Suggestions on old trainer?

Jan 10, 2004 23 Replies

Yeah, i checked out futabas FAQ that somebody posted, basically the radio is NFG unless i find a FM module and new RX. For the same money or less i can get a flight pack for my new 4YF tx that i bought for my slowstick.

But still nobody answered my second question: Anybody wanna buy an antique radio?

If the Tx is AM it takes more than changing r/f modules. The AM inputs to the encoder are different than the FM versions; when the factory converted my systems they changed modules and rewired the sticks/switches to match the FM scheme.

The Futaba buddy box is listed at

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you check the list of compatible transmitters it would seem that rewiring the old Tx into a buddy box is do-able.

If you have the time and inclination . . . Cheers, Fred McClellan The House Of Balsa Dust

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Mike,

The legality was not my concern at all, and is quite beside the point.

You said: "So, unless anyone else disagrees, ill clean her up, break-in the engine and see how well she crashes."

I took up your invitation to disagree. The point I was trying to make was that it is risky to fly with that radio at a public RC field. In the current RC environment, a wide band TX poses a risk of shooting down other planes; and a wide band RX is more vulnerable to being shot down. There can be bad consequences for you and others. What the FCC has to say about using your TX does not matter at all in that context.

Anyhow, seems this discussion is moot now, as I see you have apparently given up on using the radio in it's present configuration, if at all. That, I can agree with.

Happy flying, Gregg

I see your point - the field i have in mind is a quiet, nearby park with a huge short-grass field, probably 25 treeless acres. (and a big pond - floats anyone?) In 6 years ive never seen another RC anything there. Hmmmm, just occured to me to ask the township why...hope there isnt an ordinance or something. Matter of fact, the whole rc scene here in central jersey seems kinda weak. I looked up the club locator on ama's site and found at least a dozen nearby clubs - though ive never seen a single plane airborn. These guys must have some sweet field hidden away somewhere. Regardless, i have decided on using my new radio with it - as well as trying to hook up with one of the above-mentioned clubs. Im getting pretty respectable with my Slowstick, but i really dont wanna crash this trainer. Slowstick can be crashed about without a care in the world, but id feel better with a local guru cabled to my (new) radio to bail me out. Its clearly a far different animal. Also, as a newbie, i dont wanna show up with old garage-sale gear when making my first impression. I appreciate the concern about the radio, id just like to repeat that it was not initially clear that it was a wide-band. If ida just looked it up on futabas site id have saved yall a bit of time.

Thanks, mike

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