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Early in 2019 I won a Taranis Q X7 in a raffle at a club fun-fly. At first I thought I'd have no use for it because it doesn't have enough switches for my sailplane setups, but then I realized that an OpenTX radio can be useful for other applications beside controlling a model.
Presenting the OpenTX ALES Flight Group Launching System
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Presenting the OpenTX ALES Flight Group Launching System
 |
...Continue Reading
My Taranis X9D Control Assignments for Sailplanes
- LS is replaced with a push-button that activates the Kapow function.
- When the button is pushed the ailerons go up to their extreme limits, followed by the flaps after a 0.1 second delay to prevent flap-aileron collisions due to the wing's polyhedral break.
- When the button is released the flaps return to their neutral positions regardless of the flap stick position, in order to prevent them from digging into the ground.
- If the flap stick was down when the button was pushed, normal flap stick function is restored when the stick is returned to its up position.
- Down elevator can also be part of the Kapow function and can be varied between the extremes of no down elevator (plane simply drops) to full down elevator (plane dives into the ground). TrmT (the throttle trim switch) is used to adjust the elevator position for Kapow while the Kapow button is held in.
- When the button is pushed the ailerons go up to their extreme limits, followed by the flaps after a 0.1 second delay to prevent flap-aileron collisions due to the wing's polyhedral break.
- SE has different functions for winch-launched gliders and electric-powered gliders.
- When winch-launching a pure gilder,
- SE↓ selects FM4-Launch mode. When in Launch mode, TrmT adjusts the amount of camber in that flight mode only, and TrmE (the elevator trim switch) adjusts the elevator position in that flight mode only. The flight mode is announced when it is selected.
- SE↑ selects FM5-Zoom mode. When in Zoom mode, TrmT adjusts the amount of reflex in that flight mode only, and TrmE adjusts the elevator position in that flight mode only. The flight
- SE↓ selects FM4-Launch mode. When in Launch mode, TrmT adjusts the amount of camber in that flight mode only, and TrmE (the elevator trim switch) adjusts the elevator position in that flight mode only. The flight mode is announced when it is selected.
- When winch-launching a pure gilder,
I'd like to get a discussion going here about tent camping, or "primitive camping", during the 2019 Soaring NATS. I've never done this before so hopefully I'll hear from people who have and we can all share thoughts and ideas.
Here are some links and images:I was told that there are showers at Site #3 and at the back of the museum. Here's a Google Maps aerial view of the layout as I understand it. Please let me know if it's wrong:
If an access code is required for the showers, what time do you have to arrive to get the code? If the office is closed, can someone else get you in?
What's a good time to arrive so that you'll have plenty of time to set up and relax?
Also, I'd appreciate any advice on what to bring, what to do about meals, etc.
Thanks!
Here are some links and images:I was told that there are showers at Site #3 and at the back of the museum. Here's a Google Maps aerial view of the layout as I understand it. Please let me know if it's wrong:
If an access code is required for the showers, what time do you have to arrive to get the code? If the office is closed, can someone else get you in?
What's a good time to arrive so that you'll have plenty of time to set up and relax?
Also, I'd appreciate any advice on what to bring, what to do about meals, etc.
Thanks!
I've updated my gldsim.lua Glider Simulator script with a new look, a new feature, and compatibility with all of the "Taranis" line of FrSky/OpenTX radios running OpenTX version 2.2, while maintaining compatibility with OpenTX version 2.1.
It not only works with the Taranis X9D, X9D+, and X9E...
it also works with the Q X7...
...Continue Reading
It not only works with the Taranis X9D, X9D+, and X9E...
it also works with the Q X7...
...Continue Reading
...
This is an extension of a discussion that started somewhere around here. It's a mix script that will convert a horizontal output and a vertical output into a pair of outputs that are confined within the boundary of a circle. Stick input that falls outside of the circle will be clipped.
If you're working on a way to accomplish this without Lua then this is what you're trying to duplicate. I don't think it can be done but I could be wrong.
When monitored with the mon ch.lua Taranis X9D+ telemetry script included below, circle.lua produces an output like this when the stick is moved around, with the original output displayed on the left and the processed output displayed on the right:
To set it up:
Code:
--[[ circle.lua - a mix script to confine horizontal and vertical sources within a circle. By Miami Mike, 3/10/2019 ]]
local input = {{"Horz", SOURCE}, {"Vert", SOURCE}}
local output = {"newH", "newV"}
local function run_func(X, Y)
X = X / 1024
Y = Y / 1024
local angle = math.atan2(Y, X)
local R = math.sqrt(X ^ 2 + Y ^ 2)
if R > 1 then -- clip.
