JR Radios and FPV Goggle Gyro

[jfassino]

Many of the FPV flyers are using Futaba radios that let the gyro on the goggles connect using the buddy cord on the transmitter. Futaba radios can select which channels the student pilot (in this application the goggles gyro) control.

My JR 10X and I think my JR 9303 have fewer options to give the student pilot (goggles gyro) channels they can use.

I'd like to know if any JR pilots are flying FPV and using goggle gyros to control video camera movement. Can you tell us how to do this with a JR radio?

I might just have to buy a Futaba because the video I have seen of FPV looks fantastic.

Glad to have FPV started on RCGroups.

Jim

[AnthonyRC]

'ob1' from this forum will be beta testing an AeroPix 'TrackR1' on a 9303 in the very near future.
These radios are far from ideal for head tracking though, only the first 4 channels may be used for the pan/tilt channels from the Gyro.
With careful mixing, it could be possible to fly certain (basic) models while using the headtracker.

The Futabas are a different story, power is available on the trainer connector, so no external supply is required, and any channel may be overriden by the student (headtracker).

[jfassino]

With careful mixing, it could be possible to fly certain (basic) models while using the headtracker.


What are your thoughts about mixing and how that would work with a JR 9303? If the gyro can only use the first 4 channels on a JR could mixing still let the instructor pilot use the both sticks to fly the airplane yet have the gyro use other channels?

I like your suggestion but I need more direction to test the concept.


Jim

[ob1]

What are your thoughts about mixing and how that would work with a JR 9303? If the gyro can only use the first 4 channels on a JR could mixing still let the instructor pilot use the both sticks to fly the airplane yet have the gyro use other channels?

I like your suggestion but I need more direction to test the concept.


Jim
I have the 9303 and here is the setup I currently use. I will explain the setup as though using the JR 7-channel R700/R720 (PPM) or R770/R790 (PCM) receivers, although the procedure will work with any JR-compat rx that has at least 6 channels. This approach does not involve setting up any tx mixes whatsoever, but it does involve knowing how to program the 9303 to assign control of the flap channel (ch6) to the left slider lever on the side of the tx. This approach is really only practical for 3-channel control, but some of the more common planes used for FPV are in fact 3-channel setups (i.e. Easystar, Slowstick, Magpie, various trainers, etc.)

I plug the rudder servo into the rx ch2 (AIL) port so the rudder is controlled via the right stick left/right movements. I plug the elevator servo into the rx ch3 (ELE) port so the elevator is controlled via the right stick fore/aft movements. I then plug the ESC into the rx ch6 (AUX1) port so the throttle is controlled via the left slider lever on the left side of the tx. To accomplish this I use the "Devicesel" menu in the "System" setup function. I set the "FLAP" function to "ACT" and assign control to the "FLAP LV" (which is the proportional flap control lever on the left side of the tx. At this point the setup is not too unusual at all and is common for flying planes that are generally considered to be the 3-channel type (i.e. throttle on left hand stick or lever, and ele/rud on right hand stick). This leaves rx ch1, ch4, and ch5 ports free. I now plug the video cam (kx131) pan servo into rx ch4 so that it is controlled via the left/right stick movements of the left hand. I plug the video cam tilt servo into the rx ch1 so that it is controlled via the fore/aft stick movements of the left hand. To recap:
ch1= cam tilt servo
ch2= rudder servo
ch3= elevator servo
ch4= cam pan servo
ch5= not used
ch6= assigned to the left flap slider lever, and controls the ESC (throttle)

This allows the throttle to be controlled via the left hand as normal (using the left slider lever), and the rudder/elevator to be controlled by the right hand stick as normal. You should practice flying like this FIRST using ground-based visual sight control. Once you get used to the throttle lever, elevator/rudder stick controls, then practice some short-distance FPV flights around a familiar field with a spotter. As you fly you can generally set the throttle lever to a comfortable setting and use the left stick to "look" left/right/up/down with the video camera as you fly the plane with your right hand. Once this tx configuration is accomplished, its fairly easy to see how the TrackR1 unit that AnthonyRC sells can be used to control the ch1 (tilt) and ch4 (pan) functions. Simply go into the 9303 "Trainer" setup and assign the ch1 and ch4 fuctions to "Slave" and use a rubber band to hold down the tx "trainer" button. This will allow the head tracking unit to feed tilt (ch1) and pan (ch4) position info to the 9303 via the buddy cord, and will still allow you to control the elevator and rudder via the right stick as normal, and the control the throttle via the left slider lever.
This may not seem as flexible as the Futaba 9c radio, but it will let you enjoy all of the benefits and fun of FPV without having to replace your RC equipment. At the present time, this is the only solution I am aware of for the 9303, but I have used the manual approach (no head tracking unit) for quite some time and it works great. After a little practice you can get to the point where your left stick movements kinda follow the impluse head movements that occur as you fly through the goggles. Once you get a headtracker you can forget the manual stick control of camera pan/tilt, and should be all set to enjoy FPV coupled with headtracking control of the cam.
Hope this helps...
ob1

[ob1]

'ob1' from this forum will be beta testing an AeroPix 'TrackR1' on a 9303 in the very near future.
These radios are far from ideal for head tracking though, only the first 4 channels may be used for the pan/tilt channels from the Gyro.
With careful mixing, it could be possible to fly certain (basic) models while using the headtracker.

