Hi, I am buying a 1/4 scale GN should be here next week but it needs a radio which is the better one to use ??
Thanks Kevin

Reply here or thetileguy@mtcnet.net

Futaba 3PK is probably the highest demanded radio in 1/4 scale. Buy it at your LHS or Tower.

Tim

Hi, I am buying a 1/4 scale GN should be here next week but it needs a radio which is the better one to use ??
Thanks Kevin

Reply here or thetileguy@mtcnet.net

get a futaba 3pk or airtronics m-8 or m-11 or a JR radio try to get spectrum module and recievers for each of these radios so you dont have to mess with crystals. it just depends on how much you want to spend theres some good cheaper ones out there to .theres gonna be a new spectrum radio coming out soon looks pretty cool

Hi, I am buying a 1/4 scale GN should be here next week but it needs a radio which is the better one to use ??
Thanks Kevin

Reply here or thetileguy@mtcnet.net

I use the 3PK with a DSM Module and it works great, you can dial that radio in to make such fine adjustments plus the magic button is a great help when needed...

Dave D

Hi, I am buying a 1/4 scale GN should be here next week but it needs a radio which is the better one to use ??
Thanks Kevin

Reply here or thetileguy@mtcnet.net I use and recommend the 3pk, and I also use the spekrum setup with no troubles in two+ years. Remember, you get what you pay for. :thumbsup: RW

I agree Dave,the 3PK and DSM is a great combination; we used it for almost 2 years BUT WE DISCOVERED IT HAS ONE MAJOR FLAW. If the receiver pack voltage goes below 6.1 volts, it sends the receiver it what I call "unsafe mode". The throttle servo goes to about half-throttle and no steering. "NOT GOOD". We had this happen 3 times with a very ugly result. This is not a fluke, I duplicated this problem with 3 completely different systems and cars. I made Spectrum aware of this problem: they admit the problem exists but have done nothing to correct it. So, I kept the 3PK's and switched to Futaba's 2.4 gnz's Fassst module. We've tested this system for about 4 months and it has worked flawlessly with low voltage. It just goes to failsafe, applies brakes, turns left or whatever you program. This is just my opinion, but as expensive as these cars are; we need to protect them with technology that works. Thanks, Bill Scott

Your right bout the flaw Bill, I should have mentioned that. I personally have not had a problem with that issue in my car. I also cycle my reciever pack twice during race days and with three heats and a feature of 150 laps, I haven't had an issue. Maybe it's dumb luck though, lol, now if I go out next week and fold the chassis due to spektrum, i'll think different!!!!!!lol, rw

The drawback is the need for extra crystals, but the PCM 3PK is the best radio for 1/4 scale. I know of two cars that were bent beyond repair due to the low voltage problem on DSM.

The drawback is the need for extra crystals, but the PCM 3PK is the best radio for 1/4 scale. I know of two cars that were bent beyond repair due to the low voltage problem on DSM.

I guess I never have had this problem as I use a 5 cell 4300 pack for our reciever. I charge it at the track and am good to go all day without any worrys (so far)...

Dave D

Yep, me either, but I don't use the system on my 3PK. Other than this problem, I think the system is pretty nice.I guess I never have had this problem as I use a 5 cell 4300 pack for our reciever. I charge it at the track and am good to go all day without any worrys (so far)...

Dave D

If the receiver pack voltage goes below 6.1 volts, it sends the receiver it what I call "unsafe mode".

I hoping you mean 5.1 right????

So, I kept the 3PK's and switched to Futaba's 2.4 gnz's Fassst module. Thanks, Bill Scott

According to the FASST instructions (at least with the upgrade to FASST), they state that you have to reset the failsafe everytime you turn the system on (if you are using other than HRS mode).

I will post a scan of the instructions sometime tomorrow to show/verify what I am trying to communicate.

Are you doing that everytime, Bill?

Thanks,
Joe

Joe
I use HRS mode and have never had to reset. About voltage that is 6.1 with no load , I have not checked to see what the voltage is with a load. I will admit I was using Venom 3000 batterys "junk" in my opinion. I have since tossed them all. I never got one to cycle better than 1800, even new. I just think that they are a very poor battery. I received some 4200's from Pro Match--everyone of those cycled at 4200-4300. I think this going to cure my problem. The batteries I used before Venom were never tested. I did not have a decent charger at that time. I've just figured out that you cannot leave anything to chance. It just might come back to bite you. We're fairly new at this sport and in our quest to learn, we've probably run many more laps than the average racer--so with all our practice we have experienced more problems than the average racer. Anyway, I appreciate all the feed-back on this issue.
Thanks, Bill

UPDATE
This is a copy of E-mail sent Futaba Support in June & July !!

