Futaba® 2.4 GHz Antenna Modification

In this document I will describe how to modify a Futaba 8U and a 9C Transmitter to install a 2.4 GHz antenna for use with a Futaba TM-8 module or a Spektrum® DM-8 module. Please read the entire document before starting the modification. There are some additional pictures of a Corona V1 module that a friend of mine modified to fit a 9C.

8U
9C
If you have any questions, my email address is on the the front page of this web site (click the HOME button below)
Use this information at your own risk. I take no responsibility for any damages you may have as a result of performing this modification. I have performed this modification to three transmitters and all are working with no problems. Doing this modification will void the warranty on your transmitter and your module.
DO NOT KINK, PINCH, OR DEFORM THE ANTENNA WIRE IN ANY WAY. DOING SO WILL DEGRADE ITS PERFORMANCE AND RESULT IN SIGNAL LOSS

-You will need an 2.4 GHz antenna with a little bit of cable length and a U.FL IPX connector on the end. These can be found on E-Bay. I purchased mine there from a seller named chinarf. This antenna cable has more than enough length. -You will also need a flat washer. This is not a requirement, but it does make the antenna more secure.
antenna

-The washer needs to be very thin, and has to fit over the antenna, with a very small amount of play.
washer

-You will need approximately a 1/2" piece of this tubing to install the antenna in a 9C. You can also use it when doing the 8U to help make the fit more snug.
tube

8U
-Unscrew and remove the 72 MHz antenna.
-Make a notch in the ridge at the top of your transmitter antenna hole for the bump on the side of the antenna to ride in.
-This notch will allow the antenna to move 90 degrees.
-Make one end of the notch stop the antenna when it is pointed directly up (or down, your choice).
notch

8U -Make the other end of the notch stop the antenna when it is laying flat.
notch

8U -This shows the two stops. You'll have to play with the stops a bit to get it just right.
notch

8U -Install the antenna in the hole and put the flat washer over the end of the antenna. This is a bit tricky to do. I smoothed the inside edges of the washer to make it go on easier. Make sure you do not damage the antenna wire.
Washer

9C -This is the notch in the top of the 9C. Notice the tubing is also notched.
notch

9C -You will have to cut a piece of the tubing to the correct length and glue it in using CA glue. Smooth the edges of the end of the tube so it does not wear the antenna. Do not glue the tubing in untill you have the length correct. Do not glue the tubing in with the antenna installed, install the antenna after the glue is fully cured.
-I did not use a washer on the end of the antenna in this situation.
9C Antenna

-Disassemble your TM-8 or DM-8 Module. First we will do a DM-8 module. I will talk about the TM-8 a little later.
disassemble

-Disconnect the U.FL connector from the board on the DM-8 or TM-8.
disassemble

-Use a small screwdriver to gently pry it up.
disassemble

DM-8 -Drill a hole just large enough for the U.FL connector to pass through.
drill

DM-8 -Place the drilled module in the transmitter (either one) and mark the the transmitter case for its hole.
Drill

8U -Drill the hole in the transmitter case.
Drill

8U -Temporarily put the case back together and mark the circuit board. Remove the back cover and drill the hole in the circuit board.
-Take a larger drill bit and chamfer the edges of the drilled hole to remove the sharp edges.
Drill

9C -When drilling the hole in the 9C case, make it a bit larger so you can offset the hole in the circuit board (next picture).
drill

9C -When drilling the hole if the circuit board, do not disturb the copper circuit traces on this side of the board.
-Take a larger drill bit and chamfer the edges of the drilled hole.
drill

-Feed the antenna wire through the hole in the circuit board, and the hole in the transmitter case.
-Then feed the wire through the DM-8 module case.
wire

-Connect the antenna wire to the U.FL connector. Be very careful here. Make sure the connectors are mated correctly.
wire

-Cover the hole in the DM-8 module. I used this sticker I had.
sticker

-Reassemble the DM-8 module.
-Slide the excess antenna wire into the transmitter making sure it is not going into the gimbals.
-Install the DM-8 module.
-Carefully test the gimbal movements to make sure the antenna wire is not near them.
done

TM-8 -The TM-8 modification requires a slightly different approach.
-The TM-8 module has a case that is not really suited for this modification and I did not want to cut it up so I removed the electronics from the case. Be careful not to damage the U.FL connector when disconnecting the antenna.
-I found an old synthesized RF module case and modified it to fit the TM-8 Module electronics. I imagine a normal RF module case could be used as well.
-I had to slightly notch the corners of the lower circuit card to accommodate the case screws.
case

TM-8 -I cut holes in the top of the case for the switches.
-I printed a label and attached it with clear tape.
case

TM-8 -You will need cut a notch in the white connector end of the module cover for the antenna wire to pass through without being pinched. The wire will be right beside the white connector when the cover is installed. Be sure of the location before you cut the notch.
notch

TM-8 -After you have cut the notch in the module cover, transfer the location of that notch to the transmitter cover.
notch

TM-8 -Cut a slot, twice as wide as the antenna wire, in the transmitter case as shown here. Make sure the slot goes from the top to the bottom.
slot

TM-8 -Feed the antenna wire through the slot and connect it to the U.FL connector. Be very careful here. Make sure the connectors are mated correctly.
-With the lower half of the module, do a test fit, to make sure the antenna wire is not going to be pinched or rubbed when the module is installed.
wire

TM-8 -Assemble the module and slide the excess antenna wire into the transmitter making sure it is not going into the gimbals.
-Install the TM-8 module.
-Carefully test the gimbal movements to make sure the antenna wire is not near them.
done

Corona V1 -The Module.
corona1

Corona V1 -Diassassemble the module.
corona2

Corona V1 -Disconnect the antenna and remove the circuit board.
corona4

Corona V1 -Make a notch for the antenna cable.
corona8

Corona V1 -This image shows the routing of the antenna cable. I assume a hole was drilled for the antenna cable to pass throught the same as the other two modules above.
corona12

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