RE: Futaba R617FS
flyerdave..The 617 is the bread and butter of the range.I have about 10 of them in foamies to fully moulded gliders costing $1200.Fritz is right,you need to switch it to 7ch mode on the module and failsafe is on ch3 but I use digi servos on my mouldies and they work perfectly every time.Response is still quicker than 35mhz/72mhz for you!. I flew with a futaba 9c and a tm8 module for over a year,then moved to an 8fg once my fleet was fully 2.4ghz...8fg is a very powerfull radio for the price and future proof too..fg PS.I now have frsky tfr6(7ch) and tfr4(4ch) futaba compatable rx in my foamies and for $25 from HK they work perfectly too.I have migrated my 617 out of the foamies ,ready for better models backfilling with frsky rx as i go...they are brill little rx too...fg
Posted on: 9/29/2011 1:02 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10739843

RE: Futaba FASST compatible Rx
[quote]ORIGINAL: Silent-AV8R [quote]ORIGINAL: forrest gump I agree with the use of a genuine futaba rx in an expensive model.I would not use a $20 compatable in my £700 mouldie.However I have ranted on about this very issue before and why futaba havent released cheap rx for foamies etc....[/quote] The R6004FF is $50 USD. I use it in my foamies, including my ParkZone Extra 300 and PZ Corsair
Posted on: 9/19/2011 11:12 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10724206

RE: Futaba FASST compatible Rx
[quote]ORIGINAL: davidej The genuine Futaba Rxs are eye-wateringly expensive. For less tha half price, compatibles are availabe from Hong Kong. Has anyone tried them and would like to recommend a brand. I want to use it on a gas powered plane [/quote] I agree with the use of a genuine futaba rx in an expensive model.I would not use a $20 compatable in my £700 mouldie.However I have ranted on about this very issue before and why futaba havent released cheap rx for foamies etc.... Any way I have used the tfr8,the tfr6 and the tfr4 from frsky and can confirm they are very well made,reliable and have some functions the futaba ones dont have.I own a 12fg and an 8fg and will always use the fasst system and futaba transmitters and have done for 31yrs or more. I have flown a tfr8 since they came out probably over a year now with no issues.The tfr4 can bind in 7ch,multi mode ,mlt2 and c1 mode for surface tx like my 3pm 2.4ghz.I have range checked them and tested their diversity(aerial wise) and can say with out a doubt They are impressive. What i am doing now is only buying frsky rx in future and taking out the 617;s in my foamies.This will leave me with a brace of lovley 617 for many more expensive models.I have spoken about futaba missing the opportunity to allow the 8fg to transmitt in fhss mode too ,then i would have bought their Cheeper genuine FHSS rx instead if the frsky ones but once again futaba have been too slow and missed the open market.......hope this helps...FG
Posted on: 9/18/2011 10:55 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10722623

RE: New 8FG Software V4.0!
thanks steve..FG
Posted on: 9/16/2011 10:57 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10719601

RE: New 8FG Software V4.0!
steve..why has the v4.0 suddenly changed to v4.1..has there been a change to the actual software or a correction to version 4?? do i need to update to 4.1 if its a correction of v4 or what...thanks in advance ....fg
Posted on: 9/14/2011 11:41 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10716462

RE: Upgrading Transmitter...looking for feedback
[quote]ORIGINAL: fizzwater2 If I understand it correctly, the extra channels are outputs of things like mixers, coupling between channels, etc, so you can run multiple servos on surfaces, etc. You don't have 14 separate input devices on the transmitter (sticks, knobs, pots, switches,etc) to control the 14 independent channels, but you can run combinations of servos off of the control inputs you do have. Not being an 8FG user at this point, I can't say the above with 100 percent certainty, but it seems to me that it would be something like this. I almost bought an 8FG, but since I fly with thumb and finger on the sticks, when I would hold it in my hands in the hobby shop, put full down elevator / left aileron, my fingers would run into the bezel around the stick, it seemed to me that they were set fairly deeply into the face of the TX. I suppose I could have made the sticks a little longer with the adjustments, but it just didn't seem to fit my hands all that well. It does seem to be a really capable radio, and a nice clean look that wouldn't be too hard to keep clean. Some newer radios are full of nooks and crannies that are just begging to trap dust and dirt.. [/quote] I have an 8fg and a 12fg and yes...you do have separate imput devises...There are 12proportional and 2 switched channels....and you can assign any knob,switch or slider or stick to any number of output channels..hope this helps...FG
Posted on: 9/13/2011 1:16 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10714866

