Hi,

I have two Futaba 2PEKA (Magnum Jr) radio systems. One purchased separately with a R123F receiver and one included with my Duratrax Firehammer (2-cycle gasoline engine with spark plug) with an R133F receiver. Both receivers have a problem on my Firehammer where within 100 feet everything runs perfectly. After 100 feet the car stops and the servos twitch and jitter. Luckily I have a failsafe on the throttle/brake servo so I can't get in too much trouble.

There is at least one potentiometer (maybe two) on the bottom of the receiver board. What is the function of this pot (pots)? Do they control the RF filtering? Can these pots loose their settings if moisture or dirt get inside the receiver? Can they be cleaned with electric motor cleaner spray? After cleaning can they be adjusted to filter correctly again?

The original radio system is on my electric Duratrax Evader truck. It does not have the range problem at all. I have swapped the receivers and crystals between the cars a couple of times and have the same problem. The radio included with my Firehammer worked great with no range problems for the first 8 or 9 months of use.

I have a background in electronics and would like to try to rectify this problem myself if possible. My wife would not be humored by a new receiver/radio purchase or repair charge (both radios are out of warranty).

Any technical help would be greatly appreciated.

Ken Gentry