MacGregor Industries Modeller Support Centre

Dated:14/01/2009 - Please Note this service notice is only relevant for DSX9’s purchased before June 2009

For Stick Modes 2 and 4

Late last year a potential issue was identified with the stick wiring of JR X9303 2.4GHz transmitters. The X9303 is the American version of the DSX9. The MacGregor/JR DSX9 was modified to make it CE compliant.

In the X9303, the wires attached to the left-hand stick potentiometer (as viewed from the back of the set, with the rear case removed) may come into contact with the voltage regulator mounted in the back of the transmitter. The wires can become chaffed and, in extreme circumstances, the insulation can be worn through. The US distributor issued a service bulletin to show US modellers how to modify their sets.

As soon as we became aware of this wiring issue, we checked with JR and were informed that the DSX9 stick wiring is different from the X9303 and the wires are routed to avoid touching the regulator edge.

So no service notice was thought necessary.

However, it has just been brought to our attention that some DSX9 transmitters are exhibiting the same symptoms, with chaffed stick wiring. So as a precautionary measure, we recommend that the left-hand stick potentiometer wires are re-routed on all MacGregor/JR DSX9 transmitters purchased from MacGregor Industries before 8th January 2009, as per the following instructions. Transmitters sold after this date are already modified and will have either their wiring re-routed, or a plastic cover fitted over the voltage regulator. They are identified by a small, round blue sticker on the box and at the base of the Tx. Blue stickered radios do not require any further action.

Please note that although this is a simple procedure, great care must be taken when reassembling the transmitter case so as to avoid damaging the wiring looms inside the transmitter. If you do not feel confident to do this, please return your transmitter to the retailer who supplied it. Many retailers will be happy to perform this task for you (although you may have to leave it with them for a short while, especially if they are busy). Some retailers may choose to return the set to us to make the necessary modification.

Please note that this Service Notice does not affect JR PCM9X, PCM9XII or PCM9XII Limited 35MHz transmitters.

You will need a medium Phillips screwdriver, a small Phillips screwdriver, a cushion or pillow and an assistant. When the transmitter is open, please avoid touching the circuit boards and components. We recommend that you work in a non-carpeted room and change into cotton clothing to avoid electro static discharge. A kitchen is ideal as you can touch the tap beforehand to disperse any build up of static.

Step 1 - Place the transmitter face down on a pillow or cushion. Unscrew the six Phillips head screws that hold the Tx case together using a medium size Phillips screwdriver. The location of the screws is shown on Page 8 of the main instruction manual supplied with each set. Be sure to save the screws in a safe location.

Step 2 - Pull the rear Tx cover away from the front case VERY carefully, opening it from right to left. As you raise the right hand side, look inside and you will see two wiring looms connecting the RF module in the rear case to the main circuit board mounted to the front case. One loom is thick, the other thin. Note carefully how the thick loom goes behind a plastic pillar. This loom must be correctly placed otherwise the case may not go back together properly. In such cases the loom will be squashed and the wiring may be damaged.

Continue to open the rear case until it is nearly vertical. Be careful to keep some slack in the thin wiring loom to prevent strain being placed on the connectors. Have someone hold the rear case in this position while you re-position the stick wiring.

Step 6 - Before replacing the screws, check that the case has fitted back together properly, with no gaps. Things to watch out for are:

The side mounted slide controls may come out of their housings. They fit into slots in the front & rear cases and both need to be upright for the case to fit correctly.

The rubber side grips may come out of their housings. It is a good idea to refit them to the front case before re-assembly as they will help protect the throttle and elevator potentiometers, the joints for which run very close to the inside edge of the case. Please check that the potentiometer wires are not trapped when re-assembling the case.

If the case will not snap together fully, and the rubber grips and side sliders are in their correct postions, with no other wires trapped, then please check the thick wiring loom again. It must go around the back of the large mounting post.

Make sure the choke ring on the thin wiring loom is not trapped between the front and rear circuit boards. It should go in the space between the stick units.

Step 7 - Replace the mounting screws and screw down gently using a medium Phillips screwdriver.

For Stick Modes 1 and 3

The procedure for throttle right sets is the same as above but you will need to remove the screw that holds down the metal ratchet strip so that the stick wiring can looped around the mounting post. Only the bottom screw needs to be removed; you do not need to disturb the ratchet setting screw at the top. Replace the screw to secure the ratchet strip after modifying the position of the wiring.

When the ratchet strip is refitted it will bridge over the stick wiring. When the throttle stick is pulled back the wiring will rise slightly and may touch the metal ratchet strip. However it will lie flat against this strip so there is little danger of it chaffing in this new location. As a precautionary measure we would advise occasional checking of the wire where it touches the ratchet strip to make sure it is not worn.

If in doubt at any stage, please return your transmitter to the retailer who sold the set to you. They will arrange this modification for you.

This Service Notice has been approved by Japan Remote Control Co.Ltd.

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