RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
NiMh generally lose their charge just sitting on a shelf or installed in a model. Enyloops are closer to LiPos in terms of holding a charge for a much longer period. LiPos hold their charge for months.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:32 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267946

RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
I pulled these parameters off of RCGroups Trickle charging works the same way for Nicads & NiMH. The basic idea is (if I remember correctly) is: Slow Charge: 1/10 c Trickle Charge: 1/100 c Assuming you mean a set it and forget it charge current for trickle charging. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47994 The Capacity of a battery determines what the Trickle Charge Rate should be. For a 2500mah battery, a Trickle Charge Rate would be 25ma Constant. Most Wall Chargers have been 50mah, and that was based upon the fact that the Tx and Rx batteries that came with the radio were usually 500-600mah. I know pilots who keep their Tx and Rx batteries on charge all year round using a device called Little Trickle, from Ace, I believe. This is, of course, for NiCad and NiMh batteries. Even at 50ma, with a Wall Charger, it would not hurt a 2500mah NiMh to leave it on for a few days. Check the output of your Wall Charger to determine what it's output rate is.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:21 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267916

RE: Max Amp Draw Through JR 9100 Receiver
Spektrum makes that AR9100 Rx
Posted on: 11/20/2009 9:38 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267275

RE: JR 9303 2.4 Problem
I have heard of this condition occurring before and it was charger related. Sometimes you just get a blown fuse. There may be other conditions that can cause this. The programs that you access when you turn on the Tx are part of Firmware in a chip. There are conditions that can corrupt this Firmware and require that it be Reloaded or the chip replaced. In a PC, you can Flash the BIOS chip, which is Firmware, but at present, we cannot do that with our Tx's. Perhaps, in the future, we will be able to by using a USB cable connected to a PC. It is possible to get a short while connecting the Charger Plug to the Charge Port on the Tx. It is best to plug the charger into the Tx and then turn on the charger. Another method is to Turn on the Tx, first, which disconnects the Charge Port. Turn on the charger and plug it in to the Charge Port on the Tx. Now, turn on the Tx to start the charge. There are probably other conditions that could corrupt the Firmware, but I know some have experienced this problem due to charger related issues.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 9:27 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267249

RE: Retract Battery
Did you need a separate battery because the Retract servo cannot handle the Rx battery voltage or is it because of the High Current draw of the Retract servo? I have used a JR Matchbox which was powered by a separate battery. I have also used am MPI Voltage Regulator to step down the voltage to a JR791 Retract servo from the 6V the Rx was using to the 5v that the Retract servo required. I think I read the thread you were talking about and I believe it was recommended to cut one of the wires from the Rx to the servo and splice in the Battery lead for the servo. I may be wrong.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 6:51 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266000

RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
I don't think using a LiPo Tx battery makes a system Half Baked, but you can always stick with NiMh or you can use Enyloop or A123 batteries. I do not own an A9 and I do not represent any manufacturer of any RC product. I have been flying RC for 31 years and I have used many different radios over the years. I have seen and experienced first hand the advancements in RC technology and the benefits realised by the End User. I have purchased many Futaba and JR compatible Hitec Rx's and many Hitec servos over the years. The company is solid and their Service and Warranty is great. The A9 sounds like a great alternative to the other major brands. It is nice to have this kind of competition in the marketplace as it helps keep the cost down and the features up. I do most of my charging at the field. A Wall Charger is fine for NiCad and NiMh, but I prefer to use better quality chargers that anticipate the Peak and allow me to Cycle. These chargers also detect incorrect Polarity so I have never even blown a fuse in any of my Tx's. I struggled for years with NiMh batteries that I could not Fast Charge and would False Peak constantly. Slow charging was Long and Tedious. Leaving the Tx on the shelf for a week usually required Recharging again. With LiPos, I don't have to charge my Tx batteries for weeks and then, it only takes an Hour to recharge. Next spring, the new generation of LiPos will only take 15-30 minutes to recharge fully. I will be exploring A123 cells and any other new battery technologies that are coming out. I use LiPo Rx batteries in all my aircraft and the charge last a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 11:24 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261821

RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
Are you talking about how many times you can Plug In and Unplug the battery cable? I can see where that might be an issue. Most LiPos come with Balancing Taps requiring you to at least open the Battery Compartment Door and plug the charger into the Balancing Tap, not the Charge Port on the outside of the Tx. I am not sure if the A9 LiPo comes with a Balancing Tap. Ever since Digital ESV's and Cycling Chargers came out, I have either Jumped the Diode or pulled the battery from the Tx to avoid the limitations of the Diode. Newer Tx's like the 9303 use a different component to Protect the battery from improper Charge Polarity and still allow the use of a Digital ESV and Cycling Chargers. With LiPos, you don't really need to Cycle them, although, my AstroFlight 109 and FMA 4S and 10S do have Cycling capabilities. I have never had a failure of the Tx Battery Connector. I have had my XP9303's for two years.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:27 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261680

RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
I have been using LliPos in all my Tx's - JR 8103, JR 9303, Futaba 8AUPS, Futaba 9CAP - and in each case I remove the LiPo from the Tx - It is not a big deal and it keeps the Tx from being Toasted if the charger ever goes bad. I would have no problems removing the LiPo from an A9, to charge. That would not deter me from buying an A9. It sounds like a nice Radio System.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 8:58 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261434

RE: Training
We have a number of club members, as well as students, who have DX7's. One guy uses an H9 Futab to JR Trainer Cord to connect his Hitec Tx to his DX7, but he only needed the 4 basic channels so his wife could learn to fly on an LT40. There was a student who came out with a DX7, a couple of weeks ago. We only had one JR 400 series Tx that would work with the DX7 and we had to spend about 20 minutes getting everything right. For some reason, getting the Throttle to move properly on the Buddy Box was difficult. You never know.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:22 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259972

RE: Training
I spend every Tuesday evening, throughout the summer, training new pilots at our club field. We have been doing this for the past 30 years or more. Getting a Buddy Box to work properly can be tricky, especially if we are talking Computer Radios and they are not the same model radio. Now that we are seeing more and more students with 2.4 radios, we are purchasing some Buddy Boxes that are known to be compatible. Your best bet is to connect the 9303 as the Slave, hold the Trainer Switch on the Master, and then adjust the 9303 until everything works properly. I do not think you can use the Copy function to Copy the DX7 Model Memory into a 9303 Model Memory, but you can Manually enter the values from the DX7 Model Memory into the equivalent Parameter Fields on the 9303. Unless someone has done this before, with the same two radios, and has a better procedure, it is a Trial and Error process. The more complicated the Programming and the more Channels involved, the more work you have to do. Pick an empty Model Memory on the 9303 and name it so you can use it again.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 9:54 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259915

RE: Training
The way I read the post is that the 9303 is the Slave. The owner of the Trex 450 wants ScaleKing to help him fly his Trex450. Perhaps ScaleKing can jump in here and clarify whose Heli they plan to fly and which Tx is the Master and which is the Slave. Either way, it is important to determine how many channels he wants the Slave to control. With a Heli, I am guessing the same number of channels on both the Master and the Slave. The Slave needs to be set up so that flipping the Trainer Switch, on the Master, allows the Slave to control all the necessary channels and all the necessary mixes, with the same degree of Deflection, etc.. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine had a Turbine Jet and he wanted to get his Turbine wavier. The CD required that he have a Buddy Box. My friend had a 9303 so he bought a second Tx. After stumbling around trying to get the Slave to work with the Master, we had to Copy the Model Memory from the Master to the slave and then check every Channel to make sure it worked the same. We finally got everything working (Ailerons, Flaps, Rudders, Flying Stabs, Retracts, Brakes, etc). Just turning on the Trainer Function, as specified in the Manual, was only part of the equation.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 11:47 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259335

