Just got my new 9CAP and have finished programming in my two aircraft.
It took a couple hours at least.

Yesterday, I flew both my models and everything seemed to have been functioning perfectly.
I always have a steady green light.

THEN, today I was wandering though the FAQ's on Futaba's site and discovered
that because I did this with the antenna collapsed, I may have shortened the life of the module?!?!

Do I have to return my brand new radio for service two weeks after I got it?

I must have missed the *big warning* in the front of the manual warning against this??? [:@]

ANY comments would be GREATLY appreciated. []

Thanks,
Shane

Hi Shane,

I hate to say it but, if you were programming for two hours with the antenna collapsed, it would really be best to send this in to have the guys check it for you. Sorry, we just wouldn't trust that something is not hurt inside.

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)

Wonderful.

As for shipping it to be inspected/repaired, What's the point?
Are you serious?

By the Time I pay to ship it somewhere, pay for the work, potentially pay
for a new module (which must be filled with cottage cheese if it's damaged
that easily), and pay to have it shipped back, wouldn't It would be far
cheaper and simpler to buy a new module?

Any possibility that this is a warranty issue because the manual very vague
in this matter?

Perhaps someone else won't damage their 9C because they get to learn
from my stupidity.

Oh and Krysta,
My apologies for the curt tone of my response. I am in all other aspects very happy with the radio.
But this module issue is quite a drag.

You tell other to ship their radio's in and you'll replace the flaking silver paint free of charge!

A perfect world for me would be if Futaba sent me out a new module with a pre-paid
return shipping for me to send you back my module which may or may not be perfectly fine.

What do you think?

Your attention is appreciated,
Shane

Hey Shane, I didn't see any warnings about this, but I understand your concern, but let's look at some variables, and by the way! I AM NOT DOUBTING THE WORD OF KRYSTA. I also have a 9C that my wife bought me last Christmas, she bought only the TX which is all I wanted. Now I'm using the module from my old Super 7, which I purchased new in 1993. Since then I have always set up my airplanes with the antenna collapsed I even remembered forgetting to turn off the Super 7 a couple of times, and left it in the box, ON overnight. Now lets think, after 2 hrs your batteries are just about drained, so the voltage is very low. Now you said 2 hours are you sure? do you remember feeling your module being very hot to the touch? I really don't think you will have a problem, If I've been doing it for 10 years you shouldn't have a problem. Just be cautious, and in the future to be on the safe side, pull up a couple of lengths of antenna, I think I will from now on, but I think you're OK

I have done the leave the power on thing with my channel 38 module at least twice with my 8U and then once with my 9C. It still flys my planes over one year later. I would say that nothing is wrong. It just has the potential of hurting it.

Actually a very simple way to check the module is to do a range check ! If you get a good response at 100 feet, go fly !

All-

Thank you very much for all the "real world" responses.

In fact, hours after I read Krysta's original response, I went and flew my plane
(with an electric pump driven smoke system) and it range checked perfect and flew
great.
I think this radio makes me a better pilot by the way! Great system.

I understand Futaba's cautious position. However, I am not convinced that I damaged
my module based on it's performance.
As for it's longevity? No way to know.

Thanks all.

And Krysta? How about the module swap proposition??

Shane

Hi Shane,

The reason I recommended sending this in to us, is for safety reasons.

It is definitely not recommended to have your transmitter on for any lenght of time with the module in and the antenna collapsed, because there is always the chance that damage will occur to your module. This is why there is an FAQ on our website, and when in doubt we offer our email and phone number for our Technical Support team, who are happy to assist whenever our customers have a question.

I offered new face plates to the two gentlemen who had problems with them, as I told them we did have a very few of the 9C's that had this problem, and this is considered a defect.

Unfortunatley, leaving the antenna down while programming, is not a warranty issue.

You may send this in to my attention and while I will not warranty this for you, I will try to help you out with the costs of having this checked out.

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)

Hey Krysta, you are one cool lady!

Awwww thanks, frankflyboy1 !!!

Is it OK to program with the antenna collapsed, without the crystal modeule installed, if you use the optional DSC cord?
Tommy

HI Tommy,

Yes, definitely, without the module installed you would have no problems at all.

Krysta