RadioPopper Jrx won't adjust power

Sorry if this is a repeat but nothing came up in the search...

Is anyone using Radiopopper Jrx Studios with AlienBees? I just got them both together to test today, and found that I can trigger the bees but can't control their power output like it's supposed to

I tried:

~ reading the manual and following the instructions, including using the correct settings on the transmitter (all of the switches are in the down position except 8)

~turning everything on in different orders (camera first, then transmitter, then flash, then receiver etc)...

~checking the batteries which are all on full power

~sending a message to Radiopoppers and inquired about it, but lord knows how long it'll take for a reply.

The only thing that I'm thinking might be the culprit (besides my transmitter being broken) is that I'm using cheap replacement stereo cords from Amazon, but I've seen on other forums that these work.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

~Kelli

pixelmorph wrote in post #11733731
I'm using cheap replacement stereo cords from Amazon

If you're using the JrX w/ bees, use the phone cable that came w/ the JrX...*NOT* the stereo cords...

Well I bought the poppers used and they didn't come with ANY cords, and I searched all over the net to see which cords to use and that was the only thing that came up. Shortly before seeing your reply I found a YouTube video demonstration of the telephone cords and it all made sense! Thanks kenyee.

Ok, another noob question.... if I'm using these with a 430 ex II and an RP cube, do I have to put tape or something over the optical because this isn't working either! *Sighhh*

pixelmorph wrote in post #11736857
Ok, another noob question.... if I'm using these with a 430 ex II and an RP cube, do I have to put tape or something over the optical because this isn't working either! *Sighhh*

No....Set your 430EX to Normal configuration (not Slave) in the ETTL mode. Using an 1/8" Stereo cable (not a mono cable) connect your RP Cube to the JRX "Studio" receiver. Set the JRX "Studio" receiver to either group 1, 2 or 3. You can now adjust flash output with either a JRX or PX transmitter. Just a note: If this doesn't work then you may have an RP Cube that was in the first batch shipped as I see where you bought them used. There was issues with the first batch of RP Cubes and they need to be replaced with a newer version.

agv8or wrote in post #11736997
Set your 430EX to Normal configuration (not Slave) in the ETTL mode. Using an 1/8" Stereo cable (not a mono cable) connect your RP Cube to the JRX "Studio" receiver. Set the JRX "Studio" receiver to either group 1, 2 or 3.

Check.

agv8or wrote in post #11736997
Just a note: If this doesn't work then you may have an RP Cube that was in the first batch shipped as I see where you bought them used. There was issues with the first batch of RP Cubes and they need to be replaced with a newer version.

The RP cube I actually purchased separately from the RP site itself and that was just a couple weeks ago.

What I think i'll end up doing is taking them down to Samy's and trying out a different speedlite, just to rule out that it's my 430. Then I'll have to give RP a call and have them send out a new one

Thank you!

I doubt if it is your 430EX. If it is working on the camera in ETTL mode then it should be working with the RP Cube. Are you sure you have the "Studio" version receivers? Having bought them used I would be a little suspicious! If you have a JRX "Basic" receiver you will not get flash output control. You must have the "Studio" version receiver in order to get flash output control either with the cube and speedlite combo or with a PCB strobe.

No, they're definitely the Studio version cause they work perfectly on my Bees. The 430 works on camera... so the only thing left to blame is the cube

I already sent RP an email and hopefully they'll let me return it for a new one.

Another thing to check is whether your 430 is seated all the way into the cube. The main firing contact is very large, so if it's mis-seated, you won't have power control (the quench signal won't connect) but it will fire, just at full power if you have TTL turned on...
Also try to borrow another Canon flash to test it on to rule out your 430...

Thanks Kenyee,

Well, I just confirmed it's the cube. Took it down to Samy's and the sales guy let me test it on a 580 ex. Same thing happens... it fires once or twice and then as soon as you turn that dial it stops and never wants to fire again. Even the pilot light on the flash stays red until you turn it off.

It couldn't possibly be the stereo cord, could it? It's the 3.5mm stereo male to male, standard stuff.. and brand new.

So frustrating.

cord/electronic issues are always a PITA. Yes, it could be the cord as well (can be other cords as well). It's best to have some known good stuff to substitute in when you're finding the problem...

The RP support guy got back to me today, and he suggested substituting another cord to see if that's what it is. He highly doubts it's the cube. He did offer to replace the cord OR cube, either way if either one is what's causing the problem. Awesome service!

So, off to Radio Shack for me, in the rain... ahh the things we do for love.

~K

Are you sure you have a Canon cube? They make two versions of RP Cubes, one for Nikons and one for Canons. I use both but have always been careful to keep mine seperated so I couldn't tell you what results you'd get if you used the wrong one. Just throwing that out there as one more thing to check.

Rand ~ the fact that it even fired at all was enough confirmation for me that the cube was Canon's. I don't think i'd have gotten any response from a Nikon version.

I went to Frye's and brought my gear. Picked out a hardier looking 3.5mm cord and tried it right there in the store. Sure enough, the problem was the cheap cord I got off of Amazon. This one, a Belkin brand, worked with flying colors

Alas, I can start taking pics via off camera speedlight! YAY! Thanks all you guys for your patience and input. You're awesome peeps.

~Kelli