MKS AX700 Scanner

[DDwaneR]

Thought I might try one of these.., a MKS AX700 scanner. After looking at the AeroSpectra at about $800, and the RC Scan 7200 at about $250, the price of the AX700 caught my eye. Its only a few dollars more than my HCAP0340.
I found more info on the device at http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.5imx.com/info/info-c/info-c1070107a.htm
Company web site at http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/index.htm the manual is there also.

[bigtwinch]

Today i got the packet with the AX700 Scanner 35.36MHz :D

The 3 types of frequency spectrum scanner

AX700-35.36 35 - 36MHz
AX700-40.41 40 - 41MHz
AX700-72.75 72 - 75MHz

Characteristic
LCD Display: 128x64
Sensitivity: -102 dB
Current consumption: 8mA
Size: 78x47x11.5mm
Weight: 37.5g

First impression

Great... :)
Not only the AX700 also one additional battery (maxell CR2032)!
Antenna and Instruction manual all in a small box.

As you can see thats the 35 / 36MHz Version. My country is Switzerland and here we use mostly 35MHz (Airplane)

You dont need the manual to setup the Ar700 :cool:
Press the middle button for two seconds and setup the device!
Also the small manual is simple to read, many pictures. Step by step instruction.

After the first test with the transmitter "FUTABA T12FG 35MHz" about 16" / 40cm away from the AR700 no antenna on both. You see the display at 35.160MHz and the cursor (small arrow obove the line). Thats the transmitter frequency setting CH76 35.160MHz on the T12FG.

I am surprised about the AR700

Christian

[DDwaneR]

Is there a way to zoom to a channel and see just it and the 2 on either side? I'm looking for a good way to watch close the one I am using most often. I plan to power the one I get from a 1400ma lithium battery and I would like the unit to stay on for hours before shut down, so I would also like to find a way to keep it on till I turn it off or program hours, not minutes. The channel alarm may do me some good if it would stay on in my pocket and alarm during the day when I am at the field to let me know someone is on the channel I use, or there is some extra noise on the channel. My HCAP0340 is pritty good to let me know what channels on th 72 band are in use at all times with a LED for each channel. I am more interested in JUST THE CHANNEL I USE with the AX700 which is what "I" want the spectrum analyzer for.
My AX700 7275 should be here any day now.
I hope I am as pleased as you seem to be....
:)

[bigtwinch]

Hello DDwaneR

I setup two transmitters (transmitting at the same time) one with 35.160MHz and the other with 35.170MHz.
On both pictures you see the small arrow one at 35.160 and the other on 35.170MHz.
You can move the arrow on the screen to see the actual frequency.

Power ON time settings 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10 minuts :mad:

Christian

[DDwaneR]

Looks like a lot of real estate NOT getting used. What's a single channel look like and how wide is the the carrier? Is the transmitters NEXT to your transmitter out of tolerance and generating a carrier into your transmitter carrier area?
These are kind of BASIC questions that I would use a spectrum analyzer to find out. Even a inexpensive SPECTRUM ANALYZER.
The HCAP0340 will run till the batteries run down and I use 15min (recharge) AAA rechargables. The HCAP0340 has a 300 foot range without a antenna and a 1000 foot range with one. The LED lights to indicate that a channel is IN USE.

[bigtwinch]

Hi again
The setup was two transmitters on the table in my living room and betwen the AX700.
Thats not a Agilent Spectrum Analyzer for abour 80'000$ :confused:

single channel look like see the picture parts.
do not take everything seriously (maybe my bad english)

Christian

[DDwaneR]

The RC SCAN 7200 will show channel band width and overlap for about $250. The Aero Spectra will show it for about $800.
The AX700 is a real GOOD deal for the money if it will do the basics. I am not trying to compare the AX700 to a $80,000 piece of test equipment, just the spectrum analyzers that are hand held, budget priced and made for use at the flying field!
My serious(ness) is less concerning the quality of devices if they cost $0. As the price goes up "I" expect better. The spectrum analyzer you pictured for $80,000 may be a nice piece of equipment but it may be the worst possable choice when the cost is compared to the features, and cost, of other spectrum analyzers.

