Could you please explain what is the best way to do a range check with the 9Z? Should the first section of the antenna be out of the case in order to keep from "frying" the module?

Thanks in advance for your reply. I appreciate it!

Hi MikelJay,

You would want to range test this radio with the largest section of antenna out, this will protect your module.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can also reach our Futaba support technical team at 217-398-8970, or via fax at 217-398-7721.

Sincerely,
Krysta
Lead Futaba Customer Service and Programming Technician
Also you may want to check our Website at (http://www.futaba-rc.com)

I'd like to re-hash this one as well, if I may just for the purpose of total clarification.

We were test-flying a new big bird yesterday with my 9Z. We did the initial range check initially with the antenna totally collapsed (I know that and why you're not suppose to do this BTW but it was only for a few seconds. Anyway...). I couldn't get 40' steps from my plane. Once we extended the bottom section completely, it would range check forever which pretty much verifies what you have said.

The radio just recently went back to Tony at RS (2 months ago) for a total rebuild/overhaul. I'm very pleased with my 9Z but I also want to be very convinced that the TX is 100% reliable, or at least as much so as I can. Should I be confident after range testing with one section extended? This goes against everything I have ever been taught because the entire purpose of the ground test is supposedly to make sure the radio works at a maximum range with the antenna collapsed.

Another question is this. I have a bad habit (nerves) of "spinning" the bottom section of the antenna of my radios and I know I've done this to the 9Z. Where does the wire attach to the antenna? Is it attached to the bottom of the antenna (it can't be because surely we'd have broken wires by now!) or is it somehow attached to the supporting section up top? If it's attached at the top; this would probably explain why my 9Z doesn't ground check in the "traditional" manner very well since it doesn't get really tight until I extend the first section.

I hope I have explained this adequately to get a solid affirmation of my beliefs. Like a lot of others; I will be flying some pretty high dollar (to me anyway) planes with this 9Z. That's the major reason I bought it. I just want to be ABSOLUTELY sure it's right.

Thanks in advance.

The 9Z transmitter antenna doesn't have a wire to it. It makes contact with special wiper contacts at the antenna ball on the top of the transmitter. The antenna doesn't make proper contact with the circuitry until the large, bottom section is pulled out until it "clicks".

A good range check with the first section extended, with the model's engine running and not running should give you the conficence you need for flight.

If I am reading this right.........With the lower section, that is, the biggest section completely out of the transmitter case, right?

Best regards,
Mike

Thank you Bax. That's exactly what I had concluded but I wanted to hear an authority say so.

Thanks again for affirming my suspicions.

I'm a happy camper now.

Just for argument's sake; same deal with my 9CHP?

On any transmitter that utilizes a module 9Z, 9C, 8U, etc, it is best to range test with the "largest" section of the antenna out of the transmitter. This would be the section nearest the transmitter when fully extended. This helps to dissipate any heat build up in the transmitter thus protecting the internal electronics.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can also reach our Futaba support technical team at 217-398-8970, or via fax at 217-398-7721.

Sincerely,
Krysta
Lead Futaba Customer Service and Programming Technician
Also you may want to check our Website at (http://www.futaba-rc.com)

Thanks Krysta. I appreciate the rapid response.