded by Pete Waters at Kraft Midwest and I think he is a real fan of Kraft. You would need to have the TX narrow banded and purchase new RX. Probably buy new batteries for the TX. I had them done shortly after narrow banding came in and cost was about $100. It would work just fine. IMHO never use a Kraft for a paper weight. Gotta love tose old Krafts
he passed. I flew Kraft for many years and still use a couple of the 8 or so on my shelf. It IMO is worth an upgrade if you like the occasonal feel of days gone by. (How many of us old timers don't still like to remember the way it was back then.) I am also sure they offered sets in FM. We never felt the need as the AM worked just fine for us. They also sold a dual conversion RX that was in a metal case, as I have one. I have several of the Kraft catalogs from those years and could probably look up the info on the FM sets if anyone is interested.
I had a couple of mine upgraded by Pete Waters at Kraft Midwest and I think he is a real fan of Kraft. You would need to have the TX narrow banded and purchase new RX. Probably buy new batteries for the TX. I had them done shortly after narrow banding came in and cost was about $100. It would work just fine. IMHO never use a Kraft for a paper weight. Gotta love tose old Krafts
01-14-2008, 11:43 PM
#7
RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
ORIGINAL: silent flight
I also have one of those old radios. I had a friend who had a Kraft dealership back in those years. I acquired it from his collection after
he passed. I flew Kraft for many years and still use a couple of the 8 or so on my shelf. It IMO is worth an upgrade if you like the occasonal feel of days gone by. (How many of us old timers don't still like to remember the way it was back then.) I am also sure they offered sets in FM. We never felt the need as the AM worked just fine for us. They also sold a dual conversion RX that was in a metal case, as I have one. I have several of the Kraft catalogs from those years and could probably look up the info on the FM sets if anyone is interested.
I had a couple of mine upgraded by Pete Waters at Kraft Midwest and I think he is a real fan of Kraft. You would need to have the TX narrow banded and purchase new RX. Probably buy new batteries for the TX. I had them done shortly after narrow banding came in and cost was about $100. It would work just fine. IMHO never use a Kraft for a paper weight. Gotta love tose old Krafts
I also have one of those old radios. I had a friend who had a Kraft dealership back in those years. I acquired it from his collection after
he passed. I flew Kraft for many years and still use a couple of the 8 or so on my shelf. It IMO is worth an upgrade if you like the occasonal feel of days gone by. (How many of us old timers don't still like to remember the way it was back then.) I am also sure they offered sets in FM. We never felt the need as the AM worked just fine for us. They also sold a dual conversion RX that was in a metal case, as I have one. I have several of the Kraft catalogs from those years and could probably look up the info on the FM sets if anyone is interested.
I had a couple of mine upgraded by Pete Waters at Kraft Midwest and I think he is a real fan of Kraft. You would need to have the TX narrow banded and purchase new RX. Probably buy new batteries for the TX. I had them done shortly after narrow banding came in and cost was about $100. It would work just fine. IMHO never use a Kraft for a paper weight. Gotta love tose old Krafts
01-15-2008, 09:56 PM
#11
RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
ORIGINAL: John H.
fm was only 6meters (53 mhz)
fm was only 6meters (53 mhz)
01-16-2008, 10:09 AM
#13
RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
The radios standing up are narrow band. the ones that the modual sticks up are FM; the tall one is Synthesized with all the channels ,RX is like that too. Kraft had narrow band before it was required, but only as an option, verry expensive at the time. Because they already had the technology the AMA used kraft radios to certify narrow to the FCC.
01-16-2008, 01:02 PM
#16
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
The Kraft 1976 had servo reversing, if the switches were added to the circuit board. It was a very good radio, nice sticks, better then then the earlier ones. Kraft was first with FM and then synth.
01-16-2008, 02:06 PM
#17
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RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
I have a Kraft Bicentinial Series 76 single stick radio that was AM originally. In the late 80's, just before they closed, Kraft came out with an FM transmitter module and receiver for the Series 76. I bought one and have been using it ever since. The FM RF module sticks up about 3/4 inch above the top of the transmitter. The transmitter was certified narrow band Feb. 1991 without modification. I also had the servo reversing switchs added--you have to remove the rear cover to access them. I still use the transmitter today and have always been happy with it.
01-16-2008, 05:27 PM
#18
RE: Kraft Bicentennial Series AM/FM ?????
The two Signatures have servo reversing under the name plate and rate adjustment for the duel rates. The 78 Sig also has expo. Also if it is FM on 72mhz it is narrow. that was part of the FCC certificaion so no old freqs could be FM. AM could be either way as the moduals look the same. FM on Ham freqs has black moduals.
