James Y

August 2014 Update: New Version Available This is a major revision of the manual which has now over 100 pages of information. In addition, as a result of numerous requests it now include the 6 different 9Z LCD button templates to repair or customise your 9 ZAP, WC1 or WC2 LCD buttons now that these Futaba parts are no longer available. Version 4 Release 6 is now available to download from http://www.jamesandtracy.co.uk/howto/RC.htm And thanks to all who continue to donate to support this guide - it all helps to keep things going! Enjoy guys Edited By James Y on 05/08/2014 19:38:10

Well you asked for it - and I had a quiet period at work today, so.... Building instructions and decals for the Voodoo QX in a PDF booklet can be downloaded from my website through the link below: Voodoo QX 4ch RC Micro Slope Soarer – download simple building instructions Have fun - it is super addictive!

Posted by Bill_B on 11/04/2014 16:59:30: Looks interesting, is it a converted EDF kit, or is it kitted purely as a slope soarer? Could do with some more info please. Nothing so high tech or complex! It's a £7 EPO free flight foam glider in its original form - the Estes Falcon. I got mine from my LMS, but you can get them anywhere: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Estes-4011-Falcon-Glider/dp/B0084JTDFW Like I said, all up it's about £15 to make and the mods are really quick. I carbon stripped mine and then glass skinned it with an 2*HK sheet which cost £1 and some resin (but you could PU varnish it). It comes out unbelievably stiff - about the same as my DLG and with around the same weight as my Alula. Thats with 4 servos, a 4ch full range 2.4Ghz Rx (I'll never use the range!) a battery and a lost model! All the RC kit is internal as there's enough room so it looks good too. Yeah I'll try and grab a vid, but I usually end up flying alone these days due to the odd hours I get available. That photo in flight was taken with one hand while flying with the other - not easy with this thing! There is this vid of a conversion to electric and TBH the performance is very similar (although the guy has left the dihedral in which I removed in my Voodoo version). I may well get another and do a electric version of the "Voodoo": **LINK** I'm working on a car at present, but when I get a moment I'll dig out some more photos and do a write up on the mods and installation process if you're interested.       Edited By James Y on 11/04/2014 19:38:04

So I haven't been getting much slope action over the past few years because of the "growing" family. So the last couple of weeks I thought I'd try something different - a micro PSS - whack it in the boot, leave it there for the opportunity, that sort of thing. Only cost £15 all up to finish + some micro gear I had lying around, so I thought what have I got to loose? So yesterday I trimmed it on the flat (trimmed-ish as it is way too fast/whippy to chuck glide trim properly) and took it to the slope. There is certainly a knack to flying this little beasty - you need to really wang it past the slope edge turbulence and get it out fast with rates really, really low. I ended up with 30% travel and 60% expo. Once you're out though - woosh, it's like a super powered gnat. Take the rates off and the adrenaline rush is massive. Add in the taileron mixer to the normal flapperons and its darn near too fast - I whacked it into the ground at full speed 3 times without damage (I guess because of the size) - last two crashes the nose ended up burying itself to the canopy like a spear. This one is going to need some getting used to, but sooo much fun in trying! Edited By James Y on 11/04/2014 15:44:56

Cool - and no need for thanks as the more the merrier - it adds a whole new dimension to flying fun - not to mention all the cars/people etc. that stop to find out what the UFO is - nothing like hearing the far off cry on a still night of "Dad! Come quick! There's aliens on the common"! Makes me smile every time....

I've noticed the night flying brotherhood is getting thin in my area - not much new blood around! So here's something to convince you to give it a go - it only costs £15 to convert a plane and takes a few hours at most. **LINK** The guide above shows you how to set up a plane for flying at night and came about because a mate asked me how to do it as he couldn't find any real information around. (Perhaps that's why numbers are dropping? ) Anyway Night Flying is massive fun and cheap to do - it also extends your flying time after work. So now the nights are warmer and drawing out, go on - give night flying a go! QX

I know this is old and probably solved now, but for others who may find themselves asking the same question "is my 9c module compatible with my 9z?": First off Futaba do say "You can use your 9Z module in your 9c, but you can't use your 9C module in your 9Z" However.... The circuit diagrams are functionally identical, although some components in the 9Z module appear to be of better quality. Also having put my 9C module in my 9Z and analysed the output, there does not appear to be a difference. Further, followng that I flew with my 9C module in my 9Z for 2 years without an issue. So from my experience, yep, you can use your 9C in your 9Z, despite what Futaba say. Although I haven't looked into it, I wonder whether the reason Futaba say you can't is down to a certification issue given the relative ages of the two sets. If this is the case, although technically illegal, using a 9C module in a 9Z would be perfectly safe. As a new Futaba 9Z owner you may also find my service and repair manual useful as it explains all the hacks and service procedures for this radio (as well as the above). Download it from my site here: www.jamesandtracy.co.uk - RC guides     Edited By James Y on 20/12/2013 08:32:28 Edited By James Y on 20/12/2013 09:09:34

Posted by Martin Harris on 29/04/2013 22:28:19: Looks interesting but it doesn't look like it will support the slightly different format used on the 10C - or am I (hopefully!) wrong? It should backup any Campac enabled radio, including the 10C, as it simply uses the 16K and 64K Campac protocols. Some of the 'features' may not work (like model rename), but I can't see why as the header data pattern is consistent across all radios, it's only the model data "inbetween" the header and footer data that is different. You'll find an option to load any backed up CAMPAC file beyond the standard listed on the interface under the heading "other" I think. These backed up files can be loaded in Notepad and edited as they are simply Hex representations of ASCII for model names etc.

Hi guys, I keep on getting emails on my site about where to download Toolpac - for those that don't know this is basically a simple DIY tool for backing up Futaba Campac's and their aftermarket clones. Anyhoo, it appears that Pierre's site no longer works and obviously hasn't for some time. So, not that I'm fed up with writing emails or anything , but I've whacked Toolpac up on my site and you can download it there, along with details on how to convert it to USB - the link is below: Download Toolpac - http://www.jamesandtracy.co.uk/howto/RC.htm I didn't have anything to do with developing this brilliant little piece of software and hardware, all credit to Pierre, especially considering that after all this time I get 1-3 emails every week asking where to find it or if I have a copy! James

Guys, I need your help. Over the next few months I'm going to update the manual for 2013 as there is some more useful stuff to add that has come into my hands (thanks all). If there's anything you want in the manual that's not already there - nows the time to shout it out. Likewise, if you have any info that isn't in the manual, please let me know - PM's OK or via this link is best for a faster response. Happy trails James

You need to register and login before you'll see the reduced price - in this case it takes the price for the lipo down from £7 to about £6.50 I think.