success how to make spektrum module work with 8fg

[Al Miessner]

Hi all,
I just wanted to share on how to make a speKtrum module work with futaba
Please don't do this modification if you're not some what tech savvy.
Enjoy
Edit: I did this Mod to use on my Nano and MCPX and nothing more.

How to make Futaba 8FG work with Spektrum/orange module Nano CPX GrandRC with Al Miessner (9 min 1 sec)

[RC Mike]

That defeats the purpose of going to Futaba. The big advantage of Futaba is the superior reliability of FASST technology.

[Al Miessner]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

That defeats the purpose of going to Futaba. The big advantage of Futaba is the superior reliability of FASST technology.

Hi RC Mike,
Very true, and I'm the first to say I'm a Futaba supporter through and through. This mod was done to prevent me from having to buy a Spektrum radio just so I can fly my Nano and Micro CPx, as I showed in the video. Now I can fly them with my trusty Futaba, but it will still have the disadvantage of the spektrum signal. Lesser of the two evils I suppose.
Cheers
Al

[Al Miessner]

I am open to questions and suggestions if you have any... I really just wanted to be able to fly my Nano and Micro / MCPX Helis witout having to buy a second radio i.e. Spektrum or Hitech or other type just to fly my current fleet.

[lcc014]

I followed Al's instruction and modified the Orange Tx module (Futaba version). The modified module worked however, there was an issue to bind this module to Nano CPX. Here are the pictures of the mod. module:





I had tried all 4 modes of the Orange JR Tx module but could not get the module to bind to Nano. I even followed the Nano CPX user manual to bind but no luck.

After searching in Internet, I saw a post mentioned about Throttle channel could be reversed. So I reversed throttle channel and module bound to Nano CPX right away. I did not need to move/hold the rudder stick to the full right to wait for binding to happen. All I had to do was to hold the bind button on the module and turned on the module. Bind button was released until binding completed. It took less than 10 seconds to bind to Nano.

The mode that I used to bind to Nano was DSMX 22ms (2 flashing LED on the module).

Also, I had to reverse all the channel in 8FG including Aileron, Elevator, Rudder and Pitch. Throttle was already reversed.

Hope this help to member to bind this module to Nano.

[Al Miessner]

Originally Posted by lcc014

I followed Al's instruction and modified the Orange Tx module (Futaba version). The modified module worked however, I had tried all 4 modes of the Orange JR Tx module but could not get the module to bind to Nano. I even followed the Nano CPX user manual to bind but no luck.

After searching in Internet, I saw a post mentioned about Throttle channel could be reversed. So I reversed throttle channel and module bound to Nano CPX right away. I did not need to move/hold the rudder stick to the full right to wait for binding to happen. All I had to do was to hold the bind button on the module and turned on the module. Bind button was released until binding completed. It took less than 10 seconds to bind to Nano.

The mode that I used to bind to Nano was DSMX 22ms (2 flashing LED on the module).

Also, I had to reverse all the channel in 8FG including Aileron, Elevator, Rudder and Pitch. Throttle was already reversed.

Hope this help to member to bind this module to Nano.

Awesome job. thanks for the follow up. this is now the complete package for someone to bridge that Spektrum Gap with our Futaba's. I never was any good at making instructional videos. If you don't mind I will use your photos because it looks a lot cleaner then my initial build and remake the video with those final steps I left out.
thanks Ed.
Al

[lcc014]

Originally Posted by Al Miessner

Awesome job. thanks for the follow up. this is now the complete package for someone to bridge that Spektrum Gap with our Futaba's. I never was any good at making instructional videos. If you don't mind I will use your photos because it looks a lot cleaner then my initial build and remake the video with those final steps I left out.
thanks Ed.
Al

Al, I don't mind, feel free to use the pictures. You were the one who showed us the mod. Thanks.

Ching-Ho Cheng

[TheKingPhisher]

Pretty cool but I don't own any Eflite micros. All of my micros are either Walkera, HiSky or Heli-Max.

[Al Miessner]

Originally Posted by TheKingPhisher

Pretty cool but I don't own any Eflite micros. All of my micros are either Walkera, HiSky or Heli-Max.

Assuming they are SPEKTRUM compatible.
The principal is the same, only changes would be transmitting mode, ie dsm, dsm2, etc...
And what servo direction to use NORM, or REV. for ail, ele, pitch etc...

