Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
05-15-2008, 11:22 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: glasgowScotland, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Guys
Anyone having range / failsafe lockouts using the 14 MZ / G3 rx and a whip aerial? I have used this setup on several models without any problems. On my new Boomerang Elan which has not yet flown due to these problems I am experiencing radio lockout at even short ranges using a 450mm whip antenna. The same receiver and whip have been used in another model without any problems arising and my installation is normal with the rx / ECU /pump well separated.
The strange thing is when the whip is removed the lockout dissapears and I am getting at least 50 yards range with the tx aerial collapsed. I have checked the aerial with a meter and it seems ok, any ideas?
John
Anyone having range / failsafe lockouts using the 14 MZ / G3 rx and a whip aerial? I have used this setup on several models without any problems. On my new Boomerang Elan which has not yet flown due to these problems I am experiencing radio lockout at even short ranges using a 450mm whip antenna. The same receiver and whip have been used in another model without any problems arising and my installation is normal with the rx / ECU /pump well separated.
The strange thing is when the whip is removed the lockout dissapears and I am getting at least 50 yards range with the tx aerial collapsed. I have checked the aerial with a meter and it seems ok, any ideas?
John
05-15-2008, 11:58 AM
#2
My Feedback: (135)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dracut,
MA
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Hi John,
The Rx Antenna on the 72Mhz G3 in the US is only 20" long. I wanted to use a whip on this plane and bought one. It was also 20" long.
Our normal length antenna for the 1024 resolution (not G3) Futaba Rx is 1 meter.
I posted an inquiry about this in the radio section. The only thing that I found out was that the antenna had been shortened by Futaba to make the Rx less sensitive to noise. If I used the whip I would have had to leave a 4" to 6" pigtail on the RX which would have lengthened the antenna by that amount rendering it more sensitive to noise.
Instead of adding the whip I chose to run the antenna inside the Elan. I installed a piece of pushrod guide tubing forward into the nose of the plane. I then pushed the 20" antenna wire into the tube as far as it would go. I wound up with about 4" not in the tube. It range tested fine.
Best Regards
Bob
The Rx Antenna on the 72Mhz G3 in the US is only 20" long. I wanted to use a whip on this plane and bought one. It was also 20" long.
Our normal length antenna for the 1024 resolution (not G3) Futaba Rx is 1 meter.
I posted an inquiry about this in the radio section. The only thing that I found out was that the antenna had been shortened by Futaba to make the Rx less sensitive to noise. If I used the whip I would have had to leave a 4" to 6" pigtail on the RX which would have lengthened the antenna by that amount rendering it more sensitive to noise.
Instead of adding the whip I chose to run the antenna inside the Elan. I installed a piece of pushrod guide tubing forward into the nose of the plane. I then pushed the 20" antenna wire into the tube as far as it would go. I wound up with about 4" not in the tube. It range tested fine.
Best Regards
Bob
05-15-2008, 01:51 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: glasgowScotland, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Bob
My shortened attenna is approximately 22" long with an 18" whip. I have used this setup in another model and it works perfectly (different turbine) I had heard that the G3 was sensitive to electrical noise but it locks out in the Elan even when the turbine is not running. With the shortened antenna only it seems to be ok but I don't want to risk flying it until I can get some more feedback.
Incidentally I have no problems with an R149DP PCM 1024 rx with a shortened antenna and a whip but now I have got used to 14 channels I don't want to go back to nine!
John
My shortened attenna is approximately 22" long with an 18" whip. I have used this setup in another model and it works perfectly (different turbine) I had heard that the G3 was sensitive to electrical noise but it locks out in the Elan even when the turbine is not running. With the shortened antenna only it seems to be ok but I don't want to risk flying it until I can get some more feedback.
Incidentally I have no problems with an R149DP PCM 1024 rx with a shortened antenna and a whip but now I have got used to 14 channels I don't want to go back to nine!
John
05-15-2008, 01:53 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: glasgowScotland, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Bob
Yes, I read your post. The G3 comes with a 40" antenna in 35mhz mode. By cutting it to 22" and adding the 18" whip I thought that it would return the antenna to the correct length.
John
Yes, I read your post. The G3 comes with a 40" antenna in 35mhz mode. By cutting it to 22" and adding the 18" whip I thought that it would return the antenna to the correct length.
John
05-15-2008, 01:54 PM
#9
My Feedback: (135)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dracut,
MA
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
My antenna on the G3 as it came from Futaba is only 20". They have elected to shorten them from the 1 meter length due to excessive sensitivity.
05-15-2008, 03:09 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: glasgowScotland, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Bob
Thanks for that I did not know this was a Futaba update. I will try again with the 20" antenna and no whip and do a full series of range checks before flying.
Best regards
John
Thanks for that I did not know this was a Futaba update. I will try again with the 20" antenna and no whip and do a full series of range checks before flying.
Best regards
John
05-15-2008, 05:59 PM
#13
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bangkok, THAILAND
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
John,
It might be good to check with Futaba. You are using 35 mhz. The shortened antenna described by others is for 72 mhz. The normal resonant length of a 35 mhz antenna would be nearly twice that of 72 mhz, which means that the antenna length on your 35 mhz sounds about right. The front end of the Futaba 35 mhz receiver may also be different from the 72 mhz version and may or may not have the same noise issues.
Mike
It might be good to check with Futaba. You are using 35 mhz. The shortened antenna described by others is for 72 mhz. The normal resonant length of a 35 mhz antenna would be nearly twice that of 72 mhz, which means that the antenna length on your 35 mhz sounds about right. The front end of the Futaba 35 mhz receiver may also be different from the 72 mhz version and may or may not have the same noise issues.
Mike
05-16-2008, 02:04 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: glasgowScotland, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
RE: Futaba 14 MZ / G3 receiver whip aerial problems
Mike
You are correct. I checked the Futaba website and the 20" length is for 72mhz only. I need to do some more research and testing. Any 35mhz users had any of these problems?
John
You are correct. I checked the Futaba website and the 20" length is for 72mhz only. I need to do some more research and testing. Any 35mhz users had any of these problems?
John
