Step by step DX6 / DX9 for nano

[ArchmageAU]

Step by step DX6 / DX9 for nano

This is done in the style from the DX6i for newbies post. Newbies guide to the DX6i for RC helicopters. Newbies guide goes into a lot of detail as to how transmitters work.

This is a request for a step by step guide to programming a DX6 for a nano.

Let me first state, I do not own, or have access to a DX6 (or DX9). I will require someone with a DX6 (or access to one) to verify the procedure. There are very few videos or screen shots of how to do this.

I will also not go into how to do voice alerts (unless someone adds how). Also not touching travel adjust as not required for default nano setup.

From the nano CPX manual the derives settings from DX8/DX18 are:

Setup List:

• Model Type: Heli
• Reverse: THRO-N, AILE-N, ELEV-N, RUDD-N, GYRO-N, PITC-N
• Swash Type: Normal
• Timer: 4:00 Basic flying, 3:00 Advanced Flying / Start: Throttle Out / Pos: 25

Adjust List:

• DR&EXPO:
  • 0-AILE 100% 30%
  • 0-ELEV 100% 30%
  • 0-RUDD 100% 0%
  • 1-AILE 85% 30%
  • 1-ELEV 85% 30%
  • 1-RUDD 85% 0%
  • 1-AILE 85% 30%
  • 1-ELEV 85% 30%
  • 1-RUDD 85% 0%
• Thro Curve
  • Norm 0% 40% 60% 80% 100%
  • St-1 100% 90% 80% 90% 100%
  • St-2 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
  • Hold 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• Pitc Curve
  • Norm 30% 40% 50% 75% 100%
  • St-1 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
  • St-1 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
  • Hold 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
• Travel Adjust
  • THRO 100%, AILE 100%, ELEV 100%, RUDD 100%, GYRO 100%, PITC 100%

Assumption is to use Switch H for Throttle Hold.
Assumption is to use Switch G for DR/expo.
Assumption is to use Switch B for Flight Mode.


This is a quick start of how to program this in on a brand new DX6. I am assuming you have charged the internal rechargeable battery (or put batteries in the DX6).

Real Basic Terms
*** PLEASE READ as it is the KEY to the INSTRUCTIONS below ***

First some basic instructions (to make writing this easier). I've limited it to 4 as most people can hold 4 things in short term memory without problems.

• <select> - push the scroll wheel in like a button (press and release).
• <highlight> - scroll the scroll wheel till the highlight on the LCD shows a letter, word or phrase.
• <return> - <highlight> “LIST” or "BACK" in the upper right corner and <select>
• <main> - <highlight> “MAIN” in the upper right corner and <select> (If “MAIN” is not in the upper right corner, <return> first, then <highlight> “MAIN” and <select>)

If you see a number in brackets after quoted text (like “MODEL SELECT” (1) ), this means it is a menu selection and the number is the number of the option in the menu which will be shown on the right hand side of the DX6i screen.

Lets go

OK. Lets just straight in. First lets do:
Setup List:

• Model Type: Heli
• Reverse: THRO-N, AILE-N, ELEV-N, RUDD-N, GYRO-N, PITC-N (note: pitch is NOT reversed)
• Swash Type: Normal
• Timer: 4:00 Basic flying, 3:00 Advanced Flying / Start: Throttle Out / Pos: 25

Steps:

