Futaba DIGITAL PROPORTIONAL RADIO CONTROL PCM SINGLE STICK PULSE CODE MODULATION SYSTEM
Thank you for purchasing a Futaba digital proportional radio control set Please read this manual carefully before using your set. The names and functions of the transmitter controls can be easily understood by reading this section with the three-fold page at the end of this manual unfolded.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX FOR TRIMMER PANEL FUNCTIONS GENERAL INFORMATION Switch or Trimmer Number Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2~3 Contents and Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..5~6 Glossary of Terms Basic Transmitter Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ~ 9 Batteries and Charging Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 ~ 1 1 Tachometer/Timer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•FEATURES The FP-8SSAP was specially developed to use PCM (pulse code modulation) for FAI RC aerobatics F3A aircraft. It is an extremely noise and dead-point resistant digital proportional RC set with a microprocessor in the transmitter and the receiver. Please read this manual before using your set. TRANSMITTER FP-T8SSAP 2 • RF module system. The frequency band can be changed with one touch. • DSC (Direct Servo Controller) allows operation of the servos without turning on the transmitter.
RECEIVER FP-R118GP •The receiver of this set is a miniature PCM receiver in which the highest reliability has been pursued. It is the first R/C receiver in the world to incorporate the newest computer technology. • Miniature PCM receiver with high speed single microprocessor. Resistance to adjacent band and spark noise interference has been increased by one full order of magnitude. • Microprocessor servo hold function eliminates erroneous operation when a "dead point" area is entered.
•CONTENTS AND RATINGS Ratings and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS NOTE: Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the terms and abbreviations below. They will be used throughout the instructions and are important in understanding the operation and potential of your system. PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) Pulse Code Modulation utilizes a precise digital code to convey information from the transmitter encoder to the receiver.
PROGRAMMED MIXING Unidirectional mixing of any two channels desired is possible using the pin board and jumper connectors on the transmitter back panel. Either channel may be designated as "master" or "slave". DSC (Direct Servo Control) Operation of the entire system with the transmitter switch in OFF position is possible using the DSC cord. This is useful for checking and adjusting control movements on the ground while someone else is flying on your frequency.
22 Monitor Lamps IMPORTANT: In all instructions on control functions. Items designated by a number inside a circle (For example 10 ) are transmitter controls normally accessable and operated in flight. Items designated by a number within a box (For example 10 ) are adjustment functions not operated while in flight.
32 Transmitter RF module • Change this module when switching frequency bands (50, 53, 72, and 75MHz). While pushing this tab to the inside, pull the RF module forward. A temperature rise at the RF module section during use is normal. 34 Snap roll direction switch (R/L) 35 Snap roll direction switch (UP/DOWN) •These switches control the direction of the snap roll when the Snap roll switch 13 is used.
40 Trainer switch Pull on/self-off switch. The transmitter connected by the trainer cord (M-TC) operates and when it is OFF, your-own transmitter only operates. • Trainer Connect the transmitters with the trainer cord (M-TC-FM, purchased separately) as shown in Fig.5. When the switch is in the ON (pull) position, the student's transmitter operates and when the switch is in the OFF position, the instructor's transmitter operates.
•BATTERIES AND CHARGING INSTRUCTIONS AC-120V Battery charger FBC-8B (2) LED Antenna Female Receiver 10 Install the accessory DSC.CHG cord (connector with tab) to the side of the aircraft fuselage to use the charging/DSC socket. Female DSC.CHG cord R4-SWJ Female Male Female Male Fig.
•The Direct Servo Controller system connects the signals from the transmitter directly to terminal C of the receiver through a wire and controls the servos without radiating radiowaves. It is extremely convenient when flying on the same band or during meets, etc. • Make the connections shown in Fig. 9. Connecting the special DSC.CHG cord with tab to receiver terminal C and installing it to the side of the aircraft fuselage is very convenient.
