RC India

Guess what I did..

(Clue - attached pic)

You hacked it and converted it into a 6 channel?

You added a switch ???

Converted to 2.4g and dint attach the antenna? Decided to give it to me for diwali? :D

Update at 5:45PM.. stay tuned :giggle:

VC sir came really close  :)
Buzz-rc is partially right  :)
@Rajathv8 - Why would you want such a old tx??  :)

Answer:  Hacked my Futaba Skysport 4-channel Tx and added a 5th non-proportional channel..  ;D


Adding a 5th channel to a Futaba Skysport 4 channel Tx:

The following materials & tools are needed for the hack:

Wires- single strand type is preferred but I had only multi strand lying around.
Switch- Any type of switch will do, I've chosen a toggle type single pole.
Resistor- 470 ohms 1/4th watt resistor (not necessary but used it for safety sake)
Drill/Dremel- To drill the hole for the switch
Sandpaper
Pliers
Screwdriver
Soldering machine & solder
Multimeter- Not necessary but its better if you check all the connections before plugging in the battery.

NOTE:
 
1. This hack is ONLY for Skysport 4 with the Futaba FP6335 chip (see pic-2 left side) If your tx has the NE5044N (pic-2 right side) chip then your in luck as you can add 3 proportional channels and turn it into a fully functional 7ch Tx.. For instructions on how to do that do a search on Rcgroups..

2. The 5th channel is NON-PROPORTIONAL i.e. the servo will move from one extreme to the other when the switch position is changed. It can be used for switching on lights/glow drivers or dropping stuff etc.

3. The Tx with the FP6335 chip can also be hacked into 7ch but its much tougher task which requires heavy modification and I didn't want to risk my only tx :)

PROCEDURE:

First open up your tx and drill a hole where you want to add the switch. If the switch does not fit properly then use the dremel to grind down the plastic in the area till it fits properly. Then use the sandpaper to smoothen everything out. In my case the the switch whould not fit as there was a plastic tab on the inside of the casing which was obstructing it. I did not have a dremel so I used the sharp edge of an old broken drill bit (with my cordless drill) to grind everything down.

Now solder the wires to the switch and solder the resistor to one of the wires. Does not matter which. (see Pic-3)

The circuit board already has solder pads added for ease of soldering, these are used for this hack. (see Pic-4)

Now solder the wires from the switch ( + resistor) to these two pads and secure them properly with tape. (see Pic-1&2) In my case i've attached resistor to the circuit board end of the switch wire.. I would recommend you to solder the resistor to the switch..

Install the switch into the hole you drilled and secure the wires with tape so that thy don't move around inside the tx. (see Pic-3)

Close the Tx case.. and your Skysport 5 in ready! :giggle: Simple and clean! (see Pic-4)

Test Videos:

Test it before you close the case!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ugkmN8OLk


Test it again after you close the case!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIp0ImV-0C4

That is super awesome...!
I have one skysport laying around without much of use. I am gonna try this for sure.
Thanks a lot medicineman1987..!

Interesting! I have a 2 clones lying around. Must try this out. Well done!

Oh cool. What are you planning to use this for huh? Lights yould be awesome! Or maybe a drop bomb :D You perform surgery on humans and on radios :D

Thanks guys..

I don't know why Futaba didn't add the switch in the first place! Anyway it cost me only 10 Rupees (resistor + switch) and took little over half an hour..


If you are lucky and have the NE5044 chip then you can add 3 fully proportional channels! Best of luck :thumbsup:


Will be interesting to see if the clones have the same circuit board solder pads.. :)

I'm thinking of night flying so this will come in handy to switch the lights.. Also maybe to drop parachutes/bombs etc.. ;D

Maybe you can add both and use a switch to toggle between the two :)  
Hey you can have a harness to carry a small glider and release it high in the sky. Man so many functions for one switch :D

Nice idea Rajath! Never thought of dropping a glider! :thumbsup:

I was thinking of using these :
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8833
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12615
Has anyone tried these?

Can I convert my Fly Sky 4Ch to5Ch ?

you need to check if fly sky radio's encoder IC has extra channel or not.

When doctors go nerdy...channels are added!! ;D
Niiiiiiccccccccce.......

He he..  I've already ordered that hobbyking switch.. Can't wait to light up the plane ;D after I fix it up that is... Hey ved, google n see if anyone has done the hack on the fly sky.. If yes then I can help you..

No. :banghead: :banghead:

VED,
open up your radio and note down the IC number. Then search for their datasheet.
You can learn a lot of thing without cloaning another's work. However, a successful clone s also enjoyable and the Doctor should be thanked.

Thanks medicineman1987.

Another related Datasheet link.
http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/17950/PHILIPS/NE5044N.html

Thank you kalyanprodhan sir.
Hey Ved, if your radio uses the NE5044 then you can easily add more channels.. Just open up your radio carefully and check what chip is in it..

Thank you medicineman1987.

The IC numder of my radio is EM78P458AMJ-G. Can anyone please find me the datasheet. :help: :help: :help: :help:

maybe this will
http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/60212/EMC/EM78P458AM.html

Thank you medicineman1987 for posting how to add a 5th channel on your Skysport 4-channel Tx.
I added a 5th channel to mine and it works great

Rick

Thanks, works for me even if I've not the same circuit.

You are welcome! What a pleasant surprise to see replies on my old thread :)

Retracts on a powered plane and flaps on a glider would be good options for the 5th Channel. Of course there would be no elevator compensation for the latter.

Medicineman, any tutorial on a 2.4 GHz conversion for this particular brand? I have a Frsky hack available.

If you manage to find a ppm stream , then it's a piece of cake

There is -, + and in and out next to the trainer port. Will send photo tomorrow

The solder pads as available next to the trainer port and main circuit board.