| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 107.6 | Futaba upgrade deal | WRASSE::FRIEDRICHS | Kamikaze Eindecker pilot | Tue Sep 04 1990 16:47 | 16 |
| So, what does everyone think of the Futaba upgrade deal announce in
Model Aviation (and presumably other rags)?
Basically, for $35-$45 you can get your old system (even the AM "gold"
radios) upgraded to 1991. You get a new receiver, retuned transmitter
and 3 (?) G to J series pigtails. If you have a REALLY old gold
system, it might cost an extra $10 to upgrade the transmitter.
This is a considerably better deal than the $70(?) RCD receivers and
other 3rd party rx.
Comments on it??
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.7 | IT'LL SAVE 1, MAYBE 2 OF MY RADIOS.... | UPWARD::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) 551-5572 | Tue Sep 04 1990 17:18 | 15 |
| Re: .-1, Jeff,
Sounds pretty good to me. That'll take care of my 7FGK-FM...I'm just
hoping they can do something to save my 7-ch. "J" series. Initial
releases printed in several [local] club newsletters indicated they
could convert the J-AM to FM and replace the receiver but the magazine
ad doesn't say anything about this...guess I'll haf'ta give 'em a call.
Man, I sure miss having a personal friend as Futaba's service manager
since Eloy Marez quit last year!
__
| | / |\
\|/ |______|__(o/--/ | \
| | 00 <| ~~~ ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
|_|_| (O>o |\)____/___|\_____|_/ Adios amigos, Al
| \__(O_\_ | |___/ o (The Desert Rat)
|
| 107.8 | such a deal we have for you | KAY::FISHER | Stop and smell the balsa. | Tue Sep 04 1990 17:30 | 46 |
| > So, what does everyone think of the Futaba upgrade deal announce in
> Model Aviation (and presumably other rags)?
>
> Basically, for $35-$45 you can get your old system (even the AM "gold"
> radios) upgraded to 1991. You get a new receiver, retuned transmitter
> and 3 (?) G to J series pigtails. If you have a REALLY old gold
> system, it might cost an extra $10 to upgrade the transmitter.
>
> This is a considerably better deal than the $70(?) RCD receivers and
> other 3rd party rx.
>
> Comments on it??
Well - "Too little too late!"
I have some receivers that I will probably upgrade through their program but...
Is is really a better deal than RCD. The RCD receivers sold for $59.00
when they were first ordered. $35 through Futaba gets you a 4 channel AM
receiver. $40 gets you a 7 channel AM receiver. $55 gets you a 7 channel
FM receiver - plus you pay shipping both ways.
In the end - they look the same but RCD was way way way earlier.
For instance I have a 7 channel FM that is already gold stickered but
the receiver is not dual conversion. So I just want a new receiver.
First I will have to call them and convince them that it's OK to just
mail the receiver to them (I pay the postage and they throw it in the
garbage can) so that they can sell me a new receiver for $55.
I also have a 5 channel AM that I would like to send them the receiver
and get a new FM receiver. I would use the new receiver with my
9VAP so I don't care to ship and insure and upgrade the transmitter to FM.
The price for that 7 channel FM would be $75 plus my shipping. I suspect
with a phone call I could talk them into the $55 price.
Don't get me wrong - I'm glad the sleeping giant finally woke up and is
doing something. I will in all probability take them up on some part of
their offer. And I must admit my old radios look just like their add!
P.S. I sure wish somebody made a 1991 dual conversion FM 4 channel (or less)
micro receiver.
Bye --+--
Kay R. Fisher |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################
|
| 107.9 | sounds like a dream come true | SALEM::PISTEY | | Wed Sep 05 1990 08:45 | 10 |
|
I've been waiting for this deal for 3-4 months maybe?
Ever since I heard about it here. just so I am not misunderstanding
does this mean I can take my 7FGK-AM and have it upgraded to
1991 specs AND have it converted to FM?. That sounds great, and the
cost is well within reason. MY futaba was bought in 83, does that
make it an old one?.
kevin p
|
| 107.12 | | SALEM::PISTEY | | Wed Sep 05 1990 08:48 | 8 |
|
I guess I should have read ALL the new notes before I replied to
the 1991 one. but now that I'm here I'll ask another..The extra $30
is that added on to the $40 or so that includes the rcvr?.
kevin p
|
| 107.10 | In a word - yes | KAY::FISHER | Stop and smell the balsa. | Wed Sep 05 1990 09:31 | 21 |
| > I've been waiting for this deal for 3-4 months maybe?
