RE: *Hangar 9 New Pulse 125*
Man Oh Man I love this plane! [:D] The DLE 20 combo looks like the way to go. Should any of you contemplate parting with yours, please give me a shout. I'm in zip 92624.
Posted on: 2/5/2012 9:23 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10945032

RE: GP Lancair ES Pictures
Loanstar, why weren't you happy with it?
Posted on: 1/24/2012 8:02 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10926175

RE: GP Lancair ES Pictures
Just thought I'd send out a shout to see if any Lancair fans are still eyeballing this thread. I got a NIB as a gift last year and am in the building process now. GREAT information here! Thanks to all who've posted.
Posted on: 1/15/2012 7:35 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10910788

RE: *Hangar 9 New Pulse 125*
Hello everyone and thanks for all the great information. I love the Pulse series.. flew a Mini Pulse xt for many years and am current flying the 25e. I'm about to move up to this size with a gas engine; probably the DLE 20. Is that still the ideal gas engine for this plane?
Posted on: 1/8/2012 7:52 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897722

RE: NEW DLE 20cc Gasser! (Data & Links 1st Post)
Thanks for all the great info including the link to T.O.M's very informative posts regarding Coleman fuel. Got it. No more Coleman fuel for me. I'm off to the gas pump to fill 'er up. [:)] TOM made reference to a sticky for people like me new to gas engines. Couldn't find it. Could someone post a link please? Thanks again for patiently clearing up the fuel question for me.
Posted on: 1/6/2012 6:09 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10895475

RE: NEW DLE 20cc Gasser! (Data & Links 1st Post)
Hello everyone, and thanks for all the great info. I'm definately a newbi with gas. Please pardon the question below if it's been covered already. A club member suggested using white gas Coleman fuel instead of gasoline from the pump. I tried it just for the heck of it and my elderly Zenoah 26 seems to like it just fine. Yes, it's expensive (but less than glow fuel), but my friend says it burns cleaner with less carbon build-up, etc. and offers a higher octane level (more power). I know just enough to be dangerous. Any thoughts, pro and/or con on running this fuel with my shiny new (and as yet unpackaged) DLE 20?
Posted on: 1/6/2012 9:58 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10894768

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Yes, Silent, that's my understanding also, that the Japanese 'handlers' are responsible for the manuals, such as they are. Of course, Futaba Japan could and should write a new manual, but they're unlikely to do so. With my post above, I was hoping to build a fire under Hobbico to do something.. something that could help their sales. I remain hopeful that Hobbico, perhaps even in partnership with their European counterparts would undertake the project since: 1) They have the staff, the expertise and infrastructure to do it properly. 2) Unlike Futaba Japan, they listen, and hopefully 'hear' the concerns of users of this Tx. 3) They have a stake in sorting this out. To use your analogy, if the national distributor for Ford discovered inherent flaws in the owner’s manual for the F-150, they'd of course take their concerns to the Ford management. Absent action on the part of the Ford managers, the distributor might well take matters into their own hands; ESPECIALLY if the result of the deficient manual was disgruntled purchasers. It isn't like sending a satellite into orbit, for Goodness Sake. It's only a manual.
Posted on: 11/21/2011 8:02 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10823196

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
https://www.airtronics.net/index.php/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/223/ [quote]Read the manual for the Airtronics SD-10G for a glimpse of a very well written manual the only problem is that the radio does not come near to meeting the standards for the upper tier at Futaba. If Airtronics were to develop an upper tier 14 channel radio and a manual that you can actually read and understand then I am on my way. In the mean time I am sticking with the finest programming radio's on the planet. [/quote] Bill, Steve, and all the other Hobbico managers who monitor this thread but do not contribute: The Airtronics manual (see link above) isn't perfect, but it could well serve as a template for how a proper manual ought to look IMHO. Please take some time and read it over. Notice how it's organized. Please consider writing a new one yourselves. With all the talented people at Hobbico burning their time monitoring threads like this one and manning the hot line, perhaps your time could be better spent writing a world class manual; one to set the standard for the industry; in other words a manual to match the product you sell. You could initiate this project. If you can produce videos, you can produce manuals. It's a question of setting priorities.
Posted on: 11/21/2011 11:20 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10822470

