14 MZ Europe UK - America Module Compatability?

[1basejump]

I Have a 14MZ and it is great (still getting used to it), but i would love to get on to 2.4ghz so i don`t havr to run around the club to find out who has what peg, i know i can change frequency on the 35mhz range but where i fly every channel is allocated, most of the time, with the exception of 2.4ghz.

So I have been looking at purchasing the Futaba TM-14 & R6014FS Module/Receiver14 Channel Set, due for general sales soon through out the UK, some places have either the TM - 14 or a combination always due soon or sold out.

however in the USA you seem to have an abundance of availibility, and it works out a lot cheeper too, and to the question:

Is there any trouble,compatability isues, with using a US module in an european 14MZ?

Wil

[DavidH]

A 2.4ghz module from North America will not work in a 12Z/14MZ transmitter that is region coded for Europe.
You can change the region code in the transmitter. But then you may run into legal issue with your local modeling association due to the transmitter now be region coded for somewhere else.

David

[Rohnny]

A 2.4ghz module from North America will not work in a 12Z/14MZ transmitter that is region coded for Europe.
You can change the region code in the transmitter. But then you may run into legal issue with your local modeling association due to the transmitter now be region coded for somewhere else.

David

Is'nt 2.4ghz the same everywhere? I understand 35, 40 and 72 mhz but what is the difference between North America from Europe? Why does it not work.

[worldofmaya]

14MZ as well as 12(Z and FG) have a region code. A module for US wouldn't work in an European radio. But FASST modules for 14MZ are available at least here in Austria from Robbe...
[Edit] At least they were a few days ago... -> http://www.der-schweighofer.at
-klaus

[DavidH]

Is'nt 2.4ghz the same everywhere? I understand 35, 40 and 72 mhz but what is the difference between North America from Europe? Why does it not work.

Yes the actual 2.4 ghz band is the same everywhere. But there is some countries in Europe that have restrictions on the transmitting power of some of the channels within the 2.4 ghz band. France being one of them that I know for sure. I think Germany may have some restrictions also. That is the reason the modules and transmitters are region coded and different region codes will not work together.

David

[MZFAN]

Yes the actual 2.4 ghz band is the same everywhere. But there is some countries in Europe that have restrictions on the transmitting power of some of the channels within the 2.4 ghz band. France being one of them that I know for sure. I think Germany may have some restrictions also. That is the reason the modules and transmitters are region coded and different region codes will not work together.

David
Hi David,
I am not so sure that this is the reason as in fact all European modules are identical. If I am not mistaken you have to choose in the software radio 2.4GHz France for exemple. If I am right you could do the same with an american module if it wasn't region coded.
Perhaps somebody in france could confirm the way you choose french 2.4GHz?;)
Still if I am right I would say the most probable reason for this region coding is market control...:mad:

[DavidH]

The European modules may be identical. But the region code is different between UK and the rest of Europe in the transmitters. So I would think that the radios that are coded just Europe and not Europe UK control the 2.4ghz band different between them. Or maybe all the 2.4ghz modules and transmitters that are region coded Europe control them the same.
I don't think it has anything to do with market control, but regulations in different countries. Nothing to keep a European modeler from buying a 2.4 ghz system ( transmitter, module, reciever) from North American and using it in Europe. I would think the only catch would be if an accident happened and the user was found to be using a transmitter region coded for somewhere else that the user would not have any coverage for insurance purposes.
Just for example, I don't believe the BMFA in England would cover one of there members if an accident happened and they were using equipment that was region coded for North America. At least from the communication I have traded with an official of the BMFA that is what they told me. I am sure other modeling organizations and the government organizations that control communications would have something to say about it also.
Even the equipment used in the UK has to have a CE designation on it or it is not legal from what I have read.

Also 2.4 ghz has not been approved for use in model aircraft in a couple of countries. One of them is Japan. They can use it for ground vehicles. But not for aircraft at this time. Also they use 72 mhz frequencies, but they only use 10 of the 50 that are available. So a 12Z/14MZ 72 mhz module for North America will not work in the radios they have in Japan. Don't see how that would have anything to do with market control.

Using another brand radio for an example. The Spektrums that are used in Europe and marketed in Europe are different from the ones in North America if I have read correctly. At least reading some posts from people that work for the Spektrum distributor in Europe they are different. So maybe they just decided to make the difference with a hardware difference and not do it with software.
David

[MZFAN]

The European modules may be identical. But the region code is different between UK and the rest of Europe in the transmitters. So I would think that the radios that are coded just Europe and not Europe UK control the 2.4ghz band different between them. Or maybe all the 2.4ghz modules and transmitters that are region coded Europe control them the same.

Well I am not aware of any UK area in the software. Perhaps Futaba has implement one in the last update... Then there should be a German, Belgium, France, .... too.
I have an experience return from a french user that told me when you first plug a french 2.4GHz module in a 14MZ (Europa area) you have to choose between France and the rest of the world. It seems then that the module program itself.

I don't think it has anything to do with market control, but regulations in different countries. Nothing to keep a European modeler from buying a 2.4 ghz system ( transmitter, module, reciever) from North American and using it in Europe. I would think the only catch would be if an accident happened and the user was found to be using a transmitter region coded for somewhere else that the user would not have any coverage for insurance purposes.
Just for example, I don't believe the BMFA in England would cover one of there members if an accident happened and they were using equipment that was region coded for North America. At least from the communication I have traded with an official of the BMFA that is what they told me. I am sure other modeling organizations and the government organizations that control communications would have something to say about it also.
Even the equipment used in the UK has to have a CE designation on it or it is not legal from what I have read.
Well about insurance it is a complicated matter and very different from one country to another or even between different insurance companies. Generaly insurance working with modelling association won't insure you if you don't comply to the rules. But there are different company that will whatever radio you use like your car insurance will insure you if you have an accident after refusing a priority at a croos raod. What is sure is that if you use illegal equipement and have a serious accident you may face a trial an penalties that go with.
But still I think Futaba doesn't care much about this as they didn't implement there area system according to different countries law. In fact there are 2 countries where it fit perfectly, Japan an USA. Then for Europe it starts going wrong (and probably Australia and New zealand too) and it is worse in Asia. For the rest of the world, Middle East, Africa, South America, they don't even exist for Futaba. Why? Is this really has nothing to do with market, especially market size?

Also 2.4 ghz has not been approved for use in model aircraft in a couple of countries. One of them is Japan. They can use it for ground vehicles. But not for aircraft at this time. Also they use 72 mhz frequencies, but they only use 10 of the 50 that are available. So a 12Z/14MZ 72 mhz module for North America will not work in the radios they have in Japan. Don't see how that would have anything to do with market control.
Sorry but it is a bad example as said above these are the two countries where Futaba's implementation of the law is correct.

Using another brand radio for an example. The Spektrums that are used in Europe and marketed in Europe are different from the ones in North America if I have read correctly. At least reading some posts from people that work for the Spektrum distributor in Europe they are different. So maybe they just decided to make the difference with a hardware difference and not do it with software.
David
Yes there power is reduced compare to american ones to be legal in Europe. This is just a hardware modification at the module and done where they are sold.
If you want to respect different laws then it could all be done in the module. For customer it will be transparent but For the maker it cost a little bit more in term of production organization and distribution...
On second thought money is probably the explanation. Futaba has done this to lower cost taking in account laws when absolutly necessary but not more. What is annoying is that it is at the expense of its customers like me.