Now wait another month. The offer starts 10-01-90.
> Ever since I heard about it here. just so I am not misunderstanding
> does this mean I can take my 7FGK-AM and have it upgraded to
> 1991 specs AND have it converted to FM?. That sounds great, and the
> cost is well within reason. MY futaba was bought in 83, does that
> make it an old one?.
Yes - exactly. $75 plus you pay shipping both ways.
Also for $10 extra you can substitute an R128DF receiver for the R127DF.
Why you would want 8 channels with a 7 channel transmitter I don't
know.
Just fill out the coupon (page 84 in Oct-90 Model Aviation).
Bye --+--
Kay R. Fisher |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################
|
| 107.13 | Receiver included... | KAY::FISHER | Stop and smell the balsa. | Wed Sep 05 1990 09:34 | 10 |
| > I guess I should have read ALL the new notes before I replied to
> the 1991 one. but now that I'm here I'll ask another..The extra $30
> is that added on to the $40 or so that includes the rcvr?.
Yes.
Bye --+--
Kay R. Fisher |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################
|
| 107.11 | AS I UNDERSTAND IT..... | UPWARD::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) 551-5572 | Wed Sep 05 1990 11:32 | 26 |
| Re: last-2,
Just to clarify, as I read it, a 7FGK-AM can be upgraded with a 1991
AM-receiver for ~$55 orrrrrrrrrrr, you can opt to have it converted to
FM for ~$75. Where required, Futaba provides some number of FM-to-AM
pigtails to adapt yer' servos to the newer "J"/FM connecters in the
receiver.
My 7FGK-FM will require only the new receiver; the transmitter is
already gold-stickered but I'll send it along anyway to allow them to
match the Tx-to-Rx tuning as closely as possible. If they'll do it,
I'll also semd them my 6JN "J" series rig for conversion to FM and a
new receiver. Unfortunately, I also have an older Cirrus 7-ch AM rig
which, I suppose, I'll have to eat as I've seen/heard nothing about
upgrading these, even though they're made by Futaba...anyone know
anything about this??
I guess I should be thrilled not to lose ALL of my older radios but
this whole situation STILL burns a big red spot right on the ol'
posterior...thank you very much, AMA Frequency Committee! :B^{
__
| | / |\
\|/ |______|__(o/--/ | \
| | 00 <| ~~~ ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
|_|_| (O>o |\)____/___|\_____|_/ Adios amigos, Al
| \__(O_\_ | |___/ o (The Desert Rat)
|
| 107.14 | Another alternative... | WRASSE::FRIEDRICHS | Kamikaze Eindecker pilot | Wed Sep 12 1990 18:22 | 59 |
|
********** ATTENTION 4 Channel Radio Owners ************
I just got off the phone with "Frank's Hobby House" in Phoenix (any
comments about them Al??). They had a blurb in the "Product Review"
of Model Aviation about a 1991 radio upgrade... (Phone number is
1-800-552-1102).
You send them ANY (4 or more channel) tx, rx, crystals, tx battery and
antenna and they will replace them with 1991 equipment.. Following is
a schedule of prices and which radios..
It is a little bit more expensive than Futaba's upgrade, but it also
covers more radios. It also gives you a brand new tx and a new battery
whereas Futaba's upgrade doesn't.
AM FM
Futaba Attack 4NBL w/R114H rx Conquest 4NBF w/R127DF rx
$50 $80
(towers price) $99.99 $119.99
Airtronics ???? Vanguard VG4R w/92765 rx
$85
(towers price) $117.99
JR ??? ???
$55 $85
(??? = I didn't ask...)
I asked a bit about how/why they are doing this.... They have a fair
number in stock, but can order more, they haven't figured out a way to
get rid of the old ones....
After I got off the phone I realized that they must be selling the
servos and other parts and making their money piecemeal.. I bet they
have some good prices on servos...
The best part of this deal is that they will take ANY 4 channel or more
radio... So, if you have one on the old frequency, there is still some
value to it.
Is it a "great" (st)deal??? No.. Is it a viable alternative?? Yes, I
believe it is... Especially for radios not covered in the Futaba
upgrade.
