As pilots switch more and more to 2.4 GHz radios, compatibility has decreased significantly. Gone are the days of universal PPM receivers that can handle positive and negative shift from any brand transmitter. With 2.4 GHz, you must buy your receiver from the same manufacturer as your transmitter, or 2.4 GHz module.
That’s not the only gotcha though. Within each system, there are some hiccups too. Futaba has a somewhat confusing chart on their site showing the compatibility of various systems. To make it more legible, I’ve removed the land systems and cleaned it up:
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Futaba 2.4 GHz Compatibility Chart (air systems only)
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Receivers
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Transmitters
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R606FS
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R6004FF
R616FFM R607FS R617FS |
R608FS
R6008HS R6014FS |
Protocol Selection
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6EX 2.4GHz
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Y
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Y
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N/A
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7C 2.4GHz
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Y
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Y
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N/A
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TM-7(*)
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INC
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Y
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N/A
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TM-8(**)
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7ch Mode
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INC
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Y
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Via Switch
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8ch Mode
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Y
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Via Switch
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T10C 2.4GHz
(with TM-10) |
7ch Mode
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Y
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Y
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Via Menu
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10ch Mode
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Y
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Via Menu
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T10CG 2.4GHz
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7ch Mode
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Y
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Y
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Via Menu
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10ch Mode
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Y
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Via Menu
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TM-14
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7ch Mode
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Y
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Y
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Via Menu
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Multi-channel Mode
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Y
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Via Menu
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LEGEND:
Y: Supported INC: Incompatible N/A: Not applicable (too few channels) |
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In truth the only incompatibility is when using the TM-7 and TM-8 modules, which don’t work with the discontinued R606FS receiver. But it’s also important to remember that you can’t use a 14 channel receiver with a 7 channel transmitter like the 7C. Happy flying!
