Need HELP - Anyone with experience using Spektrum FLIGHT LOG?

[BoneDoc]

I nearly lost my 3DHS 103" Extra 330 SC. I think that the cause is my ignition rattling from the foam coming off.

Now I have a Spektrum flight log, and I tried ranging it with my DX7. With 30 paces, I get about 100 drops, 50 fades, and even 1 hold or so on the average. This was the same whether the engine is on or not. I'm relatively certain that the ignition is ok now (I swapped it with another module)

MY QUESTION!!! Is that many drops, fades / hold normal for a range check? I tried it with 2 9100, and 1 9000, as well as a DX7, and 9C with module. The result is about the same.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[ljaganna]

I have the 12ch R1221 JR receivers that I am using with a JR 12X. I have had tons of flights on my 55CC 3W-Xtrafun, and in regular IMAC/3D mixed flying flights the most fades I have seen are 10 per antenna. The R1221 has 3 satellites antennas & one inbuilt one. I have never had a single frame loss(all four antennas having a simultaneous fade) leave alone a hold situation.

In ground check was to keep the plane in my garage & walk around the back yard with the garage doors closed & pressing the botton on the rear of the TX to reduce the transmit power. In this test I had ~40-50 fades per antenna but only 1 or 2 frame losses, and still no holds.

Your numbers seem high....maybe you have to reposition your antennas.

I also am suspecting the transmit power on the 12X may be higher than other 2.4Ghz systems though.

Lakshmi

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

Try relocating your satellite antennae to different locations.

If I see even 1 HOLD, I'm looking to relocate Sat. Antennae!!!!! Then I'll fly it, and then check it with the logger again. If I see what I think normal numbers are, then I'll leave it alone.

20-45 fades is normal per flight and even in a range check.

[2walla]

Hi Doc, I had some range issues with a CA yak and was showing similar results. I read a few threads and ended up moving the satellites as far aft as I could get them. It made a night and day difference. 0 holds and very few if any frame losses. I did the stand the plane on its nose and rotate it slowly as suggested in the manual to fine tune the antenna orientation. My yak appears to have a bit more carbon in it than the others I have seen and it did make a difference getting the antennas away from the noise of the ignition and the shielding effects of the motor, pipes, and carbon fuse reinforcement.

[sweetpea]

Let me try to explain it for you.

The first set of numbers you see are the Main RX. Each number is the amount of fades that RX lost. The next couple sets of numbers are you remote RX's, same thing. The F is you see is fades of all antennas at the same time.

For a hold to take place you need 45 or 50 (can't remember exactly) Fades in a row. That means when you see the F and it says 35 for example you had 35 times that all RX antennas had a fade at the same time. It does not mean you had 35 FADES in a row though. This is why you want to keep the number under 50. That way your odds of the 35 used in the example being in a row are slim. If you climb over 50 on this number your odds go up drastically that you would have more in a row.

What you need to do is get the antenna fades as low as possible. Sometimes they may be a tad high (in the 100's). Where you absolutely need low numbers is in the F (fade) one. I always make sure that number is below 30. If that number is below 30 and you still get a hold then you have a power issue or something else going on.

Things I'd check. All my wire connections. I'd look at servos and amp draws on each one as well as extensions. I'd also start moving the antennas orientations around.

[3D-Seth]

Like Chris said, 20-45 are fairly normal, although its not uncommon to have way below that. I don't fly with any holds on the remotes, I relocate the antenna and check again. I would NOT fly until you are down to at least 40 fades or below.

I would try relocating the antennas.

Seth

[3D-Seth]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	Let me try to explain it for you. The first set of numbers you see are the Main RX. Each number is the amount of fades that RX lost. The next couple sets of numbers are you remote RX's, same thing. The F is you see is fades of all antennas at the same time. For a hold to take place you need 45 or 50 (can't remember exactly) Fades in a row. That means when you see the F and it says 35 for example you had 35 times that all RX antennas had a fade at the same time. It does not mean you had 35 FADES in a row though. This is why you want to keep the number under 50. That way your odds of the 35 used in the example being in a row are slim. If you climb over 50 on this number your odds go up drastically that you would have more in a row. What you need to do is get the antenna fades as low as possible. Sometimes they may be a tad high (in the 100's). Where you absolutely need low numbers is in the F (fade) one. I always make sure that number is below 30. If that number is below 30 and you still get a hold then you have a power issue or something else going on. Things I'd check. All my wire connections. I'd look at servos and amp draws on each one as well as extensions. I'd also start moving the antennas orientations around.

[BoneDoc]

In particular, does the range check at 30 paces represent what you'll see in the sky?

Connections are good. I've tried it with just the receiver plugged in and nothing else, so it's not about that either.

I had about 45 good flights with my plane before this happened. Prior to this, I've had no issue at all with Spektrum.


Another question: have you guys range check in a "dirty" environment (like around the house, neighborhood, etc, instead of at the field)?

[bodywerks]

Josh post some pics of your setup, specifically remote antenna locations. You need to have ZERO frame losses during a range check. I wouldn't worry too much about the fades. When you do the range check, if you have a helper moving the plane around for you, make sure he/she doesn't get between you and the plane - people make great signal blockers.

[BoneDoc]

So if it's not a clear line of sight between you and the plane (let's say there's a car / plane stand / other object) blocking you, you could get fades and drops ARTIFICIALLY?

[Zeeb]

You said you've been flying this model previously and no issues? Have you ever used the Flight Log before now? Could be it's been that way all along?

The numbers you see while flying should be very similar to those you see on the ground range check. It's important that you keep the distance consistent on the ground range check because even though you'll still have control of the model at longer distances, the Flight Log numbers will go up if you get farther away.

As others have mentioned; it's time to do some rx relocation and re-check your numbers.

[cjcyclesrc]

Josh,

Did you repair the broken antenna on your TX? That might be causing part of the problem.

[3D-Seth]

	Quote: Originally Posted by BoneDoc
	So if it's not a clear line of sight between you and the plane (let's say there's a car / plane stand / other object) blocking you, you could get fades and drops ARTIFICIALLY?

Yes. 2.4 ghz cannot "see" through solid objects like 72mhz can.

Also, you will have better feedback from the flight log in the air, vs. on the ground.

cjcyclesrc asked if you had repaired your broken antenna...that could be a very likely problem as well.

Seth

[BoneDoc]

Thanks for the input guys.

The antenna isn't really broken, the plastic top just came off, and it still is that way.

Hopefully I'll do a range check today with my smaller electric using 3 receivers: 2 9100 and 1 9000, as well as TWO transmitter, my DX7, and a Spektrumized 9C. That should give me better data, and I'll post along.

[bodywerks]

	Quote:
	So if it's not a clear line of sight between you and the plane (let's say there's a car / plane stand / other object) blocking you, you could get fades and drops ARTIFICIALLY?

Yep. It has a bigger effect if the object is closer to either the plane or the radio and less of an effect, if any, if it is in the middle between you and the plane.
We took a trainer up and cupped our hands over the antenna and lost control of the plane almost on command, every time.