How To Get The Best Performance From Your Futaba 2.4Ghz Fasst™ Aircraft Receivers
How To Get The Best Performance From Your Futaba 2.4Ghz Fasst™ Aircraft Receivers
4GHz
                      FASST™ Aircraft Receivers
   Every R/C pilot learns by experience what methods work well for installing and
maintaining radio equipment. At the same time, we also want our aircraft to have the
advantage of up-to-the-minute technology...which means that every now and then, we
must master some new techniques.
    Spread spectrum radio technology offers the perfect example. When Futaba
introduced 2.4GHz FASST radio equipment, R/C hobbyists quickly jumped to the front
of electronic technology’s cutting edge. Not surprisingly, those new, state-of-the-art
2.4GHz receivers have significant differences compared to old 72MHz units. So it’s time
to change a few old habits.
   Below are some recommendations for updating the way you install and maintain radio
gear. Make them a part of your routine, and you’ll enjoy the best performance from your
2.4GHz FASST radio gear.
   Clear canopies expose the radio compartment to direct sunlight which results in
additional heat in the model interior. This causes no problems during flight, but makes
shading your model on the ground very important. Cover the canopy with a white towel;
or better yet, park your airplanes in the shade. This will help keep the electronic
components cool.
   Tip: It is important to note that lighter covering colors will absorb less heat whereas
darker colors will absorb more heat.
   We had to avoid mounting 72MHz receivers near anything that might produce RF
noise. That’s not as much of a concern with 2.4GHz FASST receivers — you should
instead make sure that you’re mounting the unit in the coolest part of the radio
compartment.
   Stay away from the muffler exhaust, battery packs, regulators or any other heat
source. We also recommend that you use the receiver’s long, narrow side as its base
(rather than mounting it with the bottom flat against the radio compartment floor). Secure
the receiver using a Velcro® strap or gel tape.
   We hope that these tips help you with your 2.4GHz FASST receiver installation and
maintenance. If you have any questions, please let us know. Just contact us at the Futaba
Service Center, by e-mail at: service@futaba-rc.com.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1M23N20001
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Important: The 2.4GHz band offers different characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             than that of the conventional 50MHz and 72MHz. As such,
                      FASST transmitter module, system and receiver compatibility                                                                                                                                                            we strongly encourage you to read this manual carefully
                                                                                                    Receiver                                                                                                                                 prior to utilizing the TM-14 and R6014FS FASST system.
                                           Transmitter                                              R607FS              R608FS
                                                                               R606FS
                                                                                                    R617FS              R6014FS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Thank you for purchasing the TM-14 2.4GHz FASST transmitter
                                                     Multi-ch mode                —                    —                  Okay                                                                                                               module and R6014FS receiver. This system is designed for
                             TM-14 Module
                                                         7ch mode               Okay                 Okay                   —                                                                                                                use only with the Futaba transmitters indicated elsewhere in
                                                         8ch mode                 —                    —                  Okay                                                        FASST Air System                                       this manual. In order to use the TM-14 transmitter module,
                             TM-8 Module
                                                         7ch mode                 —                  Okay                   —                                                         TM-14 RF Module                                        you will need to carefully remove the existing transmitter
                             TM-7 Module                                          —                  Okay                   —                                                               and                                              module and replace it with the TM-14 transmitter module. The
                             T7C 2.4G System                                    Okay                 Okay                   —                                                         R6014FS Receiver                                       receiver R6014FS, as the model number indicates, is capable
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             of controlling models up to 14(fourteen channels)- 12(twelve)
                             T6EX 2.4G System                                   Okay                 Okay                   —
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             proportional and two digital. Please note: The installation of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             R6014FS differs slightly from that of a typical receiver. Please
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             pay special attention to the information contained within this
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             PDQXDOLQRUGHUWRKDYHDSOHDVDQWÀ\LQJH[SHULHQFH
                    FCC Information                                                                                                                                                                                                          Features:
                   To assure continued FCC compliance:                                                                                                                                                                                       • 2.4GHz Spread Spectrum radio communication system.
                   $Q\ FKDQJHV RU PRGL¿FDWLRQV QRW H[SUHVVO\ DSSURYHG E\ WKH JUDQWHH RI WKLV GHYLFH FRXOG                                                                                                                 • Exclusive ID code to avoid interference from other FASST systems.
                   void the user's authority to operate the equipment.                                                                                                                                                                       • Fail Safe (F/S) function, Battery F/S
                   FCC Label Compliance Statement:                                                                                                                                                                                           • Dual antenna diversity (R6014FS)
                   This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
                   conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
                   any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Usage Precautions:
                                                                                                                                                                          Instruction Manual                                                 1) Prior to utilizing any radio control system, it is strongly recom-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                mended that you read and abide by the Safety Code created
                                    Repair Service (in U.S.A.)                                                                                                       $SSOLFDEOHV\VWHPV                                                       by the Academy of Model Aeronautics as well as any site spe-
                                   ,IDQ\GLI¿FXOWLHVDUHHQFRXQWHUHGZKLOHVHWWLQJXSRURSHUDWLQJ\RXU70WUDQVPLWWHU                                                                                                                    cific rules and regulations that might exist. Doing so will greatly
                                   PRGXOHDQG5)6UHFHLYHUSOHDVHFRQVXOWWKLVLQVWUXFWLRQPDQXDO¿UVW)RUIXUWKHU                                          T12FG, T12Z and T14MZ
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                increase your enjoyment of the hobby.
