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Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on June 25, 2012 at 6:34pm

Step 1: the TX settings.

Endpoints are what lets you determine the "range" the TX will send to the APM via the receiver, thus in order to get a lower bottom end signal, you must adjust that endpoint. That's going to be in the radio manual, not the manual for the APM because they cannot cover every possible radio. Hint, it's a good time to actually read that thing.

Sorry, but you must look at this like it's an RC aircraft first, and then the APM adds functionality. So the keys to setup are getting the radio system correct and again, thats in your radio's manual. http://www.spektrumrc.com/ProdInfo/Files/SPM8800-Manual_EN.pdf

 

The reason he set up a mix in the radio is that by default, most radios only have 3 position switches but you need 6 positions on one channel. By using what would normally be 2 separate channels at the the TX, then mixing them into the single channel that the APM understands gives you 6 positions. This is covered on page 29-30 of the manual for the TX that I linked.

I realize this is probably a lot to learn, but that's the problem, the system is made of many components from different manufacturers and you are they builder of the system. You have to know how each piece works and then how that integrates into the system. Basically, you must be an expert of the radio since again, this is an RC aircraft first, then the APM only adds functionality. Just as if you had a servo you wanted to hit 6 dedicated positions, that's a function of the TX settings and really has nothing to do with the APM. All we do at the APM is detect those 6 different positions, and then assign them to a function. It's the TX's job to get us those 6 distinct postions.

Sorry if any of that sounds like I'm harping on you, I just want to point you in the right direction and one piece of that is learning radio control standards like the back of your hand. If you understand the TX settings, mixes and other functions, then you can achieve the proper outputs at the receiver side, The APM cannot do anything unless it get's a signal it can deciper from normal. Basically, it's just like a six position switch attached to a servo. You must adjust it so it stops on each of the 6 contacts. The analogy is that is you can set this up is the physical sense, then the APM becomes a snap.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on June 25, 2012 at 6:41pm

Thanks.  I've read the manual.  It's not the concept I was struggling with, but some of the values in the steps that were listed.  I did get it working and do understand the goal... there's just a piece of the understanding where the lightbulb hasn't clicked yet with regard to the endpoint percentages selected and the actual numbers produced.  These are clearly different on each radio.  I'll figure it out, anyway, thanks for the reply.

 

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Jones on June 26, 2012 at 12:20pm

You've got to admit that the Spektrum manual isn't exactly clear on all of this and mixes are frustrating.  I remember trying to figure out mixes when I began and it's anything but intuitive.  Heck, I still don't understand why I'd want to mix a channel into itself.  And there's really nothing in that section you mention that would lead somebody to believe that you can mix switches together; it's totally oriented to mixing rudders, elevators and the sticks, not the switches.

This is why I've posted 2/3 to 6 channel detailed instructions before for the DX7s and if others have them for other transmitters, it will really help people with what they need.  They'll also probably learn a lot about mixes on their transmitter as well.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on June 26, 2012 at 1:35pm

Thanks Bruce.  You're right.  The manual wasn't very hepful.  I'm found I learned more by reading the forums and experimenting with settings while viewing the output in mission planner.

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Permalink Reply by JPB on December 26, 2012 at 5:18pm

Thanks! I found one method that used a helicopter setup, and required a map to know what mode you were in. This works with a plane setup, and is easy to follow what mode you are in!

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Permalink Reply by Peter Klimon on February 12, 2013 at 11:07pm

Vernon,

Where would you suggest the best way to learn this? I would love to have some suggestions on getting started setting up transmitters, especially the DX8. Any ideas on where I should go. I've read the DX8 manual but without a practical application to use it with it is hard to digest?

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Permalink Reply by Peter Klimon on February 12, 2013 at 11:10pm

Vernon,

One thing I find confusing is why on the DX8 with so many switches available do you have to assign 6 positions to two toggle switches? Wouldn't it be easier to break this across to multiple toggle switches or is this an issue with the number of available channels?

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Permalink Reply by Serg Abad on July 1, 2012 at 7:35pm

Help! I have set this up in my DX8. Also set-up different Flight Modes using different switch settings. In the Parameter List it shows the correct settings have been set, but when I flip the switches  I only get an extra setting in Gear - 0  F Mode-0 which is the correct setting. I get only 'Stabilized' for the rest of the other settings. I can't get the other switch settings to set to other modes. Tried recalibrating radio, saving params, writing params, reloading params, etc. No success. Is this a bug? Any help will be appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Serg Abad on July 1, 2012 at 9:01pm

BTW my APM/DX8 settings are (based on Arnt-Inge Hansens post above):

         RADIO                                 MISSION PLANNER

Gear 0   FMode 0                         FL Mode 6: STABILIZE

                                                     Current PWM: 5: 1758

Gear 0   FMode 1                         FL Mode 5: STABILIZE

                                                     Current PWM: 5: 1678

Gear 0   FMode 2                         FL Mode 4: STABILIZE

                                                     Current PWM: 5: 1499

Gear 1   FMode 0                         FL Mode 1: ALT_HOLD

                                                     Current PWM: 5: 1160

Gear 1   FMode 1                         FL Mode 2: LOITER

                                                     Current PWN: 5: 1238

Gear 1   FMode 2                         FL Mode 3: RTL

                                                     Current PWM: 5: 1417

Some corrections to my previous post:

Switch settings are stuck. Except  for Gear 1 FMode 0 which is stuck at ALT_HOLD the rest are stuck to STABILIZE at the FLIGHT MODES and FLIGHT DATA Screens. But in the PARAMETER LIST Screen it shows the correct settings (correct no. settings for the flight modes). Already tried saving params, refresh params, reconnecting APM, etc.

Help!

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Permalink Reply by Serg Abad on July 1, 2012 at 9:39pm

Some images:

I understand that these other Flight modes require a GPS. I am setting these FL modes indoors. Do I need to be outside with GPS working to set these modes?

Thanks in advance.

 

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Permalink Reply by Serg Abad on July 1, 2012 at 10:33pm

Yep. It works if the GPS is working and has a 3D fix.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on July 1, 2012 at 11:18pm

I guess that makes sense.  The APM2 doesn't go into loiter because you don't have a GPS fix.  So, the current mode is not a bug.  However, the original question was do you have to be outside to set the modes.  I would still say the answer to that is no.  You can see from the green bar what mode it's trying to going into.  If you have that and the modes set correctly (regardless of a GPS fix in your house), when you go out flying and have a GPS fix, it should work.  At any rate, have fun flying!

 

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