The big decision here is, when does it make more sense to buy a whole
new system and get the servos and other pieces as well... Then just
throw out your old tx and rx. I believe it comes down to this.. If
you have the money and need/want more servos, then buy a new system.
If you are tight on money and/or don't need more servos and extra
parts, then go with the upgrade.
Another piece to a complicated puzzle...
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.15 | Wow - so I called also | NOEDGE::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 291-0072 - PDM1-1/J9 | Wed Sep 12 1990 19:02 | 9 |
| The JR radios are the Max4 AM and FM. You can get the channel you want. They do
sell servos. JR507s are $13 and Futaba s-148s are $12. And even though I didn't
believe it, They'll take my old Kraft Sport 5ch on 27mhz in trade (and the cost
is about the same as the conversion for 1991 and I don't have a four wire system
anymore ;^)
I've been buying servos and swapping recievers at the field, sounds like a good
way to get rid of some paperweights and get another tx/rx for glider use
(without getting the large standard-sized servos that come with it)
|
| 107.16 | HMMMMMM, THAT GIVES ME AN IDEA..... | UPWARD::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) 551-5572 | Thu Sep 13 1990 11:21 | 18 |
| Re: .-2, Jeff,
Frank's Hobby House (or whatever) is on Cave Creek Road just a coupla'
miles from my buddy, Chuck Collier's, house. However, I've only been
in the store one time with Chuck. It's a fairly good size shop and
seems to be pretty well stocked but, not having "shopped" the store for
specific items that's just a surface judgement. I'm, of course, aware
of the trade-up thing he's been running but haven't the foggiest notion
how/where he expects to make his money on the deal. However, yer' note
's given me the inkling of an idea how to upgrade my 7-ch Cirrus...since
it was slated to go in an old-timer anyhow, I sure don't need the 7-ch
capability.
__
| | / |\
\|/ |______|__(o/--/ | \
| | 00 <| ~~~ ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
|_|_| (O>o |\)____/___|\_____|_/ Adios amigos, Al
| \__(O_\_ | |___/ o (The Desert Rat)
|
| 107.17 | More futaba stuff | WRASSE::FRIEDRICHS | Kamikaze Eindecker pilot | Tue Oct 09 1990 17:32 | 32 |
| I had a couple of questions for Futaba before I sent my first radio
back to them...
1. - What about additional receivers?? (I have an old FP-R6F rx that
was matched to my channel 44 system..)
answer: Send it back, we will replace it with a new receiver. You pick
and pay for which one you want.
This is a pretty good deal in itself..
rx towers "upgrade"
R114H $70.00 $35.00
R128DF $130 $65.00
So, ignoring 3rd party vendors, you can get brand new rx for half
the price (plus shipping both ways - and don't forget towers S&H
charge). Yes, RCD was earlier.... But today, I don't think this
deal can be beaten.
2. - If I upgrade my transmitter from AM to FM, will it cost extra to
change my frequency??
answer: Yes. $14 for the new tx crystal. Apparently they can use the
same tx crystal after the am to fm conversion...
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.18 | I sent an oldie to Frank | LOEDGE::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 291-0072 - PDM1-1/J9 | Tue Oct 09 1990 17:53 | 9 |
| I packed up my 1972 World Engines Blue Max Tx and Rx and they're on their way to
Franks for a JR Max 4 FM Tx and Rx for $85. This will displace my Futaba Attack
as my secondary radio and allow me to have two power planes AND a glider set up
at all times. I'll report back about the response time for the deal. When I
called late last week they said it was good until mid-month so call if you'll
be sending something in.
Gives me another Tx/Rx to use with the servos/small battery packs I keep buying
and clears some history out of my shop
|
| 107.20 | My radio is sent in | ROCK::MINER | Dan Miner, DTN:225-4015, HLO2-3/D11 | Thu Oct 11 1990 14:23 | 15 |
| I sent one of my 4NL (Conquest) radios in last week via UPS ground.
It should have already arrived at Futaba by now. I'll let you know
when I get it back. Maybe with the new dual conversion, narrow band
Rx, my woes with electric motor interference will magicly disappear!
