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

[Keith Black]

Interesting conversation.

What's also interesting is that the radio manufactures say "DON'T CHANGE THE CRYSTAL YOURSELF, IT'S ILLEGAL AND COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR DISASTER!!!", then they conveniently sell the individual crystals to anyone that can whip out a few bucks.

Perhaps this disclaimer is just to appease the FCC...?

Keith
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lewis, Richard 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 10:28 AM
  Subject: RE: Changing Frequencies.....danger?? (Clipped)


  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 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. Please contact the service center 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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