RE: Upgrading Transmitter...looking for feedback
[quote]ORIGINAL: fizzwater2 But do you have 14 separate input devices - so you could assign one to each channel so each servo has it's own individual input device? That's what I don't get, I guess. [/quote] Yes.... see 2 posts previous...Fg
Posted on: 9/13/2011 1:09 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10714920

RE: Upgrading Transmitter...looking for feedback
I would recommend a futaba 8fg.very good value for money and superb spec for the future.Receivers from frsky will keep the costs down and you have a radio for the next 10yrs or more.I love mine and it seems to get better everytime they release an update...FG
Posted on: 9/3/2011 11:26 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10699724

RE: New 8FG Software V4.0!
[quote]ORIGINAL: TimBle awesome, but when will the FASSTest upgrade be available? [/quote] Agreed,I think Futaba have once againg missed the boat and shown disregard for the market place.they seem to follow their own plan with no regard to reality. Dont get me wrong ,I have and still am a massive futaba user(8fg and 12fg) but think they could have won the rx market as well with a little less arrogance and more research. I have bought many genuine futaba rx in the early days showing loyalty..probably 3x 8ch and about 7x617 and 2x 4ch receivers and applaud their reliability and quality. Now you see i have a few 617 receivers (£50-£60)in foamies and 2x 4ch in some smaller (mpx fox..etc)types which really hurt(moneywise) in the early days of a couple of years ago. Now to the point.......If they had realised the lack of cheap rx for foamies earlier or at least acted on it then they could have released a FHSS upgrade and allowed me to buy the fhss 4ch/6ch rx to put in my foamies and then I can put my already purchased 617/608..etc...in more expensive models. I have been chomping at the bit over the last year with money waiting for these FHSS rx to save the day.However,frsky have just released the FASST Compatable tfr6 for $22 and the tfr4.now the only way this year i can see a solution is for me to buy these rx and allow the receiver shift as said earlier.This is really sad and a massive oversight on futabas behalf and i can not believe their logic on missing this opportunity. They should recongnise their market share has gone now on genuine rx and release the upgrade for the 8fg to allow the use of FHSS ASAP to save their own skin. I apologise for the tone of this post but i am feeling really let down for my 31year loyalty and can not wait any longer.Futaba seem to enjoy teasing us and it seams as they are testing everybodys loyalty to the limit....Please ,please release the upgrade and i will buy plenty of FHSS rx for my foamies and more.......FG
Posted on: 9/3/2011 6:04 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10699411

RE: SHARE YOUR FrSky 2.4GHz EXPERIENCE !!!
I did a bit of research on the tfr4..I think you will find it dearer than the tfr6 as its aimed at boat and car users using c1 mode FASST as well as 7ch mode...this will make it dearer,shame really but we can hope for a small,end pin 4ch in the future(like the assan 4ch)..keep up the good work frsky....you have saved my life!
Posted on: 8/31/2011 10:39 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10695208

RE: 500 Dollars how to pick a radio
[quote]ORIGINAL: rayzer 13 Well I've managed to sneek a bit over 500 bucks to spend on my little addiction, just 2 years ago I went and got a new Futaba 7Cap then I learned that it dont have enought programing fetures to allow 4 servos in the wing to do 3 things 1 all 4 acting as a strip aleron, 2. crow and 3 flaps,,, so its back to buying another radio -Hitec Futaba JR ?????? or say the heck with it and buy a bunch of engines covering glue and start back building agian ?? [/quote] For what its worth..heres my view.I have both a 12fg and an 8fg and highly recommend the 8fg as a very powerfull,good quality radio for a bargain price.Here in the uk its £100 cheaper than a 10c and for the uninitiated...its more powerfull too....I would buy one of these as its software upgradeable unlike the 10c and future proof.It will soon be able to talk to fhss rx ,a futaba budget range and at present you can get the frsky tfr6 Fasst compatable(a 7 channel rx with full failsafe and well made) for $22.14 from Hobby king. Hope this helps your decision...FG
Posted on: 8/28/2011 12:58 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10690728

RE: Help pick a radio
[quote]ORIGINAL: pilotpete2 The new Futaba T6J is a lot of radio for the money. It does not use FASST, but rather a simple FHSS protocol. The receivers are very attractively priced, $44.95 for the 6 channel full range model, and soon to be released 6 channel parkflyer for $34.95. While these receivers are not currently compatible with current FASST transmitters, that will be changing soon. From what I've read on the Robbe (Germany) website, that updates will be coming for the Futaba radios with user upgradable software, such as my 8FG[8D] Pete [/quote] Sorry for butting in on a thread...but pete...can you send us/me a link to the disscussion or a copy of it from the site as i have looked everywhere for the info.I too have an 8fg and a 12fg and cant wait to see if I can upgrade either to a cheaper fhss for my foamies etc..thanks in advance...FG
Posted on: 8/28/2011 12:50 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10690719

