3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

Hi,

I have a Low Band Futaba FP-R148DP Rx (Channel 34) that I need to make High Band (Channel 52).

First off...Is it REALLY necessary to send the Rx in to be retuned if going from low band to high band?

And secondly...If it does need to be retuned, does anybody know of any place that does it for less than what Futaba charges to do it (I believe they charge somewhere around $20), or is that pretty much the industry standard for this type of work?

Thank You,

Mark

Teachu2

My Feedback: (133)

You might try Radio South. I believe them on the low/high issue - seems silly to inconvience customers unless it is truly necessary. In today's lawsuit-happy world, I'd hate to have any radio equipment that wasn't entirely "clean", like a low-band rx that hadn't been retuned properly. Brings up a nasty (gleeful for the plaintiff's attorney) word called negligence...........

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

You probably wont find it done any cheaper than that and retuning will uncover any potential problems if you bought it used so its money well spent.

I would use either Radio South or Futaba's Hobby Services with confidence.

3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

It's actually a brand new Rx...I just didn't know if it was really necessary to have it retuned, or if it was just "recommended".

Sounds like a better send it in though.

Thanks for the replies!

Mark

P.S. - I wonder if anybody is going to be doing this type of service at the Toledo Show this year, and for how much?

Gizmo-RCU

My Feedback: (27)

Why not just buy a new Hi Tech Rx and crystal of the right channel. Will cost about twice as much but you will still have the new Futaba ? No doubt you will find a use for the Futaba or can sell it to off-set the diffrence? Just a thought......

3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

The Futaba is a PCM...Don't know if it's really necessary, or not, but I was always told that it was best to use a PCM Rx for large airplanes using gas engines. As far as I know Hitec doesn't make a PCM Rx?

Thanks for the tip anyway!

Mark

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

If its for a large gasser plane I don't know why you would hesitate to spend a few dollars to have it tuned properly.

Zeeb

My Feedback: (41)

I'm with Barracuda on this one...

IIRC, Bax over on the Futaba support forum has indicated that it costs $20.00 to have an rx converted from one band to another which includes a full functionality checkout. I don't know if that price includes the crystal but I suspect not, if it does include a crystal then it would seem to me that sending it in is a no brainer.

All of the various incarnations of PCM are brand specific and proprietary, so while some other brand of crystal may seem to work okay it would most likely have a reduced range if it does work.

Why scrimp on $20 or $30 on what is probably the most important parts, when you've got as much money in a project as you already have??????

3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

Yep...It does sound like a no brainer.

I'm just unemployed right now, and trying to save money where I can. But I guess the Rx isn't the best place to try and skimp.

Thanks for the replies!

Mark