Trainer cord question

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Carrell - 21 Aug 2003 02:06 GMT

I'm learning to fly a Global Right Flyer 60. When I started, we put my
plane on my brother's frequency and used his Hitec Flash 5X as master, with
my Futaba 6XAS as student. I have the Hitec 'one way' trainer cord.

Due to scheduling conflicts last time we flew, my brother needed his TX to
stay at his house; so we set up another 6XAS as the master for my trainer.

My question is: Is it OK to use the Hitec cord with two Futaba radios? The
'notes' on Tower Hobbies web site recommend the Hitec cord when Hitec is
master and the Futaba cord when Futaba is master. It works fine in my
garage. I just want to be sure I will not hurt either radio or lose a
plane. A Futaba cord is not really expensive, but I do not want to buy it
if I do not need it.

Thanks in advance.

---------
Carrell

If three different people tell you what you're about to do is a bad idea, at
least one of them might be right.

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John Alt - 21 Aug 2003 05:38 GMT

> I'm learning to fly a Global Right Flyer 60. When I started, we put my
> plane on my brother's frequency and used his Hitec Flash 5X as master, with
> my Futaba 6XAS as student. I have the Hitec 'one way' trainer cord.

> My question is: Is it OK to use the Hitec cord with two Futaba radios?

The deadly combination is Futaba transmitter with Hitec student box on
the Futaba cord. Hitec's cord has a diode, which the Futaba doesn't
have. Your set up is fine. It's not a bad idea to remove the antenna or
crystal in the student radio since they do get turned on accidentally.

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Bruno - 23 May 2009 05:49 GMT

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:38:44 -0700, John Alt

>It's not a bad idea to remove the antenna or
>crystal in the student radio since they do get turned on accidentally.

I'd remove the crystal, not the antenna.

Removing the crystal ensures that the Tx does not generate RF, so it
transmits nothing, as desired in the student radio.

Removing the antenna, OTOH, may or may not damage the TX's output
stages due to the absence of the proper antenna load. It's best to not
run the risk. Removing the crystal works prfectly and is safe on the
Tx.

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Morgans - 23 May 2009 07:46 GMT

> On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:38:44 -0700, John Alt
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> run the risk. Removing the crystal works prfectly and is safe on the
> Tx.

I believe that would just make the TX not tune the output, but still could
fry the output section of the TX. Better off, unplug the battery. Plus the
fact that crystals are somewhat delicate, and not meant to be plugged in an
out frequently without possible damage to the crystal.

Signature

Jim in NC

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David - 24 May 2009 07:43 GMT

> > On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:38:44 -0700, John Alt
> >
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > run the risk. Removing the crystal works prfectly and is safe on the
> > Tx.

Better off, unplug the battery.

JR sets do not work as a buddy box unless the battery is in

David

PS: As far as I can remember, without the xtal the RF stage will not
oscillate and therefore no RF output.

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The Raven - 25 May 2009 11:34 GMT

>> > On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:38:44 -0700, John Alt
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> JR sets do not work as a buddy box unless the battery is in

Simple, use the factory cord and follow the instructions. Yet to see a
single manufacturer tell you to remove batteries or crystals from the
radio....that's just paranoia.

> David
>
> PS: As far as I can remember, without the xtal the RF stage will not
> oscillate and therefore no RF output.

Fitting the correct cord and operating it to manufacturers instructions
results in the RF stage being deactivated.

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The Raven - 25 May 2009 11:32 GMT

> On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:38:44 -0700, John Alt
>
>>It's not a bad idea to remove the antenna or
>>crystal in the student radio since they do get turned on accidentally.
>
> I'd remove the crystal, not the antenna.

No need for that unless your radio is steam driven.

> Removing the crystal ensures that the Tx does not generate RF, so it
> transmits nothing, as desired in the student radio.

So does plugging in the cord on most radios, it disables the RF side.

> Removing the antenna, OTOH, may or may not damage the TX's output
> stages due to the absence of the proper antenna load. It's best to not
> run the risk. Removing the crystal works prfectly and is safe on the
> Tx.

It's extreme paranoia to remove the crystal and something I bet the
manufacturer doesn't recommend.

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / May 2009

Trainer cord question