Is there going to be a 9C 2.4GHz Futaba (no module)?

[Kelly Wiebe]

Does anyone have any inside info on when Futaba might release a 9C 2.4GHz radio? I've been googleing checking the Futaba web site but all I can find is module information. I've heard rumors that it should be early this year from the local hobby store.

[Striker]

Does anyone have any inside info on when Futaba might release a 9C 2.4GHz radio? I've been googleing checking the Futaba web site but all I can find is module information. I've heard rumors that it should be early this year from the local hobby store.

I don,t think they will make it. Since the transmitters are modular in the first place and the fact that they are selling the 2.4 GHz modules for it, I do not think they will go into the trouble of re-engineering the 9C just to fit the stubby antenna into it.

I have seen inside pics of the 12Z with the 2.4GHz built in and all the other radios they intend to make an optional 2.4Ghz series but none of the 9C

I think the 12FG pretty much replaced the 9C as far as a 2.4GHz radio is concerned.

[Soclarke]

The 12FG 2.4 is module based as is the 12Z. According to Krista at Futaba there are no plans in the near future to change this. The photos of a 12FG that were floating around that appeared to have the 2.4GHz antenna built in were of a mock up.

[Striker]

Yes the both 12 series radios are modular based and I think this will be for a while with the new radios in the future.

The pics of the radios with built in 2.4Ghz ducky antennas can be found here on Futabas website

http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/futaba-catalog-2007.pdf

[Tom Hastie]

Does anyone else think that Futaba is nuts for not making a 2.4Ghz version of the 9C?

Look at their models:
2.4GHz 6EX $199
2.4GHz 7CA $329
72MHz 9CAPS $419
2.4GHz 12FGA $1200
72MHz 12Z $1299
72MHz 14MZ $2199

I've looked through the features of most of the radios on the Futaba list, and I think that for most people the 9C is the optimum point on the curve. Lots of programmable mixes, you can assign auxiliary channels to different sliders/knobs, Triple rates and triple expo for the first 4 channels. If you want to have a reasonable amount of flexibility, without getting into crazy competition mixes (i.e. changing flight modes based on throttle location), seems like the 9C is the way to go. Wouldn't it be their biggest seller?

You'd think that there'd be more people willing step up from $330 to $420 on a radio than people willing to step up from $420 to $1200 for a radio. Wouldn't Futaba capture way more sales if they had a 9C 2.4GHz system for people to upgrade to?

Anyways... My $0.02. Seems strange to only offer a module for the radio that (IMHO) seems to give the best bang for your buck.

Tom

[Striker]

Tom you are absolutely right, I think the 9C was the and is the best in it's class. There is a guy who reviewed the 12Z, he is in the hobby and a competitive pilot, and he claims that the 9C was still his all time favorite radio.

Though I have not used mine much, it is a great radio and not too complicated in my books. I bought Harry Higgley's manual for it and this made programming even simpler and showed a few tricks the original manual did not have.

They are built strong and the switches, sliders and knobs are all practical and easy to access without having to look at the radio. I do like the look and feel of the 9C as well, it's lighter and slimmer than the 12Z.

I was thinking of getting the 12Z mainly because of the ability to assign all channels and for servo ganging.

I know the stubby antenna behind the radio is a bit tacky, but you can easily switch between the two frequency bands easily. This way you can use 72Mhz on your beaters and use 2.4Ghz on your treasures. Saves you from having to buy 2.4GHz receivers for all your planes.

I am hoping to build another on board video rig like I did 8 years ago and will use a 2.4GHz video transmitter again, will have to fly with the 72MHz module when capturing the on board video. Having the flexibility between the two is a plus.

[Soclarke]

Why not go 900MHz on your video Tx? That seems to be the direction most hobbyists are heading and besides 900MHz is less directional and has better penetration than 2.4GHz.

[Striker]

Because most of the main equipment I have are all 2.4GHZ from my first on board video rig, which I intend to use again.

Though the 900MHz wavelength is longer and broadcasts further, it's more susceptible to interference.
Range is not so much of an issue now with high gain patch antennas for the 2.4GHz a/v receivers, I also have a TX amp in the same band.

[Skybolt]

Look like the 9C has a 2.4GHZ replacement (with module)

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUEW6&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUEW7&P=7

1122

No manual download on the Futaba site yet.