Futaba 6EX radio question

[John Grima]

Hello everyone, While working on the Late Tiger (and soon the firefly) I was hooking up all the option packs and testing them as I go along. For the testing I'm using a Fuaba 6Ex-2.4GHz radio, this radio was going to be the radio I was going to use in my A4 sherman, and possibly getting a second for the customer's tiger.

Currently I have option pack 1 working with no issues, and at this time I also hooked up the armortek sound system. The system is properly hooked up and when the tank is switched on the speakers make their three pops and the sound card rolls the engine start up effect.

The problem that I am encountering is that the engine idle sound simply loops and I don't have any other effects. Apparently I need to have a 3 way switch installed to fully configure the benedini sound system. Is there a tutorial on how to add the switch? Also is this radio that I'm using capable of being used on these sound card equipped models?

Any assistance would be appreciated, John

[leesellars]

Hello John

With the 6ES use channel 1 or 4 to control the sound. Move to the left and then the right to enable the sound required.

Lee

[John Grima]

Hi Lee, thanks for the info. I got the sound to work like you said and it's very responsive, but I need Channel 1 and 4 for gun elevation and turret rotation. Is there another way I can configure the sound with this radio?

[Adrian Harris]

Unfortunately, Futaba ruined the 6EX when they moved from the MHz version to the 2.4GHz version by changing channel 6 from proportional to switched.

The change is implemented in the firmware, as well as the change from pot to switch, so just adding a pot to that channel doesn't work. BTDT

It is possible to swap the transmitter motherboard from an earlier 6EX model, so that you keep the 2.4GHz radio but also have a proportional channel 6 for the sound.

Alternatively, as Lee says, you can use one of the "stick" channels for controlling the sound. This means you lose the ability to easily elevate the gun, unless you can workout a system whereby it continuously sweeps it up and down when activated, like a Heng Long model, but I've found the gun elevation is probably the least used function on these models.

All in all, probably easier to buy a Futaba 7C

Adrian.

[Dennis Jones]

I think the Spektrum DX7 or DX8 is a better option I and one or two others have gone over to Spektrum as it has better facilities and failsafe functions but you wouldn't be able to use the Futaba receivers. Also with either the DX7 or 8 you can fit the Benedini encoder switch directly in place of the pot on the TX. I do have a 6EX 40 mhz motherboard but it is not a simple operation to change it and it depends on how old the 6EX is.
I have modified quite a few but not easy. I have also set up tanks so that a switched channel operates the gun elevation and set the limit switches so that the barrel is in the fully raised or lowered position. This frees up a prop channel to operate the sound or as Adrian says you buy a Futaba 7C.

Dennis.

[John Grima]

Thank guys, you have been a real help. The Futaba 7C is the way go for me as I don't want to fiddle around with replacing motherboards . Which futaba 7C model would be best for these two builds (tiger I, M4A4)?

Also I'm new to the 2.4ghz scene, and I have a question for the radio antenna. On the older style receivers I would extend the model's radio range by connecting the RX antenna wire to the tank's Arial base. This both concealed the antenna with the tank's detail, and extended the range of the model. On these newer radios the small receiver has two short antennas. Do I simply strip and connect one of the antenna wires to the tank's arial base, or is that not needed with these new radios and can actually cause damage?

Also If the antenna is buttoned up inside the model will the radio range be constricted like the way they were with the older style radios?

[Adrian Harris]

> Which futaba 7C model would be best for these two builds (tiger I, M4A4)?

It doesn't really matter, as you probably won't be using any of the aero or heli functions. I think the aero may have simpler menus but I've not really explored them.

> Do I simply strip and connect one of the antenna wires to the tank's arial base,
> or is that not needed with these new radios and can actually cause damage?

Noooo. The antennas on the transmitter and receiver are set to 1/4 of the wavelength at 2.4GHz, so around 3.125cm (1.23 inches). The Futaba antennas do this by leaving 3.125cm of the core of the coax sticking out of the end. If you change the length of the antenna, you'll ruin the transmission properties.

> Also If the antenna is buttoned up inside the model will the radio range be
> constricted like the way they were with the older style radios?

I've used a Futaba R617FS receiver mounted inside the BARV, which is entirely Aluminium, and run it up to 100m from the transmitter without any apparent loss of control.

Adrian.

[Maarten Schutjes]

Here's a how to fit the benedini encoder in the futaba 7c

http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... f=2&t=1716


The one stick function
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... von#p29769

[John Grima]

Once again thanks everyone for all the help.

>Noooo. The antennas on the transmitter and receiver are set to 1/4 of the wavelength at 2.4GHz, so around 3.125cm (1.23 inches). The Futaba antennas do this by leaving 3.125cm of the core of the coax sticking out of the end. If you change the length of the antenna, you'll ruin the transmission properties.

I guess my hunch was right, one benefit of these new radios is having one less umbilical cord entering the turret or hull to worry about.

After spending some time looking at 7C radios I was thinking on this one http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wt ... LXSEJ8&P=0 . Has anyone else use this one for their tank w/ sound systems?

>Here's a how to fit the benedini encoder in the futaba 7c

http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... f=2&t=1716

Is all that mandatory in order to get the sound working properly?

[Maarten Schutjes]

John, the encoder is not mandatory. Speaking for myself, i find it easier than using the stick and trying to keep count...