futaba 6exap
08-19-2007 | 06:49 PM
#2
RE: futaba 6exap
The crystals in this radio need to be changed (by law) only by a certified repair shop. They can install any crystal for you. The RX must be capable of matching the TX though.
08-19-2007 | 06:52 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: futaba 6exap
Bruce maybe we are talking different things. I am talking about the crystal that plugs in the tx. Say channel 57 and then you have a 57 rx crystal. Is that what you are talking about.
08-19-2007 | 07:02 PM
#4
RE: futaba 6exap
Yep. If you buy a TX and it has CH 54 in it when new and you want to change it to channel 57 you need to send it to the shop legally. Technically even if you take out one CH 57 TX crystal and then install a different CH 57 crystal it needs to go to the shop because no 2 crystals are identical. The FCC considers either action to be a modification to the tuning circuit.
Have I covered your question? If not I'll try again.
Have I covered your question? If not I'll try again.
08-19-2007 | 07:06 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: futaba 6exap
Bruce you covered it completely. WOW!!!!! didn't know that. I guess I thought I could go from channel 57 to 52 if someone else was flying on that channel. Hummm.. Thanks for the info. What would happen someone did change crystals? What if going from say 57 (I don't know why I am picking on 57, I guess because I one a 57 Chevy) to say a low channel. Will it still work?
08-19-2007 | 07:33 PM
#7
RE: futaba 6exap
You could be generating a signal that is off frequency or that has what is called "spurious radiation". This COULD not only result in reduced range for your system but could also interfere with others on channels near yours. It could also interfere with commercial users of our frequency spectrum that PAY for the right to be there and they WILL file complaints if you are detected. Up to a $10,000 fine could be acessed for EACH occurence detected. It could also nullify your AMA insurance if you have an accident.
Is this starting to sound like a possibly expensive "cheap" process?
Is this starting to sound like a possibly expensive "cheap" process?
08-19-2007 | 07:37 PM
#9
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
My Feedback: (9)
RE: futaba 6exap
Piper_chuck related a recent incident that he had where he purchased a used radio. He sent it in for a tune up and found that they previous user had changed the crystal without having the radio retuned. The shop reported to Chuck that the radio was working 50% below normal output from the crystal change. The radio was only putting out half of the power it was supposed to. Now do you want to be flying a radio with your radio working at 50%???
Ken
Ken
08-19-2007 | 07:41 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: futaba 6exap
Don't think so. I really appreciate the information. Boy was I dumb about the crystals. My Futaba radio is 57 and I have 4 receivers that are hi band with 57 in them, but I also have a receiver that is low. So I don't have anything I can use that one with. Ebay here I come with a low futaba receiver.
08-19-2007 | 07:52 PM
#11
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RE: futaba 6exap
Kindof off topic, but my question relates to the changing Tx crystals. I heard when you use a normal radio for a buddy box, you should take the crystal out, because supposedly, when its in the radio draws more power, even if its off, just its pulling more from the master controller. First, is this true. If I use one plane radio as a buddy box, should i take the crystal out to save power? And second, is it legal to remove crystals? I mean am I allowed to take them out and put them back in? Im guessing its ok, because its still tuned correctly, but maybe they dont want that grey area, so they make it illegal to ever remove a crystal. Thanks.
08-19-2007 | 07:56 PM
#12
RE: futaba 6exap
Nah, just send it the RX and have it fixed by Futaba. They can convert it to high band and change it to 57 at the same time for not much money. See below - $20 plus shipping
http://www.hobbyservices.com/futaba-rates.html
http://www.hobbyservices.com/futaba-rates.html
08-19-2007 | 08:01 PM
#14
RE: futaba 6exap
ORIGINAL: Shortymet55
Kindof off topic, but my question relates to the changing Tx crystals. I heard when you use a normal radio for a buddy box, you should take the crystal out, because supposedly, when its in the radio draws more power, even if its off, just its pulling more from the master controller. First, is this true. If I use one plane radio as a buddy box, should i take the crystal out to save power? And second, is it legal to remove crystals? I mean am I allowed to take them out and put them back in? Im guessing its ok, because its still tuned correctly, but maybe they dont want that grey area, so they make it illegal to ever remove a crystal. Thanks.