RE: Training
I have not used my 9303 as a Trainer Box, in a while. Make sure the 9303 is set to a Model Memory that is in the PPM Mode. When you press the Trainer Switch, on the DX7, you may have to make changes to the 9303 Model Memory Parameters, like Servo Direction and Trims, for example. You will need to check the Rates to be sure the 9303 is giving you the same rates as the DX7.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 10:04 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259107

RE: Training
To turn on the Training Mode in the DX7 you have to hold the two buttons down on the Left and turn on the Tx. Navigate to the Training parameter and choose Plink. You should be able to connect the 9303 to the DX7 through the Trainer port on both Tx's. You do not have to turn on the 9303 as the power will come on when the Trainer Cord is plugged in. Be sure the battery in the 9303 is at an acceptable level (fully charged is preferable but not absolutely necessary). Be sure that the DX7 Switch is turned on or you cannot transmit.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 8:09 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258819

RE: Futaba Users please reply!!!!!!
A DSC cord connects the Trainer port on the Tx with the Charging Jack on the Switch Harness (switch harness must be DSC compatible). It has nothing to do with the Charging Jack on the Tx.
Posted on: 11/15/2009 10:08 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255008

RE: JETI Duplex 2.4
The Jeti system looks nice, however, if you have JR equipment already and you are going to move to the JR 11X or 12x, wouldn't it make sense to get a Spektrum Module and use JR or Spektrum 2.4 Rx's that will be compatible with you new JR Tx?
Posted on: 11/14/2009 7:58 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253997

RE: what is a bettery regulator and where to buy?
There are a number of my fellow club members using MPI and Fromeco voltage regulators with 2 cell LiPo Rx packs. Some voltage regulators you can adjust and others come with a fixed voltage. Unless your servos cannot handle 6v, I see not reason why you can't use a 6v regulator. I have never had a problem with the Matchbox device, but more than one occasion where the Reversing Y or even a Standard Y has given me problems. I have replaced Standard Y that has 24ga wire with Y's that have 20ga or 22ga wire if you have to use a Y harness. A123 also sounds like a good bet.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 5:43 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253674

RE: what is a bettery regulator and where to buy?
It is easy to use. It has a dial that goes from 0-9 and two buttons. I haven't set one up in a while, but the manual is on the Horizon site. You turn the dial to settings 1-4 for Servo Direction and turn the dial to settings 5-8 for Neutral/End Point. It may be the other way around, but you get the point. You use the buttons to change the values. Settings 9 and 0 either write the changes to the Matchbox or set everything back to the defaults. You can also use separate power to each Matchbox. I never did that but a friend of mine did. The only problem with that was he had a 2.4 Rx and he had to disconnect the Matchbox from the Rx when he was Binding and then reconnect afterwords. If you are not using separate battery power to each Matchbox, you can leave them connected while you Bind.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 10:41 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253024

RE: Hansen Hobbies Memory Card For Futaba 10CGA
When I had my 8AUPS and 9CAP, I bought a 256K card from Don EdBerg, at the Toledo Show. It had separate banks of 64K so I could put each Tx's Model Memories in a separate bank. I never had a problem with it.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 9:57 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252959

RE: what is a bettery regulator and where to buy?
When it comes to control surfaces that use one or more servos for each side (like Ailerons, Elevators, and Flaps), I like to have a Tx that has enough channels so I can connect each servo to a separate channel and mix them with the Tx programming. If I do not have enough channels, then I prefer to use a Matchbox (you can connect up to 4 servos to one channel and adjust each servo for Direction, Neutral, and End Points). This beats a Y harness any day. If you purchase a Hangar 9 Current Meter, you can measure the Current Draw for each of your servos or for the whole system, while stressing all the servos to determine what the highest Current Draw would be. This will help you determine what size Battery Pack to buy. I have not tried A123 cells but I hear many good things about them. They are heavier than LiPos but they can take a beating, like NiCads and NiMh and deliver the Current. With larger aircraft, the extra weight of the A123 cells will not be as much of a factor, however, for smaller stuff, LiPos keep your aircraft as light as possible. You need to have a Balancing Charger, like the FMA 4S, 4Cell Multi, or 10S, although there are Balancing Circuits for other Lithium compatible chargers. I have only used Voltage Regulators when I needed to. With larger electrics, the BEC in the ESC sometimes cannot handle the Current Draw and you need a separate BEC.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 9:48 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252943