The Futabas are a different story, power is available on the trainer connector, so no external supply is required, and any channel may be overriden by the student (headtracker).
Anthony...any update on a TrackR1 beta unit with JR plug? (BTW: chk PMs)
Thx...
ob1

[jfassino]

I have the 9303 and here is the setup I currently use. I will explain the setup as though using the JR 7-channel R700/R720 (PPM) or R770/R790 (PCM) receivers, although the procedure will work with any JR-compat rx that has at least 6 channels. This approach does not involve setting up any tx mixes whatsoever, but it does involve knowing how to program the 9303 to assign control of the flap channel (ch6) to the left slider lever on the side of the tx. This approach is really only practical for 3-channel control, but some of the more common planes used for FPV are in fact 3-channel setups (i.e. Easystar, Slowstick, Magpie, various trainers, etc.)

I plug the rudder servo into the rx ch2 (AIL) port so the rudder is controlled via the right stick left/right movements. I plug the elevator servo into the rx ch3 (ELE) port so the elevator is controlled via the right stick fore/aft movements. I then plug the ESC into the rx ch6 (AUX1) port so the throttle is controlled via the left slider lever on the left side of the tx. To accomplish this I use the "Devicesel" menu in the "System" setup function. I set the "FLAP" function to "ACT" and assign control to the "FLAP LV" (which is the proportional flap control lever on the left side of the tx. At this point the setup is not too unusual at all and is common for flying planes that are generally considered to be the 3-channel type (i.e. throttle on left hand stick or lever, and ele/rud on right hand stick). This leaves rx ch1, ch4, and ch5 ports free. I now plug the video cam (kx131) pan servo into rx ch4 so that it is controlled via the left/right stick movements of the left hand. I plug the video cam tilt servo into the rx ch1 so that it is controlled via the fore/aft stick movements of the left hand. To recap:
ch1= cam tilt servo
ch2= rudder servo
ch3= elevator servo
ch4= cam pan servo
ch5= not used
ch6= assigned to the left flap slider lever, and controls the ESC (throttle)

This allows the throttle to be controlled via the left hand as normal (using the left slider lever), and the rudder/elevator to be controlled by the right hand stick as normal. You should practice flying like this FIRST using ground-based visual sight control. Once you get used to the throttle lever, elevator/rudder stick controls, then practice some short-distance FPV flights around a familiar field with a spotter. As you fly you can generally set the throttle lever to a comfortable setting and use the left stick to "look" left/right/up/down with the video camera as you fly the plane with your right hand. Once this tx configuration is accomplished, its fairly easy to see how the TrackR1 unit that AnthonyRC sells can be used to control the ch1 (tilt) and ch4 (pan) functions. Simply go into the 9303 "Trainer" setup and assign the ch1 and ch4 fuctions to "Slave" and use a rubber band to hold down the tx "trainer" button. This will allow the head tracking unit to feed tilt (ch1) and pan (ch4) position info to the 9303 via the buddy cord, and will still allow you to control the elevator and rudder via the right stick as normal, and the control the throttle via the left slider lever.
This may not seem as flexible as the Futaba 9c radio, but it will let you enjoy all of the benefits and fun of FPV without having to replace your RC equipment. At the present time, this is the only solution I am aware of for the 9303, but I have used the manual approach (no head tracking unit) for quite some time and it works great. After a little practice you can get to the point where your left stick movements kinda follow the impluse head movements that occur as you fly through the goggles. Once you get a headtracker you can forget the manual stick control of camera pan/tilt, and should be all set to enjoy FPV coupled with headtracking control of the cam.
Hope this helps...
ob1

ob1,

Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the great information.

Jim

[GeekGod]

What if you are using rudder + ailerons + elevators? Would this fancy configuration still work? I am amused that this all works on Spektrum okay(?) but it seems that JR it does not?

