12Z Buddy Box

[theo2076]

So I was trying to setup a buddy box using my 12Z as the teacher and a 9C as the student.

First I changed all the 12Z channels to match that of the 9C. Next I setup the 12Z to the teacher and set all the channels to the FUNC mode.

Now..the only way we could get it to work was to setup a new model on the 9C with a CCPM swash. We also had to make sure revo mix was tured off and that all the channels were in the same direction.

So I assume this means you cannot use a "dumb" box as a buddy, the other radio must be capable of CCPM.

[DavidH]

I may be wrong. But I believe you need to set each channel to the OFF position in the training mode menu. That way only the teachers programming controls the model. At least that is the way I understand it from reading page 28 and 29 of the manual.

You also have to set 12/8 selection to 8 channel to use the 9C as a Student radio.

David

[theo2076]

Right..I did have it on the 8ch mode.

I thought FUNC uses only the 12Z programming. OFF means the 12Z always has control of that channel.

I am wondering if something like the Futaba Trainer Box will work?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLV14&P=ML

From Tower:
THIS WILL NOT WORK FOR HELICOPTERS AS THE BOX HAS NO MIXING CAPABILITES
**EXCEPT if using a Futaba 8U or 9C or other radio which has "FUNC MODE"
training capabilities. In those cases, the Master radio lets the student
use all of its features, so a simple 4-channel box can fly even the
most complex models such as 9 servo aerobats and helicopters.

[Finless]

OK I will explain it the way I am pretty sure it works this way as I buddy boxed many people on planks.

OFF means the instructor always has control fo that channel. For instance you might want to start training with the instructor coltrolling the pitch and rudder but allow the student to learn the cyclic. You would leave throttle, pitch, and rudder set to OFF.

FUNC means the PPM signal from the student radio for this channel is passed to the RF input of the instructor radio and used to control the aircraft for that channel.

OK so YES the student radio must be set up and match the certain things related to the model. The swash plate type for instance is important because moving the throttle stick REQUIRES the 3 swash PPM signals (ail, elv, pit) to move properly... Remeber the instructor radio is USING how each channel moves from the student radio! So yes things like swash must be set up in the student radio.

Thats the way I got it working and have used many times.

Bob

[theo2076]

Wonder how you use those "dumb" buddy boxes? Sounds like they would only work on non-CCPM machines?

[Finless]

Not only that but many of us have asked Futaba to do a little more with the buddy box connection on the 12 and 14Z. Here is the bigger problem.

Even on my 1024 birds I changed the channel mapping to the 2048 channels. WHY? because the CCPM servoe are ont he same bank and thus less latency! If you have a CCPM bird on 1024 PCM I suggest remaping the channels as I did notice a difference!

OK so if you do that and map the channels to 2048 mappings, you will never be able to buddy box with anything else but another 12Z or 14Z..... for a feature to allow you to MAP student PPM channels to instructor radios mappings. Let ssee if they do it but without it buddy boxing is a think of the past unless you buy another 12/14z.

Bob

So we have asked Futaba

[theo2076]

I agree. It seems the 12Z is powerful enough that it could create the CCPM mixing by only receiving the one channel. For example..you give it elevator...it receives the elevator signal from the "dumb" buddy box..then mixes it with pitch and aileron servos. This sounds kinda like what it does when it mixes ccpm anyway (you give it one input and it outputs three).