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
[quote]Sailplanes could have a "Launch" condition, which presets the flaps to the best launch position and adjusts the elevator deflection to compensate. Along the same lines of thought are "Thermal" and "Fast Cruise" conditions. Thermal would have the best flap deflection for thermalling, and Fast Cruise would have the flaps slightly reflexed so that the glider can hit the optimum speed to go between thermals. Finally, a "land" condition would allow deployment of spoilers or Crow, and enable any retractable landing gear. Each condition would also have the throws of the other flight controls optimized with appropriate travel amounts, possibly with differing expo rates. [/quote] Mr. Baxter, With due respect, people like yourself and Mr. Holt have a wonderful grasp of not only the capabilities of this Tx (8fg) but an intimate knowledge of how to set it up. People like me simply don't know what we don't know. Moreover, people like me don't particularly relish the notion that answers to fundamental questions are spread all over the web. This information, IMHO, ought to be provided in a clearly written manual supplied with the product you sell. As an example of the extent to which the FAQ section to which you refer above frustrates more than informs, the above quote is taken from the FAQ section for the 8fg. Yes, wouldn't it be wonderful to have conditions labeled 'Fast Cruise' or 'Thermal'. Trouble is, not even Mr. Holt has figured out how to change the labels for conditions in the 8fg. We're stuck with 'Distance' and 'Speed.' Perhaps you're about to enlighten us all as to how to change these labels in the 8fg. Hope Springs Eternal.
Posted on: 11/18/2011 7:50 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10817977

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
I, too, lament that the group effort hasn't worked out. Mr. Holt, more or less single handedly took matters in his own hands and simply wrote what amounted to a new manual. He's since added what amounts to guides for setting up different airplane types. Without his help, frankly, I'd have thrown in the towel and gone to a different MFG; ALL of which supply comparatively easily understood manuals with their radios. I didn't see the project as 'top down' as much as it was an effort for frustrated R/C nuts to try to sort out how to work together; never an easy process. Some of the learning curve has to do with upgrading from a relatively simple Tx to a Tx with vast computer functionality. As an example, when I first got this Tx, (8fg) I was stuck for a LONG time on the notion of an airplane with one aileron. How the heck could you have only one aileron? Yes, chuckle if you like, but absent the basic notion that the 'manual' refers to the number of aileron SERVOS, they lost me at the first screen. The problem, as I see it, is that the manual is written over the heads of a lot of us. Thank Goodness Mr. Holt lives where the climate provides limited flying time.
Posted on: 11/18/2011 6:11 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10817832

RE: Will new (longer) lever arms on 8FG Super fit older 8FG radios?
Thanks, Krysta. For inventory purposes, a lot of us will want to change out these parts if they'll fit. Could you please post a reply here when you find out?
Posted on: 4/6/2011 5:50 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10447676

Will new (longer) lever arms on 8FG Super fit older 8FG radios?
Bill, I would like to know if the longer slider lever arms will fit into older 8FG radios. If so, are the parts available? Part number? Ordering info? Thank you
Posted on: 4/3/2011 2:23 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10439548

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Malcolm Holt was nice enough to update his notes for the 8FG. Here's a link to the PDF file. If you download the file and it's of some use to you, please thank Malcolm directly. His email appears on the last page. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17524160&postcount=1750 Once again, Malcolm, and especially on behalf of the many Futaba fans you'll never hear from but who have managed to get their radios programmed thanks to your hard work writing this manual, thank you. I'll add that the REAL thank you ought to come from Futaba. I won't hold my breath on that one, though.
Posted on: 2/26/2011 8:53 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10365051

RE: E-Flite Mini Pulse XT Owner's Club
I've tried both flaperons and spoilerons. I rather prefer the spoilerons to, as you say, add 'reflex.' It still floats, but not as badly. I've just begun testing adding some down elevator to the mix for a decent approach with so far mixed results. Glad to see someone else is tinkering around with this stuff. Let me know what you think?
Posted on: 2/25/2011 8:24 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Electric Aerobatic & Sport Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10364283

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Hi guys, Ram, the Google group effort fizzled. Here's a link to a discussion thread on RC Groups where you can get lots of information: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1092861 Hope this helps. Malcolm's notes made a real breakthrough for me. He contributes to the RC Groups thread occasionally also. Finally, I'm starting to get the hang of the radio; thanks to Malcolm.
Posted on: 2/23/2011 7:25 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10359236

