Futaba FASST, buying from USA and C-Tick issues

[stumax]

Hi guys, I'm looking at getting a Futaba 10c 2.4GHz system from USA. I understand we have to have the C-tick sticker on our 2.4GHz systems to demonstrate compliance. Does anyone know if a system bought from USA will be Ok to use here?

Thanks!

Stu.

[ozzi supercub]

This whole c-tick issue is ridiculous. From what I know if you buy the radio from the US you can freely use it here and no-one will have a clue. Apparently if you try and join a club and fly (I am not in a club) they require e c-tick. I think its for insurance reasons. Have a read here for more info.
th http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=721439&highlight=c+tick
start from post #61

[rcozstyle]

Hi Guys

Can 2.4ghz be checked like 36meg to see if it meets the standard. ???.

[Au_Wozza]

Hi Guys

Can 2.4ghz be checked like 36meg to see if it meets the standard. ???.

Not really besides a 36mhz unit without a c-tick is in the same boat.You can get a c-tick style check done for about $1200, but even that wont get you a c-tick :) bottom line no c-tick and the onus is on you to prove the equipment was not a fault in case of an accident,then the MAAA might pay up on a claim
cheers
Wozza

[stumax]

Thanks for the link, Ozzi! Here's something interesting I found when exploring it:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1768

Look at the table - which section does a FASST Tx apply? 2400-2485.3 freq hopping or 2400-2483.5 freq hopping and digital modulation?

Here's a link to the FCC testing of the 7C FASST.

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=853032&native_or_pdf=pdf

Looking at the test results it would appear that a US purchased FASST system will comply with Australian standards, however it won't carry a C-tick sticker. Apparently the importer is the one who puts the sticker on and takes the responsibility for compliance.

A good search for pricing in Aus for FASST stes showed the cheapest to be $419 for a 7C set (no servos). Compare that to $279US from Tower, $35US for shipping, but you'll get $50 discount, so that's heaps cheaper than buying it here. I know what I'll be doing!

Stu.

[Au_Wozza]

Hi Stu
Your right in that it does comply with the FCC.but without the c-tick it wont comply 100% with the MAAA MOP058.I know this(the MOP058) is in the process of being rewritten in an easy to understand text,also to take into account that self imported equipment which complies with the FCC regs should be included.It still remains to been seen if it all gets past the powers to be,for the time being is a saving of 100 to 150$ worth the piece of mind? :)
cheers
Wozza

[ozzi supercub]

I was looking at buying a Futaba radio but the price of the Rx's put me off.

[stumax]

Wozza, MOP058 4.4 says that you can operate without a C-tick sticker as long as you have sufficient documentation to prove compliance. According to the ACMA, compliance with section 15.247 of the Rules and Regulations of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is sufficient, and I would think that copies of the FCC compliance documentation (ie the link above to the FASST 7C testing) will suffice for that particular set. Saving $150 to me is worth it, as I have to work hard for every dollar I get, besides, I have a fixed modelling budget, and that's $150 I could spend on something cool.

Stu.

[Extreme_RC]

The importer has to pay to get the product C-tick certified as well as passed by the MAAA, it costs a lot of money to do it, combined with a small market here and the end prices are not as outrageous as one might think.

Another thing to note is the US dollar is at an all time high, most pricing in Australia is not calculated on 95 cents to the buck, more like 75 cents. takes time for many of the importers to catch up, no excuse I know but thats reality here :)

As a manufacturer of a unique product Stu I would have thought you would appreciate why things cost more here in Australia ;) Do not expect to get the radio serviced if you buy it from overseas, afaik toy traders will not service any grey imports at all.

[mstone]

If you think all the products on the market here with stickers have actually been tested to C-tick here in Australian then your dreaming.

[Extreme_RC]

Can you give us a list of the ones that have not then?? :rolleyes: Especially radio gear, I know for a fact even the E-GO models radio in their entry level cessna has full genuine C-tick compliance.

[mstone]

Can you give us a list of the ones that have not then?? :rolleyes: Especially radio gear, I know for a fact even the E-GO models radio in their entry level cessna has full genuine C-tick compliance.

As if the distributors are going to send me a list of their products and who tested them for them.

The C-tick certifications does not require you to test them here if the manufacture is selling world wide then he tests once at the factory and he has covered all his markets.

[Extreme_RC]

The C-tick certifications does not require you to test them here if the manufacture is selling world wide then he tests once at the factory and he has covered all his markets.

