3EGX FASST conversion.

glenng · Jul 21, 2011

spider said:
glenng said:

Thanks for posting this info Guys- thought I threw my 3EGX out years ago but found it in a closet clean up.

Glenn

Click to expand...

Are you thinking of a conversion? These trans. have some neat features. Also the kit works with Futaba servos w/o any problems.

Yes, If it's not complicated I want to convert the EGX I bought in 1983- only used it for about a year and it's been stored indoors ever since-perfect cond. I liked the features of the egx- will the warm up switch and other features work with the conversion??

Thanks,

Glenn

Ken Webb · Jul 21, 2011

Conversion is easy.Only 3 wire to solder.Both my Futabas are 83 modeles. Do remember about how much your egx was new. My 3fg was $125 from Tower.

Terry Keeley · Jul 21, 2011

That's quite a bit easier than my FASST conversion as I had to send them to Tony at Radio South to "tweak" the encoder, something about the 3EGX actually being a 4 channel tx and the module only being 3.

Please let us know how it works in practice.

The 3EGX lives on!

Ken Webb · Jul 22, 2011

I've done a 30m range check as recommended by FRYSKY.This unit has a low pwr.setting to use for the test. So far so good. The unit also is good for up too 8 chnls. It also has fail safe. In some of the pics I sent you might be able to see the module w/o the shrink wrap on it. Really small and well made.Hope this helps everyone. Feel free to pm me if you like.

Ken Webb · Jul 22, 2011

Does anyone have an extra 3egx module? These things are obsolete and can't find one.I would like one to have as a spare should anything go wrong with my setup.

Ken Webb · Jul 22, 2011

Here's a better pic of the DIY module.

Terry Keeley · Jul 22, 2011

spider said:
Does anyone have an extra 3egx module? These things are obsolete and can't find one.I would like one to have as a spare should anything go wrong with my setup.

PM me your address & I'll send you one.

Ken Webb · Jul 22, 2011

Thanks Terry. I appreciate it. PM on the way.

Terry Keeley · Jul 22, 2011

On the way.

BTW, if anyone wants to convert one of these from AM to FM I have modules and receivers cheap!

longballlumber · Sep 29, 2011

Hey Terry,

Did you ever get anywhere with your issue?

Later,

Mike

Terry Keeley · Sep 29, 2011

longballlumber said:
Hey Terry,

Did you ever get anywhere with your issue?

Later,

Mike

Nope, been running my other tx's that haven't had a hickup and no one seems to have an answer.

Think I'll try them next year, if it happens again I'll prolly replace the modules.

Terry Keeley · Oct 19, 2019

Just adding to this old thread.

I decided to give the FrSky module a try after reading good things about them, no need to adjust the neutral from 1.3 to 1.5 uS, just plug 'n play.

Module with the cover and re-flashing jack removed.

Old module circuit board with components removed. Pins are marked for signal, +, -, (antenna and meter which are not used).

Module buried in case. I jumpered the 1 way, 2 way switch to one way only. Changed the wires as the ones that came with it were bulky and cheap, a couple even broke off just handling the unit! Servo taped the large board down and bolted the small board to the top of the case with two 2-56 screws, covered it with radio box tape.

Wala.

Timbo Whalen · Oct 20, 2019

Terry Keeley said:
Tony at Radio South figured out what to do to the encoder and with a pinout from Pete at Kraft Midwest I'm on my way to converting my 25 yr old 3EGX's.

After lots of head scratching I figured the best way was to bury the FASST board in a 3EGX module case:

I'm trying to figure out where to mount the antenna. Does anyone know what's inside the plastic cover? I'm wondering if it's just coax with 1" bare like the rx? If so maybe I could use one of the "long" antennas in it's place? Sure would make it easier to get to the top of the Tx where I want it.

Wow!... Radio South's still at it, huh... the 3EGX is probably my all time favorite radio. Still not feeling this trigger and wheel apparatus.

I sent my 3EGX to Radio South back in the early 80's and they tuned it up and made some reception mods. Then it worked real good with those dinky loaded helicopter antennas.

Chris Thomas · Oct 20, 2019

Terry - are you a lefty? I see the gimbals are going in different directions...lol

Terry Keeley · Oct 20, 2019

timwhalen said:
Wow!... Radio South's still at it, huh... the 3EGX is probably my all time favorite radio. Still not feeling this trigger and wheel apparatus.

