Futaba 9C question

[roedj]

SCers,

I have a Futaba 9c transmitter which is currently on 50MHz - long time Ham radio operator. As I understand it, the thing that makes my radio 50mhZ is the RF deck which plugs into the back of the 9C. So if I acquire a 75 or 72MHz version of the 9C all I have to do is plug my 50MHz deck into it and I'm good to go on 50MHz.

Is my understanding correct?

Dan

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

I have two 9C Futabas.
I took a while but finding 9C with 72mhz is much easier to find than 75mhz.

Both came with 72mhz.
72mhz is much easier to find than 75mhz.
Looked around and acquired two 75mhz modules.
Unplugged the 72hmz and plugged in the 75hmz.
Good to go.

So, I think your assumption is correct but hopefully someone with more knowledge will set us straight on this information.

[thor]

Dan,
You are correct. I have 5-9Cs. You can pull your 72 Mhz module and insert a 50 Mhz or 75 Mhz and you are in business. As with all radios manufactured, the ratio of 72 Mhz radios to 75 Mhz radios was more than 10:1. Finding a 9C in 75 Mhz is a rare find, indeed. I have bought every 75 MHz RF module on the planet, I think.

[bigdave]

Aaaa not so Mr President.
I have 3 and DonO has 7 I think.
He collects them like some people collect stamps.
Lol BD

[thor]

Lol! You are lucky men, Dave! They are super hard to find. As a note, you can have a 72 Mhz module converted to 75 Mhz if you cannot find a 75 Mhz module.

[cheapsub]

a HAM operator!
I guess most of the people runs on 50 Mhz don't like to wait for to use 72 Mhz or 75 Mhz.
one time 4 people have the same frequency at a sub regatta........
So want to try something new (getting old by now) 433 Mhz RF module it will work on your Futaba transmitter(UHF need licensed HAM) it has all and then some, the bells and whistles of a 2.4 Ghz but IT WILL WORKS UNDER "WATER".
got one set with you name on it, want to try!
PM me.

fung

[salmon]

Tim Senecal has been a trail blazer on discovering the 433 MHz modules. He has successfully got it go work plus get feed back that monitors battery, rpm, compass, depth, and other information. Currently he is looking in the 900 MHz range because it does not require a HAM license of any type. You will like the 433 MHz units, look forward to hearing more about what you have discovered!

[thor]

Tom,
I have been playing with the 433 Mhz equipment suggested by a Tim and am putting together an article for the SCR. The 900 Mhz band is likely to not be an option for us I would guess at this point as it is approaching the half point of 2.4 Ghz. I would think it's penetration would be very limited. I am anxious to hear about any results of testing in the 900mhz band.

So far, I have found the complete lack of instructions provided with the equipment to be very disappointing and frustrating. Tom Spettle has just acquired his equipment and will be working with Tim to put together a step-by-step instructional video on how to set up the basic equipment. 433 Mhz has a lot of promise, but needs some polish to get it over the hump. Of course, the down side is the license requirement which really isn't that big of a deal.

75 Mhz is far from dead, however. There is a very substantial stock of radios available now to Sub modelers through Nautilus drydocks and Subtech. There will be a lot more about this pleasant development and even more in the next SCR.

[salmon]

Matt,
Yes, there is not much documentation if going to 433 MHz (except what Tim and David on another site have done). So, I am glad Tom is doing a video. Tim did a video of the 900 MHz unit where he was getting loss. He will be trying other units and antennas to see if it will be viable for us because of the no HAM license required. I so enjoy that mad scientist's (Tim) mind and how he purposefully goes for a solution and tries any variable. If Tim says it will work, I will believe him.
An article will be great! There is so much potential in this. Oh, kudos to you and Bob for getting a cache of radios for sale.
Peace,
Tom

[thor]

Tom,

You are correct. Tim has been a trailblazer in this and many other areas. His work in the alternative radio bands has been quite inspiring. I think Tim is a bit of a electronics tinkerer at heart and had a unique talent that most of us are lacking in the areas of advanced electronics. Tim Senecal, Paul Crozier, and Tom Spettel have all made great contributions to bring the existing FPV drone 433 Mhz technology to the hobby, and they all deserve a hearty "Well Done!" for their work.

To say the least, I do not consider the 433 Mhz equipment to be as "user friendly" at this point, but I am coming at it from the standpoint of never having had to deal with this equipment in the past and that is the point of the article. I have several 2.4 Ghz radios for my sailplanes, and they are quite easy to handle and set up. I know the process is similar, but it is not quite as easy, at least at this point, to get all of the equipment "talking" to each other. It is especially more difficult when there is absolutely nothing supplied with the equipment to guide the user other than the shrink wrap that the product was supplied.

Tom and Tim will be shooting that video soon, and I am in a holding pattern until it is complete. Tom Spettle has been in constant communication with me as this has all been developing, and that has been a great help.

Thanks for letting me know about the 900 MHz video. I guess I am not surprised with the early results. If anyone can make it work, it will be Tim! That would be huge, as you correctly pointed out, there is no license necessary for that band. While there is reason to be concerned, there is no reason to panic. We have new 75 Mhz radios to keep us stocked for years while the technology continues to expand and advance.