Tx set-ups using DX6i or DX7 for Helicommand

[Trooper]

The transmitter set ups have been written for Helicommand and will work probably for Flymentor.

Here is a reprint of how to set up the DX6i to allow two switches to select the three HC modes.

This applies to the Spektrum DX6i with AR6100e (but same techniques might apply to others)

The Pilot Channel plugged into the Gear (gyro gain) on the RX

These settings are in the "Adjust List" menu. (Bottom of the "Setup List" menu)

Set MIX1 as follows

GYRO -> GYRO ACT
RATE D 0% U -99%
SW GYRO TRIM ACT

Set GYRO as follows

RATE SW-F.MODE
0: 18.5% NORM 0
1: 86.5% STUNT 1

So what does this do?

When you have the F.MODE (gear) switch in '0', and GYRO (Flap) switch in '0' (down) Helicommand is Horizontal Mode (orange).
When you have F.Mode 0 and GYRO 1 then you are still in Horizontal Mode (orange)
When you have F.Mode 1 and GYRO 1 then you are am in OFF (red)
When you have F.Mode 1 and GYRO 0 then you are am in Position Mode (green)

The F.MODE switch by itself goes from Horizontal to Position. The Gyro switch cuts it back to red. When the F.MODE switch is off '0' there is nothing for the MIX1 to do so the gyro switch doesn't do anything at that point but when F.MODE goes to 1 NOW the MIX1 can do something.

It is hard to follow, but if you have the Helicommand software you can see it in action.

As you can see in the GYRO settings, you can still adjust the amount of Pilot channel just change the GYRO rate that the F.MODE switch controls.

A side benefit of this is you can adjust the gain to HC on the transmitter. No need to access the software for it.

Basic DX7 switch allocation for use with Helicommand 3A or 3D

Please read this and all the manuals before first flight.

This unit is an aid to flying it will not fly the helicopter for you, it still requires controlled input from the pilot to counter wind effects and the down draft at low altitude.

AUX 2 has no operation.

FLT mode = HC3D modes.
N = positional (under 5 metres altitude)
1 = off
2 = horizontal mode.

Hold and rudder D/R = throttle hold set to -5% i.e. motor will not run. 0 = off 1 = on.
Recommend switching to position 1 (throttle hold) before plugging in the battery, this will prevent any unwanted start ups.
Switch to position 0 after checking transmitter stick positions (throttle at min etc) before take off.

Gear switch = Auto trim (the led on the HC unit will flash red)
If you find the heli is drifting, use the auto trim to correct.
Hold the Helicopter in a stable hover and switch the gear switch for a few seconds then return the switch to the normal position. This will store the correct settings and the helicopter should adjust to stop the drifting.

When plugging in battery ensure that the heli is stable and does not move or the HC3D will not initialise.
This helicopter has been set up for basic flight. All pitch curves have been set up for gentle flight for the beginner.
IT IS NOT 3D capable with these pitch and throttle curves.

The Helicommand unit has been set up in its most basic stable form, to adjust and fine tune the setup please read the instructions, to fine tune it will require the use of the software and serial cable connected to a PC.

The Elevator and Aileron D/R
These switches have been set to linear i.e. NO expo in position 0 and 25% expo in position 1. Position 1 is better for beginners.

Model 2 on the TX has been set up for use with a simulator.
To select it please read the DX7 manual, don’t forget to change back to model 1 to fly your helicopter.
Model 20 is a copy of model 1 as a backup of settings.
P.T.O

No settings other than pitch and throttle curves or expo need to be altered on the transmitter as it will effect the operation of the HeliCommand unit.
Advanced mode switch allocation for the DX7 for use with Helicommand 3A or 3D


As you progress in your flying you may want to try different flight modes, pitch curves etc. The following guide allows you to change switch settings for various configurations of the HeliCommand gyro etc.

To change the control switch for HeliCommand modes:
Hold the scroll down and select buttons while turning on the TX.
Scroll down to the input select menu.
Use the Adjust button to change the AUX2 setting from F.MOD to AUX2
Switch off the TX.
Switch on the TX, the AUX2 switch now controls the HeliCommand modes but you only have the option of two modes.

Positional and horizontal.
Positional and off.
Horizontal and off.

The default setting at this point is Positional and horizontal.
To change the switch operation, use the settings below.

To alter the settings go to the travel adjust setting and select AUX2.
The default setting of +100 -100 gives horizontal and positional.

The following shows the settings and resulting switch values.

AUX2 switch position gain% Helicommand mode
1 +100 Positional.
0 -100% Horizontal.

1 +100% Positional
0 -0 % OFF.

1 +0% OFF
0 -100% Horizontal.

Setting both values to 0% will switch off the HeliCommand unit but maintain tail gyro.

