I just finished my first tank, a leopard 2 a6 with a futaba 4exa radio, and i'm having some problems. I can get all the functions to work, just not with the right controls. Example, the model should move forward and backward with the left stick, however my model moves forward and backward with the right stick. I've tied re-programming, and the dead band trimmer adjustments. Anyone have any ideas?

Chief,

I had the same problem with a 4YF, even though it's not a computerized radio. Aircraft radios seem to have different receiver receptacles/channels, as opposed to a dedicated surface radio receiver such as the suggested 4VWD. So, if you hook up the connections the way they describe them in the manual, your functions probably won't be on the sticks that are shown in the diagrams.

Not sure if that radio allows you to switch channels among the stick controls, but the way I finally had to get it all straight was to hook up servos to the receiver and actuate them with each stick and make a diagram showing which receptacle on the receiver was what channel (stick) on the transmitter. Sure, the manual for the 4YF showed this, but the aircraft terminology was confusing me when it was time to hook up each function from the DMD.

For example, on the 4YF the receiver receptacles are numbered top to bottom; channels 1-2-3-4

On the transmitter, the matching stick controls are backwards.
Left stick left-right is channel 4.......Up/Down is channel 3
Right stick Up/Down is channel 2.......left-right is channel 1
Hope this helps some.

Speaking of radios, here’s what I use:

1 Futaba T4VWD Attack, 4 Channel AM, 2 Receivers (one for each Leo) R124H, 27 MHz

Here is the setup on the receiver: 1 3 2 4, this particular setup is required in order for the GBS to operate.

Stick 1: Turret rotate (side to side) Fwd/Reverse (up/down)

Stick 2: Main Gun elevation (up/down) and track control (side to side)


Futaba T7CAP PCM Radio 75 MHz, Receiver FP-R138DP 8 Channel PCM 1024
This is both a PCM and FM Radio.

This Futaba along with the 9CAP 75 was designed for and sold by Futaba for ground use, both radios are no longer made.

This radio has been interesting, I bought for use with the Leopard before purchasing the kit, a state of the art radio for a state of the art kit, that all functions of the kit could be controlled independently thru the use of one button for each function, fire the main gun, machine gun fire, lights etc http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/arrival

Only after purchasing the kit and reading the instructions did I find out that the DMD unit mixes the signals for use with Futaba 4 ch radios, this kit is true seven channel model but you have to use a 4 channel AM radio in order to activate all functions.

I find this bewildering and strange, here is to this day Tamiya’s top product, the most complex and expensive RC model Tamiya makes, Tamiya’s flagship, and they cripple it with a 4 channel AM radio, here, in the 21st century. Even the instructions warn against using PCM/Digital radios.

To make this short the 7CAP works well with the DMD, the only two problems are:

1. Can’t get the GBS to activate, the trims are digital so that might be the problem, although BOTH the main gun and machine gun work flawlessly with the digital trims.

2. If you turn off the radio but leave the DMD on, the Leo will move fwd, instead of shutting down, the DMD sends power to the drive motor, with this radio you have to shut the DMD off first, then turn off the radio.


Which brings me to the:

HiTEC Laser 6 FM (or the Devil Radio[:@]) Receiver HFD-08RD 75.570 MHz

This 6-channel radio and the DMD don’t get along at all. When this radio is used with the DMD, all hell breaks loose, nothing works as it should, turn the radio on, then activate the DMD, the tank, with ALL trims in neutral, will either go fwd, go reverse or do nothing at all. This is a very dangerous radio to use with this DMD; I’ve tried everything to make it work, and nothing. I keep the Hi Tech as far away from my two Leos as possible, this DMD is CLEARLY designed to be used with Futaba radios, you can even use their PCM/Digital radios, something that Tamiya recommended not using in the instructions, and still get decent results with basic functions.

Well, that’s been my experience with radios for this kit, I wish for future Tamiya would:

1. Put a switch on the DMD, switch 1 would be for mixing signals for use with four channel radios, and switch 2 for six channel and up radios for one-button function operations.

2. Make DMD compatible with ALL radios, not just one brand.

Will

2 questions?

(1) Where does it say you have to use AM?

(2) You're saying you can use a Futaba PCM Rx?

Thanks.

Thank for the advise Capn. I figured out the problem. I reversed the j2 and j3 connection into the reciever. Everything works great now.

bump.

