Radio range problem?

[augermeister]

Hey all!

I'm ready to fly my newly completed Yak, but it doesn't pass the radio range test. When I power up the TX then plug the plane's battery in, I can't get more than 5-10 paces away (with TX antenna down, not up) before all the servos start twitching violently. Everything functions properly when I'm right next to the plane.
I've tried routing the RX antenna several different ways to no avail. I have pulled out & replaced both crystals to verify they're seated properly, but that didn't make a difference.
My transmitter is a Tower Hobby 6XM (like the Futaba 6EX) & the Scorpion power combo with Hitec 05S receiver.

Any ideas? I'm dying to get this baby up for her maiden flight!

[Hogger]

What channel are you on?
I had the same problem with my Futaba Tx with the Hitec O5S Rx. It doesn't like anything below about channel 15...ish. Had good results with the GWS 6 ch. receiver.

That's when I went to a DX6.

[bighead93]

Hey all!

I'm ready to fly my newly completed Yak, but it doesn't pass the radio range test. When I power up the TX then plug the plane's battery in, I can't get more than 5-10 paces away (with TX antenna down, not up) before all the servos start twitching violently. Everything functions properly when I'm right next to the plane.
I've tried routing the RX antenna several different ways to no avail. I have pulled out & replaced both crystals to verify they're seated properly, but that didn't make a difference.
My transmitter is a Tower Hobby 6XM (like the Futaba 6EX) & the Scorpion power combo with Hitec 05S receiver.

Any ideas? I'm dying to get this baby up for her maiden flight!

Is there any cuts in the antenna wire? I had that happen with my Eclipse but that was because the Spectra Module wasn't all the way seated. We still need to meet up and fly! A few of us have been flying out at Folsom Lake...the parking lot is huge (400' x 600') all smooth too!! No trees, power lines..nothing but open sky!

[augermeister]

What channel are you on?
I had the same problem with my Futaba Tx with the Hitec O5S Rx. It doesn't like anything below about channel 15...ish. Had good results with the GWS 6 ch. receiver.

That's when I went to a DX6.

I'm on channel 50. I've since tried two other receivers & it's looking more like a transmitter problem, as I'm getting the same results with all 3 receivers. If I only had another transmitter to try!

[augermeister]

Is there any cuts in the antenna wire? I had that happen with my Eclipse but that was because the Spectra Module wasn't all the way seated. We still need to meet up and fly! A few of us have been flying out at Folsom Lake...the parking lot is huge (400' x 600') all smooth too!! No trees, power lines..nothing but open sky!

I've tried different receivers with the same results. I guess that leaves the transmitter as the likely culprit?

I've seen people out there at the lake for years flying & always thought it would be a fun place to fly. Just so dang far from Elk Grove! Guess I've gotta get my Yak straightened out first, huh?!!

[bighead93]

I've tried different receivers with the same results. I guess that leaves the transmitter as the likely culprit?

I've seen people out there at the lake for years flying & always thought it would be a fun place to fly. Just so dang far from Elk Grove! Guess I've gotta get my Yak straightened out first, huh?!!

I would take it to RC Country off of Folsom Blvd. and have them take a look. They have always been helpful when I have had problems...at no charge;)

I swear there has to be at least 3000' in all directions and this time of year there is almost no one there! We had a couple of guys with some gas planes...that have never seen the Airfoilz planes...they were very impressed! And I can fit 4 electrics in the back of my Durango;) We still go out to Maidu...just let me know...and you can try out my Edge, Bipe and very soon my Extra!

[augermeister]

I would take it to RC Country off of Folsom Blvd. and have them take a look. They have always been helpful when I have had problems...at no charge;)

I swear there has to be at least 3000' in all directions and this time of year there is almost no one there! We had a couple of guys with some gas planes...that have never seen the Airfoilz planes...they were very impressed! And I can fit 4 electrics in the back of my Durango;) We still go out to Maidu...just let me know...and you can try out my Edge, Bipe and very soon my Extra!

I think RC Country is an excellent idea. Those guys have always been helpful & they know their stuff. We'll see what they have to say about my radio situation!
I'll drop you a line when I get this thing flying so we can go fly sometime.

[bighead93]

I think RC Country is an excellent idea. Those guys have always been helpful & they know their stuff. We'll see what they have to say about my radio situation!
I'll drop you a line when I get this thing flying so we can go fly sometime.

Keep me posted! I should have the Extra flying by next weekend I hope;)

[augermeister]

Keep me posted! I should have the Extra flying by next weekend I hope;)

Took the whole system to RC Country & after more testing determined I have a faulty transmitter. Going to send it back to Tower Hobbies & see if they can repair or replace it. Looks like I'm grounded for a while longer. :(

I bet you're anxious to get that Extra in the air! Let me know what you think of it.

[bighead93]

Took the whole system to RC Country & after more testing determined I have a faulty transmitter. Going to send it back to Tower Hobbies & see if they can repair or replace it. Looks like I'm grounded for a while longer. :(

I bet you're anxious to get that Extra in the air! Let me know what you think of it.

The good thing is that you caught prior to flying! What time were you there? I was just there getting some last minute supplies!

Heck yeah!! The Extra looks sweet!!

[augermeister]

The good thing is that you caught prior to flying! What time were you there? I was just there getting some last minute supplies!

Heck yeah!! The Extra looks sweet!!

I was there around 11 AM. Managed to get outta there w/o spending any money (for once)!

Uhhhh, I didn't really catch the transmitter problem before flying. The place took off by itself while I was walking away for the range check. All of a sudden everything went haywire at once & it was all over before I could do a thing. Even put a dent in my fiance's car! :mad:

Oh well, now I've got something to work on while I'm waiting for my radio to be repaired! Good thing I've got plenty of Gorilla Glue & carbon tube laying around!

[bighead93]

I was there around 11 AM. Managed to get outta there w/o spending any money (for once)!

Uhhhh, I didn't really catch the transmitter problem before flying. The place took off by itself while I was walking away for the range check. All of a sudden everything went haywire at once & it was all over before I could do a thing. Even put a dent in my fiance's car! :mad:

Oh well, now I've got something to work on while I'm waiting for my radio to be repaired! Good thing I've got plenty of Gorilla Glue & carbon tube laying around!

Just missed you! I was there right after lunch!

Holy Cow!!:eek: I learned as a kid...the first time you power up a new plane...do it without the prop!

At least the break should be easy to fix...let me know if you need any help;)

[augermeister]

Just missed you! I was there right after lunch!

Holy Cow!!:eek: I learned as a kid...the first time you power up a new plane...do it without the prop!

At least the break should be easy to fix...let me know if you need any help;)

I'm just glad it didn't hit me! I had run it up several times on the bench & everything was fine. It's when I got a little distance from it that bad things started happening. Lesson learned: do all bench tests & first range check without prop!

Should be an easy fix, just gotta try to keep it light. I'll holler if I run into any snags.

Did you say you've got a spectrum radio? Which one & how are you liking it?

[bighead93]

I'm just glad it didn't hit me! I had run it up several times on the bench & everything was fine. It's when I got a little distance from it that bad things started happening. Lesson learned: do all bench tests & first range check without prop!

Should be an easy fix, just gotta try to keep it light. I'll holler if I run into any snags.

Did you say you've got a spectrum radio? Which one & how are you liking it?

I have the Eclipse 7 with the spectrum feature. Works good! Not sold on the 2.4 stuff yet!