Hi there,
I have two planes now with range problems. My transmitter is an 8UAFS. I purchased a Sig Cap 231 a year ago. It has 9202 servos except for throttle. I am running the R128DF receiver on channel 58. I installed a gas engine on it. I was unable to more than 50 feet out of it with the engine off. I was told that my servos were causing the problem as they were a little jumpy around neutral. They are at Futaba now getting the pots changed on them. I was hopeful that this would fix the problem, but now I am not sure as I have another plane that is acting exactly the same as that one. It is setup similarly, with split elevator servos. I just went out to the field today for my first flight on my Ohio R/C Pepsi Chipmunk, 81" wingspan. R127DF receiver on channel 42. I was doing the original range check on it and found that I could not get more than about 40 feet away with the engine off. The guy that I purchased the plane from was there helping me. We tried everything imaginable. Moving the antenna several times, changing receiver and battery, and unplugging the different servos to see if they were the culprit. They are Tower Hobbies servos. The only thing that gave me any range was him holding the plane with the wing off, and the antenna wire hanging straight down. As soon as the antenna was moved toward the rear of the plane, servos started jumping. The reason that I am so frusted with this plane now is that I bought the plane with everything installed except receiver and battery. He has flown it more than 100 times with his JR equipment in it. It should have worked just fine with my receiver. The other receiver and battery that I used in my test came out of my Uproar that I ended up flying today as I could not get this problem figured out. It range checked fine with no problems. The only real similar things on the two problem planes are, pull-pull rudder cables and use of the lower end receivers. The Chipmunk has elevator servos mounted under wing. You posted a reply to one of these questions, stating that the R127DF is more sensitive to interference than other receivers. Is that my whole problem? Do I need to get better receivers? If so, what is a good choice without having to spend an arm and a leg. I have 3 of my 127's at Futaba also getting tuned to #58. Can they do anything to them to boost them up or change them? Please reply ASAP and let me know. Thanks

Snow,
The problem may be your 127s, it may be that your radio needs a full checkup and retuning. I would start with waiting for the new receivers to come back. If that doesn't solve the problem, and assuming your 8U hasn't been in for service/module tuned in the last year, I would go there next. You can check for that issue by using someone else's transmitter, if you know someone else on 58.

Yes, the 127s and 128s are low end budget receivers. You're asking a lot from them in that type of environment. You may need to think about going to R148Df or preferably going to PCMs once you are sure all bugs are worked out of the bird.

AnnMarie,
Thanks so much for your fast response. Did you say that the 148DF is better? What about the 127DP? I have located one each of these here on RCU for $75 each. One of them is on my channel 58. Right now, my transmitter is working perfectly flying my other plane, with no range problems. Do you think that it is really important to have it checked out once a year? Please reply. Thanks

Hi again,
Just wanted to make sure that the 148DF is a good upgrade before I buy one or two. Please reply. Thanks

R148DF is a good choice, yes. The R127DP is an old PCM512 and won't work with your radio.

Yes, a check up for your transmitter at least every other year is an inexpensive safety net and highly recommended, no matter what brand or model you fly.

You state your TX is flying your other model fine, but is that a large gasoline model with heavy etensions and an inexpensive receiver? If so, then its obviously not the TX. If not, then it may be the load of that installation you're seeing.

Thanks so much for all of your help. I may send off my transmitter anyway to have it checked out.