Hello guys,

I am entering this beautiful world of jets, and i am staring to build my Composite-ARF Kangaroo wich i bought two years ago... I want to know in all of the experience that you have wich items should be better.

1 .- Install my Futaba PCM Receiver plus a Duralite Power Box with 2 batt for backup
2.- Install a Weatrinic (10 ch) Receiver with 2 batt. for backup

I guess the secund option would be the lightest, but in terms of pricing is a lot higer, and i need to know if i get the same benefits with the first option...

How many of you have used any of this two configurations, and which one works better?

Thanks,

Alfredo.

i used almost both:

i have in mostly of my jets a PCM futaba and a Emcotec DPSI (very similar to powerbox)
and in my last i have a wea..

the difference is that the wea as very easy to set up..basically you just need to connect the servo and finish.

with the rest you have lot more connection.

otherwise i m very happy with both..

I use powerbox and futaba PCM reciever in my jets, allways worked perfectlly. It would be interesting though to know what you need to do in the future if you want to change to 2.4 ghz. For the futaba reciever you will have to change it, just a few dollars, but with the weatronics I would like to know what will happen.

Michel

1. I run two Rx's and a batt share (two battery system) on non-jet airplanes up to 33%. The redundancy of two Rx's eliminates the stress of no control during a lock-out due to rf noise which happens pretty often. All of my failsafe positions are set to neutral so when one Rx goes into lock out you are still flying the airplane on half the control surfaces, which on anything other than a jet the plane will do just fine. Since I have switched to this config I have not felt any lockouts. The reason why only one Rx is affected by rf noise is the direction of the antena. As long as the two antenas go in a different direction they will almost never get a lock out at the same time other than another transmitter on your channel.

2. If you are using a powerbox or installing a rx in a jet, I recommend a Weatronic all the way. As for a powerbox, two good rx's and a powerbox will cost you $400-$600 with three components that can fail. A weatronic without GPS only costs about $600 and you get true rx redundancy if one fails. They are very easy to use and offer a ton of features. As for jets, two rx's don't work because it would be too difficult to fly a jet on 50% of the control surfaces. I have 4 weatronics in my jets and wouldn't have it any other way. The data I can download is amazing. I can go on and on...let me know what you want to know.

Russ

I usually done the futaba + powerbox. Think its a great combination.

However I do feel very exposed to RF link issues (Although I have had only 1 lockout, and it was on a non-turbine plane). I'm thinking about doing the weatronic for my next plane, since I feel its too early for Futaba 2.4Ghz or XPS. Also the G3 was not designed for better reliability.
The only downside is that is expensive and may lose investment value once I move to 2.4Ghz or to G3 (for more channels) in 72 Mhz.

Not really...keep in mind the more people that switch to 2.4 the fewer people will be on 72. There is nothing wrong with 72 especially if you are using dual rx's or a weatronic. If you get a spektrum module for your radio, you can always pop in your 72 module to fly your 72 weatronics. Eventually weatronic will be selling a spektrum 12 channel unit.

Russ

I have just bought a weatronics 10 -20 R .. Not sure on what Batteries to use.. Any ideas please?

Hi Ian

I'm using NiMH cells ( 6-cell pack ) on my Wea Rx, you have the option to use LiPo cells but the weight of the NiMH cell packs is useful noseweight and less likely to incur the charging issues with LiPos'.

Regards

Ian B

I recommend lipo's because they will not give you false peaks and they don't discharge when not in use. I always know where my battery levels are a all times. As for nose weight you can usually get lead farther forward than a battery thus using less weight.

russ

I have a Weatronic in my Reaction. It has two Li-Ion batteries. Most guys in my club seem to be going to 2.4 so the 36Mhz band is less congested. Also with the weatronic you can switch to a free frequency if you have a TX with selectable frequencies.

With the weatronic to get two receivers and the wonderful logging function. It shows servo load and current draw, and if you have a high end Weatronic you get the GPS and Gyro.
And it is all in one box and very simple to setup.

I havnt worked out the cost difference but to me it is worth it.


Regards

Hi

I have been using weatronics D/R in my jets, however with the advent of the new JR 12 channel 2.4 MHz I am wondering where to go?.

Do I go to 2.4 MhZ and use a PowerBox 40/24 Champion - Li-Po Version or similar or do I stay 35 MHz and use weatronics D/R?

has any one done the comparisons with features and costs?

Kind regards

Derek

Hello people!A friend of mine is building his first jet. Can you please tell me how do you install the receiver antenna? Are you using an external antenna?If yes can you give me a site where a can order such antennas?

In reply to Panioul: my Weatronics aerials go inside the fuselage down the left and right side - to try and hide them - I don't use a whip aerial. They are at the top of the fuselage, and the FADEC is on the bottom; the servos leads are towards the bottom, and there is about 12cm of distance between them and the aerials as they go down the fuselage. Looking at the recorded results show that there were reasonable signals during the flights, although I also got failsafe hits as did other users at Enniskillen. However, the link seemed fine to me on the ground.

Thank you very much ColinW! If anyone has any address for ordering such aerial please provide!

I found a vastly greater distance when using a whip antenna. Now I have a whip and a long wire (under the fuse) on my Weatronic). I never see the Weatronic switch over to the long wire.

Whips forever. I got mine from Dreamworks.

Regards

Thank you all for the answers..


I have a Futaba 9CA radio with selectable frecuency module, i will go for the Weatronic, since i am not planning to go for 2.4ghz in less than two years... (this will do fine for my Skemaster F-18)

Also i was planing to install the powerbox in a simpler jet (my Kangaroo), since i already have my receiver, i will just add the powerbox to have redundant baterries but not planning to have redundant receivers...

Thanks again...

Hi all,
There are new Weatronic prices out since July first. Check at weatronic-usa.

Gerhard