Tactic’s current crop of radios is fairly simple so Frank chose the far more capable Futaba T8J to fly the Beaver. The front view (above left) shows the
These latter radios didn’t have the ability to switch channel as- signments in their transmitter setup menus. With upper end Spek- trum radios like the DX8 or the new DX18, this problem could be solved by using the channel assignment feature in their setup menu. The same is true of Hitec’s Aurora 9 transmitter which offers that feature. If that doesn’t solve the problem some minor grunt work is in order so that the servo leads are rerouted to the appropriate chan- nels in the Tactic receiver. There aren’t any “gotchas” with the AnyLink except with JR and Spektrum. The AnyLink module is connected to them via two cables, one to the charging jack and one to the DSC port on the transmitter. The instructions caution that the power to the transmitter cannot be turned on when the AnyLink is connected. That’s an important caveat.
There are four different adapters to hook up any of the radios and the sophistication and number of channels doesn’t seem to matter. Even the 18-channel Futaba 18MZ can be used. However, the 18MZ’s adapter (TACM007) includes a 6.6V 200 mAh Li-Fe battery that must be used. The Spektrum adapter (TACM005) also uses this battery. The caution here is that a charger specifically capable of charging Li-Fe chemistry is absolutely required. Attaching the AnyLink module is pretty simple. It comes with two short strips of 3M’s Dual Lock™ fasteners. This isn’t hook and loop fastener but works on the same principle, only far more aggressive- ly. The old adage “a little dab will do ya” really holds true. Adapter and transmitter need no more than a 3⁄8–1⁄2-inch wide strip on each. Use any more than that and it will be a real tug of war to get the
AnyLink antenna between the case and handle. In the rear view (above right) it shows the module’s position and the cable for Futaba radios.
adapter off the transmitter. Cleaning the surface of the adapter and the site on the back of the transmitter ensures tenacious adhesion. Placement of the adapter seems to work okay near the top back of the transmitter. The antenna on the AnyLink module passes under- neath the handles at the top of the transmitter cases in every in- stance so that won’t be a problem. And there’s no requirement to re- move the transmitter’s antenna.
Binding the Tactic receiver to the transmitter used is very simple. On the Tactic and the Futaba T8J transmitters I first tried, I simply had to hook up the AnyLink, turn on the transmitter, and then turn on the radio. On the Tactic receiver there’s a small hole used for binding. Anything the diameter of a toothpick can be used to put into the binding hole. Press lightly, wait for the small red LED to go off, then release the bind button. A solid red LED should then come on to confirm that the receiver is bound. Same is true of the other brand transmitters, though extra steps for channel mapping may be need- ed, Again, it is a simple process.
Is there danger that the Tactic receiver would be subject to inter- ference? No, because it has the same safety characteristic found in the GUID (globally unique identifier) code of the 2.4 GHz transmit- ters. And like the short stubby antennae of most 2.4 GHz transmit- ters, the AnyLink’s short antenna seems to work quite well, having flown the Flyzone Beaver just reviewed without any kind of problem. So goodbye overwhelming collection of small RTF transmitters. With AnyLink on a transmitter—from simple 4-channel up to 18— any Tx-R ready model, or for that matter any Tactic receiver can fly safely and securely. It’s convenient and easy.
These JR radios, a 9503 (L) and a 12X (R) are shown (above left) with the module and the JR connector, which plugs into the charger and the DSC ports.
FLYING MODELS
When using the JR radios, the power switch must not be turned on. Here’s the Hitec Aurora (above right) with its dedicated connector.
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