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-   -   futaba 6exap (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/beginners-85/6259536-futaba-6exap.html)

goirish 08-19-2007 06:34 PM

futaba 6exap
 
Are these tx able to use both hi and low crystals?

bruce88123 08-19-2007 06:49 PM

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.

goirish 08-19-2007 06:52 PM

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.

bruce88123 08-19-2007 07:02 PM

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.

goirish 08-19-2007 07:06 PM

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?

goirish 08-19-2007 07:08 PM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
Geeze, I need to proof my message before I send it. It should say if and own

bruce88123 08-19-2007 07:33 PM

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?

goirish 08-19-2007 07:36 PM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
AMEN!!!! Thanks

RCKen 08-19-2007 07:37 PM

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

goirish 08-19-2007 07:41 PM

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.

Shortymet55 08-19-2007 07:52 PM

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.

bruce88123 08-19-2007 07:56 PM

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

goirish 08-19-2007 08:00 PM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
Bruce, you guys amaze me. How do you know all of this stuff.

bruce88123 08-19-2007 08:01 PM

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.
You DO NOT have to EVER remove the crystal as long as you DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER SWITCH on the buddy box. Just because it lights up when the cable plugs in does NOT mean that it is transmitting. It will NOT harm the radio in any manner.

bruce88123 08-19-2007 08:04 PM

RE: futaba 6exap
 


ORIGINAL: goirish

Bruce, you guys amaze me. How do you know all of this stuff.
Because we're too old.:D Actually, just been hanging around, reading and flying and learning.

goirish 08-19-2007 08:07 PM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
well I am glad you are here. Thanks

da Rock 08-20-2007 06:01 AM

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?
What has already been said a couple of different ways. But to put it simply, no and no.



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.
It's not a grey area. The law says you can't mess with the TX crystals. The law doesn't say anything about why. It says you can't do it and the legal penalties. Law is like that. No need to guess.

goirish 08-20-2007 06:13 AM

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.

bruce88123 08-20-2007 06:34 AM

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.
Some of the Futaba RX's can work either BOTH HI and LO channels without retuning. Just change the crystals. FCC doesn't care about RX's because they do not transmit. Older Futaba RX's are "center tuned" to either the Hi or Lo portion of the band. Therefore range may suffer slightly if you cross that HI/LO line. Most other manufacturers set up their RX's differently and do NOT have the separation problem. If your RX has the HI/LO division you may change crystals all you want but DO NOT cross the line.

Futaba 16? Another typo?

bruce88123 08-20-2007 06:37 AM

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).

goirish 08-20-2007 06:40 AM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
No not a typo just didn't enter the complete model # of the receiver. R168df 8 Channel Rx Receiver

bruce88123 08-20-2007 06:46 AM

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.

goirish 08-20-2007 06:49 AM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
Thanks, I'm sure we will be talking again.

adavis 08-20-2007 07:09 AM

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).
For Example: As far as I know it is legal to change transmitter crystals to use different channels in the UK (35MHz).

Regards,
=Adrian=

goirish 08-20-2007 07:11 AM

RE: futaba 6exap
 
well I'm getting my plane ticket to the UK.


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