is USA FAAST legal in the UK?

[Ian]

as the title says, is it? i know US spektrum isnt, but is US FAAST?

Ian

[Andy from Sandy]

I think the correct aswer is the TX or rather the RF module should have the CE mark to show it is type approved for use in Europe.

[robgt]

The US have different broadcasting restrictions than us. We have strict power limits which is why US Spektrum gear is illegal here (its output power is too high).
My guess would be that FASST is the same as Spektrum here, so US stuff would not be legal in the UK.

Cheers,
Rob

[mchristyuk]

Ian,

There are two elements to this. One the 2.4 transmission method/power and two the actual hardware.

To be sold legally in Europe you have to meet both requirements. The US Spektrum sets fail on both as the power output is too high and the internals of the transmitters don't have the required shielding.

FASST meets the european requirements for transmission but the actual hardware of the transmitter may not unless it's gone through the CE type approval. Having a CE sticker means nothing unfortunately.

The reason the JR sets are so delayed getting to the UK is because they have to have actual internal hardware modifications (shielding) to pass the strict CE tests. I would expect Futaba to have the same issues here.

So to answer your question... a US FASST set is probably not legal as although the frequency requirements are met the internal shielding requirements aren't.

Cheers

Mark

[Mark J]

Just a quickie as on the subject of legality etc with the 2.4 stuff from the states.

What do the guys from the states use when theyre over here competing in the 3D masters etc? as if thier radio gear is classed as illegal here, would they have to use UK products to stop Mr policeman coming along and slinging them in the cells? as surely if its illegal for us to use then the same would I presume be for them too.

Just a thought that popped into my head on reading this thread.

Mark.

[RaptorStudent]

Good point

[ChrisB]

No they are technically immigrants and can get away with everything

[Mark J]

LOL!!!!

Only partial immigrants though, as at least they leave afterwards

[electricsceadu]

the 3d masters pilots have to use uk legal sets
look on the blog on the masters and you will find some of the pilots bought new tx's from the retailers at the masters so that they could fly

if the tx is ce approved then it can be used
if it isn't then go to your local hobby shop or whoever you use in the uk and buy a uk legal set plus you get a warranty

[LaurenceGough]

What about all your stick tension and mods etc. I wouldn't like that. I've even done grease, bearing mods, throttle stick mods etc, you'll never get it the same.

Another question I was thinking is that why do the TX's in the USA output more power if it makes no difference for range and response?

[barney]

Interestingly the 12FG as it is known here has a setting for using in France in the software...so is EU covered (CE marked) the yank versions are designated as 12FGH. Assuming this there will also be a 12FGA over the pond.

The MacGregor DSX9 and JR badged DSX9 have other differences too the UK version having digitial throttle trim.

[Ian]

okay, i know all about the spektrum rulings, and i am a big fan of the DX7, but its limiting my flying (not the helis, but the fixed wing). i need flight modes, totally different conditions, not just rates. now i am a through and through JR man, all the servos i run are JR, all the recievers are JR/Spektrum, and i used a JR9x version 1 since the day they were out, untill i move to Spektrum. But the DSX9, although a rip off, i am willing to pay, but it doesnt have the full blown flight modes, and to be fair, the DSX12 is going to cost epic amounts of money, but it is perfect for what i need.

I have never liked Futaba really, since a when JR, but this 12FG thing looks perfect it feels good, has flight modes, and its a good price too. The 10c looks an OK spec, but not sure on flight modes, and i wouldnt be seen dead with a TX which was modeled on a domino and feels like a GWS dreamstarter TX in your hand.

I believe that US and EU varients of the 12FG have a 100mW output, they are pretty much identical, one has a CE mark, one i assume does not. so just because of the lack of label, it is illegal? or is there something inside which is fundementally different?

Ian

[mchristyuk]

Barney,

In France you are only allowed to use a subset of the 2.4ghz spectrum.. hence the switch. Though this is all going to change in a few years as all the European countries have to come in line with each other.

Technex,

The reason the US Spektrum (not FASST) sets have more power is because they were designed in America to the American standards. They only have to be turned down slightly for use in the EU because our standards are different.. and whilst it does reduce the range slighlty it will still be greater than line of sight so nothing to worry about. Yes it would be better for the US sets to be reduced to our levels.. but can you really see that happening!? And they still wouldn't be EU legal as they wouldn't have the appropriate hardware tweaks inside the case.. It's European beauracracy at fault here not the manufacturers..

Ian,

Like I said the CE sign means nothing as the manufacturers have been accidently putting it on sets that aren't CE compliant.. and then there are 2 versions of the CE label.. one with a "!" and one without.. don't even go down that route.

The only way to be sure you are covered is to buy from a UK supplier. If it turns out it isn't a legal set then it's not your problem but theirs... if you import a set yourself then you are the designated importer and the law will focus on you if there are any problems.

At the end of the day all the sets will work here fine.. BUT if there is an accident (worst case scenario) then you could be held fully liable without any insurance protection if you knowingly imported a set.. it's up to you..

Much like the 8v servo scenario with 8717's... you can go against the manufacturers statements and probably be fine... but if the 1% problem catches up with you.. then you have been warned..

Mark

[electricsceadu]

because the americains want more power in everything just look at the size of there car engines

[Ian]

thanks for the help mark, makes sense.

Ian