20+ year old Futaba Magnum converted to 2.4 ghz.

[TheAman]

I just finished my Futaba 2.4 Radio project.
What do you guys think?

http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/theaman22766/media/20121211_200727.jpg.html

http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/theaman22766/media/20121211_200643.jpg.html

http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/theaman22766/media/20121211_200629.jpg.html

http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/theaman22766/media/20121211_200553.jpg.html

http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/theaman22766/media/20121211_200536.jpg.html

[LTO_Dave]

Awesome! Have you tried it out yet? How hard was the conversion and how hard was the LED install?

I converted my old Futaba PCM 1024 2PD to 2.4 a while ago and it just looks and feels so much better than the new stuff out there.

[TheAman]

Thank you!
I have tried it, and it works very well.
I have decided to use this transmitter, for my short course truck, because it actually performs better than my Spectrum radio.

Installing the "bind" button and LED was the hardest part of the install.
I had to move and re-solder four wires on the "bind" PCB board, because of clearance issues inside the transmitter.

I was going to replace the toggle switch, for a smaller one that would fit inside the clear sub-trim bay door, but decided to just mount the stock switch on top of the transmitter.
The "Fr Sky" receiver is awesome, I can set fail safes, on any channel.
And, I have a(Advertized) one mile+(1.5-2.5km) range with this radio!

I'm thinking about installing a telemetry screen on top of the transmitter, where the crystal was, mainly for looks.
And lastly, I may replace the RED three pin LED on the "bind" PCB, for a BLUE three pin LED, because I hate RED LED's

Thanks for checking out my project!

[Lonestar]

that's bloody brilliant, congrats!!!

[vintage AE]

Lol awesome!

[JK Racing]

Looks great...I think I have 2 of the PPM versions and an AM version somewhere I have been wanting to convert at least one of them over. It looks like that was the AM version?

[TheAman]

Actually it is the FM version "FP-T2PDF".
But it doesn't matter if it's an AM or FM radio.
As long as you're transmitter has the "CD8081" or "NE5044" 16 pin signal IC, it will work.

Pin 11 is the PPM signal output.

I have the telemetry screen, and White/Blue 3 pin LED's coming in a few days!

I'm thinking of documenting the install.

[JK Racing]

sorry, my typo...PCM versions

Please document it, I wouldnt mind jumping in with both feet, but pictures dont hurt

[JK Racing]

and which kit/where did you pick it up from? sorry for so many quesitons, I just loved my old Futaba and want to bust it out again.

[vwjuice]

I would love to know how to convert an old transmitter. I love my old Airtronics MX-3S and would love to convert it if cheap enough.

[Bormac]

I have the same radio set and would love to have mine retrofitted like you have with yours. I was thinking of sending it to someone that could do a better job of it than me though

[TheAman]

The kit I used is the: "FrSky DHT 8ch DIY 2.4 module"... Long winded name

I bought it on ebay for around $30, with free shipping.

Hobbyking also sells the kit, just look under "FrSky, Transmitter module" and you will find it.

I will document the conversion, in this post, once I get the telemetry screen... I will try to go step by step, and show lot's of pics

[JK Racing]

That is the one I saw on ebay...no receiver, must purchase separately (the Corona DIY kit comes with a receiver, the other one I have looked at). I may still attempt to try the first version Spektrum Futaba module in my PCM radio, I have been told it will work, that would save this hack the time and effort to do a clean install and have these club sized hands try to solder little wires. I will find someone at the track I can borrow their module for a moment to attempt it.

Document away, I am still heavy onto this set up, it is less expensive than going the Spektrum route, if it even truly works as a drop in.

[LTO_Dave]

I may still attempt to try the first version Spektrum Futaba module in my PCM radio, I have been told it will work, that would save this hack the time and effort to do a clean install and have these club sized hands try to solder little wires. I will find someone at the track I can borrow their module for a moment to attempt it.

With help from drbelleville, I now have a PCM radio with the Spektrum 2.4 module and it works perfectly. I was in the same situation as you with the big hands and little wires.

You'll need an SM1000 Futaba Tx module or an SPM1004 Tx/Rx combo if you can find one. I use both a Spektrum SR3000 and Losi MRX3000 receiver with no issues.

If you have the opportunity, try to find someone at your track with a Futaba FAAST module and see if it will work in your radio because this would open up another option. I'd also like to know if the SR3001 receivers would work with the older module.

[JK Racing]

well, I got the FrSky set up, now to just figure out how to do it up.

TheAman, when you did your radio, was the PPM chip in the module or inside the radio itself? I need to do some googling/research.