Radio Crystals

[TMCRacing]

Can someone explain the differences in 75 MHZ FM crystals? I have been told to keep brand specific. I have an old hytec TX that I want to use with an old Futaba RX. I have tested the system on the bench with Futaba crystals and it worked perfectly. Has anyone used the aftermarket crystals? Why are they sold brand specific?

 

[RandyT]

Hitec and Futaba are compatible. I interchange these two all the time. Some just don't work with each other, sorry can't remember the ones that work and the ones that don't. Good luck.

 

[SkyMaxx]

The only difference is the channel within the 75MHZ band. As long as you get a channel match the brand of the crystal really doesn't matter. So mix and match away. I do recommend, however, that you pair your crystals from the same manufacturer. Why? They should be a closer channel match than a pair that has one from one manufacturer and another from a different manufacturer.

Yes, you can mix and match equipment as long as they are within the same modulation type (AM or FM) and set up for a specific frequency band (27MHZ, 75MHz, etc.). The only other issue is that you need to make certain that the connectors on your servos match the brand of receiver that you use. Note, I said the connectors. You can use just about any servo with any receiver as long as they are plugged in properly.

As for why they are sold brand specific, sometimes they might have a different plug type on the crystals from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

[RandyT]

I'm not to sure that all crystals work in all TX's or RX's. I believe it was Airtronics and JR's worked together, and Futaba's and Hitec's worked, but you could not go, say Airtronics and Hitec. I could be wrong.