•TACHOMETER/TIMER OPERATION NOMENCLATURE AND FUNCTIONS Fig. 10 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY REV. RANGE SW Switches the range when used as a tachometer. LOW -100 to 30,000 rpm. HIGH -100 to 60,000 rpm POWERSW Tachometer/timer power switch. Do not press the keys too quickly. Press them at a speed of about once per second. | Selects the tachometer/timer mode. The INTEGRATING TIMER mode is selected and 12 MODE DISPLAY < is displayed at the mode selected at the MODE SEL key switch.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 1.Tachometer Set the tachometer/times POWER switch to ON. appears on the display. Next, press the MODE SEL key switch at the upper-right corner three times. The display changes to and the tachometer mode is selected. Hold the sensor about 20 to 30 cm from the rotating propeller (two blade). The propeller speed is displayed on the LCD. Sensor Connect the accessory tachometer sensor to the sensor connector as shown above. indicates that the propeller is rotating at 12,300 rpm.
Note do not expose the liquid crystal display to direct sunlight for a long time. Selects the tachometer/ timer mode. Switches the range when used as a tachometer. This switch alarm time. Tachometer/timer wer switch. po- sets the Memorize, start, stop, and clear switch. is displayed at the mode selected at the Fig. 14 MODE SEL K E Y S W . 2.UP TIMER Set the tachometer/timer POWER switch to ON. is displayed. Next, press the MODE.SEL key switch at the upper right-hand corner one time.
•RECEIVER AND SERVOS 8SSAP 4 Servos Receiver, Servo Switch, and Battery Connections Aileron servo Elevator servo Throttle servo Rudder servo Extension cord AEC-3 Landing gear servo Antenna wire Landing gear servo PCM receiver FP-R118GP Landing gear adaptor AEC-A Flap servo Spoiler servo Pitch control servo 15 Power switch SWH-5 (R4-SWJ) Charging plug NR-4J Fig. 15 Pay careful attention to the polarity of the connector. PCM RECEIVER FP-R118GP Antenna wire crystal Fig.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •BASIC LINKAGES AND INSTALLATION The FP-8SSAP has a servo reversing switch and ATV (Adjustable Travel Volume) for each channel. Mount the servos without regard to their direction. Select and link servo horns somewhat larger than those specified by the model manufacturer. 16 • Install the servos securely. Tighten the mounting screws until the rubber grommets are slightly compressed.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •USING ATV (ADJUSTABLE TRAVEL VOLUME) GENERAL - ATV (Adjustable Travel Volume) allows independent adjustment of servo maximum throw in each direction (without affecting the neutral position). This is also sometimes referred to as "separate endpoint adjustment". ATV is very convenient when for example: a model requires more DOWN elevator deflection than UP for equal inside and outside loops (with equal control stick deflection).
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES CHANNEL SELECT SWITCH • This switch 48 selects the channel when setting FS and HOLD functions. It also acts as the channel select switch for SERVO TEST function. When switch 49 is set to RESET, the Channel Select switch is used to designate the function (ATV, FS, BFS memory, or ALL) to be cleared by Buttons [46] and [47]. Note that the positions on switch 48 have a different meaning when the Function Select Switch is set on RESET.
ADJUSTMENTSANDFLIGHTTECHNIQUES •2ND ATV (CONVENTIONAL) 2ND ATV is available on the aileron and elevator channels. This is the conventional type ATV and is set using trimmers [34], [35), [36], and [37] on the transmitter back panel. Servo movement can be adjusted from 0 to 100%. These adjustments are retained even if the transmitter battery reaches a full discharge state (Memory ATV settings are not.). When the ATV trimmer is turned clockwise, the steering angle increases.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •USING DUAL RATE (AILERON, ELEVATOR, AND RUDDER) Dual rate functions allow the flyer to alter the maximum servo travel (and therefore control sensitivity) during flight by using the appropriate rate switch. At D/R OFF, servo deflection is maximum in both directions (unless limited by ATV set- tings). At D/R ON, servo deflection is reduced by a percentage set with the D/R trimmers. Dual rate adjustments always effect both directions of servo travel.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •AUTOMATIC DUAL RATE ON RUDDER • This function automatically switches rudder D/R to ON as the throttle lever is moved from LOW to HIGH position. This allows a smaller rudder throw for precise inputs during rolling maneuvers (at HIGH throttle) and increased throw (at LOW throttle) during stall turns, taxing, etc. 1 Safety Switch [31] is set to ACT. 2 Adjust desired Rudder travel in D/R ON using Trimmer [21] .
