Converting a XJT into an XHT for vintage radios

[Tomthumb]

Hard to say, they had been talking about it for years. But I did share the posting with them, and I think they saw people were interested in it, so yeah, I'm sure it helped!

 

[tailwind69]

Thank you so much Glen! Very in depth.

I had not thought of it until you mentioned it in an email, but this will be a very good option for the folks in the EU that may want to convert a vintage radio, but want to use the new LBT mode required there.

For those that may be wondering why Glen went to all of this trouble? Well, a lot of folks enjoy converting and flying with vintage radios. A very common and method is to use the FrSky DHT module, this is a module that is specially designed to solder into older radios and update them to a modern RF system. We have some customers that have bought over 20 of these modules and installed them into their fleet of vintage radios. Another option is to convert there favorite radio to a more affordable RF system, we see a lot of folks converting radios like the Airtronics over.

Here is the issue, the DHT only works with D series receivers, not the newer and far more advanced X series. But frSky does make the XJT module for use with JR module bays, but I have never been able to talk them into adapting the XJT into an XHT (solder in) version. Why do we care about the X series receivers? Like the D series, they are a full telemetry receiver, they report back the voltage and the signal strength to the XJT. They also support a ton of sensors, the D series are pretty much limited to voltage these days. Also, there are only two D series receivers left in the line up, the X have MANY receivers to fit pretty much any needs you may have! Then there is the Dashboard that can plug into the XJT. The Dashboard is an OLED display and programmer for the XJT, and it can also display all the telemetry from the sensors, flash firmwares, and even has speech to read your telemetry data (I think it can do vario tones also)! Now the Dashboard has some firmware issues, but we are going to work on FrSky to fix these issues.

The end result is that the XJT can REALLY pack a lot of power into a very affordable package. It will give older radios a brand new lease on life and offer them the best range on the market for 2.4 systems.

I have been telling people for years that the XJT would be a great choice, but I'm not sure anyone documented the steps. When Glen was asking some questions I thought he was the perfect guy to document this and share his work for everyones benefit. He has done a GREAT job, going into much more detail than I expected.

The simple way to use this module, is to connect just 5 wires and a switch, 2 for power, 1 for the PPM signal, and the last 2 wires go to a button for binding. I see no reason anyone would need access to the dip switches to change modes, there is no reason you would want to use D8 (D series receivers) with this module.

Any questions, please feel free to ask away!

Would like to try the simple version of the XJT conversion on my "like new" Kraft KP7B. Are there simple instructions available ie: solder wire A to pin 5 type of thing! Really want to get this radio converted! Contact: tailwind150@yahoo.com thanks Jim

 

[tailwind69]

Thank you so much Glen! Very in depth.

I had not thought of it until you mentioned it in an email, but this will be a very good option for the folks in the EU that may want to convert a vintage radio, but want to use the new LBT mode required there.

For those that may be wondering why Glen went to all of this trouble? Well, a lot of folks enjoy converting and flying with vintage radios. A very common and method is to use the FrSky DHT module, this is a module that is specially designed to solder into older radios and update them to a modern RF system. We have some customers that have bought over 20 of these modules and installed them into their fleet of vintage radios. Another option is to convert there favorite radio to a more affordable RF system, we see a lot of folks converting radios like the Airtronics over.

Here is the issue, the DHT only works with D series receivers, not the newer and far more advanced X series. But frSky does make the XJT module for use with JR module bays, but I have never been able to talk them into adapting the XJT into an XHT (solder in) version. Why do we care about the X series receivers? Like the D series, they are a full telemetry receiver, they report back the voltage and the signal strength to the XJT. They also support a ton of sensors, the D series are pretty much limited to voltage these days. Also, there are only two D series receivers left in the line up, the X have MANY receivers to fit pretty much any needs you may have! Then there is the Dashboard that can plug into the XJT. The Dashboard is an OLED display and programmer for the XJT, and it can also display all the telemetry from the sensors, flash firmwares, and even has speech to read your telemetry data (I think it can do vario tones also)! Now the Dashboard has some firmware issues, but we are going to work on FrSky to fix these issues.

The end result is that the XJT can REALLY pack a lot of power into a very affordable package. It will give older radios a brand new lease on life and offer them the best range on the market for 2.4 systems.

I have been telling people for years that the XJT would be a great choice, but I'm not sure anyone documented the steps. When Glen was asking some questions I thought he was the perfect guy to document this and share his work for everyones benefit. He has done a GREAT job, going into much more detail than I expected.

The simple way to use this module, is to connect just 5 wires and a switch, 2 for power, 1 for the PPM signal, and the last 2 wires go to a button for binding. I see no reason anyone would need access to the dip switches to change modes, there is no reason you would want to use D8 (D series receivers) with this module.

Any questions, please feel free to ask away!

Have a XJT module and a V8FR11 on order and I would sure appreciate any wiring diagrams showing where to solder the 5 wires for the DIY setup! Do I need to fabricate a small circuit board for the switch and led. And lastly to find the ppm attatch point on the Kraft KP7B circuit board.also, where do I get the coaxial extension for the antenna? Can't wait to get started!!!

 

[PH1L1PP3]

Hello I just got a FrSKY XHT module and a FrSky V8R7-II to install inside my Sanwa/Airtronics RD6000Sport.
I have solder V+, GND, Signal wires on the tainer DIN plug V+, GND, PPM out ports. S-Port isolated. Cristal removed.
Then:
#1 I checked the RD6000Sport is on PPM mode, switch it OFF
#2 I Put the Module in D8 mode (Switch 1 ON, Swith 2 OFF)
#3 I Turned ON the RD6000Sport holding the F/S button of the HXT module. The RED LED on the XHT module flash and GREEN LED is ON
#4 I Connected the battery to the receiver holding the F/S button on the receiver. The RED LED is ON and does not flash

Any Idea of what could be wrong?
Batteries are brand new and fully charged. I have double and double checked the solders are done at the right place. The transmitter is fully fonctional with the standard receiver...

Thank you for reading

Philippe

 

[Kilrah]

V8-II receivers binding in D8 is done with a jumper, not the button. See RX manual

 

[PH1L1PP3]

Thank you for your answer Kilrah.

Tx:
In fact "D8" (Not "D" mode) , "D16" and "LR12" are mode only for the XHT module (Tx).
I choose "D8" on the TX because this is the one for the Rx V8FR-II,V8R7-II,V84R-II,VD5M,etc. ans D8R-II plus,D8R-XP,D6FR,D4R-II,etc.

Rx:
V8_Mode (Non-telemetry) Connect battery to V8FR-II/V8R7-II
D_Mode (Telemetry) Connect Ch1 & Ch2 signal pins of V8FR-II/V8R7-II

Anyway, I tried both and same issue
I tried a différent way of soldering too... again same issue:
The RED LED on the XHT module flash and GREEN LED is ON and there is a "bip" every second, on the RX the RED LED remain ON and does not flash...

 

[PH1L1PP3]

Thank you for your answer Kilrah.

Tx:
In fact "D8" (Not "D" mode) , "D16" and "LR12" are mode only for the XHT module (Tx).
I choose "D8" on the TX because this is the one for the Rx V8FR-II,V8R7-II,V84R-II,VD5M,etc. ans D8R-II plus,D8R-XP,D6FR,D4R-II,etc.

Rx:
V8_Mode (Non-telemetry) Connect battery to V8FR-II/V8R7-II
D_Mode (Telemetry) Connect Ch1 & Ch2 signal pins of V8FR-II/V8R7-II

Anyway, I tried both and same issue
I tried a différent way of soldering too... again same issue:
The RED LED on the XHT module flash and GREEN LED is ON and there is a "bip" every second, on the RX the RED LED remain ON and does not flash...

Hello Nobody did this modification on a Airtronics RD6000?