RE: When is it time to change a Tx battery ?
Its time to change the battery when it no longer lasts long enough for a full flying session plus a little programming time.I always run two batterys any way for my tx.This allows me to flatted the one in the tx using foamies after a couple of weeks flying.This way the batt in the tx always gets good cycle use and having the spare in my tx case allows flexibility.I.e....I dont need to top up a tx batt if a lot of programming is required which will shorten its cycle life...fg
Posted on: 8/14/2011 9:27 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10670054

RE: Radios in the UK
just buy your radio in the uk when you arrive.Its only the transmitter that changes region etc so pick your brand ,buy all your rx cheap in the USA and buy your tx here to help the economy you are moving too!...FG PS..where roughly in the UK are you moving too...you could be close to me!
Posted on: 7/17/2011 1:36 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10625414

RE: New Futaba Transmitters
Bax,I have a 12fg and 8fg.....the $1000000 dollar question which will change my life for ever is ..Will the 8fg and 12fg with software upgrades be able to control the FHSS receivers.This is the question I think we are all asking too. I have a friend who is on the verge of an 12fg purchase but only if it will do FHSS like the 18mz will,software wise. Even a "eventually we will release software to do this for the 8 and 12 fg" will suffice to allow purchase.......If you dont know could you ,from your knowledge of the 18mz software and hardware,advise with an inteligent guess as wether there is Hardware needed to talk to FHSS on an existing FASST tx....thanks...FG
Posted on: 6/11/2011 4:57 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10567847

8fg..will it support FHSS with a software upgrade?
Hi Bax/krysta...This is an enquiry about the technical side not wether futaba will do it or not.Is it possible from your knowledge of the FASST transmission protocol that the 8fg would talk to a new FHSS rx with only a software upgrade.This would solve a lot of rx pricing issues and still allow us to fly FASSt in our expensive models(I have over 15 FASST rx anyway). This would make putting a rx in a foamie a less painfull process if it was a FHSS 5ch version or less(maybe 3ch).I know Futaba would have not told you anything,but this is ,as said before,a technical issue on wether its possible...ie the chipset could be reprogrammed etc.... Thanks in advance..FG.
Posted on: 5/15/2011 3:10 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10520727

RE: futaba stick calibration with new software
Thanks krysta,Yes I know futaba keeps things close to their chest thats why I said your or bax's "oppinion" ie the feeling you get about this issue..Thanks for passing the request on...FG
Posted on: 4/7/2011 12:55 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10448304

futaba stick calibration with new software
Well done futaba,I can finally calibrate my 8fg after changing the stick mode.What a use full feacture.Now Bax,any chance,in your oppinion that a 12fg calibration menue will be available in the future as my sticks are a couple of points out on the elevator and its annoying.So I have a £700 radio that i can not calibrate and a £250 radio I can....
Posted on: 4/5/2011 1:22 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10444954

RE: Graupner LS8 and HF Model Jantar
Asw28, conversion going well.all the wing servos are in,wiring loom going in tomorrow.I decided to put the rudder sx in the nose ,not the tail as i said beffore.This was to reduce the weight at the rear as i have read they need tons of nose ballast.I am doing it close loop with flexible wire not the piano wire supplied.rudder hinged and elevator servo is totally enclosed in the fin and the pushrod exits above the top of the rudder and drives a brass tube laid flat on the bottom of the elevator.This was done so i can remove the tailplane easily if i fly at the slope(to aid carrying) motor and lipo options are still being considered.This is because I want to see where it all ballances before selecting the best option to achieve 60mm cg with no extra lead.Still have the fun 500 at 265g,hacker a30-8xl at 177g and a massive hacker 40-10l at 350g.this should cover most weight requirements!I havent bought any lipos yet.These should be between 4s 2200 and 4s 4000mha..again this should cover most weight issues. If you have noticed a delay in this build ,its because I have built/assembled a fully moulded Luna 2 in the mean time to keep me motivated and also have a micro floh under the knife too undergoing a flap conversion as well.I have seen this before that once you have had flaps ,everything then gets retro fitted with them and you wonder how you ever managed with out them in the past. FG. PS..the internal and top driven bottom hinged flap idea worked a treat and allows flat covers underneath for the flap sx.
Posted on: 1/25/2011 2:05 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10287858

