SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I own a Tower Hobbies System3000 and I was just wondering . . .

Are the System3000 controls different from my Futaba TXs or did I hook up my controls wrong on the Futabas?
On the System3000 the rudder control is on the LEFT stick (ch#1) instead of the RIGHT stick (with the elevator control) as I have it on my Futaba's, and the aileron control is on the RIGHT side (ch#4 I believe) unlike my Futaba's which are on the LEFT stick (ch#1).
Are the controls supposed to be reversed on the two brands or are the rudder controls supposed to be on the LEFT stick (ch#1) on my Futaba airplanes?

Please let me know ASAP as I will need to bring my Kadet LT-40 and Senioritta up from the cellar to change to the left stick.

I don't believe I have the channels wrong on the Futabas because I have that booklet and that is how they are displayed:
Elevator and rudder = right stick, Ailerons and throttle = left stick

As I have them hooked up now for the System3000: Elevator and ailerons = right stick, Rudder and throttle = left stick

Please straighten this out for me.

Thank you

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

It sounds like your Futaba transmitter is Mode 1 (Europe) and your Tower Transmitter is Mode 2 (North America). You can have either converted to the opposite mode by sending them in for factory service.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Tiger,
Have you double checked the channel assignments for the radio?? Because the rudder should be on the left stick for both radios.

Ken

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

G'day Mate,
Depends on what type of aircraft you are flying, & what mode you fly, if you fly mode 2, & the primary control is the rudder, (3 channel) then rudder would be on the right stick, if ailerons are your primary control, then ailerons would be on the right stick.
More info please, would be helpful.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Which one is the correct AMERICAN way? I don't want to ship any away for factory work so what are the chances I will remember this difference when flying the different planes?

Should I just keep them the way they are and hope I remember?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

So the System3000 is correct and the Futabas are wrong.

Another beginner's question. The Futaba TX which the rudder is on the right is a computer radio. Is there an option on computer radios that can switch it to MODE 1?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

There is no "correct" way in America. But the majority of people here in the US fly Mode 2. If you decide to fly Mode 1 then you're probably going to wind up having a hard time finding an instructor to help you out.

Ken

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

It's not really "right" or "wrong" as much as it is simply a matter of what you're used to. Like driving on the left side of the road, or drinking your beer at room temperature...

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I can set up the System3000 to have the rudder on the right side and ailerons on the left. BUT: The reverse switches on the radio will not match the channels anymore.

What should I do? Leave it the way it is and hope I remember the difference when I fly the Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 OR switch it as mentioned above and just not have the reverse switches match the channels?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I am used to having the rudder and elevator on the right stick and the throttle and ailerons on the left stick, but I don't want to send to manufacturer to change.
Beer at room temperature [:'(] :D

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

It sounds like you've already logged a fair amount of flight time with your Futaba transmitters set up for Mode 1. If that's the case, I'd recommend you fly with your new Tower transmitter set up the same way that you've been used to.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Actually I have not flown any planes yet [:@] I am too scared of crashing I guess. I just want all my TXs the same mode.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

You need to decide what will or won't work for you, but setting up different modes for different planes is simply begging to crash. Send in the Futabas for conversion to mode 2, send in the Tower for conversion to mode 1, or simply reverse the setup on the Tower to match the Futabas. Just don't have different transmitters set up with different stick assignments.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

If you haven't done any flying, sell your Mode 1 gear. Flying is based on muscle memory. Once you've got the movements down, you don't think about them when you fly. Mix your modes, and you're likely move the wrong control at the wrong time. If you stick with Mode 1, you'll always have to buy it--and it's uncommon here, which will limit your options. You won't be easily able to fly other peoples' planes, either.

In my opinion, keeping what you have at this point makes very little sense.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

So Mode 2 if using an instructor. It is my understanding now that RC clubs fly in mode2 then? Mode 2 (which is what the System3000 is) is as follows: Please fill in the correct ch# for me . . .
LEFT stick = Rudder, channel #____; Throttle, channel # ____
RIGHT stick = Elevator, channel #____;Ailerons, channel # ____

I do occassionally have a problem with elevator and rudder being on the same side as sometimes when I move the rudder stick the elevator moves also (that could probably be a problem during flight :eek: but wouldn't that also cause a problem with elevator/ailerons?

So back to my other question as well: Does my 4EXA Futaba computer TX have the option of changing the mode to 2?

I love this quick responses. You guys are awesome. Thank you!!! I am comfused, but thank you :D

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Here are the modes.

Any radio can be changed between modes, but you want an authorized service center to do it. It's not something you want to mess with yourself.