Hi AdamIn reference to our phone conversation June 13, I have attatched a picture of the basic radio installation in our (2) cars. The cars that we race are quarterscale. The average speed is between 35-65 mph depending on the track (asphalt oval). We have (2) completely different cars, (2) completely different 3PK radios with 4200, 5 cell, receiver battery packs. We're using high-tech, digital servos, (2) HS-5645MG for the steering and (1) HS-5745MG for throttle/brake.Initially with this set-up we would run well over a thousand laps of practice and racing (all day).The only thing we had to do was add fuel.In about August of 2005, we began to use the Spectrum 2.4 with no issues but toward the end of the 2006, race season, we discovered a flaw with the Spectrum system at 6.1 receiver pack voltage: the cars would go to about half-throttle with no steering or brakes. Not a good situation!This ugly situation was experienced by many racers, so we switched to the Futaba 2.4 in August of 2006, with one of our cars. Absolutely no problems! Then May 4th and 5th, at a race in Phoenix, we had the car go to Fail Safe several times in practice and thought it was a battery issue but about 50 laps or 10 minutes into the race it again went to Fail Safe. Our races are generally between 150-300 laps.Around 45 minutes.The air temperature was 80 degrees. Track temperature was about 125 degrees.Bringing us to this past weekend; Both cars would go to Fail Safe at about 25 or 30 laps. We also tried our complete radio system in another car with the same results. Air temperature was 95 degrees. Track temperature 145 degrees.So we switched back to the Spectrum system and completed the race with no issues. (8) of the (41) entries were running Futaba 2.4 Ghz. 6 or 7 experienced either the car going to Fail Safe or NO CONTROL. The people that experienced no contol issues did not have the Fail Safe programmed. Also, it seems as if, you turned off the system for 10 minutes or so, it would work for another period of time and then "act-up" again. There were 6 or 7 Spectrum systems that experienced no problems. If there is anymore information from me to resolve this, please contact me. We are all very concerned about this. I should also mention that my second system (that I am having trouble with) was purchased about 3 months ago and I am going to send them both back to you for testing. These cars a very expensive-the sport is very competitive, so we try to do everything possible to prevent failures.
Thank you. Bill Scott

I Know of 9 cars with same issue , it is heat related , have two Fasst systems for sale Real Cheap !!!!!!!

I Know of 9 cars with same issue , it is heat related , have two Fasst systems for sale Real Cheap !!!!!!!

Bill-

Did Futaba come out and admit that this is a problem?

Were any of the guys running a sprint car? My reason for asking is that a sprinter should get more air flow and possibly keep the receiver cooler.

Thanks for the update.

Regards,

Joe Brooks
:thumbsup:

I have always used the M8 with no problems what so ever and it has just about anything you would ever want on a radio, plus its cheap!!!

Joe
Two were sprinters.
Futaba said it was possibly internal circuit breaker ?
If I were let cars set for 10 minutes they would work again and fail !!!!!!!!!
others have sent theres back too , have not heard back yet ????
Bill

i also use m-8 good trusty radio with spectrum never lets me down i also use lipo battery in radio HT BATTERYS alot lighter too and its got 12 volts for along time with fresh charge lasts all day and more just dont let voltage go under 9 volts it could ruin lipo i have two lipo batterys for my M-8 ive used a hitec lynx 3d when i first started racing 1/4 scale it worked great as long as i didnt drop it like 4 times lol but i sent this radio to hitec and they rebuilt it and sent it back works great but just sits in box i also have a brand new hitec aggressor cx with spectrum mod. sitting in box these all have been good radios.

3pk PCM have used on 1/10th and 1/4 the best thing to rc since sliced bread BTW dont need spectrum have not had to change crystals in 2 years and i only have 2 freq. save you some $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I too have had a 3pk PCM and I use the PCM 75Mh reciever as well for the past 4 or 5 years. 1/4 scale and 1/10 scale. No issues except with the Hi-Tec servos. I just got the Airtronix servos now and so far so good. I've had 3 bad Hi-Tec servos in two years but the radio and reciever, no issues. I have two sets of Xtals and that is it...