[bigtwinch]

You get what you pay for about 64 Bucks.

Best Regards,
Christian

[DDwaneR]

I may want my MONEY back is what you are saying? Just return the device unopened as JUNK and go for the next best device for the money at $250! The RC SCAN 7200 has a LOT more features also and the new version includes the 75mhz band.
The AX700 looks like it might be compared to buying a digital wrist watch that only display's hours and using it as a wall clock because the manufacturer advertised it as a wall clock.

[bigtwinch]

I may want my MONEY back is what you are saying?

No No No :(

for my daily usage its OK for me. I am really surprised about the AR700.
Christian

[DDwaneR]

My HCAP0340 is about $40 and it tells me what channels are in operation and which ones are not and each channel can be ID'd easy with out touching the monitor and the monitor will run several hours on a single charge. I still beleave the Hobbico HCAP0340 to be a good value for the money and it also is a very simple device to use (you don't need to read the instructions if you don't want too (till later...)). The AX700 needs to be a little better spectrum analyzer for almost twice the money, NOT LESS of a spectrum analyzer (channel monitor???).
P.S.
The agilent has toooooooo many buttons for a good RC flight field monitor.
P.S.S.
I am looking at 2.4-2.485 Ghz spectrum analyzers in the $99 and $189 range and they look real good for the money (haven't bought one yet however).

[DDwaneR]

The Hobbico HCAP0340 for MY money is a better scanner.
I have found NO way to zoom in on JUST 1, 2 or 3 channels. The 1170KHz bandwidth seems to be fixed and it has a STRANGE way of wrapping the scan area when a channel is centered. If Ch60 is selected for center and is centered, to the right of the upper arrow is NON selectable but shows the channel 11-30 scan area. There seems to be NO OPTION for setting the unit to NO time out and shut down. If you set it to alarm on channels and have it in your pocket to alarm you at he field, after a maximum of about 10 minutes you will NOT get a alarm if the alarm area is transmitted to. The scanner will have turned off. The warning tone is a beep, NOT music (at least to my ears). The unit doesn't receive well at all without the antenna plugged in (probably no internal antenna). The manual reads a little better than the online documents I have found of even the MANUAL (I may have a revision). As a spectrum analyzer the scan time from 72.010 to 72.890 is about 5 seconds and there is a prompt that slides along the bottom as it scans (a little faster than the HCAP0340)
All in all the AX700 is a major disappointment as a field spectrum analyzer, you can't tell DIDLEY about a transmitters carrier width, the blip of a pre 1990 (old wide style) transmitter looks the same as today's narrow txmitters on the display (the best I can tell), I suggest the Hobbico HCAP0340 for about HALF the money and get a set of AAA rechargeables and it will scan for about 8 hours on a charge!:(

[DDwaneR]

Now that I have had a chance to use it at the field some, I find that the 10 minute or less timeout and shutdown is a MAJOR problem.:mad:
I can see how it would lead to :censored:.

[davensocal]

DDwaner-
So, does this mean you want to sell it to me? :D

[DDwaneR]

It would cost me more than I think its worth to ship it. I have been through the first battery and although it does rcv better than my Hobbico, I still like the Hobbico MUCH better. I DO expect to sell it to one of the flyers at the flying field or use it a GOOD tradi'n material on a 480 or something.

[davensocal]

DDwayneR-

I apologize if this comes off wrong..
I have been talking to MKS, and they insist there is a setting to turn off the autoshutoff..

Could you take a look again? Is it possible the setting is in there somewhere?

In the meantime, I am trying to get more details from MKS as to how EXACTLY the setting can be turned off...

[DDwaneR]

I apologize if this comes off wrong..
I would Really like to disable the timeout to shutdown!

I can find the timeout value and you get 1 to 10 for choices. I've even gone as far to find out how to set the contrast and thats really off the beaten path of adjustments. Its not very usefull as a alarm channel monitor when it turns its self off (with or without notice), otherwise the alarm feature is nice idea. I would think that the use of the alarm would be for when you are NOT keeping an eye right on the unit, most often its turned itself off by then. A "0" for no timeout would be REAL GOOD, a lot of devices use the 0 for disable feature.

