I am sure this has been covered before, but I didn't see any obvious threads on it when I did a search.

I am range checking using a Futaba 9C and on older Futaba PPM 7 channel receiver. I have the plane on the ground with the engine running and if I stand with the transmitter at waist height and have the collapsed antannae parrellel to the plane, I can go at least 100 feet away without any problem.

If I turn so the transmitter is pointing away from the plane, the engine revs up and the elevator goes to full down. Standing with the antannae pointing directly away from the model, I can't get more than 20-30 feet away with losing control.

I am not sure it's relevent, but I am testing a GP Giles G-202 with a FPE 2.4 engine.

Thanks for any help,
Bill Weston

Just one question???
Is the antenna inside or outside of the fuse...
If it's inside try taking it out and redoing the test...
With the long serso leads that I have running through the fuse the antenna dosen't lik it and I have to leave them outside the fuse...

Hope this helps...

Not sure if this matters, but when range testing, or any other instance with the 9C turned on, Futaba says that the antenna needs to be extended at least by one section. ie extend it all the way, close it down except for the lower section.

There is a FAQ about operating the radio in this manner on Fut's website.

Your orientation makes a huge difference on a ground range check, but has minimal effect on in flight performance (except on low passes/landings). In both cases, the ideal is to have the antenna perpendicular to the direction the plane is pointing. This is most realistic to inflight and most effective for range checking.

I think I am probably ok. I had the receiver antennae outside the fuselage and the transmitter antennae completely collapsed. I'll redo the test with one section up.

Other than more range, what does one section being up give you?

Geist,
The 9C and 9Z are not intended to ever be used with the antenna fully compressed within the case. Having the base segment extended gives you equivalent output to the radios where the antenna iwll not fully retract into the radio, and is the proper positioning/method for range checking.

In the case of the 9Z, the antenna is not even fuly attached until the base segment is extended.