Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Is there anyone on the forum who lives in France and uses the Aurora 9? I wish to buy in the UK and use the radio in France. The Futaba FG8 has a built-in software 'switch' but I don't think that the Hitec has. Permissable wattage output is lower in France than in the UK.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinBrian Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I dont think it is the Tx output that is the issue but the section of the 2.4 band that you can use for RC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Afternoon FlyBri This is what I was referring to:- 100mW is authorised but if the part of the band used is from (2454-to 2483,5 MHz) only 10mW is allowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XMB Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Looking at the manual for the Spectra 2.4 module used in the A9 it is CE marked for use in France but with the note of restricted frequency range(2.4056GHz to 2.4482GHz). But it fails to mention how you tell it you are actually in France! I see the new Graupner MX-16 (model 33116.EN) has a option to select Europe or France in the menu and has more comrehensive telemetry support than the A9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Thanks XMB. I'll have a look at the link. The Futaba 8 has an option to select France in the transmitter software but I like the idea of telemetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Sorry, I don't know anything about transmitting in France but recently bought the Aurora 9. I can say I'm very pleased with it, its got all the bells and whistles and its cheaper than Futaba. my ha'porth worth. Bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Thank you Bucksboy. It all builds-up a picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I'd say contact J Perkins (or email Hitec USA) and say that your a modeller going on holiday to France and want to use your transmitter there. I'll be very interested to see what response you get as I may be going on holiday to France this year (not quite decided yet) - and if so, I'll want to bring a model to chuck about. Hopefully it will be a magic button press to switch modes. You would have to rebind all your receivers though to take the new frequency allocation. I have a strong suspicon however that Hitec may ship a different module to the french market. If they do, it'll be identical apart from a software change. Maybe the HPP-22 can be put into french and update the firmware to a french version using that? Cheers, Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Simon the first thing that I did was to contact Hitec direct and they replied that all of their equipment can be used worldwide and there was no adjustment possible within the equipment. I then sent them the wording of the French regulation about two weeks ago and pointed out that the Futaba 8FG can be adjusted. Since then I've heard nothing more from them. Looks like I'll be buying the Futaba. Barrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just had a read up on it and it seems that next month (April 2012) it may not be an issue: RC Frequencies in France "From April 2012 we should also have the entire 2.4gHz band with no power restrictions however the current availability is restricted to 2400 – 2454 MHz 100mW 2454.5 – 2483.5 MHz 10mW" If you are going to purchase the 8FG, be aware of the FASST vs S-FHSS issues and compatibility. You may wish to wait till the 8J to be released, depending on your needs. This debate has been done a lot in the "Futaba: Are they stark raving mad?" thread. Don't under estimate the useful of telementry either. Again done to death on this forum too, however my view point is that its something that you don't relise how useful it is until you have it - and once you have it, you could never not have it again. Best analogy I can think of is a Sat Nav - you don't think how useful it is until you have one. Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just a bit more clarification: 16TH FAI EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR AEROBATIC MODEL AIRCRAFT Page 5: "All commercially available 2,4 GHz radio control systems (2400 – 2483,5 MHz) are permitted and recommended and we prefer to have all competitors using 2,4 GHz systems. The limitation in France at 10mW on the upper part of the band (2454 - 2483,5 MHz) for an usage outside a building should be cancelled mid 2012." So no real firm dates, maybe its worth sending a quick email to FFAM (BMFA french equivalent for those that are reading who don't know) to clarify on dates? As the complete band is allowed at full output power already indoors, I wouldn't worry. After all, I bet no-one switches between french mode and worldwide mode on their laptop in France when outside connecting to a wireless access point inside a building! It's not worth restricting yourself to half of the 2.4GHz band if the legislation has changed, imo. Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Thanks Simon. Being a Futaba user I was going to upgrade to the 8FG from the 2.4 F7 but was interested in the telemetry aspect of the Aurora 9. I'll have a look at the latest bulletin on the FFAM site. Barrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Anyone got any further info on this subject. I can't get the frequencies page up on the FFAM site, although I'm a member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 The frequencies page is available (not easily!) throught the FFAM extranet site here. However, it has not been updated at all and still shows the restriction, Barry. However, in this thread on the Modelisme forum, you'll find a link in the 31st Oct post to confirm that the restriction was lifted from 1st July this year. Bonne Annee! Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T. Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hitec issue three modules for 2.4Ghz systems: UNIVERSAL 2.4GHz MODULE FOR AURORA 9, ECLIPSE 7, OPTIC 6 #28315 FRANCE 2.4GHz MODULE FOR AURORA 9, ECLIPSE 7, OPTIC 6 #28316 JAPAN 2.4GHz MODULE FOR AURORA 9, ECLIPSE 7, OPTIC 6 #28321 and Spectra 2.4J Module - JR Telemetry Module NB: 3 different types = Universal, Japan & France ... TX RF Indicator light is inoperative, it is replaced by those on module. ex Aurora 9, AFHSS Spectra Modules, Optima Transceivers, Minima Receivers & Telemetry - FAQ & Undocumented Features Alan Tong Alan's Hobby, Model & RC FAQ Web Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted December 25, 2012 Author Share Posted December 25, 2012 Thank you Alan. Interesting links there. Thanks to you too Pete. Why the FFAM have not modified their site yet is a mystery. Even at my local club here in Brittany nobody seemed to know the answer........... A merry Christmas to you both. Barrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I've been given good authority by the testing lab I use (they test for ce/FCC/etc approval) that the restrictions on output power in outdoor locations has been removed - to become inline with EU directives. So basically it's fine to use normal ce approved modules/transmitters.Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Merry Christmas too!Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted December 25, 2012 Author Share Posted December 25, 2012 Thank you Simon - All the best to you too. Barrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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