Radio upgrade - how to?

[cbdane]

I'd like to replace the TX/RX on my CP with the Spektrum DX6. Almost have the nose-in hover mastered and I want to transition to outdoor flying. I'm worried about 72MHz and causing interference with the two R/C club fields in town.

What do I need? Can I purchase the 2-1 mixer/ESC from E-flite and then add the DX6 and a gyro? Can I feed the output from the gyro into the tail motor speed control and then turn the mixing to the minimum setting? Has anyone done this? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Naruto28]

I haven't done mine yet (DX6 also), but I was planning to just follow these instructions (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4064948/anchors_4064948/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#4064948). Looks like all you need are the new receiver and two 3-inch servo extensions...

[cbdane]

I haven't done mine yet (DX6 also), but I was planning to just follow these instructions (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4064948/anchors_4064948/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#4064948). Looks like all you need are the new receiver and two 3-inch servo extensions...

I don't think that it can be that simple. You still need speed controllers for the two motors. What were you planning to use for those? Anyone else have any guidance here?

[Naruto28]

Actually it looks like it really is that simple because you are still using the 4-in-1 for the speed controllers and the gyro. You're basically just opening up the 4-in-1 and removing the rx portion. The throttle and rudder channels are then connected between your receiver and the 4-in-1 (using the servo extensions) where the stock rx used to connect to. The cyclic servos are connected to the new receiver. Easy :D

[cbdane]

Actually it looks like it really is that simple because you are still using the 4-in-1 for the speed controllers and the gyro. You're basically just opening up the 4-in-1 and removing the rx portion. The throttle and rudder channels are then connected between your receiver and the 4-in-1 (using the servo extensions) where the stock rx used to connect to. The cyclic servos are connected to the new receiver. Easy :D

Cool! I figured that the receiver and ESC's were completely integrated onto a single board like on the CX. I must admit that I've never peaked inside the 4-in-1 on the CP. I crack 'er open and explore. Thanks!

[Naruto28]

Let us know how it turns out. I'll probably pick up a rx this weekend and give it a go as well. I'm looking forward to being able to set up some better pitch and throttle curves as well as dialing in a little expo.

[Naruto28]

Ok I finally got around to doing this on my Blade. It was really easy to just pop out the rx portion of the 4-in-1 and connect the two servo extensions to the new rx. I also upgraded to the aluminum swash and cf blades at the same time. Needed some linkage adjustments as expected to get +10/-10 pitch and to get the blades to track. I'm starting out at 0-65-100 throttle normal and 100-80-100 idle up and so far it seems pretty happy at the higher headspeeds. I left the DX6 ccpm defaults at 60% for each and I don't notice any interactions. Cyclic looks good although I should probably check the angles to be safe.

Only hovered out one pack so far, but it seems really nice! Seems much less twitchy on a whole, I guess I would attribute most of that to getting off of the stock radio. For some reason the tail also seemed much more steady :dontknow . I will see how it really does tomorrow when I take it out to the field and try some FF and mild aerobatics. So far it looks to be a great upgrade! :D

[cbdane]

For some reason the tail also seemed much more steady :dontknow . I will see how it really does tomorrow when I take it out to the field and try some FF and mild aerobatics. So far it looks to be a great upgrade! :D

Thanks for the update! I'm out of the country on business travel so my heli adventures (except for G3) are on hold right now. Question: what if we wanted to add a real gyro? Do you think that the gain could be turned all the way down on the 4-1 and then insert a gyro between the receiver and the tail speed control?