Do we have people here who have access to EEPROM programmers ? 

We have a case where a Futaba 12FG 2.4Ghz radio was ordered from the US (and it came with the TM-14 2.4Ghz module), and a while later, an MZ-FM 72Mhz module for the same radio was ordered from Hong Kong. Futaba has region restrictions on its devices, and now the 72Mhz module is not accepted by the radio (with a "Module Mismatch" error).

In researching this, it was noticed that this is something easily fixed by changing the region code of the MZ-FM module, using an EEPROM programmer. The details are in this thread.

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=43590

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24879&d=1187790737

While the thread includes the hardware/circuit diagrams for the programmer itself (the software is free http://www.lancos.com/prog.html), I am finding it difficult to source the parts here in Qatar.  Not sure about availability of these in India, I just started investigating this.

If someone has access to a EEPROM programmer and can do this OR build one for me and ship it (I will pay the expenses incurred), please let me know.

Ismail/Rajesh/(others who are into devices/circuits).. have you guys done something like this ?  I guess this may be fairly common in your day jobs, but anything of this sort in RC ?

Yes, this is pretty straight forward. But at the moment, I am sorry that I am too time constrained. I guess guys from India can easily get these stuff for you. All the components should be easily available in India.. LM2963 might not be available in local market but could be easily replaced by a 78L05.

Alternatively, You could get the parts from mouser or digikey and get it shipped direct to your doorsteps. Since this would be an one off build I would recommend a small breadboard to quickly set it up.

-Ismail

Thank you Ismail.  It was the LM2963 that was the issue.  Not sure why it was used as compared to the more common regulators.  It was hard to find any datasheets online either.  Did not want to substitute without a more "professional" opinion.

Shipping charges are somewhat serious from Digikey.  If this effort costs the price of another module, the whole effort becomes questionable, except for the DIY part 

No worries. 78L05 should work. Another option is to use the +5V from your USB port.

Best bet is to get the parts from India. Should less than Rs 200 (With a decent bread boad and cables).

Have built this type of programmer (JDM) long ago for programming PICs and EEPROMs. But I have found the serial port programmers a little unreliable, especially when used through USB serial converters. Later I switched to a parallel and then USB programmers, they are much more reliable. As Ismail already mentioned all you need is a regulator. It'd actually be even better if you give a external 5V supply as you'll reduce loading on the serial port. In fact I'd recommend going that way if you are using USB serial converter.

I still have a real serial port    Kinda helps with Cisco stuff (and other serial console applications, like fingerprint devices and so on).

One problem with using a commercial (i.e. ready-made) programmer is that many of them require the EEPROM to be de-soldered and placed directly in them.  Don't want to go that route without proper SMT tools. 

Managed to get everything except the two 100nF ceramic capacitors here itself, for under Rs200.  Some shop agreed to get the 100nF capacitors on their next order from RS Electronics (http://www.rs-online.com), so looks like I can do the region change in about 10 days.

The capacitors need not be ceramic. You could use film types which may be slightly larger but perfectly usable. Otherwise let me know. Both are freely available here.

Thank you for the offer    Hopefully I will have the ones I ordered soon, but in case I run into trouble, I will take you or Rajesh up on that.

They don't seem to have any that are less than 4.7uF in stock here.  

Since these are used to filter noise signals, I am going to try without them. I am planning to test on a cheap EEPROM before trying it on the Futaba module.  Rajesh gave me part numbers of some cheap EEPROMs to try on.

Success    

Ran into some issues initially with the laptop serial port not supplying enough voltage to drive the 5.1volt regulator.  Substituted with a 9V battery.

In the attached screenshot, I changed the "0A" hex values which are for region "Asia" with the code of America, which is "01". (The next "07" indicates 72Mhz.)

After that the 12FG stopped giving the "Module mismatch error", and I am able to set any frequency I want in the 72Mhz band !

Thank you Rajesh for all the assistance !

PS: BTW, no care was done with the setup/build at all, as this is a one time thing !  I wish I had a breadboard instead of having to do the soldering on a PCB for something like this (the local stores carried only really big ones and they are expensive).

Dear Anwar

you can also use region code 81 ou 87, instead of 01 or 07, and then, no matter where your transmiter comes from
Most important is to use a region code where you access to full band like for USA or Asia

Whenever somebody needs programers, I still have some in stock, made by myself
Whenever you need some pics of progs, just ask
Will

Hi Will..  welcome to RC India 

What exactly is the difference between say 81 and 01 ?  I was under the impression they both provided access to the full 60 channels in the 72Mhz band (at least I can scroll through them all on my 12FG with the 01 setting).

Having an area code beguining by 8, means that it does not matter where your transmiter comes from

in this case, your transmitter comes from USA, and your module from HK ( area code 06 not full band in 72 MHz )

It did not work first in your transmitter comming from USA, but after you introduced a 01 area code ( USA full band area code ) all did work

But your module will not work in an other transmitter comming from elsewhere than USA

Having introduced a 81 code, would have worked with any transmiter, coming from USA or Japan or Europe ...

Got it, thanks for clarifying that. 

My module was area code '10' ('0A' hex) which is 'Asia' (I believe it is a superset of HK).

Will update it to '81', as it may help someone down the line if it got sold

Nice going good to learn this 

Looks professional !

What is that blackish material did you use to make these boxes ? How do  you manually yet cleanly carve out the socket for the module to sit inside ?

this pic was a prototype
since then, I do them in a box
This is lighter, cheaper, easier
Here is final version
Will

I live in the USA and I always wanted to buy a Futaba FX-30 on one of my european visits, this is basicaly the same radio as the 12fg in just a different box, but i was worried whether a 72mhz usa module would work in it, does any one have any experience with this radio/ module combination?
thanx
Dariush

Dariush. From my experience, Europe is considerably more expensive than the US. Why would you want to purchase from there?

you will have to put an area code for America (81), Taiwan (88) or Asia (8A)  to get full band in 72 MHz

And this module will fit on any area radio ( Europe, Asia, America, Australia ... )

Will

Yes Europe is a bit more expensive than the USA, but I have been able to locate an FX-30 at about the same price as a 12FG, and I think they refund the VAT at the airport at the time of departure which amounts to 19%.
But the cost is not that important to me, I am basicaly a Tray flyer and I am trying to find a replacement for my aging Multiplex profi 4000, The FX-30 has been getting great reviews in european magazines, I especialy like the Trim wheels on this transmiter and the ability to add or move swithes around. I could get the FX-30 in 2.4GHz ,but I have many many recievers on 72Mhz, also I just learned that Futaba is fazing out 72Mhz radios in the USA. I have talked to both Futaba Factory reps at trade shows and their service center in the USA and they are unwiling to give me any help or info on how to get a 72Mhz Module to work in the FX-30.
How do you enter the correct Area code (88 for USA) into the module?
Do you need an Eprom programer? I have the skills to build one from the schematics but my programing skills are some what lacking,

yes, you will need a programer to modify area code in your module
you can buy a prog
if you need any help, contact me
Will

If you can deal with basic soldering or use of a breadboard, this is really simple to make.  And you do not have to write any software, just download and use the free PonyProg software to do the reading and writing.

Let us know if you need further guidance on this.