• Turn on transmitter
• Go to "Model Select"
  • Press "Clear" and "Back" buttons together.
• Select a model to use for the nano
  • <highlight> “MODEL SELECT” then <select>
  • <highlight> "< Add New Model > then <select>
  • Shows "Create New Model" screen. <Select> "CREATE" then <select>
• You now are selected on a blank model. Now set Model Type.
  • <highlight> “Model Type” then <select>
  • <highlight> “Helicopter” then <select>
  • Will "Confirm Model Type", so <highlight> “YES” then <select>
• Set a name for the model
  • <highlight> “Model Name” then <select>
  • The models name (should be "<number> Heli" reset) with first character highlighted.
  • <highlight> character to altern, the <select> to alter the character.
  • Scroll the highlight with the roller till the character you want appears and <select> to confirm
  • Repeat the above 2 steps till the name you want is on the screen. (You have 20 characters)
  • <return>
• Ensure the Swashplate Type is Normal
  • <highlight> “Swashplate Type” then <select>
  • (should be showing “Normal”, if so <return> and skip to next step)
  • <highlight> “Normal” then <select>
  • <return>
• Ensure the F-Mode Setup is Set for Switch B with Hold as Switch H
  • <highlight> “F-Mode Setup” then <select>
  • <highlight> Text next to “F-Mode” then <select>, <highlight> "Switch B" then <select>
  • <highlight> Text next to “Throttle Hold” then <select>, <highlight> "Switch H" then <select>
  • <return>
• Go to the Function List from Setup List
  • <highlight> “< Main Screen >” then <select>
  • From Main Screen <select> will open the "Function List" menu
• Set the channel reversals (to "THRO-N, AILE-N, ELEV-N, RUDD-N, GYRO-N, PITC-N")
  • <highlight> “Servo Setup” then <select>
  • <highlight> "Reverse" then <select>
  • Ensure reverse on all channels is switch down. (If not, <select> switch, change to "NO" <select>)
  • <return>
• Set the timer (to "4:00 min" for basic flying / Start: Throttle Out / Pos: 25)
  • <highlight> “Timer” then <select>
  • Ensure (Mode) shows “Count Down” (if not change to “Count Down”, <highlight> “Count Up", <select>, <highlight> “Count Down”, <select>)
  • Change (Minutes) from “06” to “04” (<highlight> “06”, <select>, <highlight> “04”, <select>)
  • Ensure (Seconds) shows “00” (if not change to “00”, <highlight> seconds, <select>, <highlight> “00”, <select>)
  • Change (Start) shows “Thr. Output” (<highlight> “Thr. Stick”, <select>, <highlight> “Thr. Output”, <select>)
  • Ensure (Over) shows “25%” (if not change buy <select> change to "25%", <select>)
  • Change (One Time) shows “Inactive” (<highlight> “Active”, <select>, <highlight> “Inactive”, <select>)
  • <return>
• Turn DX6 off to save setting. (Yes! Turn it off).

Setup bit done.

Ready for round 2?

Lets do:
Adjust List:

• DR&EXPO:
  • 0-AILE 100% 30%
  • 0-ELEV 100% 30%
  • 0-RUDD 100% 0%
  • 1-AILE 85% 30%
  • 1-ELEV 85% 30%
  • 1-RUDD 85% 0%
  • 1-AILE 85% 30%
  • 1-ELEV 85% 30%
  • 1-RUDD 85% 0%
• Thro Curve
  • Norm 0% 40% 60% 80% 100%
  • St-1 100% 90% 80% 90% 100%
  • St-2 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
  • Hold 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• Pitc Curve
  • Norm 30% 40% 50% 75% 100%
  • St-1 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
  • St-1 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
  • Hold 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
• Travel Adjust
  • THRO 100%, AILE 100%, ELEV 100%, RUDD 100%, GYRO 100%, PITC 100%

DR&Expo, Throttle Curves, Pitch Curves and Travel Adjust are discussed in deail in the DX6i guide. Right now, they just need to be set.

Steps:

• Turn on transmitter (Should be on the model we are programming)
• Go to the Function List
  • From Main Screen <select> will open the "Function List" menu
• Set DR and Expo for nano
  • <highlight> “D/R and Expo” then <select>
  • Should be on Channel: Aileron. Next to Switch: <highlight> "On", <select> Move your G Switch <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Ensure Dual Rate: is "100% 100%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • Next to Channel: <highlight> "Aileron", <select> and change to "Elevator" then <select>
  • Next to Switch: <highlight> "On", <select> Move your G Switch <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Ensure Dual Rate: is "100% 100%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • Next to Channel: <highlight> "Elevator", <select> and change to "Rudder" then <select>
  • Next to Switch: <highlight> "On", <select> Move your G Switch <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Ensure Expo: is "0% 0%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Ensure Expo: is "0% 0%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Ensure Expo: is "0% 0%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 0. Ensure Dual Rate: is "100% 100%"
  • Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Dual Rate: <highlight> "100% 100%", <select> and change to "85% 85%" then <select>
  • <return>
• Set Throttle Curve for nano
  • (You will be setting: 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 - 100, 90, 80, 90, 100 - 100, 100, 100, 100, 100 - 10)
  • <highlight> “Throttle Curve” then <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "N" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 0 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 40 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 60 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 80 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "1" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 90 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 80 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 90 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "2" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "H" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 0 <select>
  • (All should change)
  • <return>
• Set Pitch Curve for nano
  • (You will be setting: 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 - 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 - 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 - 0, 25, 50, 75, 100)
  • <highlight> “Pitch Curve” then <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "N" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 30 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 40 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 50 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 75 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "1" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 0 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 25 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 50 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 75 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "2" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 0 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 25 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 50 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 75 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • Select Curve: <highlight> "H" then <Select>
  • Next to 1: <highlight> and change to 0 <select>
  • Next to 2: <highlight> and change to 25 <select>
  • Next to 3: <highlight> and change to 50 <select>
  • Next to 4: <highlight> and change to 75 <select>
  • Next to 5: <highlight> and change to 100 <select>
  • <return>
• <menu>
• Turn DX6 off to save setting. (Yes! Turn it off - again).

Congratulations, you have just programmed your DX6 Transmitter.

If you want to check transmitter settings, you can go back through the menus, or use the monitor screen. The following is how to view the monitor screen.

Steps:

• Turn on transmitter (Should be on the model we are programming)
• Go to the Function List
  • From Main Screen <select> will open the "Function List" menu
• Go to “MONITOR” screen
  • <highlight> “Monito” then <select>
  • (<return> will get you out to menu, <menu> will get you to to the main screen)

The monitor screen shows the output of all 6 channels. This is what is being sent to the helicopter.

Switch B switch (Flight mode) to 0. Switch H switch (Throttle Hold) to 0.

• Low throttle stick will be Thr -100, Pit -40 (30% pitch = -40 = ((30-50)*2))
• High throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit +100

Switch H switch (Throttle Hold) to 1

• High throttle stick will be Thr -100, Pit +100
• Low throttle stick will be Thr -100, Pit -100

Switch B switch (Flight mode) to 1. Switch H switch (Throttle Hold) to 0.

• Low throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit -100
• High throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit +100 (As you vary from low to high the throttle dips through 80 before returning to 100)

Switch B switch (Flight mode) to 2. Switch H switch (Throttle Hold) to 0.

• Low throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit -100
• High throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit +100

With Switch G in 1 or 2 position, elevator and aileron should only move between to 15% and 85% (70% of full range). Rudder will move between to 0% and 100% (full range)
With Switch G in 0 position, elevator and aileron should move between to 0% and 100%. Rudder will move between to 0% and 100% (full range)
In both cases elevator and aileron should move slower round mid stick and faster at the edges.
Do not worry if aileron and rudder appear to move backwards from what is expected. This is normal.


Finally we need to bind to your heli.

• READ THROUGH ALL THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FOLLOWING (so you know what to do in advance - particularly the rudder right bit)
• Ensure DX6 is off.
• Ensure "switch H" (Hold) switch is off.
• Ensure Throttle stick is low.
• Ensure all switches are at 0. Especially Switch B.
• Connect battery to heli (heli LED will flash).
• Hold trainer switch up on TX.
• Hold rudder to the right (This is specific for the nano).
• Turn on the DX6 (still holding bind button and rudder - The DX6i will show "BIND" on the screen).
• Wait a full 3 seconds before releasing only the bind button.
• The heli LED should go solid (which means bound - If heli LED is still flashing after 15 seconds remove heli battery and retry he bind steps from start).
• If bound, release the rudder stick, disconnect the battery from the heli and turn off the DX6i.

