Discussions

Yet another instruction list on getting a DX7s to use 6 modes. BUT! mine only uses ONE channel for the flight mode selection. I found a few howtos like this for the DX7, and other radios. but not for the DX7s specifically. I knew it could do it, so I messed with this how to ( http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/setting-up-6-different-flight-modes-on-a-spektrum-dx7-using-just ) for a minute and came up with this configuration. It will most likely take some tweaking to make it work specifically on your system since Im pretty sure the PWM numbers will vary slightly radio/RX to radio/RX. So do not be afraid to tinker. Ill go into what numbers need to be tweaked to get the PWM where you need it.

Also, I’m by no means a Spektrum Pro…so I would love input. This is just what I found that works for me.

First, here is my SPM file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PKNbrqFqF-SDkxaFdtN2R3aXc/edit?usp=sharing

My setup uses the FLAP 3position switch and the GEAR switch (designated by G and F respectively). Here is how it maps out to the APM Flight modes, and what my PWM looks like according to Mission Planner. (my gear channel is channel 5 on my AR8000 and APM)
G0 F0: Flight mode 3 (PWM: 1426)
G0 F1: Flight mode 2 (PWM: 1275)
G0 F2: Flight mode 1 (PWM: 1124)
G1 F0: Flight mode 6 (PWM: 1919)
G1 F1: Flight mode 5 (PWM: 1685)
G1 F2: Flight mode 4 (PWM: 1562)

And an overview of my DX7s settings I changed that are relevant to what I’m setting up:
Type=Acro
Wing=Normal
Tail=Normal

SW Select
Trainer: INH **
F Mode: INH **
Gear: INH
Flap: Gear
Mix: AUX2 **
Knob: AUX1 **

Mix 1
GER > GER
Rate: -62%
    0%
Offset: -100%
Trim: Inh
Sw: Gear0

Mix 2
GER > GER
Rate: 0%
    -69%
Offset: 60%
Trim: Inh
Sw Gear1

The stuff marked with stars (**) doesn't really matter for just the 6 flight mode thing. and you can use other switches if you know what you’re doing. but i use my knob for PID tuning (channel 6) and I switch between the trainer button and mix switch for channel 7 depending on what I’m doing.

Once you have all the settings in your radio, check the mixing screen on your DX7s. The GER channel should have 6 spots the marker moves to depending on what mode you are looking for. G0F2 should push the marker to the left, and G1F0 should move it to the right. G0F1 should be half left, G1F1 should be half right. G0F0 should be close to the middle on the left side, G1F2 should be close to the middle on the right side.

Now for the fun part. PWMs are not perfect, the numbers i wrote earlier are less static, and more of a median depending on the noise in range. there will be a bit of noise with this at a busy field, so pay attention to the list in mission planner and don’t push to an edge as best you can.

Check what flight modes you can and can’t get to in mission planner. Hopefully it just works! But check your PWM number as well to make sure its near the middle of the range. you’ll see your current PWM on the flight modes page.

From what i understand of mixing, the best way to go about tweaking for APM is to start with the offset. Mix 1 is for Gear0, and Mix2 is for Gear1.
 for mix1
Start with G0F1, and get a good PWM by tweaking the offset. Then switch to G0F0 and tweak the first rate percentage. check G0F1, and G0F2 and tweak slowly from there until all three PWMs are in a good range. i would say about 10-20 from the edges.

for mix2
Start with G1F1, and tweak the offset. Then switch to G1F2 and tweak the second rate percentage. Check G1F1, and G1F2, and tweak slowly from there until all three PWMs are in a good range.

Hopefully you are now good to go and have 6 modes on your DX7s while still having the extra Aux channels to use.