Took it out to an empty dirt lot and weathered it some. Not drastically, but enough.

Didn't get pictures of the actual event, but did take some upon returning and knocking some of the loose stuff off. Also included pictures of how the fenders can be removed and put back on. It's not 100% to the real one, but it works and doesn't distract from the overall look of it when they are in place.

Might have to find a better rust color for the spare track block. [:'(]

The radio is listed by NAME, on page 2 of the instruction manual, along with receiver: FP-114H which is no longer made and has been replaced by 124H. Remember this kit was released in 2004, this radio is also featured in the Tamiya video of the Leopard. There are also precise drawings in both the instruction and the operator’s manual showing the Attack 4WD radio. Back in 2004 thru at least mid 2006 this was the radio/receiver featured for this kit, plus mail order firms like Tower Hobbies during the same time period sold this as the radio for this kit.

This kit was designed to be 100% compatible with this setup, if you want to use the GBS WITH NO problems; this radio along with the R124H receiver is the system to get. You can use other Futaba FM radios with this kit and as shown by the previous above post can be made to work, its the GBS that could be a problem should they decide to purchase it. There was a member a while back called Leoparddriver who had the same FM radio and could not get the GBS to function.

Read carefully, the 7CAP works with the DMD, not all PCM radios from all manufactures will work, read about the HiTEC.

Will

Once again, superb job on your L44 gunned Leopard; you certainly have great modeling skill, I like the removable front fenders, nice touch of realism[8D]

Man, I have been busy, hope you had a nice holiday weekend Cap, now down to business, I took Leo no 1 to this little area I found, the dirt is excellent, small granular and soft, perfect for scale tanking except for one thing, debris http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/leo_repairs&page=all

It got all caught up in this plastic webbing, the webbing wrapped around the rear suspension arm and wound up breaking the arm, this is the first time in over a years worth of running anything broke on the suspension, no problem, it took me all of five minutes to replace the arm with a new one.

Let's talk about this for a minute, some people might think metal arms are called for here, I disagree, those stock arms are very tough and durable, it took a very tough piece of plastic webbing which wrapped around and then was forced by the drive sprocket to break the arm, a rare and unusual situation. Now some people can go out and get these http://www.afv-model.com/4711shop/pr...nfo=p255_.html for about $105.00, I would much rather go to Home Depot and spend $15.00 for a dirt rake, which is what I did. I plan on raking the area and getting the garbage out of the way before any more human debris damages my tanks. Those superb battlefields of Der Junge and Schoppy, along with the BTN and various battlefields didn't happen by accident, they were carefully manufactured for use by scale model tanks.

You gave me an idea about those side skirts, at first I took mine off so that if debris gets caught in the tracks, I could just remove the junk, and keep on motoring. Then something hit me, leave the screws which hold the skirts in place partially out, then you can both remove and add the skirts at will, scroll thru the photos and you'll see what I did.

With skirts in place I ran for about 15 minutes with no ill effects, the skirts held in place. This is still experimental; I'll keep you updated. You'll also notice I cut out the rear skirts.

Will

Thanks, Will.

Making the fenders removable was something I had wanted to do since I built it. They are surprisingly tough, but I wouldn't go running them into anything and expect them to stay there. Also wanted to make the skirt mounting plate details and such, but I think I'll just leave them off, so I can keep the option to put the skirts back on.

As for your Leo's accident, that's too bad. Good to see it didn't tear it up really bad and that you got it fixed. That looked like a hefty piece of webbing.

Interesting deal for making the skirts removable, without having to take the hull top off to remove them.

Here's the latest update on my Leopard's removable skirts http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/update just scroll thru the photos and read the captions.

As you can see, the fix is easy. I had to run in a parking lot because that new area I found a few days ago now has construction equipment tearing up the place, shame too, the dirt was of high quality with almost no rocks of any kind, just debris left by humans and tree branches.

When running on the asphalt, I notice the GBS making minute movements (seemed like half a degree or maybe less) to keep the barrel stabilized, the lot is generally flat, not perfect of course. That GBS is really sensitive, since I run mostly on dirt and sand I never realized the GBS was that accurate. I highly, highly recommend this option for current and future Leopard owners.

Remember that strv 122? Here's what Fixa did with the DMD and battery on his strv 122 http://www.rcpanzer.de/apboard/threa...art=46&seite=4

The battery has to go in the hull because of the design of the rear of those up-armored turrets, the same will be true of HEL 2 and Spain's A6E (I feel a third Leo kit coming soon).