R = 1
end
newH = R * math.cos(angle)
newV = R * math.sin(angle)
return 1024 * newH, 1024 * newV
end
return {input=input, output=output, run=run_func}
When monitored with the mon ch.lua Taranis X9D+ telemetry script included below, circle.lua produces an output like this when the stick is moved around, with the original output displayed on the left and the processed output displayed on the right:
To set it up:
- Download circle.txt, rename it to circle.lua, and store it in SCRIPTS/MIXES.
- Set up a model memory for testing with the horizontal and vertical stick outputs on channels 1 and 2, respectively. Leave channels 3 and 4 empty
I like the Castle Creations Phoenix Edge ESC's auxiliary input with the white wire. For my ALES sailplanes I programmed mine in the RX ARM LOCK mode so that Channel 8 on my receiver operates the motor safety lockout. It plays a little tune through the motor when I arm it and a different tune when I disarm it. 
I also have ALES CAM limiters installed, which I leave active at all times, even for practicing and sport flying. Since the recommended CAM Limiter hookup routes the entire plane's electrical power through the limiter, its cables, and connectors, which is an arrangement that I don't like, I instead swapped the orange and white wires on my ESC so that the orange throttle signal wire is alone on one plug and the white aux wire, red (+) wire, and brown (-) wire are together on the other plug.
In other words, I changed this:
to this:
...Continue Reading
I also have ALES CAM limiters installed, which I leave active at all times, even for practicing and sport flying. Since the recommended CAM Limiter hookup routes the entire plane's electrical power through the limiter, its cables, and connectors, which is an arrangement that I don't like, I instead swapped the orange and white wires on my ESC so that the orange throttle signal wire is alone on one plug and the white aux wire, red (+) wire, and brown (-) wire are together on the other plug.
In other words, I changed this:
to this:
...Continue Reading
There may be some interest springing up in Germany in the Shepard Tone Vario setup that I developed for OpenTX earlier this year. See my Shepard Tone Vario for OpenTX and Shepard Tone Vario testers wanted posts from February and March of 2018.
Here's the complete package with setup instructions.
Demo video :
Edit: According to this post, the RC Soaring Digest has released its final issue.
My Shepard Tone Vario setup was inspired by an article by Helmut Stettmaier in the March 2018 issue of the RC Soaring Digest, titled An Innovative Method for Acoustically Rendering Climb Data for Model Gliders Using Shepard Tones, so if you're interested in reading it download it now, just in case the site goes offline.
Here's the complete package with setup instructions.
Demo video :
| Shepard Tone Vario Demo (5 min 54 sec) |
Edit: According to this post, the RC Soaring Digest has released its final issue.
My Shepard Tone Vario setup was inspired by an article by Helmut Stettmaier in the March 2018 issue of the RC Soaring Digest, titled An Innovative Method for Acoustically Rendering Climb Data for Model Gliders Using Shepard Tones, so if you're interested in reading it download it now, just in case the site goes offline.
Please post any additions or corrections below.
- "FAA reauthorization act" in forum Model Aircraft & Drone Advocacy (Thread closed.)
- "FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, HR 302" in forum Model Aircraft & Drone Advocacy (Thread closed.)
- "Take Action Now! Tell Congress to Vote “NO” on FAA Reauthorization" in forum Electric Plane Talk
- "FAA Authorization for Recreational Regulations Update" in forum Electric Plane Talk
- "FAA reauthorization bill?" in forum Sailplane Talk
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Cross Country Soaring
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Scale Sailplanes
- "FAA Re-Authorization and DLGs/F3K" in forum Hand Launch
- "Please click and vote NO" in forum Hand Launch
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Multi Task F3X
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Sailplane Events
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Scale Sailplanes
- "400’ limit. Real this time." in forum Thermal
- "Attn: Thermal Forum - Could HR 302 & the FAA bring an end to R/C Soaring in the USA?" in forum Thermal
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Miami Mike's Blog
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Here's a Lua script and custom set of WAV files for OpenTX version 2.1 or 2.2 to speak the time of day in a natural-sounding format, such as "twelve o'clock PM" or "nine oh two AM."
The WAV files are in a folder in the root directory named SAYTIME, and saytim.lua is stored in /SCRIPTS/FUNCTIONS/.
On your Special Functions page, set saytim to be played with the Play Script function whenever a hardware or logical switch of your choice is true. For example, this will play the time of day when SA is switched to position SA↑:
Beginning with OpenTX version 2.2.1, saytim.lua can alternately be called with a Global Function.