RE: E-Flite Mini Pulse XT Owner's Club
Franco, what power set-up are you using? The little MPXT has a tendency to float (endlessly) on final. It'll be interesting to see how you handle that little quirk and where you finalize the C/G.
Posted on: 2/14/2011 7:34 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Electric Aerobatic & Sport Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10335127

RE: E-Flite Mini Pulse XT Owner's Club
If you get the gear to fold up after Franco's modification, you've done more damage than just fold up the gear! Franco, I have to tip my hat to you for coming up with what I think will be the ultimate solution to the weak gear problem. After nearly 2000 posts with at least 50 landing gear modifications, I think someone (that would be YOU, Franco) has solved the problem once and for all. I hereby retract my post above. Well done, Franco! [:D]
Posted on: 2/13/2011 5:23 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Electric Aerobatic & Sport Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10333907

RE: E-Flite Mini Pulse XT Owner's Club
Without a doubt, the landing gear is weak; more specifically, the gear tears out a good portion of the fuse when (not if) you land in grass or even hit a rock. The downside of using nylon bolts is the wheel pants poke holes in the underside of the wing when (not if) the gear folds up. The good news is with new bolts and a couple of pieces of Scotch tape to patch the holes in the wing, you're back in business.
Posted on: 2/11/2011 7:05 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "Electric Aerobatic & Sport Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10329534

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
[quote]There are filed converters on the Futaba site to allow for the conversion of 12Z and 14MZ files into the 12FG. [/quote] Silent, will they convert into the 8FG?
Posted on: 1/9/2011 1:24 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10250815

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Silent, George, Malcolm posted his supplement here on RCU, this thread, post #66. Malcolm also posted it on the RCG 8FG thread, post 1329 link below: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1092861&page=89
Posted on: 1/9/2011 8:50 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10250236

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
That is Malcom Holt's work on the 8FG. Yes, lots of good stuff there. Mr. Knight's work is at the same time pretty basic and amazingly comprehensive (yes I realize it's focused on gliders). It's the exact step by step format that I have been pining over. Being able to download set-ups would be awesome, Silent. How would you see this actually working?
Posted on: 1/8/2011 9:34 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10249546

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
About six years ago, Mr. Sherman Knight wrote a fine guide to augment the manual that came with the JR-9303. Link: http://www.rcsoaring.com/docs/9303knight.pdf Take a look if you have a moment. I, for one, sure would LOVE to see something along the same lines for the Futaba.
Posted on: 1/8/2011 4:34 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10248928

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Malcom, GREAT ideas! I would take that software notion one more step to say if I had software where I could click a mouse and get controls to work on my PC screen, then download the settings into my Tx, it would be a perfect world indeed. To use your comparison, right now I'm trying very hard to learn how to draw a circle on the screen. I'd LOVE to be able to download the equivalent of Sketch-Up for my Futaba. With your second idea in mind, if I'm not mistaken Hobbico, with their Fliers Club, is making that sort of down-loadable programming available. Bax or Steve will correct me if I'm wrong, but to the best of my knowledge, it's available ONLY to people with 12 channel and up. In a previous posting here I asked them to make it available to us lowly 8FG owners. Their answer to this request has been so far a rather loud silence, but once again: Hope Springs Eternal
Posted on: 1/3/2011 6:37 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10235971

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Just heard from AnnMarie. You're right again, Silent. She's in over her head with other projects. It's up to us to sort this out, me thinks. Shucks.. it's just another transmitter, right? ... how hard can it be?[:D]
Posted on: 1/2/2011 8:00 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10235386

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
For what it's worth, I emailed Don Edberg several weeks ago about writing an updated Futaba book for us. He's unfortunately on to greener pastures. I also contacted AnneMarie Cross with the same plea. She's stil contemplating, last I heard from her. Silent is absolutely right about Hobbico having little influence on Futaba. Don't blame Hobbico. They're supporting the effort to straighten this all out as much as anyone. That said, I couldn't agree more with rarefind that Hobbico must be getting AWFULLY tired of answering the same questions day after day. Plenty of people have eventually figured out how to use these fine radios. I am determined to be one of them one way or another.
Posted on: 1/2/2011 4:33 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10234913

