Scruffmeister Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Hi All, This may be a very silly question, but is it technically possible to have a Spektrum 2.4Ghz radio act as a buddy box to a Futaba 2.4Ghz radio? It doesn't sound intuitive given the electronics involved, but I thought I'd ask. By way of background, I have a Futaba 6EX and am thinking of swapping over to a Spektrum DX8 since I like the telemetry features on offer. However, my son will soon be old enough to learn to fly, so I was wondering it it would be possible to re-use the Futaba as a training Tx for him... Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Scruffy it's virtually impossible. Not only are the signal levels different but the servo channel sequence is different, so the Throttle channel of one would be controlling the Aileron channel of the other etc. It has been done with a clever box of electronics between, but I think this tended to introduce an unacceptable delay in the signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffmeister Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 Thanks Chris, unfortunately that's as I suspected. Back to the drawing board... or maybe I'll just have to think about the Futaba 8FG instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 The 8FG is a excellent tranny Scruffy - I've got one 8 months ago and I've been very happy with it. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I'm very happy with mine too.......and I see the Tx only is very reasonable these days too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 If you look on the Futaba website you will see that any Futaba Tx with the latest rectangular buddy socket can be used as a buddy with any other Futaba with the same socket. In other words a 35mhz 6EXA can be used with any Futaba 2,4Ghz as a buddy box. We tried it at our club , and it works. But with a very expensive Futaba heli TX ( I forget which ) it needed some extra programming change too. (some fancy thing needed switching off I think ) So look out for someone discarding a 35 mhz Futaba TX with the right socket! ( there are lots of good 6EXA 35 mhz Tx recently discarded by 2.4 Ghz users ) Also I think the cheap basic Spektrum Tx may not have a buddy socket so you cannot use that as a buddy with your DX8. Am I right?Edited By kc on 26/01/2011 15:03:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 The Futaba you get doesn't need the right socket, you can get round to square cables, so almost any Futaba computerised TX will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 There is a JR to Futaba buddy interface Here Bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Posted by Bert on 26/01/2011 15:21:07:There is a JR to Futaba buddy interface Here Bert Unfortunately he doesn't supply the parts any more. The pic is easy to programme, but he doesn't give the code, so I don't think it will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Using a round to square Futaba cable causes a malfunction with 2.4Ghz according to the Futaba 2.4 6EX manual page 33. Dont try it!Edited By kc on 26/01/2011 15:32:36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Posted by kc on 26/01/2011 15:28:50:I believe I am correct in saying using a round to square Futaba cable does not work ( or damages something ) for 2.4ghz. I read it somewhere! Itb would need checking then, but it wouldn't make any sense, as the signals would be the same as connecting to another square non 2.4 set. They all have in-out-ground andsome have positive to power the student from the instructor TX. Some radios only have a signal line, which can work either way, they usually have a 3.5mm jack plug, but Futaba is pretty consistent. h e r eEdited By Steve W-O on 26/01/2011 15:39:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Steve, note I amended my post when I found the written evidence! Thats what the manual says! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Posted by kc on 26/01/2011 15:43:49:Steve, note I amended my post when I found the written evidence! Thats what the manual says! OK, see that. I'm sure it can be done if you select what connections you make, ie only use the in and out and ground, leave both the batteries in and take the xtals out of the 35MHz. I think if it was important to make it work, further reading would show it can be done, but as you say, not with the ready made cables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bentley Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 There is a buddy lead between JR and Futaba here http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN173 depending on the Futaba model, you also might need this http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN174 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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