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Caster Oil!! "
|_____/
|
| 107.21 | I'LL ONLY BE ABLE TO SAVE MY 7FGK-FM.... | UPWARD::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) 551-5572 | Thu Oct 11 1990 15:14 | 15 |
| Re: .243, Jeff,
Thanx amigo. I needed to double check as to whether I could get my
FP6J AM radio converted to FM and upgraded to 1991...a memo on Futaba
letterhead from earlier this year had indicated this was possible but
the current magazine ads do not include this option. Unfortunately,
the Futaba service department says no on this upgrade so, much as I'd
hoped to be able to save this loyal radio, looks like I'll have to eat
it (Thank you AMA. :B^( ).
__
| | / |\
\|/ |______|__(o/--/ | \
| | 00 <| ~~~ ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
|_|_| (O>o |\)____/___|\_____|_/ Adios amigos, Al
| \__(O_\_ | |___/ o (The Desert Rat)
|
| 107.22 | | WRASSE::FRIEDRICHS | Kamikaze Eindecker pilot | Thu Oct 11 1990 17:29 | 21 |
| Al, don't throw it all away... Call them again and ask if they
will let you trade the rx for a 1991.. Then when you get your
7FGK upgraded, send in the extra rx. This will give you 2 flight
packs for one radio...
CAUTION: (I know I don't need to say this to Al, but it is good for
all of us to hear)
If you are going to use multiple airborne packs
with a single tx, be sure to have a POSITIVE way
of insuring that you check the servo reversing
switches before taking off!!
I simply have a red marker on a clothspin. I attach this to the
plane that should not be flown until the radio setup is verified.
Kay - I'll look back at your note....
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.23 | I traded in through the Frank's Hobby deal | ZENDIA::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Thu Nov 01 1990 15:27 | 13 |
| News from the home front:
I just got a package in the mail...
I sent in to Frank's in Phoenix a World engines Blue Max 4ch radio with
a dry cell Tx pack on 10/9/90 and got back a JR Max4 FM for $85 in
today's UPS delivery. No standard servos (I've been buying micros a
couple at a time all summer) No Rx battery (I've bought a couple of
250ma packs too) and no more Blue Max on my workbench (which hasn't
been unpacked out of the box I shipped it in in 10 years)
Details on the Max4 FM features after the weekend (I'll have it at the
fun-fly tomorrow and at the November DECRCM meeting for show and tell)
|
| 107.24 | A very pleased new owner | ZENDIA::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Fri Nov 02 1990 07:34 | 17 |
| This is a VERY nice 4 channel radio. The big surprise was that there is
a trainer jack on the back! The bad news is that my Max6 Computer (PCM)
doesn't have one. This would be a good reason to buy another unwanted
transmitter to allow training (since my son get frustrated when I grab
the box but I could throw the switch without him knowing). Anybody got
a spare Max4 FM Tx that they don't want/are willing to sell?
I was very impressed with Frank's service. I sent in my old paper
weight on October 9th and 23 days later I have the new radio on the
frequency I requested. Why did I request a specific freq? I have a Max6
PCM that can be switched to PPM. I tried it out last night and the only
functionality I loose is the failsafe. All the adjustments and mixings
work. Why get excited about a four channel radio being compatible with a
6 channel? They both come with 7 channel recievers! I've got a fully
compatible second Rx and a transmitter that I can use if things go
wrong with the Max6. Now I just wish the Max6 had multiple plane memory.
I guess I'll rough it and write down the settings.
|
| 107.25 | Futaba 1991 upgrade #1 complete | ROCK::MINER | Dan Miner, DTN:225-4015, HLO2-3/D11 | Thu Nov 29 1990 15:55 | 33 |
| I had sent my 4 channel AM Futaba Conquest back for the 1991 upgrade
in early Oct. Just as I was leaving for work this morning, the UPS
truck pulled up in front of my house and I now have a "1991 ready"
radio! It is still AM but hopefully has dual conversion. I only
glanced at the Rx for a few seconds, but I don't recall seeing the
magic words ("dual conversion") written on the Rx. I'll check
tonight. Now, I'll send in my other radio for upgrade.
In addition to the $35.00 charge for the upgrade, they charged me
$7.00 for a new Tx antenna (and returned the old one) and $6.50 for
shipping and handling. (UPS second day air.) Total: $48.50
I was perfectly happy with the old antenna but now that I can
compare old to new directly, I see that the old one was getting
pretty gummed up and difficult to extend/collapse. I think I would
have been happier though if they just suggested the I need a new one
and let *ME* decide to clean the old one or buy a new one. :-(
Anyway, I am impressed with the small size and weight of the new Rx
(model R114H). I think it is even smaller than Futaba's older AM
micro Rx. It'll be great for the ElectroStreak if the motor doesn't
interfere with it. More info. as I get more...
