Spektrum DX8 critical transmission/antenna problems, looses contact in 10 meters (range test)

** Update:
My DX8 got replaced with a new one. That's good Spektrum service. After quite some time, Spektrum announced publicly that several DX8 have compatibility issues with AR6110, AR6200, etc. Since I fly the new DX8 with AR8000 both in my 550E and 700E I'm happy with it.


Brand new DX8, brand new problems :-( The problems do normally not show up immediately so it was difficult to recognize. But my DX8 has critical issues with the transmission signal and/or the antenna. Anytime it may be interrupted which leads to a crash. Because it still works sometimes and I didn't recognize the problem sooner, one helicopter already crashed because of that until I found the problem which is documented in this video.

The problems occur with all three Spektrum receivers AR6100e, AR6200 and AR8000 that I have in my B400, T-Rex 550 and T-Rex 700. With a DX6i, all receivers work flawlessly so it's the Tx that causes it.

The problem may occur any time during range test or flight. I found a way to reproduce it by moving the black antenna frame of the transmitter slightly. Probably, the antenna itself or the transmission board is broken. I'll send it in now.

Test setup:
- DX8 with AR8000 and flight log telemetry
- DX8 updated to firmware v2.01
- Simple battery/BEC/servo test without heli
- Range test in only 10 meters distance fails and produces many (several hundred) antenna fades and many frame losses within seconds (see display at end of video, sorry for the bad video quality on youtube but it can still be recognized around 0:57, make sure to watch at 480p). Leave a comment if you want to get the high-res video to see it.

Again, note that moving the antenna just makes the problem show up more quickly. The signal also fails from time to time when not actively moving the antenna.

** IF YOU HAVE A DX8 or ARE CONSIDERING BUYING ONE, DO VERY THOROUGH RANGE TESTS, IDEALLY WITH TELEMETRY FLIGHT LOG BEFORE ACTUALLY USING THIS TX FOR FLYING **

My Blade 400 crashed in a calm and nice figure-8 flight out of the blue because of that. At this point I'm happy it was just the B400 but it still sucks.

Btw, internally in the DX8 the antenna cable is connected correctly to the TX board (another flaw that some DX8 have, but this one has another, obviously).

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• spektrum
• dx8
• AR6200
• antenna
• range test
• range check
• problem
• antenna fades
• frame losses
• dx8 problem
• dx8 problems

[FoxF8]

i had a dx6i with the blade 400 a long time ago and the heli was maybe 20 ft from me and dropped out of the sky lol i got it fixed flew again same thing again i ended up unscrewing the back of the remote and the wire that runs from the board up to the antenna was not secured to the board

[lisnot]

@FoxF8 Yes, I know the issue of the antenna cable and checked that it is connected correctly. A few days ago my 700E all of a sudden lost power and landed hard (DX8 + AR8000 on DSMX). This was with the replaced DX8 and several flights without issues. Can't say for sure that it was the DX8 but log showed far too many frame losses. The feeling with this TX is not good after two crashes with no other explanation. I also fly a 550E with DX6i and absolutely no crash so far with even more flights.

[diasyuri]

What region is your DX8 (US, EU or FR) ?

I have the same problem.

Thanks

[lisnot]

@diasyuri My DX8 is EU. You may also want to have at look at the very new Spektrum bulletin from May 25 confirming serious issues with DSM2 receivers AR500, AR6100, AR6100E, AR6110, AR6110E, AR6200 and AR6300 used together with DX8. I cannot post links in here but you find it if you do a search for this (replace dot markers): site:horizonhobby[dot]com bulletin DSMX transmitters operating in DSM2 mode

[feldmuis]

cant u get new one or something ? or dont they accept because its used ?

[lisnot]

@feldmuis The DX8 I sent in got replaced. I'm now testing the new one with my AR8000 on a T-Rex 700E (so far some tests on the ground and some close hovers). It seems to work...

[keyboardprophet21]

I junked Spektrum. I have AIRTRONICS. NO issues. My glider and warbirds operate flawless. I had so many crashes do to the spektrum system not pilot error. Thank the lord spektrum is not a contractor for Boeing.

[diasyuri]

@lisnot Thanks for your reply.

Mine is also EU, I sent Horizon an e-mail explaining the problem and I´m waiting for an answer.

Two days ago, I received an e-mail from them with the bulletin.

[abyorth]

Had the same problem with a DX6I. Bought a DX7 and now use the other on my simulator.