                                   assistance you may also refer to your hobby dealer, or contact the Futaba Service Center                                         *Each of the aforementioned transmitters includes a region specific
                                   at the web site, fax or telephone number below:                                                                                   code. This code varies depending upon the region in which the trans-    2) In order to maintain complete control of your aircraft it is im-
                                                                                                                                                                     mitter was purchased. If the region specific code within the transmit-      portant that it remains visible at all times. Flying behind large
                                       www.futaba-rc.com, www.2.4gigahertz.com, www.hobbyservices.com                                                                ter does not match that of the TM-14 module an error message will          objects such as buildings, grain bins, etc. is not suggested.
                                       Fax (217) 398-7721, Tel (217) 398-0007                                                                                        be displayed on the screen. For example, when using an incorrect           Doing so may result in the reduction of the quality of the radio
                                   If you are unable to resolve the issue, pack the system in its original container with                                            module in either the T14MZ or T12Z, the error message will indicate:       frequency link to the model.
                                   a note enclosed and a thorough, accurate GHVFULSWLRQ RI WKH GLI¿FXOW\  ,QFOXGH WKH                                      "MISMATCHED RF MODULE". With the T12FG, the on-screen mes-
                                                                                                                                                                     sage will be as follows: "INCORRECT RF MODULE". In either situ-         3) Please do not grasp the transmitter module's antenna during
                                   following in your note:
                                                                                                                                                                     ation, we suggest that you contact the Futaba Service Center at the        flight. Doing so may degrade the quality of the radio frequency
                                       • Symptoms (Including when the problem occurred)                                                                              address provided elsewhere within this manual.                             transmission.
                                       • System (Transmitter, Receiver, Servos and model numbers)
                                       • Model (Model name)
                                       • Model numbers and quantity
                                       • Your Name, Address and Telephone number                                                                                                          &RQWHQWVDQG7HFKQLFDO6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
                                   Send the respective items to the authorized Futaba Service Center address below:
                                                                                                                                                                  Your 2.4GHz system includes the following components:
                                                                   Futaba Service Center
                                                                 3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1                                                                       TM-14 RF Module
                                                                    Champaign, IL 61822                                                                                                                                                            6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   TM-14 RF Module-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • Communication system: one-way communication
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • Antenna: 1/2 wavelength di-pole
                                                                 Mark                                        Meaning                                                                                                                               • Current consumption: 150mA maximum
  Special Markings;                                                              Procedures which may lead to a dangerous condition and cause                                                                                                      • LED (light emitting diodes) indicate the operational status
                                                                                 death or serious injury to the user if not carried out properly.
  Pay special attention to the safety at                                                                                                                                                                                                           R6014FS Receiver-
                                                                                 Procedures which may lead to a dangerous condition or cause death                                                                                                 • Dual antenna diversity
  the parts of this manual that are                                              or serious injury to the user if not carried out properly, or procedures
  indicated by the following marks.                                              where the probability of superficial injury or physical damage is high.           R6014FS Receiver                                                                • Power requirement: 4.8V or 6.0V battery or regulated out-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     put from ESC, etc.
                                                                                 Procedures where the possibility of serious injury to the user is
  [Symbol]          ; Prohibited      ; Mandatory                                                                                                                                                                                                  • F/S and Battery F/S function
                                                                                 small, but there is a danger of injury, or physical damage, if not
                                                                                 carried out properly.                                                                                                                                             • Size: 2.06 x 1.48 x 0.63 in. (52.3 x 37.5 x 16.0 mm)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • Weight: 0.72 oz. (20.8g)
©Copyright 2007. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form without prior permission. The contents of this manual are subject to
change without prior notice. While this manual has been carefully written, there may be inadvertent errors or omissions. Please contact our service
FHQWHULI\RXIHHOWKDWDQ\FRUUHFWLRQVRUFODUL¿FDWLRQVVKRXOGEHPDGH
                                FUTABA CORPORATION Phone: (043) 296-5118 Facsimile: (043) 296-5124                                                                                   • Factory use only. Do not connect
                               Makuhari Techno Garden Bldg., B6F 1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8555, Japan                                                                          anything. (DATA connector)
                                                                                                            ©FUTABA CORPORATION              2007, 12       (1)
                                                                             -4-                                                                                                                                                         -1-
        Installing the TM-14 Module and R6014FS Receiver                                                                                                   2   Ensure that the two receiver antennas are kept as
                                                                                                                                                               straight as possible. This will allow you to obtain the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            R6014FS LED indication
                                                                    should begin to blink momentarily before turning to a solid                            maximum effective range from your model.
Attachment of the Module                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Green     Red                                 Status
                                                                    green light. If not, power down the transmitter and turn it                                 If possible, please make sure that the two antennas                              Off     Solid    No signal received
    n CAUTION                                                       on once again.                                                                         3    are placed at 90 degrees to each other. Please note:
                                                                                                                                                           This is not a critical figure, however, the most important
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Solid
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Blink
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Off
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Off
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Signal received, normal operation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reciever is receiving signals but the ID is unmatched
                                                                            W i t h t h e t ra n s m i t t e r o n , a n d t h e gr e e n L E D
 j     Be sure to turn off the power of the transmitter before
       you install or replace the module.                           2       illuminated, turn on the receiver.                                             thing is to keep the antennas away from each other as
                                                                                                                                                           much as possible.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Alternate blink   Unrecoverable error (EEPROM, etc.)