Futaba FASST Receiver Tips

Tips for FASST 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.

1. Don't wrap your FASST receiver in foam.

Protecting your receiver from vibration by wrapping it in foam used to be a "must". Not so with 2.4GHz FASST receivers. Unlike 72MHz equipment, they're not as vulnerable to vibration. Using less foam lets them operate cooler - which is a plus for all electronics.

Tip: To keep the receiver cooler use small foam blocks (like standoffs) so that there is an air channel around the receiver.

2. Shade your model from sunlight when not flying.

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.

3. Mount your FASST receiver away from heat sources.

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.

How to Get the Best Performance from Your 2.4GHz FASST™ Vehicle Receivers

Every R/C driver learns by experience what methods work well for installing and maintaining radio equipment. At the same time, we also want our vehicles 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 75MHz and 27MHz 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.

1. Don't wrap your FASST receiver in foam.

Protecting your receiver from vibration by wrapping it in foam used to be a "must". Not so with 2.4GHz FASST receivers. Compared to 75MHz and 27MHz equipment, they're not nearly as vulnerable to vibration. Eliminating the foam lets them operate cooler - which is a plus for all electronics. Use the method below for mounting your electronics inside your radio box.

2. Shade your vehicle from sunlight when not driving.

When you're not on the track, keep your chassis out of direct sunlight. Cover it with a white towel - protect the radio box in particular. Better yet, park your vehicles in the shade. This will help keep the electronic components cool.

3. Mount your FASST receiver away from heat sources.

Keep your FASST receiver away from muffler exhaust, battery packs, regulators or any other heat source. While Futaba does not recommend the use of a LiPo receiver pack with the 2.4 FASST system., if you do use a Lipo Receiver pack in your vehicle, we recommend that you mount the regulator outside of the radio box. We also recommend that you mount the receiver to the far inner wall of the radio box, opposite of the engine. Mount the receiver on its side. This allows air to flow over the top and bottom of the receiver. Secure the receiver using Velcro® or gel tape.

Tip: To improve the cooling airflow in your radio box, try drilling a few air holes. You must have at least two holes so air can escape as quickly as it enters. Position the holes where they create the maximum air movement over your receiver.

4. Remove your receiver pack when charging.

Most R/C switch harnesses are equipped with a separate charging cord, thus making it possible to charge your receiver pack without removing it from the vehicle's radio box. The cells that are available today are high voltage cells and produce an excessive amount of heat. We recommend that you remove your receiver pack when charging. This will not only keep any excessive heat away from your receiver, but will also protect your electronics in case of a malfunction when charging.