Spektrum Radios

[DD1961]

These seem to be a hot topic of late, has anyone tried them with a multiswitch module?
Given it is only the air interface that is different, there seems to me no reason why it wouldn't work......but 'tis always best to check :)

Cheers

[steveciambrone]

To the end user the Spektrum radio works like all the rest, with the added benifits of SS. The RX will work with any modern servo and related accessory. That being said I have not heard of any incompatability. I would suspect if anything would it might be a ESC since these in the past they have had some problems with certain radios. It would be the way the manufacturer of the ESC setup his end points. Mine has great range and control, waiting for a reason to buy a DX-7.

Thanks
Steve

[LtDoc]

DD1961,
It's so different having six channels to play with instead of just two, that the need of adding 'switches' just hasn't happened to me, yet. As Steve said, Unless 'Spektrum' has done something completely out of the ordinary with their system, there's no specific reason to think that any 'extra' option won't work as well as with any other brand. I would think that finding the 'room' inside the radio to add those 'extras' would be the hard part (no, haven't taken the thing apart yet, too chicken).
- 'Doc

[patmat2350]

If you mean multifunction on the Tx AND Rx side, like MCD's "Switch 8", yes it'll work fine.
If you specifically mean Robbe's multifunction, no that's specific to their radios anyway.
And if you mean a switcher that simply plugs into the Rx, like an SES-III, yes that'll work.

Pat Matthews

[ThrustTugKeith]

<<like MCD's "Switch 8",>>

After seeing that radio in Ohio this summer, I AM gonna get one for the Tug !!!

Scott

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Be aware, that the MCD needs a "proprotional" channel.
For the DX-6, that limits it to one of the stick channels, so you will lose a joystick function.

For the DX-7, it is yet to be determined. The DX-7 touts a proportional setting for one of the auxillary channels, but it is not clear how one would operate that channel proportionally. It looks like you sort of have to click it up or down like a trim setting.
It poses lots of promise though,....

Who volunteers to be the guinea pig? :p

[steveciambrone]

I am going to see if the dealers at the AMA convention in Onterio CA this weekend has any good deals on the DX-7.

But I think KMOT already has one.

Steve

[Kmot]

Yep. But it is still in the box. I was going to put it in one of my flyable airplanes right away. But then I had a change of mind and decided to save it for a new kit I will be building in the future. That is because I can go fly now on a weekday when Sepulveda Basin is basically free of the half-wits. So it hasn't seemed so critical to change out my Rx in the planes. But it could also be because I am swamped with too many projects as it is....... :rolleyes:

[ThrustTugKeith]

<<Be aware, that the MCD needs a "proportional" channel>> :confused:

I dont know what that means.. :confused: .I know the price is right.. :) .and from the demonstration I saw in Ohio....you can use both sticks....... :D

Scott :cool:

[DD1961]

Thanks for the info...
So the answer is, I was always going to need more than two channels as I'm putting together a Voith drive Parat, so at least five channels gone there, perhaps six we'll see ;-)
Then the rest will be for lighting, sounds, fire monitors etc. So, an MCD would be ideal...from what I can tell then, whether this works or not will be a question of whether the Flap or Aux channels are actually proportional....and as long as you have the TX side of the MCD and can interface it into the Aux channel, then all should be well.....
Best try it then, I suppose....watch this space :-)

[patmat2350]

<<Be aware, that the MCD needs a "proportional" channel>> :confused:

Scott :cool:

Means that the 5th and 6th channels, which are merely 2-state toggle switches, WON'T work with the MCD unit. But if you have a 6 channel Tx with a rotary KNOB on 6 (many do), this can be converted. Elsewise, you'll need to turn one of your 4 main stick functions over to MCD...

PM

[Stu :)]

I thought MCD units could be used on a 5th or higher channels?
For the MCD website-
"Keypad(s) can be easily installed on most current radio transmitters (those with three wires going to the control pots or landing gear switch)"
I remember seeing a big-gun combat ship with the 'sticks' driving the ship and gun directions and the keypad controlling the firing, pumps, etc.

If not, oh crap there goes that idea...

Stu :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

When I had my Spektrum modified, I asked about an MCD control pad, and was told that I needed to use the throttle channel to run the controller.
Since I use all the joystick functions to run my voith schneider drives, I was told I couldn't add the MCD multifunction switch. My impression was that the digital nature, and the feed back the computer required made it impossible to properly run the switch on the spektrum.

On the analog FM radios, I know that's different. I have seen several MCD multifunction switches on the old ACE radios

If someone has one working on the gear switch of a digital radio or Spektrum, I would love to know. I would still like to add such a feature.

[Kmot]

If anyone wants to donate an MCD, I will guinea pig it on either my DX6 or DX7. :D

[DD1961]

Hmmm..it seems to me that the flaps and aux must be proportional, since they have a trim and EPA adjustment....or did I miss something?

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Hmmm..it seems to me that the flaps and aux must be proportional, since they have a trim and EPA adjustment....or did I miss something?

The dx6 was retailed with gear and aux1/flaps either on/off or up/down.

They changed this for the DX-7 and made the channels programmable for on/ off, three positon(on/off/on) or proportional. Though it hasn't become clear how the proportional works off of a three position switch.

Any insight Tom?
We the masses seek clarity. :o

[Shaun Hendricks]

My Eclipse 7 has 2 fully proportional upper channels... it uses 2 'pots' to set the location. Those channels also have switch on/off activation. I would hope Spektrum would've looked at the competition....

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

My Eclipse 7 has 2 fully proportional upper channels... it uses 2 'pots' to set the location. Those channels also have switch on/off activation. I would hope Spektrum would've looked at the competition....


But if you look at the images, the only thing that might provide proportional control along the
top three channels, is the clicky trim switch on the inside panels of the transmitter. :confused:

So if you connected an MCD multiswitch to the "rocker switch" for the flaps, or Aux2, and
programmed the transmitter for proportional control for either of those two channels, the
MCD multiswitch may work on those positions for the DX-7.
(The Dx-6 doesn't have this feature.)

Manual, Kmot posted earlier
http://www.spektrumrc.com/ProdInfo/Files/SPM2710_DX7_Manual.pdf

[Shaun Hendricks]

That's about the same as the Eclipse 7, just a rocker instead of a turn knob. Here's the E7's layout:

[DD1961]

So, from the manual for the DX7,

Here you have 4 choices that can be used to operate the AUX2 channel:
• 2-position switch
• INH
• Rocker
• 3-position switch
(The rocker provides proportional control, while the switch allows 2 or 3 positions of the AUX2 channel. You can
also use the rocker for an AUX2 trim switch when using the 2P switch to activate the AUX2 function. Or you can
inhibit the AUX2 rocker as well to prevent inadvertent changes.)
In addition, you have 3 choices to activate/inhibit FLAP SYSTEM:
• System (3-position switch)
• INH
• Rocker
(The rocker provides proportional control, while the system allows 3-position function of the FLAP channel. You
can also use the rocker for a FLAP trim switch when using the 3P switch to activate the FLAP function.

Which I guess means if you assign the rocker switch to Flaps or Aux2, then you have the proportional channel you need to drive an MCD...all that remains is whether or not the rocker switch can be accessed to correctly interface an MCD into it..

[Kmot]

The programming capabilities of these computer radios, which I know little about, are astounding. I have read on the airplane forums where guys have figured out a sequence of programming commands that can make the radio do all sorts of complex and intricate functions that are not covered in the owners manual. But the radio can accomplish it. That said, it will take experimentation but if you are savvy you can probably figure it out. Me, I'm not savvy.......

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

The programming capabilities of these computer radios, which I know little about, are astounding. I have read on the airplane forums where guys have figured out a sequence of programming commands that can make the radio do all sorts of complex and intricate functions that are not covered in the owners manual. But the radio can accomplish it. That said, it will take experimentation but if you are savvy you can probably figure it out. Me, I'm not savvy.......

So when are we gonna see one of your boats Take off, left turn and
then do a snap roll?!?

:p

[Kmot]

I think that is already in the video of my Wave Shark! :p

[ropanach]

OK ! I'm scared now I got a DX7 for Christmas, to run my new build the Tiger sun, If I am reading all this right I should be able to run the Z drives sepretly ? To make it crab spin out do back flips, right.

[Kmot]

And cook the crab and serve it up in a crab Louie salad! :D