Bored? Come To The Chit / Chat Thread

[R6cowboy]

Someone please school me regarding AM radios and crystals (I have a Futaba Magnum 2PL, 75MHz). I haven't used an AM transmitter or crystals since circa 1995, and have only used and familiar with 2.4GHz systems. I'm at the point of installing the electronics in my Kyosho Pro XRT and want to use the 2PL and either Futaba R142JE or R152JE receiver. First thing I need is a crystal set. Where do we buy crystal sets these days? Are these basically an ebay only thing now? The 2PL has 10 model memory so I plan to use this transmitter for multiple vintage r/c's as I finish projects. Does that mean I need multiple of the same frequency crystals?

PIcs of the tx and the crystal that's in it. FYI, this is the only single crystal I have. If any members here on the site sell these, please let me know so I can support fellow member(s).

[juicedcoupe]

I have two of those. For an AM model, it's as good as it gets.

I've bought several sets of Performance Devices crystals from Ebay. I haven't had any issues with them. Just be sure to get the Futaba/JR/Hitec ones, not Airtronics.

If you can't find what you want in that particular channel, try to stay near it, within reason (maybe 65-79). They are kinda turned to work best within certain ranges of the band.

And yes, you will need multiple receiver crystals. I've used Futaba, Hitec, JR, and Performance Devices crystals with each other. I haven't noticed any problems.

[Frankentruck]

You will need a transmitter (TX) crystal and multiple receiver (RX) crystals of the same frequency. I primarily use 75mhz channel 88. The picture is a bag of (5) ch 90 RX crystals.
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Your 2PL is new enough to use both the earlier wide band receivers and the later narrow band receivers. The new crystals that I buy on eBay only work with the later model AM radios, like the 2PL. These are what I've been using from "rcboyz".
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I use a mix of these and Futaba crystals with good results with my 2PL and Futaba, Novak, and Tekin AM receivers.

[R6cowboy]

Thanks fellas. Is there a difference between tx crystals and rx crystals? Meaning I'll need to get one tx specific crystal, and multiple rx specific crystals?

[juicedcoupe]

Yes, RX and TX crystals are different.

[juicedcoupe]

The picture is a bag of (5) ch 90 RX crystals.

Are those yours? Or an online pic?

One of mine runs on ch 90. If they're yours and you aren't going to use them, I'd be interested.

I have a few but more wouldn't hurt.

[Frankentruck]

That's my bag of ch 90 crystals. I was going to setup a 2nd radio with ch90 but plans have changed. Apparently a 3PK radio can't broadcast AM even if an AM module is used with it. I haven't decided to part with them yet though. I have a bunch of ch 82 also.

[R6cowboy]

Couple weeks back the boy (6 yr old) and I were out in the yard playing with the rc's. His ECX Amp all of a sudden came to an abrupt stop and died. I checked the factory esc/rx combo and servo, both were toast. The backside of the servo case is melted and the esc/rx no longer works at all, so everything got replaced. We installed an old Futaba FP-S148 servo from the stash, a new Hobbywing 1060 brushed esc and the Spektrum SRX200 receiver and STX2 transmitter from my Arrma Typhon 6s. Also an added bonus, the esc on/off switch is in a much preferable location. I kept the stock Dynamite 20T motor in it for now because it's still plenty fast for him, but have a Dynamite 15T motor for it when he's ready to step it up a bit.

[juicedcoupe]

Despite being smaller, the Amp is easier to work on than the Torment. My son and nephew have Amps and I have a Torment.

It's also cool that they use the same size ballstuds as an RC10.

[R6cowboy]

Anyone know if those Trinity motor spring tension tools are worth having or not? Not sure how they work or if it's a worthy tool to have around for those of us who are constantly working on old-school brushed motors.

[Frankentruck]

I have a spring tension measuring tool. I think knowing that I'm using a pair of springs of approximately the same tension is worth knowing, since springs came in different stiffnesses.

[juicedcoupe]

Anyone know if those Trinity motor spring tension tools are worth having or not? Not sure how they work or if it's a worthy tool to have around for those of us who are constantly working on old-school brushed motors.

I have one, though I wouldn't consider it essential for general purposes. If you were racing it some class that required brushed motors, I could see it being useful.

[R6cowboy]

What Frankentruck mentioned would be my most concern, since I have so many unknown springs from buying dozens of old motors. Also awhile back I bought some sets of various springs off ebay which did not specify what was what, they were just described as light, medium, heavy, extra heavy, etc. in the title description.

So basically I want a way of knowing if I'm using a pair of springs of the same tension or close to the same.

Thanks fellas

[R6cowboy]

Sounds like its worth $15 shipped for a new one.

[R6cowboy]

Despite being smaller, the Amp is easier to work on than the Torment. My son and nephew have Amps and I have a Torment.

It's also cool that they use the same size ballstuds as an RC10.

Just seen the Torment comes with the Spektrum STX2 transmitter and SRX200 receiver. Think I want to swap in the Dynamite 15T motor just to do a comparison between it and the Dynamite 20T that's in it now, before the 20T dies out. Just for S n G's.

We built a new ramp today, now I know what it's first use will be. Seeing how far the Amp flies, 20T vs 15T