Hitec Feather rx problems

[denial15]

Hello all, I’m new to the DIY threads. I've been flying for about 5 yrs and have 9-10 planes on or under my belt. While I feel like I'm a great flyer, I don't know much at all about the schematics and intricate things about how all of this works. I probably know just enough to keep me out of trouble and not ruin my stuff. I read through some of the threads here and most of it goes right over my head,so go easy on me.

I looked through the four pages of existing threads to see if this topic has been covered yet, but I didn't find anything. I also started a thread (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609231) in the electrics forum, and have had a lot of comments. It was suggested to start a thread here.

Here is the first post in the other thread;

A couple of months ago I crashed my GWS Spitfire (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=582616). I was flying at a new field, and shortly after launch the plane seemed to get some sort of interference and nosed into the ground.

I figured at the time it was some sort of radio interference, but I'm beginning to wonder if the RX has just gone bad. I was using a Hitec Feather (-shift). Granted, I know that is not the highest quality RX and I don't expect it to be perfect and last forever.

The crash broke the antenna wire approximately two inches from the RX. See the "crashed my GWS Spitfire" link for discussion and pics. The wire was removed from the RX and the remaining length was soldered onto the RX. The plane has been resurrected, but the RX is a no go.

When I do a preflight check, I can only get about 5-6 ft away (antenna down) before the plane is totally irresponsive. I doubt the loss of 2" would have that dramatic of an effect. Within the 5-6 ft there is a lot of twitching, but as soon as I get past the 5-6 ft, it all goes dead. No control from the TX and no twitching. I've tried different xtals and get the same result.

I would think the crash possibly did something, but with the antenna up, it does the same thing as the day it crashed. There was nothing traumatic prior to the crash so I am just wondering if the RX has just decided to give up the ghost.

------

There are a couple of pages in the thread (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609231) in the electrics forum. The popular consensus has come down to two possible problems.

1. The antenna wire. Length and or type of wire used could be the result.
2. Something is broken in/on the board.

If it will help, I will post some high res. pics later tonight. The rx is not currently in use. You can read through the linked threads to see what trouble shooting I have gone through.

Thanks in advance for your help/advice.
- Dan

[vintage1]

As I said over there, 1. is a non starter. 2 inches off the antenna may affect range, but not result in complete loss of operation.

Its far more likely the receiver was faulty from the word "go", and just held together by a thread..which has now, so to speak, snapped.

The original crash may have been caused by that, or the hitec may have simply been shot down..they are known to be pretty prone to that. The phrase 'new flying field' suggests that it might have been the latter.


You should probe the board to see if there are any dusty gray looking solder joints, or visible cracks.

How good are you with a fine tipped soldering iron? repairing this sort pf board is not that easy..

If you want assistance from someone with electronic test equipment 'somewhere north of mexico and south of canada, I think...' is a leeetle imprecise if someone IS on the next block..It DOES include nearly all of China for example..

[denial15]

You should probe the board to see if there are any dusty gray looking solder joints, or visible cracks.

I'll check this afternoon when I get home.



How good are you with a fine tipped soldering iron? repairing this sort pf board is not that easy..

Probably not that great, but I have a flying buddy that can help me out with that.

If you want assistance from someone with electronic test equipment 'somewhere north of mexico and south of canada, I think...' is a leeetle imprecise if someone IS on the next block..It DOES include nearly all of China for example..

Utah County, Utah, USA

[vintage1]

Utah eh? Been there once or twice..NICE countryside..

The only feather I have was so dire I made it into a channel monitor..you can pull the audio out of pin 9 on the 3361 chip and hook it up to an audio system with a capacitor in the way..actually I built mine into am old bedside radio case, and its quite fun to hear your transmitter buzzing away..good check that its working too..as I found out when I used a no brand Xtal in mine - way off tune.

Well lets hope someone with a scope and DVM in Utah shows up..

[denial15]

Here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6549051&postcount=67) are some pics.

[vintage1]

Well nothing looks OBVIOUSLY bent or broken..check the connections between the mainboard and the crystal board to start with...also the coil around the top left hand side in the first photo..one suspects bigger heavier components to be the first to break in a crash.

[Richard Cox]

Make sure that you soldered the new antenna wire to the right spot, and don't have a solder bridge to some neighboring traces.

[arx_n_sparx]

1. Place Rx on workbench
2. Find the biggest hammer you own
3. Smite the little devil as hard as you can
4. Deposit debris in wastebasket

If you do some searching in the radio forums, you will discover that the Hitec feather is not "not the highest quality receiver", but instead a real piece of junk. The one I had I sold to a guy living way out in the boonies in British Columbia - and he was aware of the problems with this Rx. Being in the middle of no-where certainly helped in his case, as he got a cheap Rx for, well, cheap :p

Trying to save a few bucks by using this is penny wise and pound foolish IMO. Get yerself a good Rx.

Brad

[denial15]

Thank you all for your help. The RX's fate has been decided.

Thread closed.