Conference vmszoo::rc

1284.0. "Hidden or Undocumented radio features" by ROCK::MINER (Dan Miner, DTN:225-4015, HLO2-3/D11) Wed Jan 16 1991 17:08

    The purpose of this note is to discuss features or operating modes
    of RC gear that is not explicitly discussed by the manufacturer.
    Here's one to get the note started:

    While I was in Dallas for the last 3 weeks, I stopped in a hobby
    shop to look around.  While standing near the glass case where the
    radios were on display, I could overhear a debate between two men
    about the differences between two of Futaba's 7 channel radios.  I
    can't remember the exact model numbers in question, but one of the
    radios is PCM while the other is FM.  Both radios are 7 channel and
    look very similar.  They are fairly new models and both have an LCD
    display above the power switch near the antenna.

    To make a long story short:  The FM and PCM transmitters are
    *IDENTICAL* except for the sticker on the front!!!  The PCM Tx has a
    mode to use FM-PPM and likewise, the FM (-PPM) unit can be switched
    to FM-PCM. 

    This was verified right there in the shop.  They swapped the RF
    modules from the back and then through the menu, changed the mode of
    the "PCM" unit to PPM and the "FM" unit to PCM.  Both receivers
    worked just fine.

    Bottom line: If you have one of these new Futaba FM transmitters and
    want to upgrade to PCM, all you have to do is buy a PCM Rx and find
    a buddy that has a PCM Tx to show you which buttons to push to
    convert the Tx to PCM.  It's just a simple 2 or 3 button sequence
    that is documented in the PCM manual but (apparently?) not
    documented in the FM manual.

    Alton, I tried to find an appropriate place for this but wasn't
    sucessful.  Please move if appropriate.

                       _____
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