[davensocal]

Do you have a feeling for the battery life? I think you mentioned you had already gone though one battery..

I am wondering if the battery will need to be modified to make it useable.. How long do you spend at the field in one session?

[DDwaneR]

I (or someone) starts my Hobbico HCAP0340 when I (we or they) get to the field at about 4 or 5 pm and I (we or they) run it till dark at about 8 pm. I switch the 3AAA cells after 2 evenings with a fresh charge set that I can charge in about 15 minutes. The battery life problem is easy to fix on the MKS scanner with a flat 1400 ma (3.7vDC) lithium battery and a resistor (I have not done this yet), strapped to the back of the scanner 1400ma/8ma (about a week on a charge, solid ON time). I can charge a single cell 1400 with my field chargers in about a hour. The internal battery probably didn't get over 3 or 4 hours of ON TIME with 1 cell with almost NO alarms.:rolleyes:

[davensocal]

hmm.. MKS claims 25 hours on a single cell... Sounds like they are a "little" off on that claim! FYI, the internal cell is supposed to be about 240mah... So they are claiming 10ma usage..

What is the voltage drop across a transistor? I thought a little IN4002 drops .3v very consistently.. Maybe a couple of transistors in series would be a more stable option?

They did get back to me late last night, and clarified that they cannot turn off the timer at this point, but it sounds like they are open changing it.. I will let you know the outcome..

[DDwaneR]

Probably won't help the MKS scanner I have if they add the option. Its probably always gonna be a pain in the :censored: to use.
The MOST stable part would be a single resistor to drop to 3.3 vDC. I'm pritty sure my MKS scanner didn't run 25 hours on the battery supplied by the factory, I have had to turn it back on a bunch with the timer set to 10min however. About 3 evenings of turning the MKS scanner back on and my Hobbico HCAP0340 was A LOT BETTER SCANNER. Maybe the battery was a little weak from the factory (Factory run in or something like that).

If their gonna add features, along with the shutdown try adding channel zoom. Would be nice to use a spectrum analyzer to see if a transmitter is transmitting outside the carrier bandwidth area causing problems for others.

[JoeSantora]

Where did you get your AX700 from?

[davensocal]

Joe-
I ordered mine from Soaring USA.. www.soaringusa.com

They are on backorder, but I think they are due any day now..

Try emailing them..

[fuhsong]

if have any question for this goods AX700 , please contact us for any cooperation or opinion...see u

sales@mks-servo.com.tw or info@mks-servo.com.tw

best regards
fuhsong Hwang May 14 , 2008 am 01:40

ps : http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/pll.htm you can find the battery life useing in this link or http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/pll-3.htm

Power control is set as follows:

Set menu interface

◎ when its users' power control 'Configure: 1 MIN, the user if not in one minute, Have to use their spectrum scanners, will be automatically turned off, so as to extend the time limit for use of the spectrum scanner

[DDwaneR]

I sent the E-Mail....
Every time I get it running and put it in my pocket for alarming on my channel it turns itself OFF so I don't use it much. I use my Hobbico.

If I could "DISABLE" or set the time-out function for about 5 hours or more then I might consider using it again. I have NO need for a scanner that insists on being NOT WORKING.
I very much consider the money invested in the AX700
WASTED!
By the way, your second email address is BAD! Maybe it should be a dash rather than a 0 (nahh it got REJECTED also).:mad:

[fuhsong]

I sent the E-Mail....
Every time I get it running and put it in my pocket for alarming on my channel it turns itself OFF so I don't use it much. I use my Hobbico.