I sent my 3EGX to Radio South back in the early 80's and they tuned it up and made some reception mods. Then it worked real good with those dinky loaded helicopter antennas.

Ya, Tony's still at it, been in Muncie now for quite a while. I hear ya on the trigger thing, never got on to them either.

Buoyhunter said:
Terry - are you a lefty? I see the gimbals are going in different directions...lol

Was cursed to learn to fly airplanes on Mode I way back, seems natural to me. Here's what I havta do to move the sticks around.

LohringMiller · Oct 20, 2019

Really great conversions, congratulations. And I thought I was the only mode one flyer. Fortunately my new Spectrum airplane radio was a lot easier to convert than older radios.

Lohring Miller

Grimracer · Oct 20, 2019

cool update. My thing is its still a one model memory... for me. just would not cut it.

Grim

rctinman · Oct 22, 2019

Hi Terry..
Please let us know how the FrSky conversion works out for you. I've been using FrSky in my planes for a few years now, and love em. I've even used the hack module, like you're using, to convert some old aircraft transmitters, with great results.

Have a good one!
Steve Ball

MikeReed · Oct 22, 2019

View attachment 275516

Ken Webb said:
I just sent and email to the fcc asking if this conversion is legal to do at home. When I hear anything I'll pass it along.

Your allowed to modify up to five of the same transmitters for your own personal use but you can't sell them. But truth be told, its a paper tiger. When was the last time you saw an FAA agent coming to your, or anybody's door for that matter? Or even heard of one? I'm going on 45 years in R/C and even back when you had to apply for a license I've yet to see an actual FAA agent.

Here's a few pics of a very old Futaba I did a few years back. Pretty easy to do. Hook up Power (red), Ground (black) and Signal (yellow) then mount your antenna.

Here's where I mounted the FrSky in the side panels of the transmitter. Since this transmitter is just for me, I replaced the trainer switch with the FrSky mode selector. But in hind sight I probably should have just tucked the switch into the side panel and forgot about it.

I found good place to tap the PPM signal, the blue wire at the trainer port. I simply soldered the yellow wire from the FrSky there.

I also found a nice place to tap the Power and Ground on the back of the circuit board and again soldered the FrSky wires there. DON'T forget to remove your old transmitter crystal.

Mount the antenna and done!

Terry Keeley · Oct 22, 2019

rctinman said:
Hi Terry..
Please let us know how the FrSky conversion works out for you. I've been using FrSky in my planes for a few years now, and love em. I've even used the hack module, like you're using, to convert some old aircraft transmitters, with great results.

Have a good one!
Steve Ball

Will do. I range tested it yesterday to 1 km (1000 m or about 0.6 mi) with no problem. I did have some issues with noise and the servos jumping around but tracked it down to the supplied tx antenna, could have been how I had wires routed close to it. It does use an external connector tho and I was wondering if that was the cause so I installed a FASST antenna and it's solid now.

BTW, which receiver(s) are you using? Any glitching?

MikeReed said:
View attachment 275516

Your allowed to modify up to five of the same transmitters for your own personal use but you can't sell them. But truth be told, its a paper tiger. When was the last time you saw an FAA agent coming to your, or anybody's door for that matter? Or even heard of one? I'm going on 45 years in R/C and even back when you had to apply for a license I've yet to see an actual FAA agent.

Here's a few pics of a very old Futaba I did a few years back. Pretty easy to do. Hook up Power (red), Ground (black) and Signal (yellow) then mount your antenna.

Here's where I mounted the FrSky in the side panels of the transmitter. Since this transmitter is just for me, I replaced the trainer switch with the FrSky mode selector. But in hind sight I probably should have just tucked the switch into the side panel and forgot about it.

I found good place to tap the PPM signal, the blue wire at the trainer port. I simply soldered the yellow wire from the FrSky there.

I also found a nice place to tap the Power and Ground on the back of the circuit board and again soldered the FrSky wires there. DON'T forget to remove your old transmitter crystal.

Mount the antenna and done!

Nice conversion! If anyone's interested there's a good thread on RCGroups about old Futaba conversions:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1748335-Futaba-FG-Gold-Series-Thread

Also, which receiver(s) are you using? Any glitching?

3EGX FASST conversion.

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