You should need to bind again (but can repeat this process any time to re-bind).

To fly (or attempt to )

• Turn on the DX6. (clear any warnings like F.Mode and T.Hold).
• Engage "switch H" (Hold).
• Ensure correct model is selected on the DX6 screen (this is why you gave it a name ).
• Connect battery to heli.
• Ensure heli's LED goes solid (bound/connected).
• Before takeoff, check the collective is responding, you should see the blades twist and the swash move up and down level. Also check tail moves and the swash tilt forward/back/left/right correspond to the cyclic inputs given.
• Unclick "switch H" (Hold) and fly.

If you are new to flying a nano and want to fly in a calm environment (like inside or outside in no-wind {preferable}), you may want to reduce D/R (dual rate) on Aileron and Elevator quite dramatically (as low as 40). You may also like to lower the DR on the tail so it does not turn as fast, but 65 should be as low as you need to go for this. You can also change the normal pitch curve to (30, 40, 50, 65, 80), to make the pitch shifts not as agressive. As you get more comfortable, raise the DR's and re-normalize the pitch curve.

Others have had success using travel adjust for tame settings. You can use travel adjust if you want (should work the same as DR tame settings). This post does not go into how to TA adjust (but it's not hard to work out ).

Have fun.

(and can someone with a DX6 please review and post if any corrections are required - I've just done this as a service for HF members).

[doubletap]

[Imzzaudae]

Nicely dun Archmage

[therick04pp]

Fantastic job here. I used this for the 120SR as well. I changed my flight modes a bit though. Normal mode for takeoff (lower rate) then stunt 1 and 2 are set higher (respectfully).

Worked perfectly, thanks.

Should be a sticky for FP/DX setups..

[adamnyholt]

Thank you so much for this. Just bought my nano and will be setting it up tight.


--
Adam

[rammon3]

Unclick "switch H" (Hold) and fly.
Before takeoff, I check the collective is responding, you should see the blades twist and the swash move up and down level.

You might want to swap the order here so the blades don't spin when you check the collective response.
Just sayin

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by rammon3

You might want to swap the order here so the blades don't spin when you check the collective response.
Just sayin

Order reversed (and expanded). Thanks.

(Yay for being and admin and being able to correct older posts ).

[cdclayton1911]

Awesome bit of information, thanks


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[wnleon]

I was looking for this information. Can you upload the setup file?

[jaymin]

Hi All,
This make it possible for an old guy, who has just changed from a DX4 to a new DX6, flying the CPX inside possible, many thanks

[KevinPJF]

Here's a question I never see addressed. What about that "EXPO" selection on the throttle and pitch curves? Should be INH or ACT?

Thanks!

[JonJet]

Originally Posted by KevinPJF

Here's a question I never see addressed. What about that "EXPO" selection on the throttle and pitch curves? Should be INH or ACT?

Thanks!

Every heli I have or have ever programmed on the DX9 has INH for TC's and PC's

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by KevinPJF

Here's a question I never see addressed. What about that "EXPO" selection on the throttle and pitch curves? Should be INH or ACT?

Thanks!

Usually INH (but you can experiment).

Expo on throttle curve will smooth out throttle. For idle up on electrics we tend to use a flat curve, o expo does nothing. On normal mode it just make the progression smoother, but most find this unnecessary.

Exop on pitch curve will smooth out pitch if variable pitch curve is not straight. For idle up on electrics we tend to use a straight linear curve (0 to 100), so expo does nothing. For the normal curve is normally bends from slight linear negative to 50%, the linear from 50 to 100. Expo would smooth out the bend , but this would normally no be felt.

Expo on pitch and throttle start to become useful when you have more than 5 points in the curves and want to smooth them out (like extending hover pitch collective for precision F3C hovering exercises). With micro and entry level flying, they expo on pitch and throttle serve little purpose.

