going vert

My Feedback: (11)

For all you big bird flyers out there before you go up in the air next time TAPE YOUR CRYSTAL IN!!! My friend (no names please) just lost a plane b/ his crystal fell out of the receiver.

Also, don't hand flip APC props. I'm used to starting big gas engines and I forgot APC are like knives. Six stitches later, here I am writing this little note.

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

I always tape... it is GREAT advice...

Question though..(really, just an honest question)

how do you know the crash is the fault of the cyrstal falling out when that could have easily happened on impact....
Honest question....

and tell "your friend" ...Sorry about the loss

Flyfalcons

I had a crystal come loose once; fortunately it was in a PBF. You definitely know that you are having a complete radio failure, then when you plug the crystal back everything works fine. I now tape my crystals in my receivers.

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

.....Hey...look... I've had my first cup of coffee since my last post....

the obvious answer would be,... nothing works!

Arrgh

Sorry and Cheers

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

I have heard this issue before and since have been taping mine in. It's easy to do.

mvigod

Use duct tape!

sillyness

My Feedback: (25)

Sounds like a karma day the field... stiches, crystals falling out, etc.... If I see stuff like this happening to others I pack up and leave... I know I'm next.

Josey Wales

My Feedback: (61)

I use 30 min epoxy!!..Seriously though I also tape mine in

Dr1Driver

I've never heard of taping a crystal in. Seems to me if you have to tape it in, your radio link is questionable at best.

As for hand propping APC props. I don't hand prop ANYTHING! I always use a chicken stick or other mechanical means of starting.

Dr.1

Silent-AV8R

I'm sorry, but if you need to tape your crystal in to keep it from vibrating out you have something SERIOUSLY wrong with your installation. Properly installed, the crystal should NEVER vibrate out. Period. So before you start taping, why not correct the problem that is causing your crystal to vibrate so much??

Just a thought.

Diablo-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

So how many G's does it take to remove the crystal in the air?
I don't really know, but a piece of tape will keep it from happening.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

I do know for a fact, if you leave the little rubber cover of the crystal in a Hitec receiver, it will fall out! [sm=tired.gif] Sure made a kool looking crash.

Joe Ortiz

My Feedback: (75)

Vibration can loosen a lot of things that we are not aware of, I never thought about taping the crystal, we can call this preventive rekitting

Joe[8D]

going vert

My Feedback: (11)

No response necessary.... Tape your crystal in. When you put over 300 flights on a plane in one season things vibrate out, including crystals.

Josey Wales

My Feedback: (61)

I was given this tip when I built my first gasser..cheap insurance if you ask me

AEROSHELDON

My Feedback: (99)

What do you JR guys think of the new synthesized receiver, with no crystal? It seems the crystal is always the "weak link".

rmh

I think it needs to be on Ham band .
72 has become just plain ol too spooky for me .
Why ?
watch granpa and kid come to the field with a box from the hobby store and fire up their instant trainer .
I am glad to see crystals on their way out --but they ain't the real weak link-----

Flyfalcons

Vibration is present in all powered planes. That's why we use loc-tite, lock nuts, foam on our radio equipment, etc. Using tape to secure the single most important link in our radio systems is the cheapest insurance we can take.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

As soon as I heard this could happen I started taping mine in. I didn't need to hear it twice, common sense told me that it was a great idea (and so easy to do).

Joe Ortiz

My Feedback: (75)

And it's free

Joe

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

It was my 87" Extreme Flight Yak that went in yesterday because the crystal came loose.

I have ZERO doubt that was what it was because...
#1, The plane froze at 1/4 throttle and the controls remained in the same position as they were just prior to the crystal falling out.
Fail safe was set up for low idle (verified often) and the throttle remained at 1/4 all the way to impact.
#2 It went in from about 200 feet so I had plenty of time to move the sticks and the plane was completely dead.
#3 When I got to the wreckage the servos were buzzing but nothing was moving. (power but no signal) The part of the fuse that had the RX was pretty much in tact. The RX was still strapped into its holder and the crystal was missing. We found the crystal among some bottom fuse stringers meaning that it was in the bottom of the fuse prior to the crash.
#4 Without disturbing things too much we plugged the crystal back in... Guess what?? Everything worked normally.

Dumb mistake on my part.

drumbum

My Feedback: (1)

if you wrap it in the foam that comes with it and a rubber band the crytal will never come out and the padding will help save the reciever when you do ditch it

sillyness

My Feedback: (25)

Crystals coming out were notorius in helicopters... that's where I picked up the practice. The frequency of vibes in the heli makes them come out easier.

I don't understand the resistance to taping crystals... makes no sense. Why not do it? Then again, some folks swear by 1 switch and 1 battery too... to each their own I guess.

Good luck

Dr1Driver

I don't understand the resistance to taping crystals... makes no sense.

It makes sense when you've been flying over 20 years and never had a crystal fall out.

Then again, some folks swear by 1 switch and 1 battery too
Sameo: been using one pack and one switch and nary a problem

Dr.1

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

Yup.

I've been flying 26 years and this was my first one.
Doesnt mean it didnt happen though..

If you dont want to tape it in thats your perogative.