Source for Futaba 400 mm RX Antennas

[BobBonahoom]

I am looking for 4 new Futaba 400 mm RX antennas. I used to buy them from Futaba but I called and they now refuse to sell them. Anyone know who might be selling them?

 

[John Beardslee]

Bob try prop shop hobbies In centerline michigan, ask for Matt
Thanks John

 

[John Beardslee]

Phone number 586-757-7160

 

[Grimracer]

Bob, Speaking with Futaba they would really not like to send out the Antennas but rather have you send them in and have them switch them. YA YA.. I get it.. but working on that side of the industry as I did for all those years they REALLY dont know how apt some are at being able to replace them.

The little coax plug is tricky...

Then.. they are quite quick on turnaround.. so its easy ether way.

And.. so you know.. stateside.. they are the only ones who bring them in. They buy them bulk...

Grim

 

[Grimracer]

Then.. not sure who you spoke to.. but refuse seems strange. Again.. unless you can find old Hobbico/Futaba stock.. the antenna come in bulk. Call FUTABA USA and ask them.

Grim

 

[John Beardslee]

FYI, I’ve never had an issue with the standard length Futaba antenna as on as I got the tip 4” out of the boat and the tip NO LESS than 2” from any METAL. Lots of testing was done on this by Jim Drew at Xtreme Power Systems years ago.
John

 

[Grimracer]

Futaba USA marine recommends using the 400MM antenna when possible.

Grim

 

[Kris Flynn]

talk to Gary or Evan at https://www.ozengines.com.au/contact/

Pretty sure they have what you need

 

[RaceMechaniX]

I have used Mikado V bar spare antennas with no issues. Amain stocked them.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/mikado-vbar-neo-antenna-250mm-mik5064/p578482

 

[Mark Anderson]

Frsky from aloft hobbies work great. Otherwise I had good luck having my local hobby shop get the futabas before.

 

[BobBonahoom]

Thanks everybody. I spoke to someone in Futaba sales and that may have been the problem. I now remember that all the times I bought the 400 mm antennas in the past I spoke to someone in service and they took the order and sent them to me.

It is a little tricky to deal with the tiny coax snap connector, but I have been doing it for years with no problems. You just have to be real careful to pry it straight up and center the new antenna perfectly before you snap it down.

Like John, I have never had a problem with the shorter antennas, but I learned a hard lesson about "car radios" with the Hitec Spectrum system I bought. At Huntsville 2 years ago, using the Hitec system, I lost radio contact with my boats 4 times off buoys 4 and 5 and dnf. OK, I admit I was in lane 50, but still... I called Hitec and they said it was a car radio and was designed for short distances only! That was a wake up call so I went back to Futaba. My new 7PX is however also a "car radio", so I just want an extra measure of safety with the 400 mm antennas.

Some comments on the 7PX from a car website I found and a map of the Huntsville pond:

 

[johnmills]

I just ordered 400mm antennas through service earlier this week. I called service, explained what I wanted and was told to create a repair ticket. The gentleman also checked stock and said he'd put the order together as soon as it arrived. The antennas were in the mail that afternoon!
BTW. Thanks for the suggestion Mike!

 

[timothy johnson]

Bob the new Hitec Lynx 2.4 has all the range you would ever need with a boat. Danny King did a range check comparison with the Lynx down in Florida and its range was the best of all tested. The thread is on IA.

 

[Mark Stein]

There is a video on you tube of how to change the antenna in the futaba 603fs fasst receiver. Takes less than 5 minutes. Be careful not to break the tabs holding the receiver case togather. Thst is the hard part. Be sure to range teat after.
Never had a problem with the short antenna but my new boat needed the longer antenna due to wear i am mounting the receiver and keeping the antenna below the cowl.

 

[Terry Keeley]

I heard some very experienced Futaba sponsored racers lost control of their boats at Hunstville this year.

For over water use Futaba recommends getting the antenna up high, away from the water, pipe and any CF parts on the boat.

 

[Grimracer]

When we ran 75mHz we were fine with having an antenna out of the boat.. 2.4 came around and they shipped with a new exciting "Short Antenna"..(GUILTY!) They work well... AS LONG AS.. the rest of the install was aligned, type of hull, position of the RX in the radio box and the like.

then.. in thinking about the sign offs.. WHY CHANCE IT.. its not hard to do.. its something we have done for years.. use a longer antenna.. its the easy button.

Speaking with Futaba about this issue its not TX power or any of that.. its comes down to the installation of the system in ALMOST every case... they gave me there blessing to start talking about the 400mm antenna for boat use and they have a BUNCH MORE coming in.

The tricky part is the feds (FCC) not wanting us.. you.. me.. involved in opening up the RX and digging around in their.. IF you purchase a new Futaba RX and plan on using it for RC boating.. let them (Futaba USA) know and they will be happy to install (for a fee) the 400mm antenna for you.

Thanks

Grim

 

[tnrcboatracer]

I heard some very experienced Futaba sponsored racers lost control of their boats at Hunstville this year.

For over water use Futaba recommends getting the antenna up high, away from the water, pipe and any CF parts on the boat.

Yes Terry, they did. In 1 case I believe that the TX coax cable had failed at the pivot joint. IIRC, that TX trashed 2 different hulls.

I almost launched my F mono with no rudder control. The boat checked out fine on my table, but after starting and getting on the driver stand I performed the classic rudder waggle before having my pit man toss it in. No rudder! Throttle was fine, but the rudder was kaput. We obviously benched it for the heat. Upon tear down I found a dislodged servo connector. Must have happened when I swapped batteries. Had a partial connection that was good enough to work on the table before I taped up the radio box, but came loose with engine vibration. I'm thankful for my practice of waggling the rudder before nodding to my pit man to throw it in.

 

[Don Ferrette]

FYI, I’ve never had an issue with the standard length Futaba antenna as on as I got the tip 4” out of the boat and the tip NO LESS than 2” from any METAL. Lots of testing was done on this by Jim Drew at Xtreme Power Systems years ago.
John

DING! DING! DING! We have a winner, give that man a cigar. Remember only the last inch is the actual antenna and needs to be above any metal and carbon fiber for best reception, this has been known from the beginning. And BTW this is true of any 2.4 system not just Futaba. I still run the Futaba 4PKS-R 2.4 FASST system with all 603FS RXs and will continue to do so as they have been nothing short of excellent. As far as the "experienced racers" that had issues at the Nats I heard there was confusion over the best RX with the newer T-FHSS system they were using and there was a better RX to use for marine applications?? Maybe Mike Z. can chime in on that story..........

 

[Grimracer]

Don,

Not that I know of.. the unit in question was a 603FS.. (the one I am thinking of)...

In the end.. the water thats on the pond is the VERY same water attached to the rooster-tail..

The long ant is still your best bet.. because the last inch, as Don said.. IS the important part.

Grim

 

[Mark Stein]

Just to reinterate.. the last inch has the shielding stripped off so only the center wire and the plastic is exposed. If you ever assembled your own tv cable like I did years ago you know about the shielding and center wire.. same here just smaller