David_Moen

Hi there...anudder newbie question. My trainer is set up with Airtonics gear, channel 41. New plane on the bench so far has no radio gear. I am leaning towards purchasing either an Eclipse or Futaba 9CAF. If I buy either radio I want to buy it with crystals for a channel other than 41 so that when we're at the field my wife/kids can be flying the trainer while I fly the other plane.

If I wanted to fly my old plane with the new radio, could I, with either radio, simply change crystals in the TX to channel 41 and have at it? I know I could get the Eclipse with the spectra module, but at that price point, I'd rather have the 9C.

Also, if buy a plane at a swap meet or something that already has radio gear in it, can I just change a crystal in the TX and go fly?

Flyfalcons

David, yes you can do that because the 9C has a module system. In my opinion though, it would be cheaper to buy a new receiver crystal for the Hitec Rx to match your Tx frequency. If you go this route be sure to get your Tx on a high band channel so you don't end up using a low band Rx crystal on your high band Rx.

David_Moen

This logic still applies with the Airtronics gear in the trainer?

Can't I replace a crystal in the TX module?

The TX is just easier to get at than the RX.

Flyfalcons

No, your Futaba Tx will not be compatible because it is negative shift and the Airtronics is positive shift. I am sorry, I must have skipped right over that part. The Hitec is shift selectable so it would work in that case.

strato911

David - in the US, the FCC regulations prohibit changing the crystals on the transmitters (although the entire RF module can be). However, it IS legal to change the crystal in the Rx. I assume it is similar here in Canada, but if you want to know for sure, you would have to contact the CRTC (our equivilant to FCC I think).