Dennis Michael

Danny, What kind of flexibility do I have with changing frequency on a 10X, Can I just change xtals? How far up or down the band can I go without retuning. Thanks, Dennis

dsnyder

Dennis,
The FCC has a law against changing the frequency in the transmitter. To change the transmitter it must be sent in to an authorized service center. The exception to this is, you can change the modules in the tranmitter provided you don't change the crystal in them. I actually carry several modules with me on different frequencies for different planes. As for the receiver, I would stay within 2 or 3 frequencies of the frequency it is on. To be peak tuned though, you should send it in. Hope this helps!

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

If my understanding of modules is correct, one can change modules in a 10X for instance from one channel to another to fly different planes. For instance, I fly my channel 18 setup perfectly in that plane and them pop my channel 50 module in and fly that plane. All works perfectly! The 18 module is tuned to the 18 receiver and the 50 module is tuned to the 50 reciever. So far I haven't changed any crystals. My question is, if I send in my gear to get "peak" tuned as you say with the channel 18 receiver, is there anything that actually gets tuned or changed inside the transmitter? If so, does it disturb the relationship between the 50 module and receiver? I hope that makes sense. Maybe I am thinking of the non module transmitters where the crystals get tuned to the innards. Thanks_bob

dsnyder

Bob,
In a transmitter like the 10X with a module, the module has the complete RF determining components of the system. Effectively, the transmitter itself does not have anything to do with determining the frequency that it sends out. So tuning one module, will not affect the transmitter in any way. Just the module itself. This is why you can change the modules without fear of losing any tuning. Non-module transmitters on the other hand, have to have the RF deck retuned to change the frequency of the system. I hope this clears it up a little bit.

Sport_Pilot

Maybe you should buy a HiTec receiver. They usually come without crystals. At the hobby shop they sell the crystal separately and you plug in the crystal for any channel you want. No tuning necessary. Shame JR is still in the dark ages on that!

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

I can't believe you would post something like that let alone believe it. It just doesn't make sense that any old joe can pop in any old crystal in any receiver and believe it's tuned properly!!
I may be way off base here, but safety is my major concern, not haste! Neither JR nor Futaba make those claims because they don't want joe owning the company...

Sport_Pilot

Actually they do make that claim. Their receiver's are bought without crystals and the hobby retailer or customer puts in the crystal. Same with may JR receivers also. So why does it need "retuning" when it was never tuned to the original crystal in the first place? Sounds like customer wallet tuning to me.

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Maybe I just don't trust most people to stay within the limits danny mentions above. We all seem to be in a hurry and do anything that will get us to the field on time. I understand that you can move a little either way on the receiver, but how many times do you know of where fliers are changing crystal sets in both the Tx and Rx? How many used radios are really safe? Do you know what you're getting in a used system as far as crashes, dropsies and the like? Just be careful and I'll sleep better

pmartjr

Last three posts somehow jumped to receivers when the original question concerned transmitters and frequency modules!!

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

I guess this sentence was my refernece point ->

dsnyder

While it is true that when receivers leave here they are center tuned, keep in mind that tuning changes over time through use no matter what the brand, so some retuning is necessary at a regular basis. I recommend if you can every year, or every other year. That depends on how much you fly though. The issue becomes if the receiver has been tuned to the channel of the crystal, as it would be when sent in to the service center. Under a case like this, it is best to stay within a couple channels to avoid any problems. This is why I recommend staying within a couple channels as a rule. When brand new, you can move to any frequency on the band and be fine. I hope this clears it up.