Ken

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Futaba's mode two channel assignments are
Channel 1: Ailerons
Channel 2: Elevator
Channel 3: Throttle
Channel 4: Rudder

Look at your Futaba radio. From right to left are the trim adjustments. On the right side gimbal you have Aileron (Channel 1) that slides or clicks left and right. You also have Elevator (Channel 2) going up and down.
On the left side gimbal you have Throttle (Channel 3) going up and down, and Rudder (Channel 4) going left to right.

The trim switch layout matches how Futaba assigns their channels. Kind of like and arch going right to left in ascending channel number order. I came across this little mavel of engineering by accident. Knowing this little trick really makes it easy to setup an aircraft.

What it really sounds like, is you set up your servo connections wrong. The Tower System 3000 is made for Tower by Futaba, as Tower has a vested interested in Great Planes and Futaba. Change the connection of your ailerons and rudder at your RECEIVER to match the layout I gave you above, and you shouldn't have any more mix up problems.

This should also keep you from spending any money on shipping your radios back and allow you to spend it at the LHS instead.

Please PM me if you have anymore questions.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I am checking my Futaba booklet right now: Maybe I could have gotten it wrong.

I will get back to you on that:

So you can't just simply tell the computer radio to switch to Mode 2 in its memory?

How about my Futaba 4YF? Has anyone used one? Will that read mode 2 correctly?

Was not expecting this, so I will ask the question some of you are dying to ask: Why do I have so many radio systems?
I don't really have an answer to that, I am a shop-a-holic when it comes to RC. I need help [&:]

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I've got a 4yf I use for a buddy box and on my sim. My flightline radio is the Futaba T6EXA (FM). Both are mode two. The computer does not have the ability to change modes. Contact me at vertigo72480 on Yahoo Instant Messenger. I'll be glad to help you out.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

So I have the Futaba channels messed up. I am studying the booklet now, I will be back later. Thank you.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

The System3000 uses Futaba's layout. It's made for Tower by Futaba.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Tigerdude, which stick on the futaba radio in question radio has the racthet action,(isn't spring loaded) the left or right?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Well don't I feel stupid now [sm=bananahead.gif]. I just pulled my LT-40 out and took a look at it. IT IS SET at mode 2 -
Channel 1: Ailerons (right stick)
Channel 2: Elevator (right stick)
Channel 3: Throttle (left stick)
Channel 4: Rudder (left stick)

I need a vacation. Sorry to waste all of your time asking something I shouldn't have forgotten about setting up the first plane I built. Another reason for getting out and learning to fly. If I had been flying the plane I would have remembered.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I would rather you waste my time when it is 10 degress above 0 and dark, then have you get to the field and hurt yourself or someone else. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. How do you think I figured this all out?

Get in touch with me in the future if you have questions. I'll see what I can do for you.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

But now I have another question regarding radios.

On my Senioritta - I use the same Futaba T4EXA radio as my LT-40 uses (flight pack with same frequency, same type of receiver and servos, etc.) and when the antenna is extended all the servos work great and smooth. But when the antenna is collapsed the servos jump around in a terrible frenzy out of control, and stop again when I extend the antenna.

WHY?

EDIT: No I do not have the LT-40 turned on at the same time. I make double-sure the RX is off. And everything works beautiful on the LT-40 with antenna extended and collapsed. So its not the TX.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Tiger I had the same problem with my futaba 7c when I turned it on in my basement. once I went to the field it was fine.
Maybe the seniorita is telling you it is itching to get some air time. :D LOL

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Why?? Because when you lower the antenna the transmitter is not longer sending out a signal, and the receiver no longer has instructions to follow so it just twitches like that.

You want to avoid extended periods with the antenna collapsed. The transmitter circuit in your radio is putting out energy that is intended to be sent out of the antenna. When you collapse the antenna that energy has to go somewhere, and that somewhere turns out to being released as heat. That heat can and will burn out the transmitter portion of the radio.

Ken

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Just so you know I'm not blowing smoke your way, I am a Ham radio operator. Callsign KC0MDA.
When you collapse your antenna you are mismatching the impedence of your transmitter and antenna. This mismatch effects signal power output and allows your receiver to try to find some other source of information. If there is something in the house or in the vicinity of your receiver that is transmitting some kind of RF encoded information, then your receiver is trying to decode what it is receiving. This is translated visually by your servos jumping around.