The script and set of WAV files were revised on July 3, 2018 to allow for times from 12:00 AM to 12:59 AM. The revised script looks like this:
Instructions are included in a file named readme.txt. Please post any problems or special requests below.
The WAV files are in a folder in the root directory named SAYTIME, and saytim.lua is stored in /SCRIPTS/FUNCTIONS/.
On your Special Functions page, set saytim to be played with the Play Script function whenever a hardware or logical switch of your choice is true. For example, this will play the time of day when SA is switched to position SA↑:
Beginning with OpenTX version 2.2.1, saytim.lua can alternately be called with a Global Function.
The script and set of WAV files were revised on July 3, 2018 to allow for times from 12:00 AM to 12:59 AM. The revised script looks like this:
Code:
-- Function script saytim.lua by Miami Mike, July 3rd, 2018
local path, lastcall = "/SAYTIME/", 0
local function run_func()
local newcall = false
local time = getTime()
if time > lastcall then
newcall = true
end
lastcall = time + 10
if newcall then
local datetime = getDateTime()
local hour, minute, ampm = datetime.hour, datetime.min, "am"
if hour >= 12 then
ampm = "pm"
if hour >= 13 then
hour = hour - 12
end
end
playFile(path .. "timeis.wav")
playFile(path .. hour .. "h.wav")
playFile(path .. minute .. ".wav")
playFile(path .. ampm .. ".wav")
end
end
return {run=run_func}
In November of 2016 I described my SetFail flight mode, which allows you to experimentally determine your best Custom failsafe settings for each of your models, but it's a bit involved and some might consider it adequate to just set the failsafe option to Custom and set all your controls to neutral, except the throttle, which should be fully closed.
I just want to point out that if you decide to do it that way then you shouldn't assume that this will work, because it won't:
It's not as simple as that.
The values you enter on your Setup page for Custom failsafe are the actual values that will be sent to your servos and do not take into account any Subtrim, Min, or Max settings on your Outputs page, or any mixing, or flight mode-specific trim settings, etc. that occur when your sticks are in their neutral positions. To know what those Custom failsafe values really need to be for neutral control surface positions, or whatever positions you want them to take when control is lost, you have to read them from your Channels Monitor.
On a Taranis X9D+, before you begin setting up your model, it looks like this:
But after you've set up the model, with the sticks neutral and the throttle off, it'll probably look more like in this random example:
...Continue Reading
I just want to point out that if you decide to do it that way then you shouldn't assume that this will work, because it won't:
It's not as simple as that.
The values you enter on your Setup page for Custom failsafe are the actual values that will be sent to your servos and do not take into account any Subtrim, Min, or Max settings on your Outputs page, or any mixing, or flight mode-specific trim settings, etc. that occur when your sticks are in their neutral positions. To know what those Custom failsafe values really need to be for neutral control surface positions, or whatever positions you want them to take when control is lost, you have to read them from your Channels Monitor.
On a Taranis X9D+, before you begin setting up your model, it looks like this:
But after you've set up the model, with the sticks neutral and the throttle off, it'll probably look more like in this random example:
...Continue Reading
Because I have several full-house sailplanes that use exactly the same basic setup, I've recently adopted a policy of leaving everything on the Outputs page at default values except for the six curves for the six servo channels. My flaps and ailerons are all controlled by 9-point curves with the flaps adjusted to be
To do these settings I use digital helicopter pitch gauges...
... and a 16-point "stair" curve that's part of my Calibration mode.
(Actually, I use different flap/crow elevator compensation curves for each model as well, but aside from those differences the setups are the same.)
The "stair" curve is an expansion of an idea inspired by Mike Shellim.
As an example, here are my two Shadow 2 electric-powered gliders:
...Continue Reading
- at their least common physical upper limit at +100%,
- 7.5° up at +75%,
- even with the trailing edge at +50%,
- 7.5° down at +25%,
- and from there to their least common physical lower limit in five steps of equal degrees, ending at -100%.
- 30° up at +100%,
- 22.5° up at +75%,
- 15° up at +50%,
- 7.5° up at +25%,
- even with the trailing edge at +0%,
- 7.5° down at -25%,
- 15° down at -50%,
- 22.5° down at -75%,
- 30° down at -100%.
To do these settings I use digital helicopter pitch gauges...
... and a 16-point "stair" curve that's part of my Calibration mode.
(Actually, I use different flap/crow elevator compensation curves for each model as well, but aside from those differences the setups are the same.)
The "stair" curve is an expansion of an idea inspired by Mike Shellim.
As an example, here are my two Shadow 2 electric-powered gliders:
...Continue Reading
