I'm on channel #80
 

Okay... this kind of goes along with my "I soloed yesterday" kick in the other post. I ordered my avistar, engine, and radio from tower hobbies. The radio is a Futaba 4 channel. The problem came when the guys saw what channel I was on, they couldn't believe I was on channel 80. Then I came to find out I was on a 75mHz instead of 72. Now... when I ordered the radio there was a "pulldown menu" that allowed you to pick your freq. so is it my bust for not realizing that air frequencies only go up to 60 or is it their bust for selling me a surface frequency on a radio that is obviouslly for airplanes... hell it even has an airplane on the front of the transmitter LOL. I flew anyway and had no problems at all.. I was just wondering what the pros (you guys) thought about the situation.... Thanks again..
Casey

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

Oh dear.... I'm thinking you might want to move to a 72MHz channel. I'm not sure what the AMA says about it, but using a surface channel for an airplane MIGHT be enough to invalidate your insurance... not sure about that, but it might be worth looking into. Secondly, it could raise the chances of you being "shot down" by a car/boat etc on "your" channel. The car guy down the road might see an airplane, but won't worry about shooting you down cause you're on a different set of channels...

Most transmitters can be tuned to a new channel relatively easily (by the manufacturer)... I'm sure somebody who flies Futaba will jump in here. The receiver can USUALLY be retuned just by stuffing in the appropriate crystal.... although going from 75 to 72MHz may mean having to send the receiver in for retuning as well.

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

I would return it....I could be wrong but I think it is an FCC issue as well..... just guessing on that

Sometimes the help from a warm, Knowledgeable body at the LHS is worth more than a few dollars.....

Sorry about the mistake.,,,

and remember the people on the phones are order takers......and thats it...

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

There should be two menus on the tower site.
One for ground and one for air.
They typically don't have them together.
DO you have that link?

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

I found the 4YF page (see below), and it's the only 4-channel Futaba listed with both air & surface channels. AND, the selections are clearly marked "Air" and "Surface". The other two are air only and surface only.

CaseyH46 - Looks to me like you selected a surface radio when you ordered. Why don't you see what your local hobby shop will do for you, or maybe call Tower. They're pretty easy to get along with, but after you've used and flown with this one... it's used. And yes, you're not supposed to fly with a surface frequency radio.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEFJ4**&P=ML

Good luck,
Dave Olson

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

Yep..I think that is exactly what he did, after looking at that page that u just pulled up. Bought from the Surface spot instead of air
_______________
Flyn' High, Real High

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

Yep, I stand corrected. The last three recievers I had were the module type. This one has both surface and air. The menu does clearly say surface and air.

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

hmmmm.. I wonder if I could just buy a new crystal for the reciever and use my 6EXA to fly it and just keep the transmitter as a buddy box? would that work? I'll call tower ofcourse and maybe they'll take it back but I'm not betting on it seeing as how I've already flown with it...

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

Casey-

That's a great idea. We didn't know you already have another transmitter. 12 bucks for a new crystal and you're in business.

-Scott

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

You need to get a 72Mhz RX and you have to get low or high band depending on your Ch.

Ofcourse others will say, high band low band does not make difference but according to Futaba it makes, so you beter get the proper frequency rx with proper band.

RE: I'm on channel #80
 

Good point, Cobra! I completely forgot about the fact that his receiver would be on the wrong frequency.

-Scott