What concerns me is how far from your model is this radio when the antenna is collapsed?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Ken, how long is a long period? I usually start my engine, tune it, do a close range control check and walk out to the flightline before extending my antenna. Will this hurt my radio?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

I have to agree with RCKen and disagree at the same time. The transmitter continues to output a signal, but due to the reduction in antenna length the transmitter circuitry is mismatched. The mismatch is impedence is what creates heat becuase the radiation cannot flow easily from the antenna.

Overboard, no, that period of time should not be long enough to hurt anything. Unlicensed RC transmitters only output around 500 to 650 mW (milliwatts) of power. Max power allowed by the FCC for Ham transmitter is 1 watt, which is still a very low amount of power. The only way I could see heating up the final amplifier transistor in a RC transmitter would be to leave it on with the antenna collpsed or removed for a very long period of time, perhaps overnight.

Also 72 mHz transmissions are generall low enery radio waves anyway. They don't require a lot of power to carry information anyhow.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

It happens both away about ten feet and right in front of it. I understand what you say ken and vertigo. But all manuals state that you should do a radio check both WITH THE ANTENNA COLLAPSED and with it EXTENDED. Why have such a test when all the servos are going to do is jump around. From what I have read in manuals the servos are supposed to run smoothly both with extended and collapsed antenna.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Isn't that what they call a range check. You are supposed to do it first with collapsed antenna then with extended?

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST:
As stated in my Sig "The basics of radio control"

Radio range check:
(in part) . . . (quote) With the radio antenna totally collapsed, start walking away from the model while constantly working one of the controls, like the rudder, as you go. Keep walking and moving the sticks until control is lost. You should be at least 30 or 40 feet away from the model (sometimes it's much more) when you lose control . . . (unquote)

I can't even do that because as soon as I turn the radio on with collapsed antenna the servos go crazy. So I can't even get to a range check.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Yeah, range check. What you're telling me is that at 10 feet, you servos are jittery. Worrisome. Several things can contribute to jittery servos at a close range. Ideally you shold be able to get 50 feet or more out of a collapsed antenna range check.

Some things to check for.
- Is your receiver antenna touching metal of any sort?
- Is you receiver battery fully charged? Low charge on a receiver battery leads to decreased sensitivity in the receiver. Had this one come up for me recently. Drove me nuts.
- Is your receiver battery supplying the full amount of voltage it is rated for? (i.e. bad cell in the pack)
- Is you transmitter battery fully charged?
- Long shot, but they do make RF noise. Is there a flourescent light nearby?
- Is there a computer nearby? The power supplies in older computers were notorious for being RF noisy. A lot of reasons why Hams would wrap their computer in tin foil years ago. :)

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

What bothers me, is that you're not getting any range with the antenna down. My radio can sit on the bench with the antenna down and the plane can be in the other room and I don't get any noise/jitters in my servos. Even with my single conversion GWS receivers I don't have any problems. I wonder about your receiver now.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Tigerdude,
Yes that is what a range test is. But looking at your pictures from your build thread you show the receiver antenna coiled up, if that's the case then 10' will be just about as far away that you can get. When you do a range test you should have the receiver antenna FULLY EXTENDED. With the receiver antenna fully extended then you should be able to get ~100' away from the plane and still control it with the transmitter antenna collapsed.

Ken

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Turning on two receivers at the same time will not cause any problems. They will both do whatever the transmitter tells them to. You should definitely be able to control the Seniorita flight pack with the antenna down.

Check these things in order:
Is the battery fully charged? A weak battery can cause poor reception.
Even if it is charged, check it with a battery tester to be sure it's working.
If you don't have a battery tester, try the battery from the LT-40.
Do you have the receiver antenna wire fully extended? If it's still coiled up, it won't receive well.
Did you route the wire parallel to metal pushrods? This can cause interference. Try pulling the antenna out of the plane to see if it improves.
Is one of the servos stalled? This can drain extra power, possibly causing poor reception.

If none of these help, it's time to start eliminating possible bad components.
Unplug all but one servo. Does it still jitter?
If yes, try a different servo to see if that jitters too.
If both jitter, you might have a bad receiver. However, before you decide this, try plugging the battery directly into the receiver to confirm that the switch isn't bad.
Next, try swapping the LT-40 and Seniorita receivers.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

1. Has it always done this?
2. Are the batteries fully charged? TX & RX?
3. Check RX antenna routing
4. Don't have TX too close to the Plane. Signal may actually be too strong. Step back a few (5) feet and try again.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

After seeing the picture above, my thoughts move to the coiled antenna.

RE: SYSTEM3000 Beginner's question
 

Ken, wrong plane. Picture is of the Tower trainer. Problem is the LT-40.:D Good point though.