[ob1]

What if you are using rudder + ailerons + elevators? Would this fancy configuration still work? I am amused that this all works on Spektrum okay(?) but it seems that JR it does not?
Acutally, this is not a "fancy config" at all.....just JR 9303 settings. It may seem complicated if you are not familiar with the 9303, but it really just takes longer to explain it on a post than to do it. I guess to clear up your question about "rudder + ailerons + elevator", I should have stated that this 9303 config will work with any plane setup that can be flown using 3 primary flight channels. If you want to use ailerons to control yaw (turning) + ele + thr that will work instead of using rudder to control yaw + ele + thr. The point is the 9303 normally would use ch1 (thr) and ch4 (rud), but you can steal these and assign them EXCLUSIVELY to the headtracker function, while using ch2 (yaw) and ch3 (pitch) and ch6 (thr) to fly the plane. In fact this config will even work with a wing type setting of "delta" (elevon), by simply plugging the elevon servos into ch2 and ch3 as usual (for JR). With respect to what the Spektrum can or can't do, I wouldn't know since I don't have one, but I hear they are really nice for a 7-ch system. I have also heard that JR owns Spektrum, and the DX6 and DX7 strongly resemble JR radio styling, and the Horizon magazine adds reflect the JR influence. Others have indicated the MX22 (European version of 9303) allows all channels to be selectively assigned to the trainer function, while the USA 9303 version will only allow ch1, ch2, ch3, and ch4 to be selectively assigned (thanks alot JR ! )
I am sure Futaba and the Spektrum radios are good systems, I only offered this config for those that have a 9303 and a existing investment in JR rx's etc, so they won't necessarily have to get a Futaba 9c (or Spektrum ) radio just to enjoy flying FPV. I have used the setup manually (no headtracker) and it works great as I described above. With the addition of the headtracker I see no reason why it wouldn't continue to work even better, since pan/tilt position info would then be controlled via head movements instead of stick movements.

[Kilrah]

According to its manual, the Spektrum DX7 can't be used. It can either hand all controls to the student, or all of 1-4 while it keeps 5-7. No individual selection at all then.

[GeekGod]

Acutally, this is not a "fancy config" at all.....just JR 9303 settings. It may seem complicated if you are not familiar with the 9303, but it really just takes longer to explain it on a post than to do it. I guess to clear up your question about "rudder + ailerons + elevator", I should have stated that this 9303 config will work with any plane setup that can be flown using 3 primary flight channels. If you want to use ailerons to control yaw (turning) + ele + thr that will work instead of using rudder to control yaw + ele + thr. The point is the 9303 normally would use ch1 (thr) and ch4 (rud), but you can steal these and assign them EXCLUSIVELY to the headtracker function, while using ch2 (yaw) and ch3 (pitch) and ch6 (thr) to fly the plane. In fact this config will even work with a wing type setting of "delta" (elevon), by simply plugging the elevon servos into ch2 and ch3 as usual (for JR). With respect to what the Spektrum can or can't do, I wouldn't know since I don't have one, but I hear they are really nice for a 7-ch system. I have also heard that JR owns Spektrum, and the DX6 and DX7 strongly resemble JR radio styling, and the Horizon magazine adds reflect the JR influence. Others have indicated the MX22 (European version of 9303) allows all channels to be selectively assigned to the trainer function, while the USA 9303 version will only allow ch1, ch2, ch3, and ch4 to be selectively assigned (thanks alot JR ! )
I am sure Futaba and the Spektrum radios are good systems, I only offered this config for those that have a 9303 and a existing investment in JR rx's etc, so they won't necessarily have to get a Futaba 9c (or Spektrum ) radio just to enjoy flying FPV. I have used the setup manually (no headtracker) and it works great as I described above. With the addition of the headtracker I see no reason why it wouldn't continue to work even better, since pan/tilt position info would then be controlled via head movements instead of stick movements.

Thank you for taking the time to explain in detail. Now I feel sick in my stomach for purchasing the XP7202 and the DX7 came out one month later. I kept telling myself it was okay, that it would do everything that the DX7 would except the neat frequency hopping jazz but now it really appears that the DX7 doesn't have these limitations because I have read about others using them.

Calling JR probably would do no good. Besides, would we even reach a person knowledgeable enough to understand the problem that they have created?

JR, you listening? This is a *JOKE*! Unlock the functions that you have put into the software. No other company is apparently doing this!

Called JR, they don't care. Known limitation. No they aren't changing it, they will pass on my rage. Thanks JR! Don't buy a JR radio if you plan on getting into FPV. Looks like mine is going up for sale soon and going to replace with something else.

[hawker800]

Anybody know if it would work to wire the tracker R1 to the gimbal inside the JR transmitter?

[fmkit]

I tried to mix cam pan and elevon, it made me dizzy in 10 minutes. Bad idea.

[Mr.Pibb]

I haven't seen anyone using a DX7 with head trackers yet. Can you guys share where you saw this??!!! I've been planning on using a second 72MHz radio for head tracking when i go that route, but if I can get my DX7 to work I'd be thrilled!!! I've got two channels on my DX7 just waiting...

I do know that the DX7 has four modes for the trainer port: Inhibit, Slave, Normal, and P-Link. It claims that only the first 4 channels are transfered to the student.