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Castor Oil!! "
|_____/
|
| 107.26 | R114H NOT NEW | NYJDEV::BOBA | Bob Aldea @PCO | Thu Nov 29 1990 17:18 | 10 |
| The R114H is the same receiver they have been selling with the "Attack"
radios for a couple of years. The one my wife won at KRC in '89 is the
same as the one I bought this year. They both are subject to
occasional glitches induced by the electric motor, especially if the
antenna is pointing at them. On a bad day, it gets a little tense
landing with the motor running. On a good day, you hardly notice.
So far, I have no idea what makes a day good or bad.
Good luck with yours.
|
| 107.27 | Futaba Rx is DOA | ROCK::MINER | Dan Miner, DTN:225-4015, HLO2-3/D11 | Fri Nov 30 1990 14:09 | 44 |
| Well, in my haste to get to work yesterday morning, I didn't bother
to plug in the new Rx and test it out. After all, my old Tx was
working just fine when I sent it in and the Rx was brand new, so
everything should work just fine, right? Wrong servo breath!
Last night I plugged everything in and it was dead. After a quick
drive to Charlie Watt's house, I was able to determine that my Tx
was still working but my Rx was dead. (He has an AM radio on the
same freq. as me.) After looking at the Rx crystal, I said "Gee,
that crystal looks a little worn just like my OLD CRYSTAL."
Charlie suggested I swap the crystal with a known good one and see
if that fixed the problem. Sure enough, the crystal was bad.
When I sent in my old Rx for the upgrade, I knew that it was no
longer working because of a recent crash. But, it still looked
better than the old beat-up Rx in the Futaba ads, so I figured it
was fine since they'd replace the whole thing anyway. It seems this
is not what they do.
Apparently, they take your OLD crystal and plug it into a new Rx and
then don't bother to test it. After all, it's a new Rx isn't it?
[Those bone-heads! Imagine not even turning it on to check it out!!]
Well, after a quick phone call this morning, the Tx and Rx are on
their way back to Futaba with a letter explaining the problem. The
person on the phone said it would be fixed free of charge, but the
catch is that it cost me $10.20 in shipping. (2 day UPS)
Total cost for upgrade (so far) is now $58.60 plus whatever it cost
for shipping the first time ($8.?). Looks like I should have just
trashed the old (broken) one and bought an RCD Rx. Now I have to
decide what to do with my other Futaba AM radio...
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Castor Oil!! "
|_____/
|
| 107.28 | RCD might be worth it for dual conversion | ZENDIA::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Fri Nov 30 1990 14:27 | 7 |
| I believe that the Futaba Rx (if it's the R-114H that is coming with
the Attacks) is single conversion so you might want to go the RCD route
to get the dual conversion anyway. Dan Snow recently got an Rx from
them and seemed happy with it.
If you test things, you find problems, if you find problems, you have
to fix them. To keep down the number of problems found, stop looking ;^)
|
| 107.2 | AEC-10 question possibly answered | ABACUS::RYDER | perpetually the bewildered beginner | Tue Dec 04 1990 23:24 | 7 |
| Kay had asked what the AEC-10 is, but no one had answered. I don't
have a Futaba catalog, but on page 195 of the Tower catalog I see an
AEC10 SERVO ADAPTER-STD/JFM for about six bucks
So it would seem to be the pigtail you need for your old servo if your
AM receiver were to be exchanged for an FM receiver.
|
| 107.29 | Futaba change | MAGOS::SEGUINOT_J | | Thu Dec 20 1990 09:16 | 8 |
| I just received my 7 year old FG Futaba. And they make the change plus
repaired all the broken plastic cover in the trasmitter,plus upgrade
the radio from AM TO FM, included the AEC10 adapter for $114.00
including UPS ship. A consider it bargain since i have many futaba
Servos, and equipment that will have new life now.
Regards
Jaime
|
| 107.30 | | WRASSE::FRIEDRICHS | Brand New Private Pilot | Thu Dec 20 1990 10:27 | 7 |
| When did you send it in?? I called last week, and they said they would
be shipping it shortly.. It has been 2 months since they *received*
it!!