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •SUGGESTIONS ON ATV, D/R, AND VTR POINTS TO REMEMBER (ATV, D/R. VTR) • Servo maximum deflection is always determined by ATV. If no ATV is set, maximum travel is governed by the servo itself and is approximately 45 degrees in each direction from neutral. •When Dual Rate is ON, servo travel in each direction is reduced by the same percentage (adjustable using D/R trimmers). For example, in Fig. 33 one direction has been limited using ATV.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •USING ATL (ADJUSTABLE THROTTLE LIMIT) HIGH SLOW The Throttle Trim Lever 19 affects the servo position only when the throttle control lever is in the LOW (IDLE) position. HIGH throttle position remains unchanged. Adjustment of the throttle linkage is therefore very convenient. 1 Use a servo horn that allows slightly more throw than needed. 2 Set the maximum opening at HIGH throttle using Memory ATV (Page 17).
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •FS (FAIL SAFE) AND HOLD FUNCTIONS HOW TO USE FS (FAIL SAFE) (THROTTLE CHANNEL AS AN EXAMPLE.) 1 Set Function Select Switch 49 to FS SELECT. 2 Set transmitter and receiver power switches to ON and check servo movements. 3 While switching the Channel Select Switch [48] from 1 to 8 in order, set the channel(s) to be used with FAIL SAFE by pressing Button 46 and those to be used with HOLD by pressing Button 47 . (In this example, set CH3 to FS with Button 46.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •BFS (BATTERY FAIL SAFE) AND BFS MEMORY •BFS (Battery Fail Safe) is a warning function which moves only the throttle servo to the same position as set for FS when there is only a small amount of power left in the receiver Nicd batteries. (If no FS position is set, the throttle servo is moved to medium slow.) •When BFS occurs, the throttle servo can be released and throttle control regained for 36 seconds by lowering the throttle lever to IDLE.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •AIRCRAFT WITH VARIABLE PITCH PROP ADVANTAGES OF VARIABLE PITCH PROPELLEJB The variable pitch propeller offers such advantages as: 1. The desired speed and pull can be adjusted. 2. Speed matched to the engine is obtained. 3. Low noise. 4. Air braking effect by zero pitch. 5. Idling is unnecessary. Pitch control servo High pitch— —Low pitch Matching of the variable pitch propeller to the digital proportional RC set is essential. Improper use is extremely dangerous.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES Pitch 8-9 Pitch 11 (maximum) Pitch zero does not have an air braking affect. If the engine is running at a speed of 3000 ~ 4000 rpm, the air braking effect will not appear if the propeller diameter is too small. Adjust the throttle so the pitch is positive and the engine idles when switch II is set to the OFF position. Since lever 8 is also operative in this state, optimum pitch adjustment is possible. Operation when switch 11 is ON 9 Idle up lever Fig.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT •THROTTLE POSITION TRIMMER © 8 B Throttle -> pitch control mixing This is the start position setting trimmer when (M) rudder auto dual and (N) air brake are used. Fig. 45 The start position of functions (B), (M), and (N) can be set between throttle lever slow and medium slow with trimmer 8 . When the trimmer is turned counterclockwise, setting at the slow side is possible. SLOW 28 HIGH Throttle lever Pig.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •AIRCRAFT WITH FLAPS Connect the flap servo to channel 6 of the receiver. • Flaps are normally controlled by the CH6 Knob 6 on the transmitter front. Wide or narrow (Flap Trim) travel may be selected by Flap Switch [18] on the trimmer panel. • Wide throw is often best for normal landing flaps and airbrake operations. Narrow (Trim) throw allows Flaps or Flprons (see page 31 ) to be used for pitch trim adjustments in knife edge and vertical maneuvers.