Kindof off topic, but my question relates to the changing Tx crystals. I heard when you use a normal radio for a buddy box, you should take the crystal out, because supposedly, when its in the radio draws more power, even if its off, just its pulling more from the master controller. First, is this true. If I use one plane radio as a buddy box, should i take the crystal out to save power? And second, is it legal to remove crystals? I mean am I allowed to take them out and put them back in? Im guessing its ok, because its still tuned correctly, but maybe they dont want that grey area, so they make it illegal to ever remove a crystal. Thanks.
08-19-2007 | 08:04 PM
#15
RE: futaba 6exap
ORIGINAL: goirish
Bruce, you guys amaze me. How do you know all of this stuff.
Bruce, you guys amaze me. How do you know all of this stuff.
Actually, just been hanging around, reading and flying and learning.
08-20-2007 | 06:01 AM
#17
Senior Member
RE: futaba 6exap
ORIGINAL: Shortymet55
And second, is it legal to remove crystals? I mean am I allowed to take them out and put them back in?
And second, is it legal to remove crystals? I mean am I allowed to take them out and put them back in?
Im guessing its ok, because its still tuned correctly, but maybe they dont want that grey area, so they make it illegal to ever remove a crystal. Thanks.
08-20-2007 | 06:13 AM
#18
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: futaba 6exap
Hummmm!!!! seems like they would have put the crystal internally instead of out in plain site where it easy to get at. Oh well. Thanks for all the information. If you have a rx that is both hi and low band, like the futaba 16 can you legally put any crystal in that you need. For example if one of your tx is low say channel 20 and another rx is high say 42 can you use the same rx just change crystals to match the tx? Whew!! I think that was a long question. Hope no english teachers in the forum.
08-20-2007 | 06:34 AM
#19
RE: futaba 6exap
ORIGINAL: goirish
Hummmm!!!! seems like they would have put the crystal internally instead of out in plain site where it easy to get at. Oh well. Thanks for all the information. If you have a rx that is both hi and low band, like the futaba 16 can you legally put any crystal in that you need. For example if one of your tx is low say channel 20 and another rx is high say 42 can you use the same rx just change crystals to match the tx? Whew!! I think that was a long question. Hope no english teachers in the forum.
Hummmm!!!! seems like they would have put the crystal internally instead of out in plain site where it easy to get at. Oh well. Thanks for all the information. If you have a rx that is both hi and low band, like the futaba 16 can you legally put any crystal in that you need. For example if one of your tx is low say channel 20 and another rx is high say 42 can you use the same rx just change crystals to match the tx? Whew!! I think that was a long question. Hope no english teachers in the forum.
Futaba 16? Another typo?
08-20-2007 | 06:37 AM
#20
RE: futaba 6exap
Oh yeah, TX crystal is on the outside because same unit is sold in other countries where crystal swapping IS legal. Their RF spectrum also isn't as crowded as ours and they often are not on the same bands as us either. They also may have different power level limitations (lower).
08-20-2007 | 06:46 AM
#22
RE: futaba 6exap
Yep, the R168DF was just recently introduced and is a good little RX. Good for either HI or LO operation with just a crystal swap. Be sure to use a Futaba dual conversion crystal.
08-20-2007 | 07:09 AM
#24
RE: futaba 6exap
ORIGINAL: bruce88123
Oh yeah, TX crystal is on the outside because same unit is sold in other countries where crystal swapping IS legal. Their RF spectrum also isn't as crowded as ours and they often are not on the same bands as us either. They also may have different power level limitations (lower).
Oh yeah, TX crystal is on the outside because same unit is sold in other countries where crystal swapping IS legal. Their RF spectrum also isn't as crowded as ours and they often are not on the same bands as us either. They also may have different power level limitations (lower).
Regards,
=Adrian=