If I could "DISABLE" or set the time-out function for about 5 hours or more then I might consider using it again. I have NO need for a scanner that insists on being NOT WORKING.
I very much consider the money invested in the AX700
WASTED!
By the way, your second email address is BAD! Maybe it should be a dash rather than a 0 (nahh it got REJECTED also).:mad:


your second email address is BAD! SORRY we have type wrong for spell words
the active email for correct is : info@mks-servo.com.tw we will reply your all problem discusion more Solution with my R&D ... We have thanks for your any opinion for this function develop specifications...thanks i have just read your email we will soon reply to you

[fuhsong]

your second email address is BAD! SORRY we have type wrong for spell words
the active email for correct is : info@mks-servo.com.tw we will reply your all problem discusion more Solution with my R&D ... We have thanks for your any opinion for this function develop specifications...thanks i have just read your email we will soon reply to youHour battery life: CR2032 × 1 time: 25~30 hours (for Continuous use or lighting on )
Dimensions: 2.3 × 1.4 × 1.4 (inches)
Weight: 35 grams is a CR2032 lithium manganese battery voltage 3 V, capacity of 210 mAh

Our AX700 operation current just only need 8mah so 210 mAH / 8= 26.25 HR (it's means Ideal state ,The use of time can be longer, more affordable)

ps: i have test the battery life useage with AX700 operation all day long it's almost 8~10 hr still work good...we hope you will try to keep our goods AX700 for happy flying ... best regards have a nice day

[DDwaneR]

The battery in my AX700 is the one that was shipped with it from the factory. It keeps turning itself off after 9 or 10 minutes of use and after about the second time, I leave it OFF and use my Hobbico HCAP0340, it run's till the AAA's run down then I recharge them in 15 minutes and go again for 10 or 15 hours. The battery life on MY AX700 is good, it has lasted as long as I have owned the scanner. Which I don't use, IT KEEP's TURNING ITSELF OFF!:mad: The factory installed battery may last for the life of the scanner at the rate I use the AX700.
The scanner will probably last a long time also because I dont' take it out of the box and use it. :mad:

[fuhsong]

The battery in my AX700 is the one that was shipped with it from the factory. It keeps turning itself off after 9 or 10 minutes of use and after about the second time, I leave it OFF and use my Hobbico HCAP0340, it run's till the AAA's run down then I recharge them in 15 minutes and go again for 10 or 15 hours. The battery life on MY AX700 is good, it has lasted as long as I have owned the scanner. Which I don't use, IT KEEP's TURNING ITSELF OFF!:mad: The factory installed battery may last for the life of the scanner at the rate I use the AX700.
The scanner will probably last a long time also because I dont' take it out of the box and use it. :mad:
keeps turning itself off after 9 or 10 minutes of use and after about the second time,

HI.. IT'S THE FUNCTION FOR PROTECT Battery period of revolution PLEASE CHECK THIS FROM OUR WEB SITE FOR OPERATION http://mks-servo.com.tw/pll-3.htm :) :)

[fuhsong]

● 2008SIME上海模型展
● 時間：2008年6月7日~ 9日
● 地點：上海國際展覽中心中國上海市樓山關路88號1F
● 展覽攤位 : 186 (MKS)
● 2008 SIME Shanghai Model Exhibition Show
● Date : June 7, 2008 to the 9th
● Location : Shanghai International Exhibition Center.
Army Road in Shanghai, China, 88
● Exhibition booths (1F) : 186 (MKS)

[fuhsong]

● 2008 SIME Shanghai Model Exhibition Show
● Date : June 7, 2008 to the 9th
● Location : Shanghai International Exhibition Center.
Army Road in Shanghai, China, 88
● Exhibition booths (1F) : 186 (MKS)

MKS 3 IN 1 Battery Balancer LCD Display 三合一電池平衡顯示器

http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/o01.htm

Specifications：
1. Product specification: ( CE certificate & ROHS compliant ) LxWxH : 93.5 X 60 X 17 mm
2. Measureable battery type and amount: Li-Polymer/Li-Fe 2 ~ 6
3. Cell(standard voltage 7.4 V ~ 22.2 V using divided voltage joint).
4. Receiver battery 1.2 V ~ 8.5V DC (Not limit battery type, but need external power source 7.4~11.1V, use JST joint)
5. Balance voltage setting range(lower limit):2.0V ~ 3.9V(pre-setting value 3.2V)
6. Discharge voltage setting range (lower limit):3.0V~ 4.2V(pre-setting value 3.9V)
7. Net weight is 70g without package.
8. Max. bleeding current : 450 mA ( at 4.2V / cell )



Rx_Batt measurement

[fuhsong]

◆ DS9660 Digital Servo - The New Hot Selling In The Market　
Matching GY293 GYRO helicopters with 400 to 500 class, sophisticated Extreme perfect performance results, you can try it now.

