[NSRCA-discussion] Futaba FAAST trouble

Fri Jan 11 05:26:31 AKST 2008

Agree.  

I've been part of the testing of the Airtronics system that's now being
released (8-Channel) and in an effort to AVOID this type of thing Japan
has had us testing the system relentlessly, even providing DOZENS of
additional radios, JR's, Futaba's, Car radios, EPS Systems, etc to have
on at the same time to try and mimic all of the possible saturation  and
interference scenarios.  That's a LOT to try and account for.  Lot's of
bizarre installation scenarios to experiment with, (By the way, putting
the Rx in a small metal box in the airplane significantly reduces the
range...go figure).

We think we have a solid system...but even mass testing doesn't
completely duplicate all the real world scenarios...and poor
installation scenarios...that will eventually occur.  Only time and use
will iron all of those out.  I've been an Airtronics guy for a while
now, but I have to agree with Arch...it's a little early in the game of
this new technology to throw too many stones.

That being said, ALL the manufacturers will do well to be a little more
"open" when problems DO occur to both admit it, and make the fix
publically known and understood so that we can get some trust and
comfort with the systems, and prevent as many accidents as possible.  

-Mark

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Archie
Stafford
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 8:59 AM
To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba FAAST trouble

Wayne,

Not one radio has come out that has not had some problems.  This time
last year, Spektrums were having problems..QQ lost his new Python at
SEFF because of it.  There were other losses as well.  I remember when
the first ones came out...they had problems with ANYTHING that got in
front of the radio...Yes, it was geared towards park flyers, but they
still had problems.  They learned of the voltage drop problem from QQ,
but it cost others planes as well, just didn't get acknowledged until QQ
had a problem. I have yet to hear of any incidents with a module based
Futaba radio.   I don't know if this incident on RCU actually happened
or not...I'm curious as to why they went ahead and flew knowing they had
an issue on the ground..and also curious as to the guys setup with a 40%
airplane with a 6EX radio..lots of Y's or matchboxes there.  The Futaba
setup does have advantages..it is true Spread Spectrum where the
JR/Spektrum is not.  It never frequency hops.  I'm sure there will be
growing pains, just like with the JR/Spektrum.  I know Airtronics is
also working on a 2.4 system.  

Arch

________________________________

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Wayne
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 1:24 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba FAAST trouble

dedicated circuitry....hmmmm That sounds like it was done right!

I'll stick with the Spektrum product at least people are using it. I'm
sure there will be problems with any system. Its the growing pains of
the situation. However to be running ads that are pretty much bashing
the other guys saying Futaba did it right. Egg on the face it seems.

Besides JR and Spektrum have the market well in hand. You need a RX for
a indoor or park flyer, they got it. Need a 9 channel system for you jet
or Pattern plane they got it and people have been flying it for months.
Need something just for a 7channel sport plane, got it. Oh and by the
way all the stuff from the very first RX on DSM as well as all the RX's
on DSM2, they all work on the same TX and any of the newer TX's. Its
really nice to have reverse compatibility. I guess we know who did
Spread Spektrum Right?

I was looking toward the 14MZ but a local IMAC guy planted 3  40% models
on the "new" G3 RX before they told him to cut the antenna off. That's a
lot of bones to plant. Each time the RX's went back to Hobbico for a
checkup, nothing wrong with them. Its your setup, its this, its that. He
now flies the 10X with Spektrum Module.

By the way I love the X9303. Switched over from the Futaba 9Cap and
haven't looked back. The 9303 blows the doors off the 9C and its got a
2.4 system that works. I think when the 12X hits the shelves I might
drop my dime on it. I just can't believe I flew Futaba all these years
and was missing the forest for all the trees. I have 3 different books
how to program the 9C and have yet to crack the plastic wrap on the 9303
CD manual. Its awesome.

All I can say it was a sad day when Futaba closed its doors in Irvine,
CA and sent the ball into Hobbico hands. Back then they had people that
knew what was up, knew what was needed in a system and drove the market.
Today they are along for the ride. I wish Steve Helms and crew were
still running the show. Giving us Hysteresis adjustment OMG, making it a
music player another OMG,  just make the darn thing work man! I can
listen to music on an 8 track player. I wanna fly my toy airplane.

Derek the question came as to what people want from Futaba. Well here is
your answer. Futaba Corp of America not Hobbico.

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

	From: Stuart Chale <mailto:schale at optonline.net>  

	To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

	Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:21 PM

	Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba FAAST trouble

	I guess I should have said radio not modules (thanks RVP.  6 ch
and 7 ch.  Here is the RCU thread.

	http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6857282/tm.htm

	Stuart

________________________________

	From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Stuart
Chale
	Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:37 PM
	To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
	Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba FAAST trouble

	I am sure a bunch of you are watching the various threads on
this, but if not and you have one of the Futaba 2.4 systems, be careful.
Apparently on a couple of occasions one radio has shot down another.  So
far it has only been reported a couple of times with the 6 and 7 channel
modules only.  The word on the forums and I am not sure how accurate
this is, is that some transmitters have been shipped without programming
a unique identifier into them.  They have the basic 0000... code.  The
receiver is bound to the transmitter's supposedly unique code.  So if
two transmitters have not been programmed with a unique ID then any
receiver bound to one of them will respond or be shot down by the other,
because they essentially have the same ID code.  Again I am not sure
that this is suspicion or fact but be careful if you are flying one
until more is known.

	Stuart C.

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