Radio question
07-29-2005 | 04:22 PM
#2
RE: Radio question
According to the FCC regulations. IF it has frequency modules, you may change them without consequence. If your radio is crystal controled, it must be done in a certified repair shop. This information can be found on the Futaba web site FAQ section.
What model do you have?
From Futaba:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/service-faq.html#q2
What model do you have?
From Futaba:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/service-faq.html#q2
07-29-2005 | 04:27 PM
#3
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From: Ithaca,
NY
RE: Radio question
This is the Futaba 6EXA FM radio,I only bought the radio here rcuniverse ads, but it is in the channel 40, all my receiver are in the channel 11, it is possible that I can buy a tx crystal on channel 11 and it works with my receivers?
07-29-2005 | 04:32 PM
#4
RE: Radio question
Not legally. If it is a used radio, I would suggest you have it checked over by the Futaba service center anyway. They often find little things wrong that you may not notice until you are picking up pieces of a dead airplane.
There will be people that will come on here and tell you to go ahead and do it. Just remember that you may be endangering your plane and those of others if your transmitter is not operating properly and transmitting spurious signals. [:@]
There will be people that will come on here and tell you to go ahead and do it. Just remember that you may be endangering your plane and those of others if your transmitter is not operating properly and transmitting spurious signals. [:@]
07-29-2005 | 04:45 PM
#6
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RE: Radio question
Radio South is a place you can send your radio to be checked out and swap the crystal. They've been around for a long time and are a great place to deal with. http://www.radiosouthrc.com/
07-29-2005 | 04:57 PM
#7
RE: Radio question
here is the Futaba factory repair shop. Check them both out when you decide what to do.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1131517/tm.htm
Ok, this thread give the addresses.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1131517/tm.htm
Ok, this thread give the addresses.
07-29-2005 | 05:36 PM
#8
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From: College Station,
TX
RE: Radio question
why not change receiver crystal to 40? i would think it would be cheaper and easier, but the service fees on the radio might be lower than i think(i guess this is more of a question than a suggestion LOL)
07-29-2005 | 10:03 PM
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From: Ithaca,
NY
RE: Radio question
I have 3 receiver on channel 47, I was using Hitec laser4, but now I got a 6 channel radio and I would like still using the same frequency on the receivers..
07-29-2005 | 10:15 PM
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From: College Station,
TX
RE: Radio question
i dunno what to tell you man. i still think it would be cheaper to try and acquire three crystals for the RX's, than to have a radio retuned AND buy a new crystal for it(i know tower has crystal for 12.99 for both of them, im not shure how to get just the RX ones....youll have to ask someone whos bought them before that....maybe ebay?)
07-29-2005 | 10:25 PM
#14
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RE: Radio question
I'm gonna say something here that is a little off the norm these days. Why do you have to have all of your planes on one radio?? I have 3 different computer radios with 2 planes on each, and I also have 4 other non-computer radios. All are on different channels. There is nothing wrong with taking more than one radio to the field. I know that in this day and age people like to have all of their planes on one radio, but I don't buy that thinking. What if you are sharing a frequency with someone else? With radios on different channels you can fly something else until the first channel is clear. What if you have to send your radio in for service? You still have the other radios to fly on.
Do all of your planes need 6 channels? Probably not. Use the 4 channel radios for the planes that don't need the extra channels.
If it helps any, the plane that I have flown the most this year has an Airtronics 6 channel Vanguard (non-computer) radio on it. And I have 106 flights (approx. 11 minutes/flight) on it since March. It only needs 4 channels and nothing special (Balsa USA Thunderbug). I save my computer radios for planes that need a little extra in the way of the radio, Sig Hog Bipe, Great Planes Slow Poke, and my Sig Something Extra, all of which need a little extra mixing or flaperons.
My thinking would be that I would rather fly with 2 radios than sit and wait trying to get all my planes on one radio. I know that this is a little off the current thinking these days, but it works for me and has for 9 years now.
Hope this helps
Ken
Do all of your planes need 6 channels? Probably not. Use the 4 channel radios for the planes that don't need the extra channels.
If it helps any, the plane that I have flown the most this year has an Airtronics 6 channel Vanguard (non-computer) radio on it. And I have 106 flights (approx. 11 minutes/flight) on it since March. It only needs 4 channels and nothing special (Balsa USA Thunderbug). I save my computer radios for planes that need a little extra in the way of the radio, Sig Hog Bipe, Great Planes Slow Poke, and my Sig Something Extra, all of which need a little extra mixing or flaperons.
My thinking would be that I would rather fly with 2 radios than sit and wait trying to get all my planes on one radio. I know that this is a little off the current thinking these days, but it works for me and has for 9 years now.