　No: S0008001
Use For boat, aircraft and helicopters.
Control System: +Pulse Width Control 1500 usec Neutral
Required Pulse: 3-5 Volt Peak to Peak Square Wave
Operating Voltage: 4.8~6.0 Volts
Operating Temperature Range: -10 to +60 Degree C
Operating Speed (4.8V): 0.13sec/60° at no load
Operating Speed (6.0V): 0.10sec/60° at no load
Stall Torque (4.8V): 130.02 oz/in. (3.7kg.cm)
Stall Torque (6.0V): 162.2 oz/in. (4.6kg.cm)
Operating Angle: 45 Deg. one side pulse traveling 400 usec
Direction: Counter Clockwise/Pulse Traveling 1200~1500 usec
Motor Type: Coreless Motor
Potentiometer Drive: Indirect Drive
Bearing Type: Dual Ball Bearings
Gear Type: All Metal Gears
Connector Wire Length: 15cm
Dimensions: 35.5 x 15 x 28.6mm
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35g)
Apply with 400 to 500 class helicopters

100% Absolutely apply to
Futaba 9650 servo gear. http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/NARO-BK1.htm

[fuhsong]

◆ DS9660 Digital Servo - The New Hot Selling In The Market　
Matching GY293 GYRO helicopters with 400 to 500 class, sophisticated Extreme perfect performance results, you can try it now.

　 :cool: No: S0008001
Use For boat, aircraft and helicopters.
Control System: +Pulse Width Control 1500 usec Neutral
Required Pulse: 3-5 Volt Peak to Peak Square Wave
Operating Voltage: 4.8~6.0 Volts
Operating Temperature Range: -10 to +60 Degree C
Operating Speed (4.8V): 0.13sec/60° at no load
Operating Speed (6.0V): 0.10sec/60° at no load
Stall Torque (4.8V): 130.02 oz/in. (3.7kg.cm)
Stall Torque (6.0V): 162.2 oz/in. (4.6kg.cm)
Operating Angle: 45 Deg. one side pulse traveling 400 usec
Direction: Counter Clockwise/Pulse Traveling 1200~1500 usec
Motor Type: Coreless Motor
Potentiometer Drive: Indirect Drive
Bearing Type: Dual Ball Bearings
Gear Type: All Metal Gears
Connector Wire Length: 15cm
Dimensions: 35.5 x 15 x 28.6mm
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35g)
Apply with 400 to 500 class helicopters

100% Absolutely apply to
Futaba 9650 servo gear. http://www.mks-servo.com.tw/NARO-BK1.htm

◆ Item DS 8910 Super Narrow Pulse 760μs with AVCS
(Especially apply with 450 to 500 class helicopters) 760us high reaction
Speed reaction comparison chart of 8910, 9670 and 9660
8910 Servo Specifications Operating Voltage: 4.8V
Operating Temperature Range: -10 to +60 Degree C
Operating Speed (4.8V): 0.054sec/60°
Stall Torque (4.8V):27.91 oz/in. (2.01kg.cm)
Motor Type: Coreless Motor
Potentiometer Drive: Indirect Drive
Bearing Type: Dual Ball Bearings
Gear Type: 2 Metal Gears + 3 aluminum-alloy Gears
Connector Wire Length: 15cm
Weight: 0.97 oz. (27.4g)
Wire Length: 15cm
Dimensions: 35.8 x 15.2 x 29.00 mm
Suitable Gyros：Spartan DS760、Futaba GY611、GY601、GY520、ALIGN GP700、GP750、Mikado V-Bar Tail、CSM SL720、Curtis Youngblood Mini-G 、Solid G、Thunder Tiger TG-7000 :)

[flyboy1001e]

fuhsong

This would be a good product, except for the 10 minute shutdown. Mine just sits in its box because of this. Could you show us how to disable this feature on the circuit board? It would then make the AX700 a useful tool. Thanks Mike :)