Will

Does the GBS do roational stablilization or vertical only?

Where did you get the GBS from? I can't find it listed anywhere.

Thx.

In the vertical axis, only here's a video made by Jeffery Chan http://myweb.hinet.net/home17/highto/tank-1.wmv right click to download the video to your hard drive and play, the sound track is messed up.

Have you tried BYA for the GBS http://www.backyardarmor.com/New%20Main.htm just scroll down till you see Tamiya Tanks and you'll see it listed off to the right.

Will

Cool video. I'd actually be more interested in the camera they're using.

That is a good video. Thanks, Will.

Got a question for you, Will. Are the return rollers on your Leo fixed? I noticed in one of the shots that the one looks flat spotted.

-------------------

And, with the wave of the screw driver......

Almost took the end of the barrel off in the last picture. Kind of the way I drive it, too.

i love the leo....mine is still in my closet....

I'm either going to make or buy some battery packes for my Leo (arrives next week). What is the max length/width of a stick pack that will fit? I have a NiCd pack that is about 1/4" shorter than a NiMh pack. Anyone use side-by-side packs? Thx.

[quote]ORIGINAL: CapnCrunch43

Got a question for you, Will. Are the return rollers on your Leo fixed? I noticed in one of the shots that the one looks flat spotted.

The rollers are just fine, none are flat spotted. Sometimes due to debris one or two might clog up, a simple twist of the roller will clear out the dirt.

Will

Good morning Capn, have you seen Ultimate Factories M1 on National Geographic? If you missed it, it will be on again 28 June. It just went off the air here Calif time and now the Apache is on, so I goes to Nat Geo web site to order the DVD on both programs and its nowhere to be seen, the only Ultimate Factory DVD program they have is Harley Davidson, something I'm not interested in.

Hopefully both programs will be available on HD DVD soon.

Will

Go Lewis Hamilton!! Yes, I'm a BIG F1 Fan

Good evening, Will.

Haven't really been messing with the tanks much lately. Railroad Days in Galesburg, IL is just around the corner and the model railroad bug is in run 8!!

I'll have to look for that show. Probably be something to watch.

Before the hiatus, I painted the skirts in the camo......so, here is what it looks like:

Here is a brief description (or credit list) http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...s/ult2897.html and broadcast time http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../20070628.html

here's the Apache http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...705281400.html there's no future air date but should be re-broadcast sometime in the near future.

Get that TiVo or DVD recorder programmed for this, its worth it.

Have fun at the Railroad Days, I too love model railroads but I don't have the time or space to set one up[&o]

Will

Found it, the program description http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...706161400.html

Will

Here's another one http://www.history.com/shows.do?acti...isodeId=234624

Did you see Heavyaslead's Leopard conversion into T-95 Black Eagle? That man, like tomzag, has talent to spare. I wish there were more aftermarket companies like HKCW 1/35th Strv122 resin kit avalible in 1/16 scale. I might send them an email in the next few weeks and see I they can upscale that 1/35 resin kit into 1/16 size, should'nt be diffcult. I can use that as basis for HEL 2 I soon will be making.

Will

Here's another one http://www.history.com/shows.do?acti...isodeId=234624

Did you see Heavyaslead's Leopard conversion into T-95 Black Eagle? That man, like tomzag, has talent to spare. I wish there were more aftermarket companies like HKCW 1/35th Strv122 resin kit avalible in 1/16 scale. I might send them an email in the next few weeks and see I they can upscale that 1/35 resin kit into 1/16 size, shouldn't be diffcult. I can use that as basis for HEL 2 I soon will be making.

Will

Check this out http://www.rcpanzer.de/apboard/threa...tart=1&seite=1 neat stuff.

Here's the latest version of German Army's Leopard, the A6M http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...356328&l=00b2d and http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Engl..._1.asp?id=2108

Those are Canadian Troops training on those Leopards, the latest info has them deploying with their A6Ms to Afghanistan later in 07.

The Germans didn't adopt both the increased armor on both the turret and upper hull, opting instead for increased protection on the bottom hull and better internal protection for the crew from mines and IEDs. The only noticable difference externally seems to be the 6x2 grenade launchers, should be easy to convert Tamiya's Leo into A6M.

And here's a 9:42 video from 2002 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18yn...p%3Ft%3D115568

Will