Futaba FF9 - Can anyone help an idiot?

[guygate88]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in my mid 40's and used to fly Shuttles & concepts almost 20 years ago. For those younger members this was a time before Gyro's, before proper Heli Tx's, before governors, before Carbon fibre even.

After nearly two decades I'm back. Brought a Raptor 50 all set up with a Futaba FF9, HH Gyro and it flies like a dream compared to the ones I used to run in the dark ages.

My problem is that I have no idea how to use this Tx, I've tried reading the manual but I just cant get my head around it, maybe it's my age, but I cant even work out how to set the timer. I'm a bit wary of fiddling about in case I lose my existing settings.

What I'd like to know is if there is an idiots guide to this radio online? And I mean a step by step guide that starts with "The big button in the middle turns it on and off..."

I love this package & dont want to have to downgrade to a simple radio just so I can tweek the setup.

I know this probably sounds really stupid to the thousands of you that are familiar with this radio but I really need some help.

Thanks

[BarracudaHockey]

http://www.raptortechnique.com has some stuff.

If you have specific questions I'd be glad to help.

But the big button in the middle, when pushed up, does turn it on.

I can walk you through copying your current model to another memory location so you can tweak away and not worry.

[guygate88]

Andy

I did try Raptech and while there is some really useful info on there regarding basic setup I cant even get to the setting menu's that he's talking about.
I tried copying my settings to another memory and I might have succeeded but I cant work out how to navigate to the new location to try it out.

I held the mode key down for 1 second, selected model by pressing the dial, I changed the " Copy 1 > 1" to "Copy 1 > 2" and changed the name from "Raptor50" to "Rap-trial"

Thats as far as I got because the manual urges "Caution" as "you could lose all the data in the model memory"

Thats when I pressed the"End" key and decided to seek help.

So if you could do a little step by step walkthrough of copying my settings to another location and then how to switch between my current settings and my trial settings that would be a great help.

Also I have a couple of questions. (I'm probably going to sound really dumb here but I've got to ask)

What is meant by PCM & PPM?
Where is my Tx crystal?
As I have a heading hold gyro do I need to worry about revo-mix settings?

Thanks

G

[BarracudaHockey]

Andy
Also I have a couple of questions. (I'm probably going to sound really dumb here but I've got to ask)

What is meant by PCM & PPM?
Where is my Tx crystal?
As I have a heading hold gyro do I need to worry about revo-mix settings?

Thanks

G
No such thing as a dumb question. Are you in the states by any chance?

PCM is pulse coded modulation. PPM is pulse position modulation. The correct modulation depends on the reciever you have, or plan to purchase, though PCM is better for helis since you can set fail safes and its digital encoding. PPM works but its more susceptable to RF noise and there is no fail safe. Its set in the PARAMETER menu on the radio on a per model basis.

The display will say PCM or PPM or you can look at the reciever and if the part number ends in P its a PCM, if it ends in F its a PPM (incorrectly called or refered to as FM). So a 149DP is a 9 channel Dual coversion PCM receiver. A 148DF is a 8 channel, Dual conversion, PPM receiver.

The 9C contains a module, the crystal is in there, though if you want or need to change channels its best to change the entire RF module in the back. Also its the only legal way to do it in the US.

No revo mixing with a heading hold gyro.

[guygate88]

Andy
No I'm afraid I'm not in the States, I'm in the UK just West of London.

Thanks for the info.
I had a quiet day at work today so sat down at my desk with the manual, the internet and my FF9 & I think I'm starting to get the hang of this radio. Just as I was really getting into it the Low Battery alarm started, I carried on regardless until it made my ears bleed and the battery finaly gave up.
I didnt manage to copy and paste my settings over to another memory slot, but I did create another model though and wrote down all my origional settings then manually input them so I have acheived what I wanted all be it rather long windedly.

Its on charge now and I'm going out tomorrow afternoon to test the tweakability in the feild.

Thanks again for your help, I'll let you know how I get on.

[BarracudaHockey]

Just to show you...
Press and hold END till the menu pops up.
Scroll with the wheel to MODEL and press the wheel once
Arrow down once, that should put the cursor to COPY>
Scroll with the wheel to select a blank model number
Press and hold the wheel till it beeps
Sure? should be flashing.
Tap the wheel to confirm and wait till it stops beeping.
Press the up cursor once, wheel to the new model location.
Press and hold the wheel till it beeps and asks if you're sure.
Tap the wheel to make the change.

[guygate88]

Sorted!!!
I've dragged myself kicking & screaming into 21st century Heli flying! Now I've got this radio sussed I cant beleive I ever had a problem with it. It's great, I spent all afternoon tweaking and fiddling about, even had a go at flying mode 2, (man thats hard work!)
Thanks for the info Andy.
Regards
Guy