Hope this helps
Ken
07-29-2005 | 10:39 PM
#15
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RE: Radio question
ORIGINAL: RCKen
I'm gonna say something here that is a little off the norm these days. Why do you have to have all of your planes on one radio??
I'm gonna say something here that is a little off the norm these days. Why do you have to have all of your planes on one radio??
I've got 2 transmitters and 8 receivers (only 6 in use right now). All of them are on one channel, 56. The only time I've had a conflict is when I took 1 plane to a fly in at another club. The 2 transmitters I have are a 6EXA and a 4YF. They both go to the field, but the 4YF doesn't even have a battery in it, it's used as a buddy box. The reason I only use 1 transmitter is to keep things simple and to take advantage of the features such as electronic trims and throttle cutoff. If I did have a problem with the 6EXA, 2 planes would be temporarily grounded due to using mixing for dual aileron servos. Any of the others could be flown with the 4 channel transmitter, although I would certainly miss the expo and would need to readjust the throws a bit to take them off the high rates.
07-29-2005 | 10:48 PM
#16
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RE: Radio question
Chuck,
I know that I'm the odd man out with the way I think, but this works for me. I know a lot of people think the way you do too. I'm just presenting another way of looking at it.
If we flew together we would have problems, cause 1 on my radios is on 56 too.
ken
I know that I'm the odd man out with the way I think, but this works for me. I know a lot of people think the way you do too. I'm just presenting another way of looking at it.
If we flew together we would have problems, cause 1 on my radios is on 56 too.
ken
07-30-2005 | 06:08 AM
#18
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From: Jacksonville, FL
RE: Radio question
I BELIEVE IT IS LEGAL TO CHANGE RECIEVER CRYSTALS HOWEVER 11 IS LOW AND 40 IS HIGH SO THAT MIGHT NOT BE A PRUDENT THING TO DO. FOR 50 BUCKS YOU CAN GET A HIGH RECIEVER AND A 40 CRYSTAL AND YOUR SET GOOD LUCK
07-30-2005 | 06:25 AM
#19
Senior Member
RE: Radio question
For what it is worth the folks at Radical RC have a crystal exchange service. The cost is $5 per crystal, which would probably be less than the cost of servicing the radio.
http://members.aol.com/davthacker/ra...alexchange.htm
They also have reasonable prices on other items they sell, freight is reasonable and they have been professional in all respects. I am consolidating transmitters and expect to receive four crystals for three brands of receivers next week.
Bill
http://members.aol.com/davthacker/ra...alexchange.htm
They also have reasonable prices on other items they sell, freight is reasonable and they have been professional in all respects. I am consolidating transmitters and expect to receive four crystals for three brands of receivers next week.
Bill
07-30-2005 | 07:12 AM
#20
RE: Radio question
On some brands of receivers, I said SOME brands, the hi/lo thing does not appear to be an issue. Check with the mfg to make sure before proceeding.
BTW - Ken was only pointing out an option and opinion. That was what was asked for.
BTW - Ken was only pointing out an option and opinion. That was what was asked for.
07-30-2005 | 07:17 AM
#21
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From: hingham, MA
RE: Radio question
the low band 11 recievers can not take the high band 40 crystals. A tuning idiosycracy of futaba recievers. If the receivers are hitech then there is no problem. It is better to get the transmitter retuned for the low band and checked over then buying new receivers and crystals. keep in mind that hitech makes receivers that are compatible with most radio manufacturers that do not suffer high and low banding
07-30-2005 | 02:38 PM
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From: College Station,
TX
RE: Radio question
ORIGINAL: RCKen
I'm gonna say something here that is a little off the norm these days. Why do you have to have all of your planes on one radio?? I have 3 different computer radios with 2 planes on each, and I also have 4 other non-computer radios. All are on different channels. There is nothing wrong with taking more than one radio to the field. I know that in this day and age people like to have all of their planes on one radio, but I don't buy that thinking. What if you are sharing a frequency with someone else? With radios on different channels you can fly something else until the first channel is clear. What if you have to send your radio in for service? You still have the other radios to fly on.
Do all of your planes need 6 channels? Probably not. Use the 4 channel radios for the planes that don't need the extra channels.
If it helps any, the plane that I have flown the most this year has an Airtronics 6 channel Vanguard (non-computer) radio on it. And I have 106 flights (approx. 11 minutes/flight) on it since March. It only needs 4 channels and nothing special (Balsa USA Thunderbug). I save my computer radios for planes that need a little extra in the way of the radio, Sig Hog Bipe, Great Planes Slow Poke, and my Sig Something Extra, all of which need a little extra mixing or flaperons.
