Phoenix Help Required - newbie and computer numpty!

[Ponch]

I've just purchased Phoenix and a Futaba FF7C 2.4 Gig to start me off on the road to heli flying - however I'm having problems setting up.

My computer recognises the USB phoenix adaptor, but says I need to plug TX in and switch it on (even though it is).

Has anybody got any suggestions on where I'm going wrong that would solve the problem?

As the thread title says, not only am I new to helis, but totally useless with computers as well!

All suggestions gratefully received

Thanks

Richard.

[Tim Procter]

Turn your TX off and try again.

It is powered by the USB lead from your computer and doesnt need to be turned on.

Set-up a new model on a new channel then calibrate it following the instructions within Phoenix.

[Mike W]

sound like ya might have a break in ya wire somewhere... I had the same thing with it when i first got phoenix ... wiggle the wire and see if it shows up ... my lead from my tranny to the phoenix lead still does it as it is a little older now .. have to get it in the right position to work akk ... the phoenix lead itself is well made .. but alot of after market leads aint ....
On a side note .. Welcome to the forum and enjoy ya time here.... Ya wont go wrong with phoenix and n e questions on the FF7 2.4 gis a shout ... I love it hehe

[Mike W]

Turn your TX off and try again.

It is powered by the USB lead from your computer and doesnt need to be turned on.

Set-up a new model on a new channel then calibrate it following the instructions within Phoenix.

Tim the ff7 aint powered by the usb bus .. Ya have to turn the Tx on ..

[Tim Procter]

Tim the ff7 aint powered by the usb bus .. Ya have to turn the Tx on ..

Thanks Mike, I didnt know they were different to the Spekrum/JR setup.



Thinking about it Mike when I had a FF9 some time back I'm sure it was powered down OFF just the same, Can't have been..

[Mike W]

I think the only time i seen futabas powered down is in the buddy lead .... Actually did not know JR where powered by the usb bus lol .....Saves on battery usage as well lol

[xygax]

If the FF7 is the same as the FF9 then its powered by its battery when you plug the tail in... You dont need to turn it on and the tx light is not on when you are using it on the sim.

[Mike W]

Nup.. have to turn the FF7 on to make it work with phoenix

[Ponch]

Thanks for the input everyone, but to no avail. I've wiggled and waggled had the tx on and off but no joy.

Have sent a email to phoenix to see if they have any ideas.

Bit disappointed, was all set for a day trying to hover - never mind.

Thanks again

Richard.

[svein]

if all phoenix kits are like mine, the interface cable ships as a jr-ready minijack plug, and you need an interface cable between that minijack, and your futaba square plug.

Since (atleast on my specimen) the phoenix cable is a fairly decent quality (I wouldn't tow my car with it, but that's because I have things better suited for the job), I somewhat suspect the minijack female<-->futaba square cable. The good news is that this cable is so cheap at most hobbystores you'd want to try it before returning anything. The bad news is that molded cables are basically "non-servicable".

//Svein

[Ponch]

if all phoenix kits are like mine, the interface cable ships as a jr-ready minijack plug, and you need an interface cable between that minijack, and your futaba square plug.

Since (atleast on my specimen) the phoenix cable is a fairly decent quality (I wouldn't tow my car with it, but that's because I have things better suited for the job), I somewhat suspect the minijack female<-->futaba square cable. The good news is that this cable is so cheap at most hobbystores you'd want to try it before returning anything. The bad news is that molded cables are basically "non-servicable".

//Svein

Had a quick reply from phoenix support, and they are thinking the same thing, said they will pop one in the post for me tomorrow - so fingers crossed.

Richard

[DemonJim]

You unfortunately do have to have the TX switched on to use it with Phoenix (in the case of all the Futaba TXs I've tried with it). You will need it to be on anyway for the idle-up and THR-HOLD switches to all work anyway.

If you've definitely got it all connected correctly first port of call is the jack-to-square adapter - I bet it's that that's dodgy, just order a new one (as eventually you will need it anyway). I and a mate have had this lead fail, I have to have mine in a knot for it to work

One big problem I find is the TX is still transmitting the radio when you fly the sim (you can't take the Xtal out like with 35MHz units). Not good when you want to practice before flying as it uses up the battery. Unless this differs depending on whether you switch on before or after connecting the square plug? Will give it another test, but I'm pretty sure you can't stop it transmitting. Ideally we'd have the interface connect to an RX - it'd be great to fly the sim without that lead!

[svein]

if the FF7 is anything related to my T9CHP, disabling the transmitter is a simple matter of removing the RF module from the back of the transmitter.

As for "having to switch on", in real life so does JR users, it's just that their transmitter has an automatic power switch whenever they insert a training-lead into their TX (i.e. a secondary "switch"). The TX computer is powered from its own batteries anyways.

//Svein

[del19_82]

Not sure if the FF7 2.4 has a module, the 35mhz model doesnt. However i know that the 35mhz model powers up when you connect a buddy lead so i thought that Pheonix would do the same!

[Ponch]

Problem solved, a new 3.5mm stereo plug socket from Maplins on the adapter has done the trick.

Thanks for all your suggestions - I'm off to do some crashing on phoenix now!