Futaba 14SG range check

[BigT]

I have flown Futaba since I started RC 40 years ago, switching to 2.4 with a 8FG.  I recently changed to a 14SG.  Due to the price of Futaba RX I have been using Corona and FRSky for 3 years in all sorts of models from EDF to Gyros to 1/4 scale Gassers and to the best of my knowledge I have never had an issue with a model stopping listening, unlike other club members who use other makes.  However, today was my first good weather FPV flight and having made sure that I had the Tx failesafe set correctly on my FY41 I decided to test the system.  The video set up is IRC 600mw tx to FS attitude, both with Skews from one of the highly  rated suppliers on here. The plane is a Skywalker 1900.  I climbed to 150 meters and set off up wind at a steady 30 KP. The FY41 failesafed at 700 meters at about the same time the video was getting too bad to see.  I tried again in the opposite direction across a valley and this time only got 600 meters before the failsafe kicked into rth.  3rd try was between the 2 and this time the video failed first.  I was expecting to get 200 meters from the video and a lot more from the radio especially as I was high and flying from a hill top.  Interestingly the video was worse when flying towards myself but Iguess thats because the antenna is getting masked by the motor etc? 

PS  I changed the Skews for the standard Rubber Duck aerials to do a comparison and the result was exactly the same, which is weird?

[chris-s]

That range seems a little short. For comparison, I flew with my fpv Bixler which has a FrSky DR8 receiver with a FrSky module in the back of my Futaba FF9 and chickened out at 1300 meters out / 450 meters up. It's got rssi telemetry but wasn't beeping so I'm sure I could have gone further.

My video is also 600mw IRC on Bignose skews, and was great except when blocked by the battery.

Chris

[MarkLincs]

My Futaba set goes way beyond er yours  ;) ;)

Use proper Futaba receivers to get FULL range 

And always check out ebay and BMFA classifieds for receivers to avoid the er new prices :)

:flying:

[BigT]

Of course I plan to repeat the test with a genuine Futaba 2.4 fasst rx. The theoretical range for the Futaba fasst is 2.5 miles at 400 feet alt with clear air and direct LOS, 2.4 doesnt like obsticals much.  Ground water and humidity has a big effect too,  I could try one of these http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html] [url]http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html[/url].  Also I wonder if my Vtx is too near the rx?  Anyone give me a typical layout on a Skywalker please?  At the moment I have the rx in the "attic" which I think is too close to the motor and vtx.

[BigT]

450 meters up.

1485 feet !  Must have had snow on the wings!!

[peweepete]

For a 'real' life example I have flown my TBS Discovery to a distance of 2.2 miles or about 3500m. This was logged with a Flytrex module linked to the GPS.
This was achieved with a Futaba 10c and a FrSky 6 channel rx.
I chickened out at that point and headed for home :-)
I'd say something is amiss, can you swap out the rx for a Futaba one to check?

[helimadness]

I got 1500 meters on the weekend with JRXG7 standard. Forgot my high gain antennas. It made a difference the antenna orientation. It sometimes hit RTH at say 800m but making sure the aerial was aligned in the rough direction got me to 1500.

[electricmick]

Of course I plan to repeat the test with a genuine Futaba 2.4 fasst rx. The theoretical range for the Futaba fasst is 2.5 miles at 400 feet alt with clear air and direct LOS, 2.4 doesnt like obsticals much.  Ground water and humidity has a big effect too,  I could try one of these [url]http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html]http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html] [url]http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html[/url].  Also I wonder if my Vtx is too near the rx?  Anyone give me a typical layout on a Skywalker please?  At the moment I have the rx in the "attic" which I think is too close to the motor and vtx.

I would try to separate the vtx and rx as much as possible. On my Skywalker I have the vtx on the pad behind the prop and the rx about mid payload bay with the antennas going though the foam sides/floor corners each pointing 45deg down and out. This gives them an unobstructed view of the rc tx signal when the plane is in the air.

I get more than visual los range with no glitches on frsky rc gear.

Mick

[BigT]

Tried this on Saturday with no real difference in range with a brand new futaba fasst rx. Might be the tx so gonna send it back to rich max

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Iceman]

Worth checking inside the Tx as the aerials tiny micro-coaxial connecter can come off reducing the range somewhat. Its worth a little dab of gobblegok to make sure it stays put.

Ice

[MarkLincs]

The antennas don't come off even in a crash !

Just make sure you install correctly and you'll get the range :)

[BigT]

Iceman is referring to the TX not the Rx.  In any case neither have been crashed, both are installed correctly.  I am very wary about imported radio kit as although FrSky, Corona, Orange etc may work well I would only use then for Park Flyers or indoors.  If it doesn't have CE 0682 on it I wont use it for anything and certainoy not in over 7KG models .  The reason is the BMFA and other insurances specifically refuse to cover any incident where the radio equipment is "not compatible by manufacturer and legal for use in the EU country of operation". Boring but true.

[DavidT]

Hi Big T,
I am very new to this and just got a Phantom 2 with FPV and a 14sg as I know it will do the things I need ( slow panning and incremental tilt on Zenmuse) but have no idea how to programme. I think it would be easier to learn a new language ! What I am looking for is someone willing to programme ( for remuneration) so I can get on with flying and photography.  Any help by you or anyone else for that matter is extremely welcome.  Thank you in advance for all consideration !

[MarkLincs]

Hi Big T,
I am very new to this and just got a Phantom 2 with FPV and a 14sg as I know it will do the things I need ( slow panning and incremental tilt on Zenmuse) but have no idea how to programme. I think it would be easier to learn a new language ! What I am looking for is someone willing to programme ( for remuneration) so I can get on with flying and photography.  Any help by you or anyone else for that matter is extremely welcome.  Thank you in advance for all consideration !

where are you based ?

[BigT]

It is a bit like learning a new language. Where are you based


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk