The converter board you see above is a clever design by Mike Cook, alias Old Man Mike. His design allows several of the Futaba FASST receivers to be used with quadrocopters that require a single PPM composite signal.  It plugs directly into the receiver outputs, then generates a single PPM composite signal.  There is a jumper that allows you to set 6 or 7 channel output as needed. The LED shows the channel mode on initial power-up, and also flashes to show an active signal being received.

Mike is one of those guys who just builds what he needs, because he needs it, or because it's fun to build.  After that, he's on to something else.  Since it's such a neat design, and since I love the Futaba FASST system so much, I volunteered to make them available to anyone who wants one. 

The price is $40, plus shipping for a fully assembled and tested unit. Please read the common sense disclaimer at the bottom of the page.  PayPal is preferred, and shipping in the US will be priority mail.  International shipping will be chosen as/if needed.  If you'd like to purchase one, email me at- 13brv3@bellsouth.net

What will it work with?

The converter is currently known to work with the following combinations.  Others will be added as they're tested. If it's not listed, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, only that it hasn't been tested.  Note that R607FS and R617FS receivers are both 7 channels, but the timing of channel 6 and 7 is not the same. This converter board only allows 7 channel operation with the R617FS receiver.

If you have another quadrocopter that requires a PPM composite signal, and you have a Futaba FASST system, let me know, and I can arrange to get you a board to test.

UAVP

- 6 channel mode with R606FS, R607FS, and R617FS receivers.

- 7 channel mode with R617FS receivers.

Mikrokopter

- 6 channel mode with R606FS, R607FS and R617FS receivers.

- 7 channel mode with R617FS receivers.

Spectrolutions Experimental Brushless board (OMM's Kquad Thread)

- 6 channel mode with R606FS, R607FS, and R617FS receivers. (install photo)

- 7 channel mode will not work with this board.

Draganflyer

- Not tested, but it can be made to work with a very simple modification to the board. Contact me for details if interested.

How does it work?

The 3 pin plug connects to your quadrocopter electronics via a normal servo connector.  Orientation is marked by red and black dots on the edge of the converter board. 

Power and ground for the converter, and your receiver is supplied through the red and black pins, from the quadrocopter electronics.  This should be typical receiver voltage of around 4.8V. The PIC processor chip has a max voltage rating of 6.5V, so don't exceed that.

The 3rd pin is PPM composite signal output from the converter to your quadrocopter.

The jumper selects 6 or 7 channel operation.  When the jumper is on, it's 7 channels.  Jumper off is 6 channels.  This is read during power up, and will not change afterwards. If you're using 7 channel mode, and your jumper happened to fall off in flight, you will not lose the 7th channel until the next time you power up.

The LED confirms channel mode. Apply power without the transmitter on and the card will tell you which mode it is in:

1) Two Flashes - 7 Channel Mode (R617FS receiver)

2) One Flash - 6 channel Mode ( R606FS, R607FS, and R617FS receivers)

There's an additional caveat to using 7 channel mode with the R617FS.  Due to the timing that Futaba set for the output of the pulses, if channel 7's pulse width is near the max, it starts to interfere with the beginning of channel 1.  For this reason, you will need to set your EPA for channel 7 to less than 100%.  On my 7C, the magic number is 83%, but I'd go for 80% to be safe.  Since channel 7 is a switch, this should not cause any problems. 

If you don't reduce your channel 7 EPA, you will find that it works just fine with the channel 7 switch in one position (shortest pulse width), but when you flip it to the other position, your roll axis (channel 1) will appear to have a large trim change. If you trim it out, then flip channel 7 back to the other position, the large trim change will be in the opposite direction, back where you started from.

That's about all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you have any questions.

Rusty- 13brv3@bellsouth.net

Common Sense Disclaimer- These converters are tested before I ship them, and if you have problems, I'll help you get it working, or will refund your money when you return it.  You will be responsible for making sure it works properly with your quad, before you fly it.  Flying R/C models can cause injuries and property damage, and neither I, nor Mike will accept any responsibility for injuries or damage resulting from the use of these converters.  Purchasing a converter acknowledges that you accept this responsibility.