My thinking would be that I would rather fly with 2 radios than sit and wait trying to get all my planes on one radio. I know that this is a little off the current thinking these days, but it works for me and has for 9 years now.
Hope this helps
Ken
I'm gonna say something here that is a little off the norm these days. Why do you have to have all of your planes on one radio?? I have 3 different computer radios with 2 planes on each, and I also have 4 other non-computer radios. All are on different channels. There is nothing wrong with taking more than one radio to the field. I know that in this day and age people like to have all of their planes on one radio, but I don't buy that thinking. What if you are sharing a frequency with someone else? With radios on different channels you can fly something else until the first channel is clear. What if you have to send your radio in for service? You still have the other radios to fly on.
Do all of your planes need 6 channels? Probably not. Use the 4 channel radios for the planes that don't need the extra channels.
If it helps any, the plane that I have flown the most this year has an Airtronics 6 channel Vanguard (non-computer) radio on it. And I have 106 flights (approx. 11 minutes/flight) on it since March. It only needs 4 channels and nothing special (Balsa USA Thunderbug). I save my computer radios for planes that need a little extra in the way of the radio, Sig Hog Bipe, Great Planes Slow Poke, and my Sig Something Extra, all of which need a little extra mixing or flaperons.
My thinking would be that I would rather fly with 2 radios than sit and wait trying to get all my planes on one radio. I know that this is a little off the current thinking these days, but it works for me and has for 9 years now.
Hope this helps
Ken
I think for some people(ME!!) its a price issue. one of the reason i bought a computer system, i new it was going to be the last radio until i HAD to have a new one(granted mine has two models on it and one isnt flying but hey.......SOMEDAY ill use the full function.). I thought(and ran some numbers) that it wold be cheaper once i started flying more planes to buy one radio for 240 that would last me along time, than buying a cheap one everytime i got a new plane. On the starving college student budget,having one radio for 6 or more planes is a god send LOL! i also made shure mine was on a VERY lgihtly used frequency(me and one other guy at the field.....my LHS owner is a member of our club, so i went and talked to him(bought it from him in fact), and got an idea what channels were good and wich were heavily used)
07-31-2005 | 12:00 PM
#23
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From: Barnhart,
MO
RE: Radio question
Oh heck who cares about what frequency is used. Just get you Ham license and fly on six meters... HEH HEH HEH. I already have my license but I fly on channel 39 right now. I've got a 6EXA and I agree with the Aggie. On a college student budget it is more economical to have one radio that can hold multiple models. Plus the 6EXA has some advanced features that allowed me to progress from trainers to more aerobatic aircraft. No, none o my planed use more than 4 channels except my Uproar which has the ailerons set up for CROW and mixed with the flap knob. Pretty cool flight characteristics when the ailerons are both flipped up. More to the topic, while it may be more cost effective to buy new crystals, you do need to make sure that your receivers do not have the HI LOW split that Futaba receivers have. If you have Hitec receivers than go for it. If all you have is Futaba, send the radio back to Futaba and have them retune it. I feel that may be less expensive than buying many receivers.
08-01-2005 | 12:09 PM
#24
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From: Schuylkill Haven,
PA
RE: Radio question
I was going to say what jetmech and rlipsett had pointed out about the high low band of futaba. and that it is Illegal to switch channels on a non module radio in the us with out retuning from the repair shop.
and the other thing is like txaggie said you can fine a rear channel to use. I have a 7c with 10 model memery and havn't had a conflict with my channel yet. I did exactually what txaggie said and I went out to the field and noted what channels everyone is on and I got a channel I haven't seen anyone using. even at all the fun flies I've been to I have't seen the channel used.
I really seems as thought the pattern is that everyone used the channels toward the middle of the range more frequantly the the very top or the very bottom of the channel range.
and the other thing is like txaggie said you can fine a rear channel to use. I have a 7c with 10 model memery and havn't had a conflict with my channel yet. I did exactually what txaggie said and I went out to the field and noted what channels everyone is on and I got a channel I haven't seen anyone using. even at all the fun flies I've been to I have't seen the channel used.
I really seems as thought the pattern is that everyone used the channels toward the middle of the range more frequantly the the very top or the very bottom of the channel range.
08-01-2005 | 01:01 PM
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From: Anderson,
MO
RE: Radio question
I agree with Ken about not putting all your eggs in one basket. I have an Eclipse with the spectra module, all 7 model slots filled, with 4 different frequencies. I also have 3 focus 4s and a focus 6 for the planes I don't need mixers for. No matter what the circumstances, I can always fly something without being radio or frequency restricted.