RE: what is a bettery regulator and where to buy?
I have two JR XP9303 Tx's. One is set up for 72Mhz and the other for Spektrum 2.4. I have been using 5 cell batteries for years without any voltage regulators. I stay away from Y harnesses and especially the Reversing Y harness. I have had problems in the past with the Neutral changing on the Reversed side of the Y. The only time I used a voltage regulator with a 5cell battery was when I purchased JR 791 Retract servos and found that they are not compatible with 6v. I mainly use Hitec servos which for the most part are rated for both 4.8v and 7v. In particular, I have used the Hitec 645MG, 615, 5625, and 5645 servos. For the past two years I have been using 2cell LiPo Rx batteries with MPI 5v and 6v regulators. I use JR 649 and RS2000 Rx's and Spektrum AR9000 Rx's. There are some servos out now that will operate with unregulated 2cell LiPo's. The JR 8711's happen to be such a servo. 2cell LiPo's have a nominal voltage of 7.4v but fully charged they are 8.4v. The 3cell LiPo's I use in my Tx's have a nominal voltage of 11.1v but charge up to 12.6v.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 12:53 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252531

RE: Futaba 8U question
I have two JR XP9303 Tx's, one with a Spektrum Module and one with a 72Mhz Synthesizer Module. I do not see the voltage jumping around on either of these. It seems to hold and slowly decrease with use. I realize this is a Futaba question, but since we both have a Spektrum Module I thought it might be relavent.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 9:37 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9250676

RE: 2.4 GHz reciever placement
You should have no problems placing the Rx anywhere inside the fuse. There is no need to have the antennas poke through the covering. I fly JR/Spektrum, but I follow many of the threads dealing with all radio systems and I have not seen any indication that Airtronics 2.4 Rx's need to be placed in some special way with the antenna through the side. If you had a carbon fiber fuse than you might need to take special measures.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 9:17 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9227324

RE: servo compatibility with DX 7
The Channel Ports in the Spektrum Rx's are very tight. Spektrum and JR connectors just barely fit and very snuggly at that. If you use a JR compatible connector, it is very difficult to fit it in and it requires a bit of pushing. If you just trime the Polarity Fin off the Futaba connector, you will find that you still have to Bevel two of the corners to be able to push it in and pull it out without stressing the wires. I usually buy MPI Universal connectors. You plug the Futaba connector into one end and the other end into the Spektrum Rx. If you decide to just Trim off he Fin, make sure to Bevel the edges of the proper corners and trial fit the connector.
Posted on: 11/3/2009 3:19 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9225498

RE: New SPektrum recall fire hazard
Is there a particular model Spektrum Tx that is having this problem?
Posted on: 11/1/2009 10:33 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9219852

RE: please recommend a transmitter
Given your proximity to an AF Base and the state of the RC technology, I would recommend a radio on 2.4Ghz. Since I fly aircraft and I have not played with boats, I will assume that a standard two stick Tx will be OK to steer the boat. If you do not plan on moving to a more complex model where you will need more than 5 channels, a Spektrum DX5 or a DX6i would be more than adequate. The AR6100, AR6200 and AR6300 are Small, Light Rx's with more than enough range. There are other good manufacturers such as Futaba, JR, Airtronics, Hitec, etc that have excellent comparative products, as well.
Posted on: 10/31/2009 9:48 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9218732

