Man it is sure nice to know that Great Planes put out a piece of software that I found out can possibly damage my two T6XAs Futaba Radios. I have had there software since they put out the first version. Then I upgraded to G2 and have bought Volumes 1,2 and 3 and was for sure going to purchase number 4 but by golly I'm not so sure I will now. What a deal...

Thanks Great Planes,

Mike

Care to share what the problem is? Where you heard of this? etc......

Inquiring minds want to know! (And I have G2 and TX6As too!)

Later!

Yes, I'd like to know too!!

Thanks,

Bob

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...700&forumid=72]

Niether the software, nor the interface is responsible for damaging the radio in that thread, NOT reading the directions and cautions is.

This has not changed, all sims and interface I know of are this way, nothing new.

Gene,

Care to tell me what I missed of didn't read.

Thanks,

Mike

Hi,

I'm new to R/C helis ... but an old hand at both computers and radio transmitters. Perhaps I can attempt to explain.

The problem being experienced is one of "overloading." The final stage of the transmitter bumps the power to the antenna and expects to find a "load" to balance the power transistor(s). Since an antenna is not connected, the power transistor heats and can damage the transistor(s). This is a common problem with many radio transmitters. Some of you may have played with CB radio, for example. If you keyed the mike without an antenna attached, and held it keyed for long enough ... then poof ... you lost your CB. Higher priced and physically heavier equipment can be protected by grounding the energy through simple circuitry, but ... there has to be a heat sink somewhere to dissipate the heat.

The antenna on your R/C transmitter dissipates both the energy and the heat and if it's not there, then potentially, you'll overheat and damage the unit. I haven't yet torn into one of these to see how they're put together, but I'm assuming there is nothing large enough to ground the energy to. Since we hold them, I'm not sure I'd want to carry around the weight either.

Collapsing the antenna should be enough to protect against overloading, but not having it physically connected to its base would, I presume, be asking for trouble. On my PCM 10, I typically store the antenna in the slot in the rear of the unit. Before turning it on, I would at attach it, although not necessarily extend it. I'm unfamiliar with the transmitter in this thread, but if it also has a removable antenna, then make sure you at least attach it before turning your unit on. Whether simply testing it, or actually using it.

The connection between the G2 box and your transmitter can not harm anything, although I did manage to try to plug the interface cable into the charging jack and blew the fuse ... <grrr>. While in there replacing the fuse, I did observe the interface cable is not amplified and appears to be simple TTL logic outputs from an IC. Regrettably, I didn't examine the radio transmitter, so I'm not certain of its design. If you would know of an online schematic, I'd be happy to be more specific to your brand of transmitter.

Hope this helps ... in a rather wordy way ... LOL

This subject of Tx's getting damaged by being switched on without the aerial extended keeps on coming round, especially related to simulator use where you power the Tx on but don't normally extend the Tx.

One commonly suggested solution is to remove the Xtal so that the RF circuit won't resonate and try and dump a load of power into the collapsed antenna.

However, think about this a bit more... Hands up ANYONE who hasn't at some point been fiddling about with a servo setup or testing a motor one night and accidentally left their Tx switched on ALL NIGHT? OK, how many people have had their Tx damaged by this action? Exactly - no one.

I'm sure the Futabas/JRs/Hitecs/Airtronics of this world consider this possibility in their designs and safe guard against it or they'd be seeing mountains of returned, toasted Tx's !!

Cliff

I'm inclined to agree with Wright Flyer ... Hard to imagine consumer products being designed with such an obvious "hole."

This is not a 'hole' this is a simple fact of life with RF equipment The circuitry to avoid this would add more complexity to the setup. Removing the crystal solves the problem. It should have been mentioned in the instructions to the radio. Somewhere along the lines of "Always be sure antenna is fully extended before turning on transmitter" It does say that for a reason. It may not break the first time, or the 20th time, and it's of course all up to you if you want to take chances with your multi hundred dollar radio. RTFI Read the f'ing instructions. Best advice in the world =>

When using your transmitter with a simulator, the transmitter is acting the same as when you use it as a "Buddy Box".I have never heard of anyone causing damage to their radio by using it as a "Buddy Box". The futaba and Hitec "trainer Cords" short out two pins on the trainer socket, disabling the rf output (preventing the situation described). In my humble opinion "If the interface fails to make use of the provisions for disabling the fr output(and thereby preventing possible damage to the transmitter) it's design is faulty".

I agree, and have some more information if you want:-

1/ Before driving your car you MUST close the doors and make sure the park brake is off.

2/ Do not put your cat in the microwave to dry it after it got wet.

3/ Make sure you are holding the right end of the chain saw before starting it.

4/ Do not switch your computer off by throwing it out of the window.

5/ Make sure the bit of the rifle with the hole in the end is facing towards the target, and not your eye before pulling the trigger.

David C.

This is the same with JR transmitters. The jack plug connects to the buddy box socket. When you plug the lead in, the Tx powers up even though the main switch is off. In this mode it is used as a buddy box and is not sending out RF.

However, with a JR Tx, as the power is on, you can use your dual rates.....