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INTRODUCTION 

INTRODUCTION 

Thank you for purchasing the Futaba

®

 4EX digital proportional R/C aircraft system. If this is your first 

computer

 radio, rest 

assured that it is designed to make initial setup and field-tuning of your airplane easier and more accurate than would be if 

using a 

non-computer

 radio. Although this is a 

beginner

 or 

sport

 system with the requirements of those flyers in mind, in 

order to make the best use of your Futaba 4EX and to operate it safely, 

you must carefully read all of the instructions.

 

Suggestion: 

Suggestion: 

If, while reading the instructions, you are unclear of some of the procedures or functions and become 

stuck,

 

continue to read on anyway. Often, the function or procedure will be explained again later in a different way providing another 

perspective from which to understand it. Another suggestion is to connect the battery, switch and servos to the receiver and 

actually operate the radio on your workbench as you make programming changes. Then, you

ll be able to see the effects of 

your programming inputs. 

SERVICE

SERVICE

 

(in USA)

  

If any difficulties are encountered while setting up or operating your system, please consult the instruction manual first. For 

further  assistance  you  may  also  refer  to  your  hobby  dealer,  or  contact  the  Futaba  Service  Center  at  the  web  site,  fax 

number or telephone number below:  

www.futaba-rc.com

www.futaba-rc.com

Fax: (217) 398-7721

Fax: (217) 398-7721

Telephone (8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central time Monday through Friday): (217) 398-8970, extension 2

Telephone (8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central time Monday through Friday): (217) 398-8970, extension 2

 

If unable to resolve the problem, pack the system in its original container with a note enclosed and a 

thorough, accurate

 

description of the problem(s). Include the following in your note: 

• 

Symptoms.            

• 

Any unusual mounting conditions. 

• 

An inventory of items enclosed.       

• 

The items that require repair. 

• 

Your name, address, and telephone number.            

 Include the warranty card if warranty service is requested.

Send your system to the authorized Futaba R/C Service Center at the address below: 

Futaba Service Center 

Futaba Service Center 

3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 

3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 

Champaign, IL 61822 

Champaign, IL 61822 

This product is to be used for sport and recreational flying of radio-control models only. Futaba is not 

responsible for the results of use of this product by the customer or for any alteration of this product, 

including modification or incorporation into other devices by third parties. Modification will void any 

warranty and is done at the owner

s risk. 

(USA only)

(USA only)  

Protect the environment by disposing of rechargeable batteries responsibly. Throwing rechargeable 

batteries into the trash or municipal waste system is illegal in some areas. Call 1-800-8-BATTERY 

for information about Ni-Cd battery recycling in your area. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction..................................................................... 2

Service ............................................................................ 2

Contents and specifications........................................... 3

Glossary.......................................................................... 3

Introduction to the 4EX system ...................................... 4

Transmitter controls and descriptions ........................... 4

Radio installation ............................................................ 5

Receiver and servo connections.................................... 7

Charging the Ni-Cd batteries .......................................... 7

LCD and Programming controls..................................... 8

Programming the T4EX radio ......................................... 9

Model select / Data reset

...........................................10

Servo reversing ........................................................

10

End Point Adjustments

..............................................11

Trims

........................................................................11

Exponentials

.............................................................11

V-tail mixing

..............................................................12

Elevon mixing

...........................................................12

Flow chart

.................................................................13

Other T4EX functions.....................................................14

Trainer switch

...........................................................14

Adjustable-length control sticks

..................................14

Changing the stick mode

...........................................14

Flying safety guidelines.................................................15

Flight preparation...........................................................16

Model Data Recording Sheets .......................................17

Futaba Accessories .......................................................20

Summary of Contents for 4EX

Page 1: ...AL INSTRUCTION MANUAL for Futaba 4EX for Futaba 4EX 4 channel FM radio control system for aircraft Futaba Corporation Technical updates available at http www futaba rc com Entire Contents Copyright 2005 1M23N15601 4EX ...

Page 2: ...riginal container with a note enclosed and a thorough accurate description of the problem s Include the following in your note Symptoms Any unusual mounting conditions An inventory of items enclosed The items that require repair Your name address and telephone number Include the warranty card if warranty service is requested Send your system to the authorized Futaba R C Service Center at the addre...

Page 3: ...rvos are electronically joined via programming they are said to be mixed Each servo s end points can be independently set CONTENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS CONTENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS Transmitter T4EX Transmitter T4EX T4EX Transmitter with 4 model memory Transmitting on 29 35 36 40 41 or 72 MHz band Operating system 2 stick 4 channel system Modulation FM Frequency modulation Power supply 9 6V NT8S600B N...

Page 4: ...ed case is easy to read and allows rapid data input The system also holds independent memories for four different models The new adjustable length control sticks provide an improved feel External switches operate trainer cord or buddy box capabilities Programming features include servo reversing and E P A on all channels exponentials Additionally any one of three factory set preprogrammed wing typ...