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •FLAP/ELEVATOR MIXING (PRE-SET FLAPS AND ELEV. TRIM) FLAP-> ELEVATOR MIXING (ELEVATOR DOWN MIXING) ADJUSTMENT • This is a pre-set or switch-activated type of mixing and is ideal for landing approaches with stunt and scale aircraft. An airbrake effect is produced which is very realistic and makes short field landings easier. H 19 N 20 32 Fig. 49 30 1. Set Airbrake Switch [32] (6, 7 -> 2 MIX) to ON. Monitor Lamp (C) comes ON.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •FLAP TRIM FUNCTION FLAP TRIM 18] Knob 6 throw selector. In the NORM position, wide throw is selected and in the TRIM position, narrow throw is selected. Fig. 52 • Flap Neutral can be adjusted during flight using the CH6 Flap Knob 6 •This is helpful in making pitch axis trim adjustments for knife edge and vertical maneuvers. •This function can be used whether Mixing Switches 10 and 12 are ON or OFF.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •SNAP ROLL SWITCH (TIMER IS OPTIONAL) •When this function is used, snap rolls can be performed by pushing the Snap Switch 13 . Snap roll directions can be set using Control Switches 34 and 35 . 1 Set Safety Switch [29] on the trimmer panel to ACT. Monitor Lamp (D) will blink. 2 A snap roll in the direction set by switches 34 and 35 can now be performed by pushing Control Switch 13 to ON.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES EXAMPLE 1. Pig. 58. AILERON -> RUDDER MIXING • This function is sometimes referred to as"CAR" (Coupled Ailerons and Rudder) and is useful on sailplanes and certain scale models where aileron and rudder must be used together for coordinated turns. Fig. 58 1.Connector 14 designates the Master channel and is set vertically at the CH1 (Aileron) position. 2. Connector 13 designates the Slave channel and is set vertically at the CH4 (Rudder) position. 3. Set Switch 30 to P.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES •MUTUAL (BI-DIRECTIONAL) MIXING (FLPRON. ELEVN, V-TAIL, DIFF) Aileron + flap (FLPRON), aileron + elevator (ELEVN), rudder + elevator (V.TAIL), and aileron differential (DIF) mixing can be selected with a switch. FLPRON (AILERON + FLAP) •This function allows the use of flaps on aircraft with full length "strip" ailerons. • Use a separate servo on each aileron and connect as shown in Fig. 61 . NOTE: Always connect the servo on the Right Aileron to CH1 (Aileron).
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES ELEVN (AILERON + ELEVATOR) • This type of mixing can be used with tailless and delta wing aircraft and flying discs. • Install and connect the servos as shown in Fig. 64. Always connect the Right side servo to CH1 (Aileron). • Aileron differential can be adjusted with Trimmer 15. Fig. 65 Connect to channel 2 (elevator). Connect to channel 1 (aileron). Use channel 1 (aileron servo) at the right rudder. Fig. 64 35 V.
ADJUSTMENTS AND FLIGHT TECHNIQUES INDEPENDENT AILERON DIFFERENTIAL OPERATION • Adjustment of the Aileron Differential can help reduce sideslip in turns and eliminate unwanted Yaw movements in rolling maneuvers. • Install and connect the servos as shown in Fig. 71. Always connect the Right Aileron servo to CH1 (Aileron). The Left Aileron servo is connected to CH7. • Set Switches 16 and 17 as shown in Fig. 70. • The Aileron DOWN deflection can be adjusted by using trimmer 15 .
•FP-S130 AND FP-S130G EXPLODED VIEWS 37 Fig.
•TRANSMITTER CONTROLS 38
•TRANSMITTER CONTROLS 39
•SPLINED HORNS This horn permits shifting of the servo neutral position at the servo horn. Setting and shifting the neutral position a) Angle divisions b) Effect Baseline A Fig. 83 Fig. 82 Fig. 81 1) The splined horn has 25 segments. The amount of change per segment is; 360: 25=14.4° 2) The minimum adjustable angle is determined by the number of arms or number of the holes.
FACTORY REPAIR SERVICE To insure prompt service, please follow the instructions given below. 1. Charge the batteries for at least 18 hours prior to shipment. 2. Return the system only. Not your complete installation. Remove the servos from their mounts and remove the foam padding from the receiver. 3. Plugs or other modifications which interfere with factory test procedures will be returned to factory standard at your expense. 4.
Printed in Japan/860410CC
