12FG, 12Z, 14MZ, FX40 module programming [Archive] - Page 2

DavidH

01-10-2008, 07:09 PM

The software for the 2.4 modules will only work with tranmitters that are region coded for North America. That is the software that is posted on the Futaba sites here in the USA.
The pilots in Europe that purchased from the USA had to change the region code in there transmitters to be able to use the software they downloaded from Futaba USA sites.
I think you will have to wait on the software update for the Europe coded transmitters.

David

sambogosse

01-10-2008, 07:25 PM

Hello,

The software for the 2.4 modules will only work with tranmitters that are region coded for North America. That is the software that is posted on the Futaba sites here in the USA.

That sounds strange to me, because I do have a non USA 14MZ and I was able to use the last update (1.37) without any trouble, plus when this update was made available in march, it's been reported (by Rcfan) that the Robbe european update was binary identical to the FFC one.

So that would mean Futaba has changed their policy and are making updates for each area now ??? interesting to see they are giving themselves more work... on the other hand I guess Futaba folks are quite annoyed as well messing with all local radio regulations :/

Sam

DavidH

01-10-2008, 07:35 PM

Sam,
Being the country you reside in has some special regulations about 2.4 ghz. You should understand probably why the software is different for certain areas. If I understand correctly, France government does not all the frequencies to be used in the 2.4 ghz as the other countries do. That is why the switch for France is on the 7 and 8 ch. Futaba modules. I think with the TM 14 module. Futaba decided to control that thru the software update in the radio. So there software created is created for the radios according to there region code. I am sure when Ripmax in the UK releases the T14M modules and software. I would think the software they release would not work in a transmitter with a region code of America.

David

MarkD

01-11-2008, 04:17 AM

Ripmax have the software to enable the 12FG to use the TM 14 module but not for the 14MZ and the 12MZ (still at V1.37)

Perhaps someone who has an American 12GF and TM 14 module could load this version on and see if it still works without setting the region code

http://www.ripmax.com/software_upgrade_futaba_radios.asp

Skymax

01-11-2008, 04:38 AM

i think personaly, it's in the eprom of the module where are the region code and we need to modify his region code like the other module, because my T12FG europe has the same soft than the US version, all update work perfectly.

flycop2000

01-11-2008, 07:55 AM

I too have a 12FG that I purchased from Hong Kong and I am now faced with the problem of trying to change region to the U.K. I want to use a U.K. 2.4 FAAST module but I will have to find a way to change region. Is there anyone out there that has succesfully done this on a 12FG? Anybody working on software to do this?

MZFAN

01-11-2008, 11:55 AM

Hi,
Sinver,
Don't do complicated where it is simple, you just have to choose the com port in this screen and let it to SI Prog API.

Skymax,
I don't know if the module programming is working with the 2.4GHz module. I don't have one yet.

David and others,
I really doubt there will be different software for France or other countries. There are only 3 release site as far as I know for the update: FFC in USA only for USA customer leaving in the USA... Robbe for europe where you need to register which does not work all the time... and Futaba site in Japan where you only need your radio serial number and a little bit of japanese understanding to access download.
Where would they put a french version??? :DOH

Skymax

01-11-2008, 11:58 AM

Hello, for french user the update it's here http://www.aviotiger.com/telechargement.php?menu=7
but they don't have T12FG for now because the module it's not officialy disponible but the T12FG with 2.4 it's

DavidH

01-11-2008, 12:53 PM

Sky,
If I am reading the site you listed correctly.
Looks like the encoder is 1.37 for the update.

The encoder we have in the software update here in North America is 1.38
It looks like this in the information in my transmitter
Editor/Encoder : V. 1. 2. 0 / V 1.38

That is with the 2.4 software update installed in the radio from the Futaba site here in the US.

Just a guess, but I would think the update you listed would look like this on the information page
Editor/Encoder V. 1. 1. 0 / V.1. 37

David

Skymax

01-11-2008, 01:03 PM

i think it's not up to date on our french site :thumbdown:

MarkD

01-11-2008, 01:15 PM

I don't think the TM 14 is shipping to the EU quite yet. Most online shops say due in January. Maybe that's why none of the EU software has been released?

sinver

01-11-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi,
Sinver,
Don't do complicated where it is simple, you just have to choose the com port in this screen and let it to SI Prog API.

Ok, thanks & regards !!!

sambogosse

01-12-2008, 07:59 AM

Hi,
I really doubt there will be different software for France or other countries.
Where would they put a french version??? :DOH

Hello there

Since I'm back home for the week-end I could make some test with my 14MZ. First I tried to change the zone from Asia to America to see if my 72 MHz module would work >> Region change is OK but the module won't work (without much surprise since it's been said already that the region code is in the module too, but I just wanted to check this).

Then I tried to update to the latest version from futaba US website >> it works, the software is updated. So I confirm the update can be used for any region. I do not have access to 2.4G to check if it's allowed (I don't have the module at this time)

But the point is : if Futaba is to make new specific regions, let's say "France" or "Austria" which are the 2 countries we know in europe to have restrictions, Someone who wants to go for 2.4 would have to change the region of his/her radio (meaning return the radio to service, or get a new Utility program released by Futaba ?). That would make the 2.4G upgrade somehow complicated, and from my point of view it doesn't make much sense since nothing can prevent French people to buy their stuff in the UK for example (the market is open between european countries)

What are your thoughts on this ?