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Profmb, count me in.
Posted on: 12/29/2010 7:22 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10226382

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Bill, with due respect, posting new FAQs on your web site, at least in my humble opinion, does little if anything to address the concerns you read here and elsewhere. One of my chief gripes is that information on how to set up these radios is so widely scattered as to be only marginally useful. It isn't presented in a logical flow I can follow (see below). As for contributing to a DIY manual, sure I'll do my part. It ain't rocket science to build information around a table of contents, provide step by step instructions using common examples, include a nice glossary (translating Futabaeze into English), and of course, an index. Making the information flow in a logical order is only a matter of spending a fair amount of time on an outline; the more detailed the better. Once the outline is complete it's like a tree in winter; trunk, branches and twigs. Writing the manual from the outline is just a matter of adding a leaf at a time. Pretty soon it's done. Bill, (Hobbico) wouldn't it be a heck of a lot easier, more cost effective and take a LOT of pressure off of your support team to just write a new manual? Are you really going to leave it to your loyal (paying) customers to do this? Honestly, Bill, the manual would be easy to write if you and your cohorts at Hobbico put your heads together. I can't imagine Hobbico and/or Futaba Japan thinking this manual issue is going to be resolved with a couple of videos and some new FAQs. Wish I knew how to get Futaba to see what a big deal this is. I have a continuing feeling that the collective 'they' (especially Futaba Japan) just don't 'get' it. Happy New Year, everyone. Maybe one way or another, 2011 will bring us a new manual for our wonderfully versatile Futaba radios. Hope Springs Eternal.
Posted on: 12/28/2010 9:43 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10224271

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
[quote] Ok, now we have our programming ideas, enjoy your radio, play around with your menus and have fun!![/quote] Sigh.... Doug, thanks for the link. (That, by the way, is the source of the quote above, from the FAQ on setting up a model for the 8FG.) I was about to comment on the quote, but don't think I will. Speaks for itself, don't you think?
Posted on: 12/18/2010 8:10 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10203853

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Malcom, thanks to you, I'm actually beginning to understand conditions, how they work, why there's a copy function, what priorities are all about and more I have yet to process. What a GREAT set of functions! Who knew!? THIS is why I bought this radio! I second Howard's comments. Thank you, Malcome and a hearty BRAVO!
Posted on: 12/16/2010 4:44 AM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10200369

RE: Futaba 12 FG Dummies Guide
Wonderful having all the various responses, suggestions and (at least in my case) rants![:)] Book vs. Internet: I vote for both, personally. There is an in between state as well. I bought Don Edberg's book on line. http://dynmodel.com/ I bought the book as a down-loadable PDF with the agreement that I could print it out (one time) if I so choose. I so choose and now I have my own (paper) copy, printed out at the local Staples. Does it have a table of contents? Yes. Does it have an index? Yes. Can I sit and fiddle with the Tx while I read? YES! It's only failing is it's out of date and there's no glossary. I think it goes without saying at this point that personally, I like having a book in my lap. Put it down to just being old, if you like, but the form of a book with the table of contents, index and glossary is a template a few hundred years old, now, and one that seems to work pretty reliably. As for having various things available by download, and as this pertains to the Futaba Flyers Club: So how about it, Steve and company.. since you brought it up, how about making the Flyers Club information available to everyone INCLUDING us 8 FG owners? OK.. another rant: Some of you may not be aware this 'club' is available ONLY to owners of 12 & 14 channel radios. With apologies to Steve, (I see you're trying to help) having you mention that we could download all manner of set-ups, etc, (I own an 8 FG) only rubs salt in a rather obviously raw wound. Profmb, I have to tip my hat to you for having such wonderfully innovative notions of how we could all share information and at the end of the day, just go fly our airplanes. I absolutely LOVE the idea that contributors like some of those on the RC Groups 8 FG thread http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1092861&page=86 could enlighten us all in a hopefully searchable fashion. How about starting with the Futaba glossary? Goodness knows we could use one. Thanks to all for these great suggestions. I have a feeling we're getting Futaba's attention, at least Futaba North America. (It's a start, but not where the real authority resides.) 'Bout time, IMHO.
Posted on: 12/9/2010 7:00 PM by Author "woodbender" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10187447