ParkZone Radian RTF PKZ4700 Data Sheet

Receiver Power System Requirements
Inadequate power systems that are unable to provide the necessary minimum voltage to the receiver 

during flight have become the number one cause of in-flight failures. Some of the power system 

components that affect the ability to properly deliver adequate power include: 
•Receiverbatterypack(numberofcells,capacity,celltype,stateofcharge)
•TheESC’scapabilitytodelivercurrenttothereceiverinelectricaircraft
•Theswitchharness,batteryleads,servoleads,regulatorsetc.
The AR500 has a minimum operational voltage of 3.5 volts; it is highly recommended the power 

system be tested per the guidelines below. 
Recommended Power System Test Guidelines
If a questionable power system is being used (e.g. small or old battery, ESC that may not have a BEC 

that will support high current draw, etc.), it is recommended that a voltmeter be used to perform the 

following tests. 
   Note: The Hangar 9 Digital Servo & Rx Current Meter (HAN172) or the Spektrum Flight Log 

(SPM9540) are the perfect tools to perform the test below. 

      Plug the voltmeter into an open channel port in the receiver and with the system on, load the control 

surfaces (apply pressure with your hand) while monitoring the voltage at the receiver. The voltage 

should remain above 4.8 volts even when all servos are heavily loaded. 

    Note: The latest generations of Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries incorporate a new chemistry 

mandated to be more environmentally friendly. These batteries when charged with peak detection 

fast chargers have tendencies to false peak (not fully charge) repeatedly. These include all brands 

of NiMH batteries. If using NiMH packs, be especially cautious when charging, making absolutely 

sure that the battery is fully charged. It is recommended to use a charger that can display total charge 

capacity. Note the number of mAh put into a discharged pack to verify it has been charged to full 

capacity.

Your AR500 features QuickConnect with Brownout Detection. 

•Shouldaninterruptionofpoweroccur(brownout),thesystemwillreconnectimmediatelywhen

power is restored (QuickConnect). 

•TheLEDonthereceiverwillflashslowlyindicatingapowerinterruption(brownout)hasoccurred.

•Brownoutscanbecausedbyaninadequatepowersupply(weakbatteryorregulator),aloose

connector, a bad switch, an inadequate BEC when using an Electronic speed controller, etc. 

•Brownoutsoccurwhenthereceivervoltagedropsbelow3.5voltsthusinterruptingcontrolasthe

servos and receiver require a minimum of 3.5 volts to operate. 

 

How QuickConnect With Brownout Detection Works
•Whenthereceivervoltagedropsbelow3.5voltsthesystemdropsout(ceasestooperate).

•Whenpowerisrestoredthereceiverimmediatelyattemptstoreconnecttothelasttwofrequencies

that it was connected to. 

•Ifthetwofrequenciesarepresent(thetransmitterwaslefton)thesystemreconnectstypicallywithin

one second. 

QuickConnect with Brownout Detection is designed to allow you to fly safely through most short 

duration power interruptions, however, the root cause of these interruptions must be corrected before 

the next flight to prevent a crash. 
   Note:  If a brownout occurs in flight it is vital that the cause of the brownout be determined and 

corrected.

Antenna Polarization
For optimum RF link performance it’s important that the antennas be mounted in an orientation that 

allows for the best possible signal reception when the aircraft is in all possible attitudes and positions. 

This is known as antenna polarization. The antennas should be oriented perpendicular to each other; 

typically one vertical and one horizontal (see Receiver Installation). The long antenna can be mounted 

in a position perpendicular at least 2 inches away from the short antenna using tape.  

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Some Spektrum and JR transmitters offer a patent-pending feature called ModelMatch. ModelMatch 

prevents the possibility of operating a model using the wrong model memory, potentially preventing 

a crash. With ModelMatch each model memory has its own unique code (GUID) and during the 

binding process the code is programmed into the receiver. Later, when the system is turned on, the 

receiver will only connect to the transmitter if the corresponding model memory is programmed on 

screen.
   Note: If at any time you turn on the system and it fails to connect, check to be sure the correct 

model memory is selected in the transmitter. Please note that the DX5e and Aircraft Modules do 

not have ModelMatch.

While your DSM equipped 2.4GHz system is intuitive to operate, functioning nearly identically to 

72MHz systems, following are a few common questions from customers:
 1.  Q: Which do I turn on first, the transmitter or the receiver? 

A:  If the receiver is turned off first —all servos except for the throttle will be driven to their preset 

failsafe positions set during binding. At this time the throttle channel doesn’t output a pulse 

position preventing the arming of electronic speed controllers or in the case of an engine 

powered aircraft the throttle servo remains in its current position. When the transmitter is 

then turned on the transmitter scans the 2.4GHz band and acquires two open channels. Then 

the receiver that was previously bound to the transmitter scans the band and finds the GUID 

(Globally Unique Identifier code) stored during binding. The system then connects and  

operates normally. 

If the transmitter is turned on first—the transmitter scans the 2.4GHz band and acquires two 

open channels. When the receiver is then turned on for a short period (the time it takes to 

connect) all servos except for the throttle are driven to their preset failsafe positions while the 

throttle has no output pulse. The receiver scans the 2.4GHz band looking for the previously 

stored GUID and when it locates the specific GUID code and confirms uncorrupted repeatable 

packet information, the system connects and normal operation takes place. Typically this takes 

2 to 6 seconds.

  A:  In order for the system to connect (after the receiver is bound) the receiver must receive a large 

number of consecutive uninterrupted perfect packets from the transmitter in order to connect. 

This process is purposely critical of the environment ensuring that it’s safe to fly when the system 

does connect. If the transmitter is too close to the receiver (less that 4 ft.) or if the transmitter 

is located near metal objects (metal TX case, the bed of a truck, the top of a metal work bench, 

etc.) connection will take longer and in some cases connection will not occur as the system is 

receiving reflected 2.4GHz energy from itself and is interpreting this as unfriendly noise. Moving 

the system away from metal objects or moving the transmitter away from the receiver and 

powering the system again will cause a connection to occur. This only happens during the initial 

connection. Once connected the system is locked in and should a loss of signal occur (failsafe) 

the system connects immediately (4ms) when signal is regained.  

  A:  All DSM receivers have an operational voltage range of 3.5 to 9 volts. With most systems this is 

not a problem as in fact most servos cease to operate at around 3.8 volts. When using multiple 

high-current draw servos with a single or inadequate battery/ power source, heavy momentary 

loads can cause the voltage to dip below this 3.5-volt threshold thus causing the entire system 

(servos and receiver) to brown out. When the voltage drops below the low voltage threshold 

(3.5 volts), the DSM receiver must reboot (go through the startup process of scanning the band 

and finding the transmitter) and this can take several seconds. Please read the receiver power 

requirement section as this explains how to test for and prevent this occurrence.

  A:  The receiver will never lose its bind unless it’s instructed to. It’s important to understand that 

during the binding process the receiver not only learns the GUID (code) of the transmitter but 

the transmitter learns and stores the type of receiver that it’s bound to. If the transmitter is placed 

into bind mode, the transmitter looks for the binding protocol signal from a receiver. If no signal 

is present, the transmitter no longer has the correct information to connect to a specific receiver 

and in essence the transmitter has been “unbound” from the receiver. We’ve had several DX7 

customers that use transmitter stands or trays that unknowingly depress the bind button and the 

system is then turned on losing the necessary information to allow the connection to take place. 

We’ve also had DX7 customers that didn’t fully understand the range test process and pushed the 

bind button before turning on the transmitter also causing the system to “lose its bind.”

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two 

conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any 

interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

 

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for 

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This product contains a radio transmitter with wireless technology which has been tested and found 

to be compliant with the applicable regulations governing a radio transmitter in the 2.400GHz to 

2.4835GHz frequency range.

The associated regulatory agencies of the following countries recognize the noted certifications for 

this product as authorized for sale and use:

(in accordance with ISO/IEC 17050-1)  

No. HH20080903

Product(s): 

AR500 Receiver

Item Number(s):  

SPMAR500

The object of declaration described above is in conformity with the requirements of the specifica-

tions listed below, following the provisions of the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC:

Signed for and on behalf of:

 

Horizon Hobby, Inc.

 

Champaign, IL USA

 

Sept. 03, 2008