[NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

Fri Dec 21 21:05:50 AKST 2007

Yeah that channel assignment stuff is a pain. It would be really nice to be able to re-map the channel assignments from the buddy box radio in the trainer setup menu. Of course if both radios are 14Mz's it's not a problem. <VBG>

John Pavlick
http://www.idseng.com 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stuart Chale 
  To: 'NSRCA Mailing List' 
  Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 8:24 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

  There is still a problem with the trainer system on the 14 MZ..  If the 14 MZ is to be used as the master for the other person's trainer radio, the channels have to be configured to match.  This is usually different from the preferred default configuration of the 14MZ channel groupings.  No big deal for the average trainer setup but I wanted to give my son some stick time on my pattern plane via a trainer.  The only way to do this is to change the channel assignments on the 14 MZ to match the default of the other transmitter which could not be matched to the 14MZ.  There should be an ability to map the channels as needed when using the trainer mode.

  Stuart C.

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  From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of John Pavlick
  Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 7:30 PM
  To: NSRCA Mailing List
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

  Bob,

   Futaba already has that type of trainer functionality on the 9C, 12FG, 12Z and most likely the 14Mz (FUNC mode). What transmitter are you using? 

  Radio System FAQ
  I want to use my radio with a student's radio. How can I let the student use all of the programming, mixes, etc that my radio has to offer? 

        ___ 1.
       First turn on the student radio. If it is a computerized radio, choose a clean model using the default settings of 100% on throws (ATV/EPA). 

        ___ 2.
       Turn the student radio off and turn on the 9C. 

        ___ 3.
       From the BASIC programming menu, select TRAINER 

        ___ 4.
       Turn Dial left to activate trainer (the display changes from INH (inhibited) to OFF if trainer switch is not pulled or ON if switch is pulled.) 

        ___ 5.
       Press the Cursor Down button once to move to programming aileron. You'll see AIL and FUNC (function). To give the student the same programming as the master, stay with FUNC. You can also press turn Dial Left which takes you to NORM (the student radio now sets rates, throws, mixes, etc), or OFF (which doesn't allow the student to use this channel. This is often used to keep a student from having throttle control so the instructor can control the plane's airspeed, or other functions.) 

        ___ 6.
       Cursor through the aileron, throttle, elevator, and rudder controls, and confirm they are all to FUNC, or set them to fit your custom needs (by default, channel 5 through 8 are OFF, but can be changed if desired for another application). 

        ___ 7.
       Next plug up the buddy box, and turn on the plane, set the MASTER transmitter on LOW rates, and match the surface throws (both direction and amount) using the ATV function on the BUDDY BOX. On low rate, you should be able to hold full up elevator on both the master box and the buddy box, and when flipping the trainer switch, see ZERO movement on the elevator. The same applies to the rudder, the throttle, and the aileron. 

  Now, when you pull the switch to give the buddy box control, the transmitter takes the buddy box stick movements and adds any mixes, expo, etc. that you've programmed into the Master. NOTE: while the student is in control, if high rates are desired, the appropriate switch on the MASTER box has to be pulled. 

  THATS IT!

  John Pavlick
  http://www.idseng.com

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Bob Richards 

    To: NSRCA Mailing List 

    Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 5:56 PM

    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

    Ok, my 2CW.

    I really like the idea of the USB connector. Hmmm, not a new idea, really, I could do that with my Ace Micropro back in 1992. Could save all the airplane programs onto computer disk via a serial port. Could pull up the program information on the computer and edit the values (although it was not a GUI interface, it was still nice).

    Another thing would be program independent buddy box capability. In other words, the slave transmitter need only to send the stick positions to the master radio. That information would then be applied to the program in the master radio. No need to make sure the slave and master radios are operating with the same program. Hmmm, again, not really a new idea, I could do that with the Micropro radio back in 1992. :-)

    Autotrim. Lets say you have just taken off with an airplane that is out of trim. Instead of fumbling around for multiple trim levers (or buttons) you just press one button and keep flying the plane straight and level. The autotrim function will apply trim changes automatically to any of the the three flight channels so that the sticks slowly move back to neutral. Again, the Micropro had that feature.

    I liked a lot of the features of the old Micropro radio, my big complaint was that it was only 256 resolution. That alone was reason not to use it in pattern.

    As for the 2.4 ghz using the internal antenna connection, that is not likely to happen on the old radios. I like the fact that I can swap the module with a 72 mhz module and not have to fumble with mounting an antenna with an external cable.

    I have flown Futaba for over 20 years, and have had good service. However, I wish there was better support/marketing in my area of the country. We had a huge fly-in last year (Fly-for-Tots) with over 200 registered pilots. Horizon/JR sent lots of stuff, including sponsered pilots to fly demos. Futaba did send a couple of flags and items for the raffle, but it was a hugh disparity with what Horizon/JR did. I am in a distinct minority in my club since most of the guys fly JR, so I caught a lot of crap as a result.

    Just my 2CW.

    Bob R.

    Derek Koopowitz <derekkoopowitz at gmail.com> wrote:

      Futaba is looking for some new product ideas for upcoming equipment and they are interested in seeing what ideas we all have for the pattern arena that could be new and inventive.  This could be anything from updating current equipment to new product development. 

      If you could put some thoughts together in an email to me, I'll make sure that they're sent to Futaba USA's attention.   I'll need to have this back no later than the end of the year!

      Thanks!

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