This allows you to have three different pitch and throttle curves set up on the Flt mode switch while also having control over the HeliCommand modes.

Using Gyro mode and auto trim on the Gear switch.

As you progress from the hover stage you may want to use both gyro modes, heading hold for hovering and 3D (easy tiger) and rate mode for forward flight. You may still want to use the auto trim facility of the HeliCommand, this guide allows you to set it up.

This guide requires the use of the HeliCommand software to alter the properties of the aux (gear) channel (tail gyro section) from gyro mode or auto trim only, to gyro mode and auto trim.

Using the Gear channel with the grey wire in the gear channel on the receiver allows the changing of gyro modes, it also allows the use of auto trim on the same channel.

To use this function we need to alter the sub trim of the gear channel in flight.

Set the Gear switch in the reverse menu from normal to reverse.
Alter travel adjust for Gear to +100% and -60%
With these settings the gear switch will alter the mode of the gyro.
Switch position 0 = rate mode.
Switch position 1 = heading hold mode.

Now we need to trigger the auto trim in flight and reset it quickly in flight.
To do this we need to alter the Sub trim of the Gear channel from 0 to a figure more than -24%.
To make life easier select the sub trim menu before take off and have it on display.

Once you are flying and require auto trim, just use the decrease adjust button and hold it in for about 4 to 5 seconds, this will trigger the auto trim facility.

You can use your left thumb to adjust once you are at a stable altitude, as you are in heading hold mode and need the right thumb to keep the hover steady.

Hold a steady hover for about 8 seconds then press the clear button to reset back to normal mode.

I hope this helps.
Ian

[mcbutler]

Using the DX6i set up as you describe.

With switches set at;

Gear 0 and Gyro 0 I am in position mode and heli performs correctly.

Gear 1 and Gyro 0 the motor leaps to full speed at minimum throttle! but no swash movement (quite a surprise)

Has any one got any idea why this might happen?

Heli is a Blade 400, motor and ESC are stock.

[Trooper]

Originally Posted by mcbutler

Using the DX6i set up as you describe.

With switches set at;

Gear 0 and Gyro 0 I am in position mode and heli performs correctly.

You should be in Horizontal Mode - check the values you have for SW-F.Mode

Originally Posted by mcbutler

Gear 1 and Gyro 0 the motor leaps to full speed at minimum throttle! but no swash movement (quite a surprise)

Has any one got any idea why this might happen?

Heli is a Blade 400, motor and ESC are stock.

I suggest you disconnect the motor whilst you set up and check things out.

Ian

[mcbutler]

Hi Trooper,

Typo there;

gear 0 - gyro 0 = horizontal, yellow LED
gear 1 - gyro 0 = Position, green
gear 1 - gyro 1 = Off, red LED

In Horizontal mode, blsade pitch is -1deg
In Position, pitch jumps DOWN to -9deg

Any Ideas?

[mcbutler]

Hi Trooper,

Typo there, my apologies.

Gear 0 - gyro 1 = Horizontal, yellow LED
Gear 1 - Gyro 1 = Off, red LED
Gear 1 - Gyro 0 = Position, green LED.

In Horizontal mode the blade pitch on Min throttle is - 1 deg
In Position the balde pitch jumps DOWN to - 9 deg and motor throttles up.

Any ideas, all settings appear to be correct

Could it be a HC gain issue in one of the settings?

Thanks for your help

Regards

Mark

[Trooper]

This sounds as though you have different curves set up in your Tx.
HC does not change pitch, it only levels the swash.

Ian

[MattFL]

Is it possible to control an external gyro (GP780) entirely from the Helicommand? I've got the DX6i and want to use my GP780 gyro in combination with the Helicommand. There is no need to change the gyro gain once it's set, but I'm not yet clear how to set an external gyro gain via the Helicommand.

Thank you very much for this HowTo, it is very helpful!

[Trooper]

You can use an external gyro with HC, but you would need 7 channels to be able to do it. The internal gyro can have a fixed gain from the software.

Ian

[MattFL]

Is there a device sold, or can I make a fixed-gain device with a small dial potentiometer or something similar? I'm not clear what type of signal goes to the gyro (DC level, DC pulse, etc..).

Of course if the HC gyro is very good at HH then I suppose it is a non-issue. Do you have to buy the supplemental software kit to be able to set the internal gyro gain to a fixed value, or is everything required included with the 3A/3D kits?

Thanks!

[Trooper]

The software and connecting cable are extra.
It may be possible to make the external gyro fixed gain but I don't have any details as to how to go about it.
You could possibly use a servo tester.

Ian

[Boris the Blade]

Hope this thread is still alive.

I am just about to install Bavarian Demon 3SX on my Blade 450 X.

How do you switch flight modes between normal and stunt (DX6i) if switch is used for Helicommand modes?