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.31 | It took long | PUERTO::SEGUINOT | | Fri Dec 21 1990 09:18 | 7 |
| Hello Jeff;
It took almost three month to get the radio From Futaba, I send it by
September 20 received November 28. Hopefully i had other radio to cover
regard
Jaime
|
| 107.32 | Wow $114.00 | LUGGER::MILLS | | Fri Dec 28 1990 10:49 | 9 |
|
$114.00 !!!. Hmmm I've seen these adds and thought they were a rip-off
unless you have a high end radio. I just bought a Vanguard 6 channel
FM with dual conversion and dual rates for effectively $87.00 with
charger and receiver. Effectively because I got credit for 4 servos
that also came with it for 159.00. The credit was for $18 * 4 servos
which was $72 (almost a second radio !!!). The only catch was that I
had to use the credit so I bought 2 micro servo's with it.
|
| 107.33 | Futaba upgrade program results | N25480::FRIEDRICHS | Take the money and run! | Tue Mar 26 1991 10:05 | 58 |
| OK, with most of my radio gear now returned from Futaba, here is what
it cost...
In summary, I still believe it was a reasonable deal, not a great deal,
but better than buying new from RCD or Towers...
Problems:
1 - The one thing that nearly made this a very bad deal was that they
decided that you do not need additional AEC-10 adapters if you send
them more than 1 receiver. Towers sells them for $5 each, and
considering you could use up to 8 per receiver, that was going to be
some serious additional money.
And what really got me upset was that back when I talked to them in
October (see 107.17) they told me that additional Rx would be $65
instead of $55, and the extra $10 would be for the 5 connectors. So
needless to say, I was not happy to find no connectors.
After numerous calls, last night I finally talked to someone! Then I
talked to his supervisor. After giving her reasoning that any logic
major would be proud of, she agreed to sell me the adapters that I
needed for $3 each. Not a bad compromise..
2 - Turn around time - It took 4 (yes, four) months for my AM-FM
upgrade. However, they appear to be catching up, as my FM-FM upgrade
only took 6 weeks. This was not a big problem for me, as I generally
don't fly during ski season...
3 - Phone system - They do not have nearly enough people answering the
phones, so you end up listening to this voice telling you how important
your call is (all the while paying Ma Bell). Frustrating..
So, by now you are wondering what this is all costing me... Well,
excluding my postage out there, phone calls, and my time waiting on
the phone....
1 AM-FM upgrade (incl 5 AEC-10 adapters) $75
(tx and rx)
1 FM-FM upgrade $55
2 AM-AM upgrades (incl 5 AEC-10) $80
3 additional AM-FM rx upgrade (w/o AEC-10) $165
15 AEC-10 adapters $45
Total $420
So, $420 for 7 Dual Conversion receivers and 4 gold stickered transmitters.
If I had bought the same from RCD (@$70/rx + 15 AEC-10 @$5) it would
have been $565 PLUS Tx upgrades to 1991. New Futaba rxs from Towers
would have been $104 for the FM and about $90 for the AM, plus
connectors...
Certainly my investment in Futaba servos played a big role in my
decision to go with this upgrade, but in all, I think it worked out
pretty well...
If you have any questions (if anyone has read this far), I would be
happy to answer them.
|
| 107.34 | Futaba woes | RGB::MINER | Dan Miner, DTN:225-4015, HLO2-1/J12 (@ H11) | Tue Mar 26 1991 10:35 | 47 |
| RE: Note 107.33 by N25480::FRIEDRICHS
>> 2 AM-AM upgrades (incl 5 AEC-10) $80
>> So, $420 for 7 Dual Conversion receivers and 4 gold stickered transmitters.
Jeff, are you sure the AM Rx's are Dual Conversion? When I sent my
4 channel AM Conquest in for upgrade, it came back with a R114H Rx
(or similar model number - I forget exactly) that is listed on the
AMA list but is only SINGLE CONVERSION!!! If it doesn't say "dual
conversion" on the outside, you can (and will) bet your plane that
you'll be shot down by 2IM.