Sam

FredericG

01-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Hi,
As FredericG said the possible frequencies are mapped in a table in the radio software. There is one frequency table for each area. By changing area and or frequency in the module and radio, you can only choose which table will be used. But you cannot use a frequency that is not in your area and certainely not a frequency that is not in any area. That is one of the reason why an update is necessary to use 2.4GHz.
If you want to use a completly new frequency like Nicolas, well, you will have to hack the radio software... Which is far far more difficult!:(
I would think that the radio sends a value to the RF module in order to select the frequency. Also over SPI but to another component in the module? (just a wild guess)
Perhaps the frequency table contains ascii strings like "35.140" along with a value that is sent to the RF module. (even a wilder guess :wink:)
Perhaps it would be doable to place a controller between the radio and the rf module that alters the value sent to the module.

Perhaps it is possible to tune the circuit so that is is 20 KHz off?

I am looking for any hint on how this works...

Thanks
Frederic

MZFAN

01-12-2008, 11:22 PM

Hello there

But the point is : if Futaba is to make new specific regions, let's say "France" or "Austria" which are the 2 countries we know in europe to have restrictions, Someone who wants to go for 2.4 would have to change the region of his/her radio (meaning return the radio to service, or get a new Utility program released by Futaba ?). That would make the 2.4G upgrade somehow complicated, and from my point of view it doesn't make much sense since nothing can prevent French people to buy their stuff in the UK for example (the market is open between european countries)

What are your thoughts on this ?

Sam
Hi sam,
Well I can only give you my opinion on this... I think Futaba won't bother to make new areas. They will probably add the 2.4 GHz to the European area and then use the module itself for specific country limitation.
The 2.4 MHz modules are far more complicated than the actual ones and they have there own software to implement the 2.4 GHz FASST system. The modification will certainly be made there fo each country. In this case you will just have to upgrade your radio software and buy the module in your country to go 2.4GHz.
But it is just my opinion.:wink:

MZFAN

01-12-2008, 11:34 PM

I would think that the radio sends a value to the RF module in order to select the frequency. Also over SPI but to another component in the module? (just a wild guess)
Perhaps the frequency table contains ascii strings like "35.140" along with a value that is sent to the RF module. (even a wilder guess :wink:)
Perhaps it would be doable to place a controller between the radio and the rf module that alters the value sent to the module.

Perhaps it is possible to tune the circuit so that is is 20 KHz off?

I am looking for any hint on how this works...

Thanks
Frederic
Hi Frederic
If you look at the module, I mean at its components, there is not much! It is so simple that I think it has only two purposes: One is to provide the area limitation and frequency band information to the radio. The second is to amplify the RF signal provided by the radio.
Considering your guess the module would have to store all the area and possible frequencies for its band which would prevent from any update in case these frequencies allocation change.:(
If I am right the radio is doing the main job. But it is just a guess.;)

FredericG

01-13-2008, 02:45 AM

Thanks for this additional info MZFAN !

I agree, the table is probably not in the module, but in the code of the radio. I was wondering if one could find the table by just browsing the (compiled) transmitter software. However, I suppose hacking the transmitter software can be dangerous and could leave the radio in a state where it does no longer accept new software.

Forgive my ignorance, I have never seen such a module, left alone opened one...:confused:
Do you mean that the radio also provides the carrier and that the module performs the FM modulation and amplification? Or do you think that also the modulation is done in the radio?

Thanks,
Frederic

MZFAN

01-13-2008, 05:27 AM

Frederic,
I think too that hacking the software could be dangerous for the radio but if I was able to do this I would strart with the update files...:wink:
But anyway I would not advise to try this except if you are a professional.
When you open a module there are really few components. I would say it is just an amplifier but I am not sure at all about this.
There was a thread here were people put some shots of their open module but I can't find it...:oops:

Skymax

01-13-2008, 05:37 AM

I have send mine to my futaba local distibutor, i's send back to me in the middle of next week.
At moment of in get it, i opened it and i take some pics and i post them.
I have already open it, inside we have 2 Epoxy card with some component, they are attach together by some pins and on this pin's have a conductor soldened and glued .
Wait for pics :D

sambogosse

01-13-2008, 07:28 AM

Thanks for the info Skymax. It will be interesting to see which modification they will make to it (software or hardware).

FredericG

01-13-2008, 08:03 AM

Thanks for the info MZFAN.
Would be cool Skymax if you could post some pics.

Frederic

MZFAN

01-13-2008, 08:47 AM

flycop2000

01-13-2008, 09:42 AM

I have been reading these posts and its way over my head! I know nothing about electronics except "plug this in here and that in there"

But my question is: Has anybody here managed to change the region code on their 12FG?

I need to change mine from Hong Kong to U.K. as I want to use the 2.4 modules which are due in the hobby shops in the next couple days.

I may have admit defeat and send my Tx to Rip off Ripmax to be changed.

Richard

sinver

01-13-2008, 10:53 AM

OK,
Here are the pics for a 72 MHz module. You can say by the two red dots over the 72 writting. The eeprom is the component in the middle with the 8 connections.
The white big squares are ajustable component that might be set differently for a 29, 35, 40, 50 or a 72 MHz module...:(
In any case I doubt you would see any hardware change!;)
Skymax, I have a doubt! Which module you were speaking of, the new 2.4 GHz one? If so I would be very intrested in some nice pictures...

Hi,

I have opened my module of 35Mhz European and it is exactly just as the your module

I think that to change the code of area in the module can be relatively easy but it does not serve by that the area in my radio is fixed

someone knows as changing the code of area in 12FG ?

regards !!!