[KevinPJF]

Perfect advice! Next time I fly, I'll see what's what.

Thanks!

Sincerely
Kevin

Send from my GS5 from somewhere in the Pacific.

[mariotti]

I assume the DX6 is a recent version, got it last month.

There is this bit I cannot understand:

• Set DR and Expo for nano
• <highlight> “D/R and Expo” then <select>
• Should be on Channel: Aileron. Next to Switch: <highlight> "On", <select> Move your G Switch <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 0. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>

If I set Switch to "On" seems I cannot save the changes and moving the G switch doesn't change anything.

As soon as I am done, I will upload the file ..

Thanks.

BTW ... really newby.

[mariotti]

Right now I am flying with this file: http://spektrum.riviera.org.uk/display/31dc0f

I got it somewhere, but I cannot remember... maybe even this same forum

This is set with "only" normal mode and I think a kinda soft. As some beginners like might look for a starting settings file I thought it might be useful to post it here.

cheers,
M

[syntron]

Maybe you figured it out, but for others having this issue...you have to highlight the switch position at the bottom.

If you have already created curves and assigned them to other switch position, you can browse through them them (1,23, etc.), when the desired one comes up, highlight the appropriate switch position.

Originally Posted by mariotti

I assume the DX6 is a recent version, got it last month.

There is this bit I cannot understand:

• Set DR and Expo for nano
• <highlight> “D/R and Expo” then <select>
• Should be on Channel: Aileron. Next to Switch: <highlight> "On", <select> Move your G Switch <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 0. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 1. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>
• Move Switch G to Pos 2. Next to Expo: <highlight> "0% 0%", <select> and change to "30% 30%" then <select>

If I set Switch to "On" seems I cannot save the changes and moving the G switch doesn't change anything.

As soon as I am done, I will upload the file ..

Thanks.

BTW ... really newby.

[syntron]

This has me stumped... I have my throttle curve for FM2 as defined, High throttle stick is 100, low throttle stick reads 100 in monitor mode, however, it dips down to 60 rather than the expected 80?!.. is there some weird interpolation going on.. doesn't make sense, since the lowest point defined is 80, why would it go down to 60?

Originally Posted by ArchmageAU

Step by step DX6 / DX9 for nano

• Low throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit -100
• High throttle stick will be Thr 100, Pit +100 (As you vary from low to high the throttle dips through 80 before returning to 100)

Switch B switch (Flight mode) to 2. Switch H switch (Throttle Hold) to 0.

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by syntron

This has me stumped... I have my throttle curve for FM2 as defined, High throttle stick is 100, low throttle stick reads 100 in monitor mode, however, it dips down to 60 rather than the expected 80?!.. is there some weird interpolation going on.. doesn't make sense, since the lowest point defined is 80, why would it go down to 60?

The pitch channel must be displayed as -100 to +100, where as the pitch curves are programmed as 0 to 100.

In this case, 80 (in 0 to 100) is +60 (in -100 to +100).

-100 to +100 is a range of 200. So 80% of 200 is 160 (20% of 200 is 40). 160 less 100 (as -100 is 0 less 100) is +60. This is why 80 in 0 to 100 is +60 in -100 to +100.

Hopefully that is not too confusing. (I've been doing this long enough for my brain to become warped and it seems normal for me).

[syntron]

Perfect!.. Got it.. was late last night but I wanted to play with the new toy before going to bed...

Thanks for the quick response and excellent explanation!

Originally Posted by ArchmageAU

The pitch channel must be displayed as -100 to +100, where as the pitch curves are programmed as 0 to 100.

In this case, 80 (in 0 to 100) is +60 (in -100 to +100).

-100 to +100 is a range of 200. So 80% of 200 is 160 (20% of 200 is 40). 160 less 100 (as -100 is 0 less 100) is +60. This is why 80 in 0 to 100 is +60 in -100 to +100.

Hopefully that is not too confusing. (I've been doing this long enough for my brain to become warped and it seems normal for me).