IMPORTANT!! NO STICK MOVEMENT AFTER T14MZ to 2.4ghz update

[Xtreme*76]

Hi to all
I'm very desperate!!!
Yesterday I did on my T14MZ (Europe - Uk) the last update posted on the official Futaba website to use the new TM14 FASST module bought from Towerhobbies
The update was successfull infact the TX is able to use that 2.4 module
But the very strange thing is that I CANNOT USE THE STICKS ANYMORE
THEY SEEM TO BE DISABLED and I don't know what is happend to my radio
On the servo monitor there is not stick and servo movement
Please if anybody could help me to resolve this situation
I will appreciate every suggestions
Please help me to find a way, I really would try the 2.4 this week end
Thank you very much
Best regards
G

[dkpodder]

Check You functions menu, the instruction sheet (for the 2.4 ghz module) says something about channal re-asignment (this automatic re-asignment could possebly fail, don't know ?).

What I mean here is, are You sure (for inst.) the pitch is set to use the correct stick in the functions menu ?

[DavidH]

Read the instructions file that came with the update. It is in Word format. Open the file and read the instructions and it will explain what to do.

David

[tkilwein]

Hi Ely,

Try the following.
Reload your old version of SW and see what it does with your old stuff.
All speculation on my part.

There is region coding done on the 2.4 stuff. Futaba may not have all bugs worked out in the none US stuff.
They even said they are working on a SW update soon.

I had to bind the RX to TX when I installed mine in a 14mz.
The RX came unbinded to my TX module.
Easy to fix.

[DavidH]

Yesterday I did on my T14MZ (Europe - Uk) the last update posted on the official Futaba website to use the new TM14 FASST module bought from Towerhobbies

I think that is the problem also. He is trying to use a North America module and software in a transmitter that is region coded for Europe/UK.

Reloading his old updates want cure the problem. The 2.4 software is needed to operate the 2.4 module.
David

[MarkD]

Just to say that the update does not effect/mess up the 35MHz side of the Tx. All works as it should :D

[Trooper Sam]

It was figured out. He used the 14MZ calibration utility, and then went into the stick calibration screen, and OK'd his way out. That calibrated his sticks to have zero throw.

[DavidH]

Trooper,
Yes I read about that. I keep seeing all these people change the region code in there transmitters. For example, if they are in the UK and have a transmitter with a region code for Europe/UK. Now they change the region code to North America.
I just wonder if the BMFA in the UK is going to allow them to use the transmitter at club fields. Even more will they have liability coverage from the BMFA if they were to have an accident using a transmitter that is not coded for there region?
Just something that makes me wonder.
I know it would not work here in the USA, lawyers would be all over something like that if an accident happened.

David

[Trooper Sam]

Man, I hadn't even thought of the BMFA angle. I hadn't really gotten past the whole "couldn't you wait a couple of more months?" thing. :)

[DavidH]

Well if it is not only the BMFA. But the model organizations every where that offer liability coverage as part of the membership.
I am sure if an accident happens and lawyers get involved. The lawyers go to Futaba and start doing research. Futaba tells the lawyers the transmitters should only be coded for each region by them. Then game over. LOL
I don't know about other countries. But I know here in the USA I would definitely not try something like that if the situation was reversed. It would be too much risk involved financially.

David

[MarkD]

The BMFA won't know until 'something' happens.at a field. Alot of it is self policing ie Peg board or it's OK he/her is on 2.4GHz fly free - us on the ground won't know if it's a UK or US spec TX

The problem with 2.4 is that us in the UK run a legally lower power output than the USA
We run a higher output to the French and in Germany it's illegal

The problems will come when peeps who control the airwaves come down and start testing output power - that's when the shit starts

Sam - how the hell did he get the update utility confused with the calibration program??

[DavidH]

The BMFA won't know until 'something' happens.at a field. Alot of it is self policing ie Peg board or it's OK he/her is on 2.4GHz fly free - us on the ground won't know if it's a UK or US spec TX

The problem with 2.4 is that us in the UK run a legally lower power output than the USA
We run a higher output to the French and in Germany it's illegal

The problems will come when peeps who control the airwaves come down and start testing output power - that's when the shit starts

Sam - how the hell did he get the update utility confused with the calibration program??

How he got the update confused with the calibration program. He was changing the region coding in the transmitter from Europe to North America so he could use the TM 14 module and reciever he got from the USA. The software will only work with the region code set to North America.

Well with Futaba and the region coding. It is fairly easy to tell if the transmitter is coded for that region. All you have to do is to look at the LCD screen when the transmitter power is on. It will say on the screen what region the transmitter is coded. So it should be very easy to walk up to a Futaba 12FG/12Z/14MZ user in the UK and look and see if the region code is Europe/UK.

