Futaba 32MZ signal disruptions

Passing along info from Futaba USA tech support.

Recently with a newly acquired 32MZ at a certain flying site, I began experiencing momentary failsafe episodes/signal disruptions.  This same plane and equipment for the past two years were flown with a 14MZ at the same location with zero signal disruption occurrences.  So I reached out to FUSA tech support for help with troubleshooting. 

The following is the feedback I received from tech support.

1) Exchange the 7008 RX with the 7108 RX that came with the 32MZ.  Here is the quote from tech support:

“The idea of the R7108SB is to increase its reception in RF by adding high gain antennas. It doesn’t increase the range however it is best described as having more sensitivity to RF. However, we do not claim it increases range. It will perform similarly to the R7008SB, in some regions with higher ambient RF we have heard people express issues with the Standard R7008SB that were then fixed with the R7108SB.”

2) Regarding differences between transmitters.  There is a difference in mW output power between the MZ series.  Tech support provided a link that enabled me to input the FCC-ID from the transmitter and the T14 module which validated the mW output power of the 14MZ is indeed greater than the 32MZ.  Here is the link https://fccid.io/. A friend used the link to validate the mW output of the 18MZ is also greater than the 32MZ.  Tech support did not substantiate what the effect of the difference would be however, their comment about using 7108 with high gain antennas vs. the 7008 makes sense.

3) I also asked about the difference between FASST vs. FASSTest protocols.  Tech support quoted the following. 

“FASST is transmitting full time where FASSTest has less transmission time compared to the FASST protocol”.  

Based on this information plus my past personal experience using the 14MZ (FASST Protocol) at my primary flying site. I have personally elected to configure the 32MZ to transmit in the FASST protocol linked to the 7108 in FASST mode.  Results so far have been positive.  I have logged a small number of flights with no detectable signal disruptions. Again, just sharing information that may be useful to some 32MZ users.