FUTABA USA

I think everyone’s 3PM has tape on the antenna but they work so well. 

Its worth mentioning. the Futaba GPS unit also included a barometric sensor. The barometric sensor is used for altitude and the GPS sensor for location and speed. The instructions with either the SBS-01G or the SBS-02G state not to enclose the unit in a sealed container. The “altitude” sensor with in the unit needs open air to since atmospheric differential. Luckily in RC boating we don’t care about altitude.

So.. what does this mean..

We CAN tape the GPS unit into our radio boxes. We will not be able to use the altitude sensor but the GPS sensor will work just fine.

The difference between the SBS-01G and the SBS-02G is the accuracy of the ALTITUDE sensor. So again.. the SBS-02G is just not needed in RC boating.

FUTABA, Click the switch, Trust and ENJOY!

Mike,

What is the lowest spec transmitter that's compatible with the GPS? The 7PX is pretty spendy.

Bob

I have had the 7px since it came out and I can say that there is a lot of things you can do with it on just the servos alone.  It really reminds me of an airplane radio with some of the features. 

Hi Bob,

in the notes i have only the 7PX will do this.. (Pistol Grip).. let me do more digging tho.. 

Grim

My 3PM works great, however I believe I’m in need of a new battery pack for the radio. I currently have a Futaba  NT8F700B pack in it now and would like to replace it. I’ve been on the Futaba, Amain and Tower website can’t seem to find it....I’m probably not searching correctly. Any help would appreciated.

            Thanks Jim

James,

For your consideration.. the only difference is this is a 600mah.. not 700

https://futabausa.com/shop/accessories/fnt8f600b/

Personally.. for what its worth.. I would bite on 600mah.. the 3PM is not too hungry.

Grim

My 3PM works great, however I believe I’m in need of a new battery pack for the radio. I currently have a Futaba  NT8F700B pack in it now and would like to replace it. I’ve been on the Futaba, Amain and Tower website can’t seem to find it....I’m probably not searching correctly. Any help would appreciated.

            Thanks Jim

Thanks much!!!

            Jim

Grimracer said:

Hi Bob,

in the notes i have only the 7PX will do this.. (Pistol Grip).. let me do more digging tho.. 

Grim

Click to expand...

Thanks Mike. I'd appreciate it. I haven't been able to figure it out on the sites I surfed.

Bob

Futaba users..

From me to you… thank you for choosing Futaba!

I would like to share some range testing I did a year or so ago. I typically don’t share this type of info but to me.. this help qualifies my use and RX choice. Maybe it can help you guys too..

I have a set of written test requirements (Drafted by me) and a fixture made just for testing radio range. The requirements are just a simple set of rules on how the test is performed. Helps make each return test repeatable.

Then I have a test fixture. Its made of foam and has no metal parts on it. It does however hold a full setup… Servos (3), RX, 6.6life Battery, Futaba 10amp Reg, and ON-OFF switch. This fixture also has a horizontal and vertical RX antenna holder. (Sorry I don’t have any pictures of this setup)

The test I conducted was to test the following

On a 3000 foot obstacle free grass runway (no runway lighting or overhead power lines nearby)

FHSS Non-Diversity -vrs- Diversity receivers

TX antenna position options labeled out by Futaba as “options”

Test the orientation of the transmitter (shoulders facing and shoulders 90deg) from the RX ant

What I used for the test:

4PX Transmitter

Futaba R304SB RX (Non-Diversity)

Futaba R324SBS RX (Diversity)

Goals for the test:

Test range of each RX in two (2) RX antenna positions, horizontal and vertical.

Test range of each RX in two (2) of the TX antenna positions, horizontal and vertical.

Qualify the performance of the two different RXs and their antenna positions (we will call them, “Stow, TX ant horizontal” an “Go, TX ant vertical”)

We tested to the following criteria:

Distance to flashing Green/Red on the receivers paring LED

Here is what I found. (Let me summarize)

Using the 304RX

Shortest combo: Transmitter Antenna in the Go Position, shoulders facing the test rig with the RX antenna horizontal and pointing at the user.. 308 feet.

Longest combo: Transmitter Antenna in the Go Position, shoulders facing the test rig with the RX antenna vertical.. 616 feet.

Using the 324RX

Shortest combo: Transmitter Antenna in the Stow Position, shoulders facing the test rig with the RX antenna horizontal and pointing at the user.. 300 feet.

Longest combo: Transmitter Antenna in the Go Position, shoulders facing the test rig with the RX antenna vertical.. 906 feet.

There is a bunch of testing in-between this but this should provide you with a picture.

Summary:

MOST IMPORTANT.. from the testing we concluded and confirmed the transmitter works best with the antenna in the vertical position.

MOST IMPORTANT.. From the testing we concluded and confirmed that the Receiver antenna MUST be in the vertical position during model operation.

All seems normal and legit.. right.. then..

The 324 outperformed the 304 by 290 feet in the optimized test positions.

Not much more to say.. however.. in the past I had done a bunch of “what’s a realistic” distance for an RC boat to be manipulated on the water. From those days past we found that at about 650 feet a 50 inch boat is usable. Meaning I can determine the operation orientation of the boat. Past that point things start to get sketchy… at 700 or so feet.. all bets are off (operator at the shoreline)

Comments welcome..

Grim

Spotted some KILLER DEALS on Receivers at FUTABA USA..

Just a heads up!

Grim

I noticed after switching to the 4PX transmitter I needed to get my aerial vertical to gain any sort of acceptable range at my test lake in particular. Even the 614Rx which previously were OK to have inside the box and horizontal on my 4PK needed to be vertical now on the 4PX.

Having said that, i only had them horizontal because I could, not a huge issue to have them vertical...makes me feel better anyway haha

Futaba gear is all I will trust it in my SAW boats that for sure!

make sure you are using a "Diversity" receiver.

Grim

Richard Hartley said:

Thats all fine

Just dont try to get your 3PM repaired

or anything older than you purchased yesterday

Hitec in my future

Richard

Click to expand...

Richard,
You think Futaba is bad. The HiTec 4S LNYX that everyone bought because it had telemetry for speed with GPS built into the Proton 4 receiver. Guess what. They discontinued the only receiver with the GPS the Proton 4 discontinued. The whole reason anyone switched and it is made completely obsolete.

Futaba has my favorite RX on sale right now for 59.99.. make sure to contact support and have them install a 400mm antenna for ya.. SUPER DEAL ON A GREAT RX!

R324SBS (T-FHSS/S.Bus2)
Was..$81.99
Is...$59.99

Grim

Daniel's Racing said:

Richard,
You think Futaba is bad. The HiTec 4S LNYX that everyone bought because it had telemetry for speed with GPS built into the Proton 4 receiver. Guess what. They discontinued the only receiver with the GPS the Proton 4 discontinued. The whole reason anyone switched and it is made completely obsolete.

Click to expand...

Here is the link.

Grim

https://futabausa.com/shop/receivers/surface-receivers/r324sbs/

LOL.. missed it...

What radio does Futuna have out now that’s comparable to the 3PM?

Lets see.. 3PM.. ya know I really liked that radio. It was my Test radio back in the AquaCraft days and traveled to many places with me..

The 4PLS would be a nice choice and it too is no sale right now.. The 4PM is VERY nice but bumps over that 2 bill range.

NONE of the systems listed will work with your 603 RXs however. (At least I think so, I would have to check the notes on that)

Grim

When will the 4PLS be back in stock? I’ll probably upgrade all our radios to that.