David

[MarkD]

I have a feeling that our and your armed forces know what frequencies are being used without looking at a 12/14MZ screen :D I can even bet they all know where you are by your mobile phone last ON location

As for the US vs UK modules you say that the modules will only work on USA NA. So does that mean there is another software update to let Europe use the 2.4 modules legally

[DavidH]

Mark,
That I don't know. All I am going by is that the ones that have tried to use them in radios with different region codes than North America. I have not read where any have gotten to work. Seems every one I have read that has tried , has changed the region coding to North America.
At least from reading the forums that is the way I am seeing it. I could be wrong. It may be the software update, I really don't know. I guess it is the have to have it first syndrome no matter what they have to do.

David

[MarkD]

David

The region problem you say may be right due to the power output. ie US version will not work on a UK set due to the legal power output even if you change the region code. I'm sure Futaba have looked into this at many $$$$ spent. How else could they sell the equipment across the globe

[Xtreme*76]

Hi all
I'm very sorry for that confusion
It has been just a calibration mistake during region code changing
I want to thank all of you and above tchavei from RR that clearly suggested to me what to do
Servos movement are very smooth and fast
Thank you very much
Have a nice sunday with 2.4ghz
CIAO
G

[MarkD]

Just to clarify

You are using a US 2.4 module in a Europe TX with no problems?

It would be nice to know what power output your having?

[Trooper Sam]

Oh, quite a few have gotten the US module to work in non-US 14MZs. They just changed the region code in the Tx with the calibration utility. The modules are working at full power, and since they frequency hop, the peaks are 100mW, but constant is below that.

Legal? Who knows. Covered by their model flight associations? Most likely not.

[oak]

AFAIK Futaba FASST is transmitting with the same power no matter which region it is made for.

And BTW, the whole region thing in Futaba transmitters is a really a Futaba-"thing" and I doubt it has anything whatsoever to do with rules about legality.

[DavidH]

AFAIK Futaba FASST is transmitting with the same power no matter which region it is made for.

And BTW, the whole region thing in Futaba transmitters is a really a Futaba-"thing" and I doubt it has anything whatsoever to do with rules about legality.

If you recall, the original 12FG,12Z, 14MZ 2.4 ghz module had a dip switch on it. This switch was there to switch the transmitting power to allow it to be used in those countries that require a different power output.
That is why the redesign of the module took place. To take that responsibilty away from the modeler. Now that power change is done with the software and module. So I would think the region coding and software play a part in that process. As for the power output being different. I would check the regs for each country and see what the power output requirements are.
Also 2.4 ghz for RC is not legal to use in Japan yet. So I would think the Japanese are pretty responsible as for power output requirements for other countries. I know here in the USA it has to pass FCC requirements as to power output.

David

[oak]

If you recall, the original 12FG,12Z, 14MZ 2.4 ghz module had a dip switch on it. This switch was there to switch the transmitting power to allow it to be used in those countries that require a different power output.

Not quite correct. What the "france" switch does is limit which channels the spread covers. There are some channels in France that are not allowed to use outdoors or something. The transmitted power is not altered.

That said, I have neve heard of a "France" region in either of the radios. It is either Europe, Europe(UK). So at the moment it seems impossible to use the region in software to determine wheter it is allowed in France or not. I suspect this exception is still altered in hardware inside or outside the module.

[DavidH]

http://2.4gigahertz.com/modules/futl8950-01b.jpg

See the dip switch on the module in the picture. The down position is for France.
The 8 ch module has the dip switch.

The original 14MZ module had the same switch.

I would think they have addressed this in the software when they redesigned the module. The original 2.4 ghz module for the 12Z/14MZ did not require a software update.

David

[MarkD]

http://www.odessaoffice.com/wireless/power_levels.html

Lists power levels etc for regions. It just lists USA and Europe

[DavidH]

Mark,
Thanks for that list.

I have not read of anyone that has purchased a module from Tower in the USA and been able to get it to work in transmitter region coded for Europe. Unless they go into the software and change the region code to North America. There has to be reason for that other than protecting distributors. I would think the European 2.4 ghz update when it becomes available would not work in a transmitter region coded North America. I may be wrong thou. Since these radios came out a couple of years ago. This is really the first software update would need to be different for different countries I would think. Here in North America the last update we had was to utilize the A & B modulation on the 5114 72 mhz receivers. I don't think the rest of the world had that update available except maybe the countries that might allowed 72 mhz.. The reason I say that, is I saw a few people ask in other countries what the A&B modulation was for when they downloaded and installed the 2.4 ghz that was posted before the official update became available a couple of days ago. I don't think the A&B modulation stuff is in the official 2.4 ghz update. LOL
David

[praoul]

Help me !!!!
where have you found the software for T14 2,4 GHZ ? On the official site Futaba there isn't.
Thank you
Raoul Papini