Incorrect, factory testing is one of the reasons C-tick was introduced, much of the gear coming out with CE on it suffered from this very issue, anyone in China etc could slap CE on a product without issue. Doesnt mean it actually complies though. A product has to be tested by an independant lab within the country that is on a list of recognised labs, then the importer needs a copy of this independant test, has to take it to a local lab to be checked to ensure it was done correctly, then it can be passed for C-tick.

Give the C-tick guys a call and ask them, its changed a few times over the years I have had to deal with it but the basics are still the same.

[mstone]

The test results don't have to come from an in country lab.

The supplier only has to supply the result and certify the product they are selling matches the test results.

All products I make are tested and certified here in Australia

[stumax]

The importer has to pay to get the product C-tick certified as well as passed by the MAAA, it costs a lot of money to do it, combined with a small market here and the end prices are not as outrageous as one might think.

Another thing to note is the US dollar is at an all time high, most pricing in Australia is not calculated on 95 cents to the buck, more like 75 cents. takes time for many of the importers to catch up, no excuse I know but thats reality here :)

As a manufacturer of a unique product Stu I would have thought you would appreciate why things cost more here in Australia ;) Do not expect to get the radio serviced if you buy it from overseas, afaik toy traders will not service any grey imports at all.

The dollar has been above 92c long enough for all stock to have been purchased at that rate or better. I'm not sure I classify a Futaba radio as a unique product, why would it cost 50% more to get the same product here, esp when the shipping will cost considerably less? If they want us buying locally then they have to give us some incentive. I'd happily pay 10-15% more if I could buy it locally, but no more than that. I spoke to one retailer about buying a brand name esc from USA and the wholesale price he was quoted by the distributor was more than the retail price in USA - how does that work? With regards to servicing, I've owned Futaba radios for over 25 years and never needed any servicing, that's one of the reasons I want to buy another one :)

The way in which MOP058 is worded, we are able to assume responsibility for our own radios if we have enough supporting documentation. The documentation is all available (not sure where the FCC tests for the 10C are, though) to prove compliance with the FCC regs, which means it's OK for here as well. Unless, of course, the importers get into the MAAA's ears and make them pass a mandatory rule that we must have a C-Tick. Oh, well, we can always download one here:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_2796


Stu.

[Mark Burgess]

Stu
if you want the FCC regs for the 10c email me at markbur1@bigpond.net.au and I will send you a copy.

Mark

[madhun1]

http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/showthread.php?t=116420&page=3

have a read of this folks

[Eagleburger]

I know a few ppl that have bought sets from the states and if need be will contest the hold the importers have with the c-ticks.

[Extreme_RC]

Very interesting stuff, veeeery interesting :cool:

[stumax]

Mark, thanks, I found the FCC test reports for the module used in the 10C. Still not sure if I can afford a 10C, got rego coming up and my poor 300,000km old MX-6 may need some work done to get it thru. I have done a lot of research into 2.4GHz lately and because I intend to manufacture and sell a 2.4GHz based telemetry device I will be obtaining my own c-tick compliance with ACMA so I will have my own stickers soon :-)

Stu.

[madhun1]

Mark, thanks, I found the FCC test reports for the module used in the 10C. Still not sure if I can afford a 10C, got rego coming up and my poor 300,000km old MX-6 may need some work done to get it thru. I have done a lot of research into 2.4GHz lately and because I intend to manufacture and sell a 2.4GHz based telemetry device I will be obtaining my own c-tick compliance with ACMA so I will have my own stickers soon :-)

Stu.

Dude just sell the stickers for $20

[madhun1]

I know a few ppl that have bought sets from the states and if need be will contest the hold the importers have with the c-ticks.


I self imported one for nearly half the price of a local one. I can handle sending it back to Horizon via a buddy in the US if necessary.

I only ever intended to fly in parks and back yard so don't really care much for C-Tick anyway but I am very relieved I could now use it in a club.

[RolandS888]

Can someone tell me, on RC equipment that actually has a genuine C-tick sticker on it, whats the number? And what equipment is the sticker on?
It will be an Nxxxx nunmber.
Thanks. CC.

[madhun1]

Good luck with that.

Go to your local hobby shop, ask for a look at a 2.4tx or RX and note it down.

You might find it via the links in one of my above posts though.

[Eagleburger]

Each importer has a unique #.

[RolandS888]

FYI
JR / Spektrum via O'reillys are N12891
Futaba via Toy Traders are N13182