Page 5: ...e it is inadvertently broken RADIO INSTALLATION RADIO INSTALLATION Follow these guidelines to properly mount the servos receiver and battery Make certain the alignment tab alignment tab on the battery switch and servo connectors is oriented correctly and keys into the corresponding notch in the receiver or connectors before plugging them in When unplugging connectors never pull on the wires Always...

Page 6: ...age 16 External antenna mounting External antenna mounting A Use a cut off servo arm as a stop stop or strain relief strain relief inside the fuselage to keep tension off the solder joint holding the antenna to the receiver Guide the antenna through a hole in the fuselage If possible insulate the hole with a rubber grommet or a small piece of rubber tubing B Make a hook hook from another cut off s...

Page 7: ...ions carefully NOTE NOTE The batteries are partially charged but will require a full overnight charge before the model may be flown 1 Connect the transmitter charging cord transmitter charging cord coming from the A C wall charger to the charge jack in the right side of the transmitter case The receiver charging cord receiver charging cord may be connected to the batteries two different ways The c...

Page 8: ...her than 1 000 mA 1 Amp If not done correctly fast charging can damage the batteries called memory If for example only two flights are made each time you go flying the batteries will not have reached very far down into their full capacity After doing this several times the batteries will remember and eventually think they can supply only enough power for two flights After two flights the batteries...

Page 9: ... RADIO PROGRAMMING THE 4EX RADIO Anytime you wish to view view or change change any of the current settings in the transmitter the programming mode must first be entered by of course turning on the power then by pressing the MODE MODE and SELECT SELECT keys simultaneously and holding them down for one second Once in the program the MODE key will be used to scroll through each of the seven function...

Page 10: ... setting that is the default value set at the factory CAUTION CAUTION Resetting the current model memory will permanently erase ALL ALL programming information for that model The data cannot be recovered unless you recorded it on a Model Data Recording Sheet in the back of this manual Do not reset the model unless certainly certainly you want flushing out that memory and start from scratch When ac...

Page 11: ...ion to reverse any servos necessary 2 Center the throttle control stick 3 Place the servo arms on the servos so they are perpendicular to the pushrods see page 5 It is okay to cut off any unused servo arms 4 Connect the pushrods to the control surfaces Adjust the length of the pushrods until the control surfaces are centered when the servos are centered To adjust the trim settings To adjust the tr...

Page 12: ...e the correct control throws Elevon mixing Elevon mixing Intended for tailless flying wing models such as delta wings and flying wings elevon mixing mixes channel 1 aileron to channel 2 elevator allowing the elevons to operate in unison as elevators or in opposition as ailerons This function requires that each elevon be operated by a separate servo To activate elevon mixing To activate elevon mixi...

Page 13: ...d SELECT keys down simultaneously Use the DATAINPUT lever to display the desired stick mode FLOW CHART FLOW CHART 4EX FUNCTIONS 4EX FUNCTIONS Simultaneously Press the MODE MODE and SELECT SELECT keys and hold them down for one second to enter the programming mode Press the keys again or turn off the transmitter to exit the programming mode Screen at Startup Stick Mode Stick Mode Programming Mode f...

Page 14: ...d trims of the student s radio to match that of the instructor s 7 Turn on the receiver switch in the model Depress the trainer switch on the instructor s radio Use the student s radio to operate the controls ailerons elevator rudder etc and observe how they respond Make any adjustments necessary to the student s transmitter to get the controls to respond correctly 8 Check to see that the trims ar...

Page 15: ...al for an out of control model to cause property damage and or severe personal injury We strongly strongly urge you to fly at an R C club site where frequency control is in effect so you can be confident you will be the only one flying on your channel Charge the batteries Charge the batteries Second to the pilot s flight skills one of the most important factors that can determine a model s longevi...

Page 16: ...check must must be performed before the first first flight of a new model It is not necessary to do a range check before every flight but is not a bad idea to perform a range check before the first flight of each day A range check is the final opportunity to reveal any radio malfunctions and to be certain the system has adequate operational range 1 Turn on the transmitter then the receiver Leave t...

Page 17: ... REVERSE Servo Reverse E P A End Point Adjust EXP Exponential setting CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 N R Model No 1 2 3 4 Wing Mixing Inh EL v N R N R N R Model name MENU FUNCTION REVERSE Servo Reverse E P A End Point Adjust EXP Exponential setting CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 N R Model No 1 2 3 4 Wing Mixing Inh EL v N R N R N R ...

Page 18: ...d channels 36 60 receiver crystal FUTL58 Note Note Should you ever wish to change the transmitter frequency the transmitter must be sent to the Futaba Service Center for retuning FUTABA ACCESSORIES AND REPLACEMENT PARTS FUTABA ACCESSORIES AND REPLACEMENT PARTS for USA for USA REPLACEMENT PARTS REPLACEMENT PARTS ACCESSORIES ACCESSORIES ANT 5 Transmitter antenna NR 4J 4 8 Volt 600 mAh receiver batte...

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