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
Page 46 of 84
Futaba or Spektrum prices as I have used a “Chinese” 2.4GHz module for the last five
years without a single glitch and in at least one instance it has performed far better than
my Futaba equipment. I would never go back to the silly prices of Futaba or Spektrum
and my equipment has now been sold. The “Chinese” 2.4GHz upgrades that I would
recommend are shown in Table 3. These recommendations may not be the best that’s
out there, but I (or modellers I personally know) can vouch for each model in the table.
Manufacturer Model
Compatibility
Details
Recommendation
FrSky
DHT-U
Compatible
I have this system fitted and
have never had any issues
or glitching with my 9Z WC2.
Range and features are
excellent.
1st Choice
Corona CT8F
(V2
DSSS)
Partial
I have this system fitted and
have never had any issues
or glitching with my 9Z WC2.
However, others have found
it not to work well (or at all)
with a 9Z.
= 2nd Choice
Assan X8
Compatible
This system reputedly works
well with the 9Z.
= 2nd Choice
FrSky
V8FT
Partial
Servo glitching has been
experienced by a significant
but limited number of users
Not recommended
Table 3 Upgrading to 2.4GHz - Compatibility & Recommendations
Personally, if you don’t mind some very simple DIY, I would not bother with any 2.4GHz
set than the FrSky DHT-U. You get full telemetry, an open-source system that others
design against, free software upgrades and flawless operation. At the date of writing,
FrSky “Email” support has also been excellent – although if you want any other support,
then forget it.
For “plug-and-play” simplicity, choose Corona or Assan. Although I really rate the
Corona set (which I have used for the last 5 years), others have had issues with the 9Z.
As a result, think about the Assan offering which most people like with the 9Z.
4.6.1. IMPORTANT: Antenna positioning for maximum range
In the good old days AM and FM sets needed big long aerials to achieve the maximum
range. As a result aerials were placed at the top of transmitters, sticking straight out
where they would be kept out of the way.
Actually, in most cases maximum range for RC flying is achieved with an aerial
horizontal to the ground. This is because the radiation distribution is not uniform, but
instead is shaped like a “donut”. Think of your antenna being slipped into the hole in this
“donut” and that’s exactly the pattern you get. This means a horizontal antenna is best
for most RC flying purposes (see Figure 42), but this was never practical with the old
AM/FM sets – but now with short 2.4GHz antennas it is! The trouble is that most flyers
have now been conditioned into thinking “antennas stick up” and so I’ve lost count of the