Mixing and Matching Radio Components
11-27-2003 | 06:53 AM
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From: Houston,
TX
Mixing and Matching Radio Components
I've dabbled in the hobby off and on for about 17 years. Never tinkered with radios. I just drop them into whatever plane and depend on them to work. My first radio was a Futaba FP-T4L (AM) on 72.670. It served me quite well I might add. I quit flying for a few years for whatever reason, but got the bug again and was told that FM was the way to go. I went out and got a Futaba Conquest FP-T4NBF. It happened to be on the same frequency. I think it was in the early 90's that I bought the Conquest. I just started flying again in October of this year and the Conquest is still as reliable as ever.
To get to my point, I've been on e-bay and I see lots of "transmitter only" auctions. I also see quite a few auctions for AM radio systems. Can you answer a few questions for me?
1) Is AM still useable in the hobby for aircraft? Can you give me the pros and cons? Would my old FP-T4L still be useable?
2) If I get one of those FM "transmitter only" deals, how do I match up a flight pack. On another note, what if I wanted to outfit 2 planes with airborne packs and use the same transmitter. How does one make that happen?
3) Is it more to changing the frequency of a system than meets the eye? I joined a club this time around and notice that 72.670 is always open at the field. If I happen across a system that's in the 'high' range, can I simply purchase the 72.670 crystal set and install them in the TX and RX or is that something that has to be sent to Futaba or an authorized service center?
If there's a link that you can point me to that'll educate me on these matters I'd greatly appreciate it.
Gramps98
To get to my point, I've been on e-bay and I see lots of "transmitter only" auctions. I also see quite a few auctions for AM radio systems. Can you answer a few questions for me?
1) Is AM still useable in the hobby for aircraft? Can you give me the pros and cons? Would my old FP-T4L still be useable?
2) If I get one of those FM "transmitter only" deals, how do I match up a flight pack. On another note, what if I wanted to outfit 2 planes with airborne packs and use the same transmitter. How does one make that happen?
3) Is it more to changing the frequency of a system than meets the eye? I joined a club this time around and notice that 72.670 is always open at the field. If I happen across a system that's in the 'high' range, can I simply purchase the 72.670 crystal set and install them in the TX and RX or is that something that has to be sent to Futaba or an authorized service center?
If there's a link that you can point me to that'll educate me on these matters I'd greatly appreciate it.
Gramps98
11-28-2003 | 10:05 AM
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From: Champaign, IL
RE: Mixing and Matching Radio Components
Hi Gramps98,
1) Yes, AM is still usable for aircraft, but the main drawback would be it's susceptibility to interference. The 4L is not legal for use if it has not been converted over to "narrow band". If you do not see an AMA gold sticker on the back of the transmitter, it is not narrow banded and thus illegal per the FCC for use.
2) To match up a flight pack, you would just need to make sure that the transmitter is legal for use today, and if it is, then most current flight packs will work as long as they match up to the transmitter in modulation and frequency. You may want to check our website at: http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/product-faq.html, for some helpful information on older and current systems.
3) It is not legal to change the frequency of a transmitter, you can change the channel on a receiver as long as the change does not cross the Low or High band range. Either our service center or an authorized service center can change the channel on the transmitter for you and make sure that the transmitter is correctly tuned.
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)
1) Yes, AM is still usable for aircraft, but the main drawback would be it's susceptibility to interference. The 4L is not legal for use if it has not been converted over to "narrow band". If you do not see an AMA gold sticker on the back of the transmitter, it is not narrow banded and thus illegal per the FCC for use.
2) To match up a flight pack, you would just need to make sure that the transmitter is legal for use today, and if it is, then most current flight packs will work as long as they match up to the transmitter in modulation and frequency. You may want to check our website at: http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/product-faq.html, for some helpful information on older and current systems.
3) It is not legal to change the frequency of a transmitter, you can change the channel on a receiver as long as the change does not cross the Low or High band range. Either our service center or an authorized service center can change the channel on the transmitter for you and make sure that the transmitter is correctly tuned.
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)
