Jimmy Jewitt Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Hi a newby pensioner here. I recently purchased a used Futaba T14SG controller. I have noticed that the area code is America. Is it illegal to use it in the UK and is there any way this can be changed. Any information or help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Jimmy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Cardin Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 Jimmy, the area code adapts details when you software update your T14SG transmitter. So, being America code even if it is updated to last software version your controller is not working on "Listen Before Talk" (LBT) protocol as is mandatory today both in Europe and UK. For changing the area code from "America" to "Europe" you will mandatory have to reel on an official Futaba service as it is performed from a special service software, so I think you should contact Ripmax and ask if the may give you such service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 I am tempted to say that Jimmy has been " sold a pup" and it would be better to try to get the money back from whoever sold it to him. But perhaps this Tx was imported into EU before the laws changed and could be therefore legal to use? I suppose it also depends whether Jimmy bought it from an EU source or imported it from USA himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 There may be a difference in radiated power for a US versus a European Tx. I think in the UK we are limited to 100 mlli watts whereas in the US they can go up to 1 watt. Another issue. I think this falls into the Grey Import area where the Tx will not carry a CE marking and is therefore illegal to use in the UK. Agree with kc that pup and sold come into this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Jewitt Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 I thought I bought it on Ebay But I can't seem to find it in my purchases. I have had it about a year now and decided to use it for gimbal use. (as I already owned aT14SG which I use for flight). That's the reason I have only found out lately about it being coded for America. I also own FrSky Taranis but this can be changed to be America code or Euro (LBT) code by changing the firmware. I wonder why Futaba didn't do the same. Thanks guys for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Posted by Jimmy Jewitt on 17/03/2020 18:43:49: That's the reason I have only found out lately about it being coded for America. I also own FrSky Taranis but this can be changed to be America code or Euro (LBT) code by changing the firmware. I wonder why Futaba didn't do the same. Under the EU regs you should not be able to change region on the transmitting device.................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Jewitt Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 Sorry for being a dum dum but does anybody know EU regs forbid this ? I don't get it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Murphy 1 Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Silly question BUT if Jimmy turned up at the flying field/park/club who would know? I suppose a club might check everyones radio BUT a park etc? These new radios that you can change the firmwhere with multi protocol, whats to stop you selecting the "higher" output after the TX as passed any checks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 It might be worth contacting Ripmax as authorised service agents should be able to switch it from FCC to EU/LBT. As I understand it that is the way it should be done for FrSky so I'd imagine it will be the same for other brands. Edited By Bob Cotsford on 18/03/2020 13:51:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Flyer Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Futaba probably want their products to be sold by legitimate retailers and are keen to avoid people buying fake or unsuitable/unauthorised /non-compliant grey market equipment. I imagine Futaba are not keen on people changing their firmware for the same reasons, and are keen on maintaining the reputation of their product. I’m afraid amazingly “cheap” offers are usually cheap for a reason . There used to be a number of fake servos and receivers around too which falsely implied that they were Futaba or Spectrum. That caught many unsuspecting Modellers out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Jewitt Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 To be honest Futaba is not my favourite controller it is a first class quality product that specialises in helicopters and fixed winged aeroplanes. There is very little about multicopters which have become very popular. The reason I purchased Futaba (and Spectrum) was of DJI's preference for using products other than there own. I prefer FR Sky's Taranis that uses Opentx which is easier to program because of the in detail instructions as how it is done. I still feel that it would do Futaba no harm to supply there own firmware software (at their own discretion) to make this possible. I repeat Futaba is really a brilliant controller (for heli and fixed wing) but there is no tutorials on multicopters whether in print or online (Youtube). Sorry for changing the subject and the ramblings but it comes with age I guess. Thank's to everyone who made the time to answer my post's, very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Jewitt Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Hi, just an update on the situation. I did contact Ripmax who basicly refused to have any thing to do with it. I did buy it on Ebay and it really didn't come cheap. There were 2 others that I could have bought all around the going price. The reason I bought this one if I remember rightly was because the seller was an old boy like myself. It is still sitting on a shelf because I hate throwing things away that are working the way they should be and selling it to an American is not an option due to taxes and postage and so on. I still think it's fickle of Futaba and their attitude towards firmware. We all know that Taranis stuff is open source but surely Futaba could make an exeption to the rule in certain cases like my own. As for fakes has anybody ever came across a Futaba controller copy? I would have thought receivers maybe, but controllers. Here's me rambling on again. Once again thank you chap's for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Posted by Jesus Cardin on 17/03/2020 09:56:13: Jimmy, the area code adapts details when you software update your T14SG transmitter. So, being America code even if it is updated to last software version your controller is not working on "Listen Before Talk" (LBT) protocol as is mandatory today both in Europe and UK. There are some inaccuracies in the post above... LBT is not mandatory in Europe - compliance with the current ETSI regs at the point of sale is! LBT is just one way of doing that, there are other options too. See this thread for exhaustive info. All devices sold under previous regulations are grandfathered in, so even if it would not comply if sold today, it can still be used. It's compliance at the time of sale that matters. The crucial question for me is "Is it CE marked?". Assuming it is I see no reason it cannot be used, though it may not bind to new receivers bought within the EU. Let's face it - compliance with the RF rules is self certified by the manufacturers, and there is next to no enforcement action taken against of suppliers who supply clearly non-compliant kit in the EU (FPV transmitters etc). The chances of Jimmy getting pulled for using a slightly overpower TX in the middle of a field is zero, and the "risk" posed by it to other users is (IMO) zero too. YMMV. Edited By MattyB on 05/11/2020 12:49:34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Posted by Frank Skilbeck on 18/03/2020 08:19:42: Posted by Jimmy Jewitt on 17/03/2020 18:43:49: That's the reason I have only found out lately about it being coded for America. I also own FrSky Taranis but this can be changed to be America code or Euro (LBT) code by changing the firmware. I wonder why Futaba didn't do the same. Under the EU regs you should not be able to change region on the transmitting device.................. True, but with a self certified process for compliance and seemingly no enforcement many manufacturers are ignoring that. Besides, as regs change being able to change things like protocol, output power etc makes sense if perfectly usable kit is not to end up in landfill - electronic waste is an increasing problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Re " chances of Jimmy getting pulled for using a slightly overpower TX in the middle of a field is zero, " - it does seem unlikely but if there is ever some involvement of the police or an insurance claim you can bet they will look into every aspect closely to find some way to prosecute or weedle out of an insurance claim. You may think it's unlikely authorities will visit your field but last year my club received a visit from 4 armed officers in uniform whilst we were flying! Turned out to be Border Patrol officers and they were there because we were flying on a private farm airstrip used by 3 full size planes. No problem for us and they didn't ask much about models but asked how often the strip was used for full size and had we seen anything suspicious. But authorities do visit........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 ...hence why I asked whether it has a CE mark. If it does, I can't see how the OP could be held responsible - the burden of proof is on the investigator to show it was a contributory factor to the incident, and that the non-compliance was the responsibility of the pilot rather than the original UK seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Jewitt Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 I can't find any CE mark anywhere (my other Futaba has a CE mark just above the serial number). There is just a serial number on the back with the number and made in Taiwan. To put you in the picture, I have permission from a farmer to use his land. Nearest airport is about 7-8 miles away. Looking at the fly safe zones the nearest amber warning is about 3 miles away. Am I wrong in saying as I don't quite get the gist of LBT that some would agree that it would be beneficial to change from EU to USA and rather pointless in terms of range and power to change from USA to EU other than trying to be law abiding. Thank everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Check your PMs Jimmy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.