V
FUTABA 9Z
THE UNOFFICIAL WORKSHOP MANUAL
WARNING:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY BE INCORRECT, CAUSE DAMAGE
TO YOUR RADIO OR INJURY TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. IF YOU USE THIS MANUAL YOU DO SO SOLEY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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Copyright 2012 jamesandtracy.co.uk
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cotton, if possible do not work in a carpeted area, pick up PCBs on the edges, earth
yourself by touching a metal bathroom tap before starting work and frequently earth
yourself on the metal sub-case of the 9Z before touching a PCB. If you’re really worried
you can buy a dedicated earth strap for your wrist very cheaply that you connect to the
9Z sub-case and it will provide a permanent earth, but I don’t have (or use) one and so
far everything has been fine.
2.3.4. Soldering
When you are soldering and desoldering components be as quick as you can as high
temperatures can damage some of them. This is why a variable temperature soldering
iron is such a good idea – you set it at a higher temperature for desoldering and it will
melt the solder before heat can be dispersed to the component. You can also use
crocodile clips as heat sinks to prevent temperature dispersing to delicate components.
There are lots of tutorials on the web about soldering and it’s very simple!
2.3.5. Working with Ribbon Cables
They’re everywhere in the 9Z. You need to be careful how you handle them and that you
don’t trap or damage them. You also need to recognise that you may need to replace
them in some instances just because they’re old (although this has never happened to
me). Do not twist them or force them, ease them back in and out. Do not remove them
with unprotected pliers. They’re likely to be as good as new inside the case, but with age
they become inflexible, and with too much pulling in and out the connectors become
detached from the ribbon. So if you can help it do not remove them unless necessary
and in the worst case, replacements can be sourced from Futaba or DigiKey/Farnell/RS
Components.
2.3.6. Attitude
Attitude….. as in yours! You need to work as if you're disarming and rearming a bomb.
That means slow thoughtful progress. If at any stage you think, "damn, doing that could
blow this thing up, but let's take a gamble" walk away and grab a cuppa! If you find
yourself about to force some bits together, walk away and grab a cuppa! If your kids
come home, walk away and grab a cuppa....well you get my drift! This is your prized
radio you're working on - take your time and keep it calm. Nothing, I repeat nothing in the
9Z, requires you to 'force it', everything clicks easily into place. There are far too many
posts on internet forums saying things like “Grab it here and pull up really hard” or “Give
it a smack here”. If you really feel the need to do this kind of thing for pleasure, invest in
a classic car or try ‘experimenting’ in your sex life, do not do it to your radio!!!