RE: why does changing the tail type on a 12fg erase all model setup data.?
Thanks bax,but thats exactly my point.assuming its a new model is its problem.If i had wanted a new model, I would not need to copy and modify an existing model....now wheres a spare couple of days.....FG
Posted on: 12/30/2010 11:18 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10227662

RE: How do you like your 8FG?
Love it loads,superb powerfull radio,I have the 12fg too,will never sell either.I still cant see why the 10cg is £100 or more in the uk.the 8fg knocks spots off the 10c and is closer to the 12fg than the 10c.Also it really should be called a 10ch too as the 10c is an 8+2 anyway...FG
Posted on: 12/29/2010 1:56 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10225667

why does changing the tail type on a 12fg erase all model setup data.?
As the title sugests,I recently accuired a vtail model.I havent had one since i got the 12fg 3yrs ago.I confidently copied an existing model memory as a starting point to save hours of programming as its a 4servo wing f3f racer.However,I noticed the existing model mem had a conventional tail so i changed the setup to vtail.This totally wiped all my settings I had copied to save time.This is very annoying as now I have to spend 2days working out how i set the models up with all my fine tweeks etc.. Is there a work arround bax/krysta or can we have this changed in the next download as its pointless being able to copy models if when you slightly modify them they totally erase.. Thanks in advance...FG.
Posted on: 12/29/2010 1:19 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10225571

RE: 12FGA or the 12Z?
I like the extra trims on the 12fg.this allows me to assign any extra surfaces to a trim for fine tuning..I dont think the 12z has these unless i am mistaken...fg.
Posted on: 12/13/2010 12:21 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10194563

RE: 8fg and telemetry
Thanks Bax,I will keep my eyes and ears open for the next 6months...this is all very exciting,especially if the 8fg is just a software upgrade away from telemetry as rumour seems to suggest,and a telemetry rx could be bought off futaba maybee sometime in the future.....fg
Posted on: 11/24/2010 1:18 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10156836

RE: Receivers for Futaba 2.4Ghz
I ve been using one of these for $29 from hobby king for a couple of weeks.They have very good reviews .They bind in s lightly different way but in 1 secondo on 7ch mode or multi channel mode and have failsafe on all channels and high speed mode with 7ms latency if required.I have used them with an 8fg and a 12fg with no problems. http://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14300&Product_Name=OrangeRx_Futaba_FASST_Compatible_8Ch_2.4Ghz_Receiver_(PREORDER) I think futaba are letting these on the market with out a fight as they know they will be releasing some telemetry ones soon so have no need to worry..fg
Posted on: 11/24/2010 7:18 AM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10156142

RE: 8fg and telemetry
[quote]ORIGINAL: Bax We don't know where such information is coming from. Futaba's released no such information. [/quote] How about this Bax!..file attached..they have released something.
Posted on: 11/23/2010 5:07 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10154815

RE: Futaba 12FG - is it worth it to upgrade to Li-po
Futaba 12FG - is it worth it to upgrade to Li-po NO..i can get 6hrs use on 2.4ghz..also i had a spare nimh pack made up from a company called "component shop" here in the UK.Cost me £12 and leave it charged up in the tx box for long flying days at the slope.Funny thing is ,I havent used it yet..6hrs ish gives me a teriffic day at the hill.....fg
Posted on: 10/5/2010 1:45 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10049172

8fg and telemetry
Bax, could you comment on the possibility that i have heard that the 8fg is telemetry hardware ready and would only require a user SD card update..and that the data port on the 8ch rx would accept a telemetry sender unit. or at least a sender unit could be put in a spare channel to compliment a telmetry ready transmitter?..thanks...FG
Posted on: 9/22/2010 5:21 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10020331

RE: 12fg models to 8fg models.
Thanks bax,I suspected this but was still hopefull if in any way a data converter could just copy across the primary mixes in some way to save a lot of time..thanks again PS could you comment on the possibility that i have heard that the 8fg is telemetry hardware ready and would only require a user SD card update..and that the data port on the 8ch rx would accept a telemetry sender unit...thanks...FG
Posted on: 9/22/2010 4:32 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10020229

12fg models to 8fg models.
Hi,This might sound a very stupid question but i will try it anyway! I have a 12fg and have recently bought an 8fg for back up and for my power models(12fg used for f3f gliders) Is it possible to get a model memory(model setup)from the 12fg and using an SD card install it on a 8fg using a data converter? This would save about 6hrs programming my 8fg for a back up tx on a f3f glider...thanks..fg
Posted on: 9/21/2010 3:09 PM by Author "forrest gump" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10017726