[lcc014]

I came across this updater in HK which can upgrade firmware in OrangeRx Tx module (Futaba version).

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...dProduct=38395

It looks like the firmware upgrade (found in files tab of above link) will eliminate the reassignment of Channel 3 (throttle channel) in Futaba to Channel 1 for Sepktrum Rx. If this is true then with the firmware update, we could install this Tx module to T7C (2.4 GHz) which could not do channel assignment as in 8FG.

[Al Miessner]

Originally Posted by lcc014

I came across this updater in HK which can upgrade firmware in OrangeRx Tx module (Futaba version).

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...dProduct=38395

It looks like the firmware upgrade (found in files tab of above link) will eliminate the reassignment of Channel 3 (throttle channel) in Futaba to Channel 1 for Sepktrum Rx. If this is true then with the firmware update, we could install this Tx module to T7C (2.4 GHz) which could not do channel assignment as in 8FG.

interesting... I hope this works.... thanks for posting..
Al

[lcc014]

Originally Posted by Al Miessner

interesting... I hope this works.... thanks for posting..
Al

Al,

One more finding: I bought a DSM2 satellite receiver and connected it to my mini vbar. I could bind to mini vbar via the DSM2 satellite receiver without any issue. It only took about 10 seconds at most to complete the binding.

So your mod is not only for micro BNF heli, it works with Flybarless controller too ! I did not try DSMX satellite receiver because I used DSM2 mode to bind my Nano CPx. I would think, DSMX will work too. So far, I only bind to 1 DSM2 satellite receiver, not 2. Most of the FBL gyro can support up to 2 ...

[lcc014]

Originally Posted by Al Miessner

interesting... I hope this works.... thanks for posting..
Al

Al,

Update on the ORX Tx module firmware update kit. I flashed the "Futaba" firmware (less than 30 seconds) and tested the Tx module in my T7C. No need to remap the channel for Nano CPx. I can use the Tx module in my T7C now !!

Ching-Ho Cheng

[Al Miessner]

Originally Posted by lcc014

Al,

Update on the ORX Tx module firmware update kit. I flashed the "Futaba" firmware (less than 30 seconds) and tested the Tx module in my T7C. No need to remap the channel for Nano CPx. I can use the Tx module in my T7C now !!

Ching-Ho Cheng

That is awesome news. Life made easier. Thanks for posting

[Hexperience]

Would this work with a 10J? Or does it need to be fasst? I know the anylink works on my 10J when I use s-fhss mode.

Cheers

[lcc014]

In theory, it should work with 10J, regardless the modulation.

One thing I just found out about T7C, which is different from 8FG. RF module in T7C could not be disabled when Orange Tx is active. I tested it with 2 receivers: R617FS (with servo connected to it) and my Nano CPx side by side. When Orange Tx was active, and I moved T7C stick(s), both the servo (connected to R617FS) and Nano were moving at the same time. The implication is that T7C uses more power to have both ON at the same time. There are threads in RCGroup.com to modify T7C to disable RF module.

In 8FG, when Orange Tx is active, internal RF module would be disabled by itself.

[boom3]

8FG in PPM Mode with H-1 as helicopter type
Orange DSM2 transmitter module
Wired per original post

I'm having trouble getting mine to bind to a 180CFX (AR6335) for some reason.

What I'm doing...
Install bind plug on AR6335 and turn on. Hold bind button on transmitter module while powering up. After the 2 flashes on the transmitter module I release the button and it should bind. It never binds and the AR6335 receiver flashes fast like 5 times fast, goes out, goes solid for a second or so and then stays out. (anybody know what that indicates?)

I've tried all of the working modes on the transmitter module but regardless of the mode it always goes back to 3 flashes (DSMX 11ms) after I attempt to bind.

I've reassigned and reversed channels as mentioned in this thread with no luck. I thought maybe the newer Orange transmitter module came with the latest updates mentioned in this thread but regular Futaba channel assignment doesn't work either.

I do know the transmitter module is working properly because I can bind it with an Orange receiver with no problems. 180CFX (AR6335) binds to a DX6i with no problems.

Hmmm, it's gotta be a simple setting somewhere....

Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

[Al Miessner]

boom3,
I am at a loss, there has to be something simple in the binding process that we are missing. please post results when you figure it out.
Al