RE: 7C / DX7
I have used several AR6100 in electric aircraft and never a problem. On aircraft is the Eflite Beaver which requires a Full Range Rx. I have used the AR7000 and AR9000 in Glow, Gas, and Turbine Jets. They are fine. I have friends who have used the Futaba equivalents, as well.
Posted on: 10/30/2009 7:57 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9216202

RE: 7C / DX7
If you do not have much of an investment in older 72Mhz Rx's, and you don't have any 2.4Ghz stuff, now, then you can go with any 2.4 system you like. Try and get your hands on someon else's radio or one at a Hobby Shop or Trade Show and see how it feels. Look at the programming and figure out how many channels you might possibly need. Look at the availability of Rx's in the size you noumally use. If you fly many small Park Flyers, some manufacturers have more of a variety than others in Micro and Mini. If you already have a Tx that takes removable RF Modules, you could always buy a 2.4 Module for it and be able to fly 72Mhz and 2.4. If you just want a new 7ch 2.4 Tx and do not need compatibility with the older 72Mnz stuff, then a DX7, 7C, etc., will do fine. There are other manufacturers that have 2.4 products, such as Hitec, Airtronics, and others.
Posted on: 10/30/2009 7:31 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9216123

RE: AR7000 LED flasing slowly
Always turn on the Tx before the Rx unless you are Binding. Always turn off the Rx before the Tx. Do not press the Bind Button and Turn on the Tx unless you are trying to Bind. A new GUID will be generated and the Tx will no longer communicate with the Rx. I found this out the hard way. Several of our Starting Benches, at our flying field, are narrow at the back. Once I laid my DX7 down and leaned it back against the side of the bench. It just hit the Bind Button and I did not realize it. The Tx and Rx were no longer Bound. I went through the Bind procedure, again, and I laid the Tx on the bench in the same spot. I turned on the Tx and the Bind was lost. Not a good design putting a Big Bind Button on the back of the DX7. I have some Rx's that have the older Firmware and do not Blink Slowly when the Rx thinks there has been a Brownout. I am sending them in to get the Firmware updated..
Posted on: 10/30/2009 7:19 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9216095

RE: servo twitch
I have a Fuji32ei mounted in a H9 P47-150. I am using a JR Synthesized 72Mhz RS2000 Receiver. I have been flying all summer without a twitch. This engine is about 3 years old and only been in this plane. I made sure to mount the Ingition Switch Harness on the oppositet side of the plane from the Rx Switch Harness. The 2cell LiPo Ignition Battery is mounted forward, over the Fuel Tank. The Receiver Battery is mounted back in the belly of the fuse. I did have a problem, when I first bought the plane. I was using a JR PCM Rx and every time I ran the engine, a Flap servo would bounce up and down. I switched to new 821 Flap servos and still had the same problem. I replaced the Y harness with a Matchbox, for the Flaps, and it cured the Flap problem, but I still had some subtle twitching, elsewhere. The Rx Antenna was routed down the belly of the fuse and past the Elevator and Rudder servos. I repositioned the Rx and ran the Antenna directly up and out behind the Canopy, to the tip of the Rudder. Not a problem after that. I switched to the RS2000 Rx because I wanted to be able to change Channels to avoid having to wait for the Frequency Pin at our Model Field. I am using an XP9303 with a Synthesized RF Module. I will be switching to 2.4 in the near future. I have been flying RC since 1978 and I have experienced my share of RF Noise from Gasoline engines. Most of the time, it was just a matter of repositioning the Rx antenna or shielding the ingition wires. Sometimes, the engine vibration would be the problem and I had to make sure there were no loose metal parts or servo wires and connections. All I know is that it was very frustrating and I feel your pain, I don't know if I would refrain from buying a Fuji engine just because of one incident. If you have researched and found that this is a common problem with your engine, I can see where it would influence your choice of engines in the future.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 9:47 AM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9211940

RE: 10x to 9303 JR Data Transfer program ?
Any word on whether or not a version will be available for Windows 7?
Posted on: 10/28/2009 11:07 PM by Author "BuschBarber" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9211147