Changing Frequencies.....danger?? (Clipped)

[Lewis, Richard]

Well, I'm not the "authorized Futaba repair center", but I did stay at a
Holiday Inn Express last night..:)
 
Pasted from the Futaba web-site in the FAQ section...
____________________________________________________
How do I change the frequency of my transmitter? 

For a module <BLOCKED::http://www.futaba-rc.com/glossary.html#module>
unit: to change the frequency you simply remove the module and replace
it with a module on the new channel. You can even change 'bands' (IE
72MHz to 75MHz). All radio frequency circuitry is in the module so there
is no need to 'retune' after a module change. (However, the receiver
cannot be similarly changed to change bands. If you go to a new band you
MUST buy a new receiver on that band. Please see the note below
regarding crystal changes, which is valid for ANY receiver where you are
changing within one frequency band.) DO NOT attempt to change
transmitter frequency by changing the crystal within the module. You
must use a module which is properly tuned to the frequency desired. 

For a unit with crystals: We CANNOT recommend changing crystals to a
different frequency. Changing the crystal on your transmitter is illegal
unless you have the proper license. The FCC has established guidelines
for the modeler's safety and for the safety of spectators. For safety
and FCC reasons we must request that both TX and RX be sent to the
service center to ensure proper crystal change and retuning to the new
frequency. Crystal based radios cannot be converted to another band
without parts replacement, and may not be able to be converted at all.
Certain radios can be converted, for example, from 72 to 75MHz
<BLOCKED::http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/faq-6xsuper-q54.html> . Please
contact the service center
<BLOCKED::http://www.futaba-rc.com/service.html>  for any other
conversions. 

The applicable Federal Regulation is as follows: 

TITLE 47-TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95-PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES
 
         Subpart E-Technical Regulations
Sec. 95.645  Control accessibility.
  (a) No control, switch or other type of adjustment which, when 
manipulated, can result in a violation of the rules shall be accessible 
from the transmitter operating panel or from exterior of the transmitter

enclosure.

  (b) An R/C transmitter which incorporates plug-in frequency 
determining modules which are changed by the user must be certificated 
with the modules. Each module must contain all of the frequency 
determining circuitry including the oscillator. Plug-in crystals are not

considered modules and must not be accessible to the user.


________________________________

From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Holzworth
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 10:38 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: Changing Frequencies.....danger??


I would love to hear from an authorized Futaba repair center on this
issue. I am sure there are alot of people out there changing crystals. I
am in the process of changing frequencies myself on all my planes and
would like an official answer. There are plenty of  other radios that
have no module and provide access to crystals for changing. Even some of
the older Futaba radios provide access to the crystal from the exterior
of the radio. I doubt  if they were woried about someone changing
frequencies they would have made it that accesible. My guess is the
manufacturers have seen an opportunity to make even more money by
telling people that have purchased the more expensive radios that in
order for them to change their frequency that they have to buy a $50.00
module in lieu of a $10.00 crystal. 



	 

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