Polk's Tracer 2 TX

[geff]

Hi:

I was at a swap meet this weekend and picked up a Polk's Tracker 2 in very good condition for a really low price.

I downloaded the manual from the net and it said that the Tx could synthesize all 72 MHz and 75 MHz frequencies.

The back plate on the Tx said it could synthesize all 72 and 75 MHz frequencies.

However, going thru the menus on the Tx I found that I could only get 72 MHz frequencies.

Please could someone give me a definitive answer on whether my radio can be changed to 75 MHz.

I have tried RadioSouth and Tony couldn't help me.

Thanks

[JWLaRue]

Geff,

The Tracker radio hardware is capable of supporting either 72MHz or 75MHz. As I understand it, it's a firmware change or setting that determines which frequency set it uses. The folks at Polk Hobbies were the ones who did any changes, but since they closed the business....I do not know anyone who can make the change.

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Polks is the only ones that could have done it from what I have heard. They did not use a plug in RF module like some do.
Even if you could find someone that could do it the cost would be high I bet.
My suggestion is sell it unless you need an aircraft radio. BD

[Guest]

Has anyone tried contacting Polk's owners or former employees, to see if their old products can be tweaked or serviced? A bit of digging around can often find nuggets of information.

For instance this chap was a former employee and dealt with R/C equipment at Polks, he may be able to help, or point you towards someone that can.

http://www.jsgill.net/

Another avenue to explore is the DIY R/C community. Many folks on there are extremely helpful, and may possibly know how to adjust these sets. Microstar 2k builders may be able to give some advice, as that set had the option of a synth board.

[subdude]

Andy,

I talked to John Gill about retuning the transmitters several years ago. He told me then that the firmware was required, and the Polks technician that did it was no longer willing or able to. Unless I'm missing something, if you have a 72mhz set, you're stuck.

[tsenecal]

this topic comes up for discussion about once a year, and was thoroughly beaten to death on r/c groups about a year ago. for the last 3 years the basic statement has been:

1) the radios were able to be adjusted by Polk's

2) Polk's r/c has closed its doors. when they went out of business, they stated that all service and warranty work was to be handled by "aristocraft trains", which, sadly, went out of business only a year or too later. their website used to re-direct to crest-electronics.net, but now that site is dead as well.

3) Polk's did not hand over or offer to train any of the other reputable servicing companies, such radios-south. there are no longer any individuals around that have any innate knowledge about these systems.


you are better off selling the radio to someone that wants a 72mhz radio, and finding something else.

[geff]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like I got my "definitive" answer.

I think that I will keep it. I have been flying RC aircraft for many (many) years and the Tracker can replace some (all) of the row of 72 MHz radios that I have on a shelf!

Anyone need any boat anchors?