Programming with the Antenna down

[Hovering]

Hi , Does anybody know if it's ok to turn on the transmitter with the Antenna down ? I just got a JR XP9303 and could find nothing in the manual about . I would like to Program it with out extending the antenna. Is it OK to turn on the transmitter with the antenna down, and then program it?
Or will this cause any damage to the Transmitter ?[/b]

[bighands3d]

I always set up my stuff with the antenna down have been for years haven't had a problem yet.

[WayneBrown]

I do too, unless I can find my DSC cord, which is safer to use overall. As long as you use a JR brand switch the cord works, without transmitting.

[scottsr]

So have we come up with a definative yes it is OK or NO it isn't OK yet ? I do no not have a OSC cord so now what ?

[BarracudaHockey]

Extend one section, the rf has to go somewhere, if it can't radiate it turns into heat which can, over time damage the rf output section.

Extend one section of antenna and you dont have to worry about it.

[rkeith2]

Andy is correct on heat -

If you are not talking to the receiver and just setting curves and such preliminarily just remove the rf module otherwise its a good idea to extend it.

Transmitters are designed to operate efficiently at full length (lowest SWR) anything shorter is inefficient and feeds back into the network.

Of course our output power is low enough to not fry the innards bt it can still reduce the life.

me

[Al Austria]

Yes, when I work on a helicopter's program for an extended period, I just extend the first 2 or 3 sections of the antenna. However, if you're just doing a quick change in the program then it's probably unnecessary.

[Hovering]

Thank's guys, I guess I'll have to buy a DSC cable or pull out the Antenna !!!

[AV8TOR]

So have we come up with a definative yes it is OK or NO it isn't OK yet ? I do no not have a OSC cord so now what ?

When all else fails – call the manufacture.

[rkeith2]

It's fine for short periods of time like when you do a range check

[HeliDan]

Of course our output power is low enough to not fry the innards bt it can still reduce the life.

me

Do you know what the output power is? Is there an output isolator/circulator built into these radios?

Thanx

[Pinecone]

IIRC 100mW.

I was wondering about a matching circuit, if so, no big deal, but they may just go with the matched antenna, which mens you can overload the output transistors.