On top of that, it was totally dead when I got it back. When I sent
in the old Rx, I knew it was broken due to a crash. But, I figured
that was OK since it still looked better than the one in their
picture. After calling them, they said to send it back and they'd
fix it for free. OK, no problem, mistakes happen. At this point,
I'm still a happy Futaba customer.
Now, I get it back the second time. They have replaced the (broken)
crystal. It turns out that the first time they had it, they just
took my old (broken) crystal and plugged it into a new Rx and
DIDN'T EVEN CHECK IT BEFORE SENDING IT BACK TO ME!!!
And then, I find out that it STILL doesn't work properly. I
installed it in a glider and (wisely) did a range check on it. I
only got about 10 feet with the antenna down. Now I'm really
P.O.ed!
I'm just waiting for the AMA to remove my new Rx from the list (if
the rumor pans out) and demand a full refund for the upgrade costs
and BOTH shipping costs. I'll take the money and get a DUAL
CONVERSION RCD Rx or maybe just a whole new FM radio.
Futaba has seen the last of my modelling dollars. I'll buy JR or
Airtronics in the future. (Haven't decided which yet...)
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Castor Oil!! "
|_____/
|
| 107.35 | futaba marketing strikes again! | N25480::FRIEDRICHS | Take the money and run! | Tue Mar 26 1991 11:16 | 18 |
| I actually have not yet received the AM-AM as they were the last ones
sent in.. The receivers I will be getting are the R117H receiver.
I just called them and you are correct.. Futaba does not make any dual
conversion AM receivers. I also asked about the rumour that they were
going to be removed from the AMA approved list and the guy I talked to
seemed hadn't heard that. He claims that they meet the specs required.
Hmmm, looks like even as closely as I followed all of this, I still
got suckered.... I too will wait to see what the AMA does and go
from there...
Boy, I really feel sorry for those poor people that don't have RC.NOTE
and are trying to figure out what to do...
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.36 | didn't risk it...... | UPWARD::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) 551-5572 | Tue Mar 26 1991 12:58 | 9 |
| Put off by the extended waiting period and other horror stories read
herein, I opted to just get an RCD receiver for the Futaba FP7FGK in
the ol' Peril....$70. So far, so good.
__
| | / |\
\|/ |______|__(o/--/ | \
| | 00 <| ~~~ ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
|_|_| (O>o |\)____/___|\_____|_/ Adios amigos, Al
| \__(O_\_ | |___/ o (The Desert Rat)
|
| 107.37 | updated Futaba upgrade costs | N25480::FRIEDRICHS | Take the money and run! | Mon Apr 08 1991 14:55 | 37 |
|
Well, after thinking and fuming about getting suckered re 1991 and
not dual conversion receivers, I called and asked them to send me the
two AM-AM conversions back again. (Thanks Dan for saving me that money)
At this point with 5 flight packs, I am just going to save my money for
a bit with either of them. I still think, given my investment, it was
an OK $$ deal, but the hassles and time and marketing BS will probably
prevent me from ever buying a new radio from Futaba again.
So, the total cost looks like:
1 AM-FM upgrade (incl 5 AEC-10 adapters) $75
(tx and rx)
1 FM-FM upgrade $55
3 additional AM-FM rx upgrade (w/o AEC-10) $165
15 AEC-10 adapters $45
Shipping (expected total) $35 (approx)
Total $375
So, $375 for 5 Dual Conversion receivers and 2 gold stickered transmitters.
If I had bought the same from RCD (@$70/rx + 25 AEC-10 @$5) it would
have been $475 PLUS Tx upgrades to 1991. New Futaba rxs from Towers
would have been $104 for the FM and about $90 for the AM, plus
connectors...
Certainly my investment in Futaba servos played a big role in my
decision to go with this upgrade, but in all, I think it worked out
pretty well...
If you have any questions (if anyone has read this far), I would be
happy to answer them.
cheers,
jeff
|
| 107.38 | $%#% Adapters | LEDS::WATT | | Thu Apr 11 1991 13:17 | 10 |
| Jeff,
You could have saved the $$ on the AEC-10 adapters if you got the
RCD receivers. I don't like the idea of the adapters anyway since it
adds another connection that can fail or come apart in flight. I got
one AM-FM upgrade and I wish I had thrown the radio in the trash
instead of dropping $75 plus shipping and handling on an old radio. If
I decide to sell the system, I'll be lucky to recover my upgrade costs.
Charlie
|