Buddy box
 

Hi Guys,

Just beginning in this hobby, have purchase a Futaba F7 2.4 Ghz system, in order to learn to fly I need to set up a buddy system, my question is does the 2nd transmitter alsoneed to be a Futaba and does it also need to be 2.4 Ghz or could I use a cheap 2nd hand 35Mhz transmitter.

Thanks & regards

RE: Buddy box
 

A buddy box is just a slave, so it can be anything cheap. The box actually controlling the pane is your brand new Futaba 2.4
The trick is the cord that connects both boxes. Futaba recently changed it so you need to make sure that the cord can connect both boxes.
I have a Spektrum Dx6i, I bought another Spektrum Dx5 w a broken antenna for $15 at flee bay and it worked wonderful. Both were Spektrum so the cord fitted well.

RE: Buddy box
 

Thanks for quick response, are you saying that i can use any transmitter, or does it have to be Futaba ( I have an old Prism 7, 35 Mhz, would this be any good), my new radio has a square connector for the buddy lead, presumably leads with different connectors can be purchased?

RE: Buddy box
 

It is not the case that you can use any transmitter as a buddy box with a Futaba 2.4 transmitter. Even some Futaba transmitters won't work. The manual for the transmitter tells you what transmitters can be used as buddy boxes,

RE: Buddy box
 

You 'should' be able to use the Prism as your buddy box. Two cords are available
Tower brand
http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=TOWM6082&P=1
Futaba brand
http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=FUTM4420&P=1
Allows the connection of a transmitter with a new square mini trainer plug to a transmitter having the old round port plug. This trainer cord can be used with HiTec radios as "students." It is recommended that the "student" radios should be shut off.

RE: Buddy box
 

Whether a particular transmitter can be used as a buddy box with a Futaba 2.4 transmitter is not just a matter of finding a cord that fits both transmitters. While you do need the right cord, you also need one of the transmitters listed in the manual for your radio. The Futaba 7C-2.4 manual says you can use any Futaba transmitter that fits the cord (this is an improvement over the 6-channel Futaba, which was incompatible even with some other Futaba transmitters). Whether another brand would work is something you'd have to find out by trial and error or from someone else who has tried what you propose to use. Many Futaba transmitters will work with Hitec transmitters as buddy boxes; this one I don't know about.

RE: Buddy box
 

The FF7 is supposed to be the same as the 7C. The high end models like the 12Z have a trainer compatibility list, but there is not one in the 7C manual. The only way I know how to find out for sure is to try it.