Futaba FASST Receiver Antenna Replacement/FIX

[carlangas]

Hi guys, need your help.

I just made a mistake, I mean something stupid. I was making some arrangements to my Trex Wiring, so by mistake I CUT THE RECEIVER ANTENNA (2.4 FASST 7 CH). I know this is new stuff and I can not solder the traditional way because it is a tinny coaxial cable, I am trying to find some help but nothing.
I just want to know if there is a FIX or if there is available a replacement antenna and where can I buy it.

I googled it and I found some commercial micro coaxial cable and connectors, but I do not know the technical specs.

http://www.antenna-coaxial-cable.com/116-mini-thin-coaxial-cable.html

I will really appreciate your help.

Thanks

JC

[istandalone]

idk about replacements or fixing it, but if you can get your one remaining antenna in a prominent location and then do a range check, you might still have signal reception. other then that, these rx's are around $100 each, as you likely well know.

[DavidH]

Futaba Service Center
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite #1
Champaign, IL 61822


Telephone: 1-217-398-0007. Available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm U.S. Central Standard Time.

FAX: 1-217-398-7721. Please be sure to include a daytime telephone number or return fax number so that we can contact you.

Email: Email us at service@futaba-rc.com.


http://www.radiosouthrc.com/


Either one of the above should be able to answer your questions. Tony or Ben at Radio South are great people and provides lots of information.
David

[carlangas]

Thanks for your replay Istandalone

What I like to avoid is to trash this receiver. They are quiet expensive. I can not believe that there is no replacement for it. SO I was researching about this type of antennas and I found some of them. Do you think that if I do something like a "micro soldering" can work?

I am feeling really bad because is a brand new Tx and Rx set. Oooohhhh gash !!!

I will do a Range check too as you told me.

Question: what does "idk" means?

Best

JC

[DavidH]

I would not fly the receiver with only one antenna. It has two antennas for a reason.
idk means ( I don't know)

The reason there is two antennas is so they can positioned to keep at least one antenna with a clear signal. The same reason the other brand uses the satelite receivers.

David

[carlangas]

Thanks for your answer Dave

Best

[carlangas]

UPDATE: I just talk to Tony at Radio South and he told me they do not have any idea about this type of antenna because they have not worked with them yet.

Will try with Futaba guys

Oh boy, 100 bucks mistake !!!

More Ideas will be welcome

JC

[istandalone]

I would not fly the receiver with only one antenna. It has two antennas for a reason

i said range check to see if the signal is getting through, not fly it lol. you might be surprised with perfect reception. if it was me, and i range checked with no issues, i might chance flying it. although you risk dumping a several hundred $ heli as opposed to one hundred dollar rx.

[DavidH]

Yes it might range check perfect with one antenna.
But the heli is sitting still and not being flown.
When the heli is flying the angle of reception is constantly changing. All it takes is for the heli to get in an attitude that blocks the signal. And then the receiver goes into Failsafe/Hold.

From what I have seen, 2,4 ghz is a little more line of sight reception than 72 mhz. Not saying that makes it a problem. But just when the receiver has two antennas. I would not attempt to fly the model with one antenna missing.

From the FASST website
If the receiver notices a problem with the data coming into one antenna, it rapidly switches to the other, looking for the sharpest signal.


Would be hard for it to switch to the other antenna with one antenna missing. LOL

David

[dvelez3]

Only one antenna means no diversity, I will not fly it like that.

Doug.

[carlangas]

Finally I found two Futaba Service Centers here in Mexico where they have the original Futaba coaxial antennas. The cost for the repair will be around 25 usd. Not that bad considering this is not the US.

Thanks to everybody for your comments.

BTW, do somebody knows how to arrange those antennas in the Trex 450 SE V2?.

JC

Only one antenna means no diversity, I will not fly it like that.

Doug.

[DavidH]

Not bad for the cost of repair. That would be about the same cost here in the USA. There would be at least a 1/2 hour labor charge. So I would think $25 is reasonable.

David

[carlangas]

Update:

I finaly bought the replacemen two weeks ago. It cost me 10 usd here in Mexico, Not that bad considering it cost 8.50 in the US.

The antenna is Futaba original.

Best.

JC

[ErichF]

How bout you share the part number for everyone else???

The best thanks you can give is to "pay it forward".

[SteveL]

What is this.. Erich returned to the dark side??

[ErichF]

Oh Yeah....and it's much better over here now...

:lol:

[GunnyGlow]

I need to know where to go to replace them, too!! I emailed Futaba....waiting on a reply. I"ll post up if I find something....

[furycham]

Carlangas,

Donde esta el Futaba service center en Mexico? Pasa el dato porfavor!!

Where is the Futaba service center in Mexico? Please, send the info!!

Gracias

[GunnyGlow]

Here is a cut and paste from the e-mail I received yesterday from Futaba........

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

The labor rate is $30.00 an hour ($15.00 minimum) plus $16.40 in parts (antennas only) and $8.99 standard shipping. Once we receive it here it is usually back out the door in 3-5 days. That does depend on if any parts that are needed are in stock or on back order.

Sincerely,
John G.
Product Support Lead Technician
Futaba Programming Technician

Looks like it will end up costing almost as much as a new one to get the old one fixed........bummer.....

[carlangas]

How bout you share the part number for everyone else???

The best thanks you can give is to "pay it forward".

Hi everyone, sorry I was dissconected from this threat for a long time

This is the Futaba 2.4 antenna replacement Part Number

HSP79493

Hope it helps.

JC

[carlangas]

Carlangas,

Donde esta el Futaba service center en Mexico? Pasa el dato porfavor!!

Where is the Futaba service center in Mexico? Please, send the info!!

Gracias

Hola Furycham

I got the antennas at Pilot Wings Hobbies (Jose Luis Pingarron, the owner) down in Mexico City, they have in stock as per my suggestion to him.

I will sent you a PM with the store's phone number

Any question, please feel free to contact me.

Sorry for the delay in answering you

JC

[hookmaker]

Can anyone post a few pics on placement of the FASST antennas on a 50/90 size and a 450/500 size heli, can´t figure out how to place these antennas ?

/henrik