Historically, in my part of Aus, American radios seemed to dominate in the 70's & 80's. Consequently, EK red is the dominant colour in my collection of old Txs awaiting restoration/re-birth. I also have a number of Japanese sets from the 1970s - Futaba & Sanwa - and from the 80's - JR & Hitec, as well as a few ACE, Multiplex & Micron Txs.
However, I have one mustard coloured Tx - the Kraft KP2B - which is near & dear to me, being my first proportional radio. I remember that it cost me $142 Aussie in 1972 - in today's currency that would be significantly more than a high end European competition radio. How far we have come! I do know that I was still at school, and worked at the local abattoirs shoveling gut during the school holidays as well as having a paper run, all to earn the $'s to "go proportional".
The Conversion:
My KP2B was fitted out with Phil's 7ch encoder. 4 channels are fitted (to utilise the 4 available channels on the Frsky Rx), but I did try to keep the TX externally as close to original as possible.
Originally, I had hopes of 3d printing a new 'brick', containing a FrSky Rx & 2 x 9-12g servos. My own brick had died a natural death long ago . However recently born-again Pom, GaryNB, graciously sent me an empty brick & matching battery box when he was rationalising(?) his collection in Oz before regressing back to Blighty - thanks Mate . Consequently, I was able to easily retro-fit 2 E-Sky 9gm servos and the afor mentioned Frsky Rx, creating a "brick" to complete the set.
Two fly leads exit the "brick":
- one for the throttle servo or ESC
- a 'Y lead', connected to channel 4. This allows both a servo & a battery & switch harness to be connected if not flying electric using an ESC with BEC
I took a leaf out of Ron's book & made up a box for the TX + 'brick'. The gold coloured box (of course ) is a gift box purchased at a $2 shop for a few bucks.
All in all, a very satisfying project.