Bax:

I may have solved my problem (with the help of a friend), but want to confirm something about the Futaba servo arms.

I have always had Airtronics radios, never had a problem with zero centering the arm on the servo, just set tx trim to center, and arm went right on first try, centered. Simple.

Then I got my first Futaba radio, a 6yg. When I installed the servos/pushrods, I centered the tx trim, but couldn't get the arms to center (90 degrees). The manual says the arm should be centered, but doesn't tell how to achieve that. I fought this thing for a week. So I called Futaba to discuss the problem. The story I got was that the tx was made on one assembly line, the rx from another, and the two get dumped in a box for a set, and the band width could be different. In other words, the tx and rx are not precisely matched or calibrated. I was told I would have to send the whole set in for repairs. The technician made no mention of the following.....(next paragraph)

A week later, I talked to a friend who has had several Futabas. He informed me that there were 6 positions on the star arm, and only one of them would center properly. I tried it and it worked ok. (after much fumbling around). I still have a problem with the large cross arm, tried both ways and won't center. So if I use those arms, I will always have unwanted "differential".

Apparently the older manuals explained this, but went into a bunch of detail about the angular differences, blah blah, all I wanted was for the arm to center. I can make the 6 arm work, but that takes a lot of cutting. Why doesn't Futaba make a standard (small) cross arm that will center without all this extra work. Frankly, I am about ready to go back to Airtronics, but I like the 6yg, it's the only standard 6 channel left that has both a meter and dual rates. I don't want a computer radio, have no need for one.

Next item....I have a need for smaller servos (mini) for a plane, but need at least 50 or so torgue. Futaba doesn't seem to make one like that (reasonable). The servo I need turns out to be a Hobbico CS-35, right size, right price and right torgue. Is the Hobbico servo a good one, is it made by Futaba with a Hobbico name...or what.? Tower has the same thing, called a TS-35, same price, but you get less arms with it. Why doesn't Futaba make a reasonable mini with the higher torgue.? I don't like the "universal" connectors, as they can be plugged in backward, doesn't hurt, but have to watch the color coding, etc.

If I am having these arm problems, surely others must be also. I didn't want to post this in an open forum, but the phone call to tech didn't solve my problem, and my emails have been unanswered.

BO