dx7 mode2 => mode4?

[davidw]

I got my dx7 a few days ago and love how it flies, also the setup is pretty easy. However i have the (maybe strange but that's not the discussion) habbit to fly helicopters in mode 2 and aircraft in mode 4.
So i wan't to switch aileron to left stick and rudder to right stick. On the dx7 I totally miss the mode change menu and it's not in the manual either :? ? To me it seems pretty weird that on a modern computer tx you can't set flight modes...
Am i missing something or will i have to learn mode 2?

[davidw]

Nobody??

[Neil_J]

I know people criticize us Americans for driving on the wrong side of the road... But I really can't see how anyone could fly with mode 1 or mode 4 :) For both fixed-wing and helis, mode 2 and mode 3 closely replicate how the controls are found in full-size aircraft (at least here in the U.S.), with the main stick controlling both aileron and elevator. To each his/her own I guess, as long as we're all out there having fun is all that matters.

To somewhat answer your question, you can convert it yourself but it involves disassembly and some soldering and would void your warranty. A mode2->mode4 is much easier than a mode2->mode1 (most requested conversion I hear about), because you don't have to move the throttle to the right-hand side.

If you do want to attempt the conversion yourself, here are the steps (keep in mind I haven't tried this myself but am 99% confident this will work)

1) break the case open
2) unscrew and set aside the board that holds the RF transmitter and bind plug (also unplug the RF antenna plug).
3) There are two printed circuit boards directly under each gimbal (follow the 3 colored wires going to the aileron potentiometer, and another 3 going to the rudder pot). Unscrew both of these boards. Underneath, there are six small wires running to the main board. Three wires from each board will need to be cut and switched with the other side (one wire for the pot's wiper, and two for each trim button). The other three are common (2 for the pot and one for the trim buttons) and do not need to be switched. You'll have to use a voltmeter to see which ones are common. Unfortunately the connectors aren't removable, they're soldered to the board. Otherwise you could just swap them.
4) Make sure to heat-shrink everything, double-check your connections, etc..
5) Turn on your transmitter and verify the sticks and the trims work correctly.
6) Screw everything back together and go fly

Edit: If you wanted to switch back and forth you could possibly install a toggle switch on the back or top, but I don't know of a way to do this in software.

I could draw a schematic if needed, and provide pictures. Let me know either way..


Neil

[DavidH]

Easiest way to make the swap. Is plug the aileron servo into the rudder channel. The rudder channel into the aileron channel. Have seen this done many times.
Only problem would be there would no rudder mixing. But no one uses rudder mixes anymore with HH gyros.

David

[kgfly]

So just to be clear, there is no mode selection feature in the DX7. Crazy, I agree, but there it is. IMO, this and the lack of a throttle linked count-down timer are the two most annoying deficiencies of this otherwise fine Tx.

[kgfly]

habbit to fly helicopters in mode 2 and aircraft in mode 4.
So are you planning to use the DX7 for both ? If so, then you get a stock Mode2 Heli DX7 and use David's excellent suggestion. For helis Rud=Rud, Ail=Ail and you fly in Mode2 with all standard features and mixes. In plane mode Rud=Ail and Ail=Rud and you can probably use the programmable mixes to make up for missing out on the preprogrammed mixes like flaperons etc.

[Neil_J]

Yep, disregard my previous reply on hacking up your TX. I must apologize, I'm a hardware engineer and my first instinct is to take the cover off and start rewiring :) .... Plus it's a bit more fun than just swapping a servo connector :)

[davidw]

Ok thanks for the replies.
To be clear i'm going to fly both planks and helicopters (after a 1/2yr plankflying break).
I could start by swapping servo connectors, just affraid that won't work on a 6 servo e-glider (because of all the mixing involved). Other possibility is Neil J's way with a toggle switch but that's not perfect either (modelmatch...) and pretty drastic.
Anyway thanks for the advise it just comes down to my personal choice between: -relearning plank flight and flying different from all my buddies or -go technical and mix/break the heck out of this dx7

[kgfly]

Your other option might be to get an JR9Xv3 which gives you all the Spektrum features, including model match, all the mixes you need for helis, planes and gliders and is mode selectable. The 9Xv2 is a variant of the 9303 sold outside of the US. For some reason that I cannot fathom the 9303 does not appear to have stick-mode selection but the 9xv2 does. Possibly this relates to having an analog throttle trim in some models but not others.

I am assuming the same difference will exist between the X9303 and 9Xv3.

Strange and frustrating inconsistancies in the JR product range. The 6102 is mode selectable on a per-model basis, which would be ideal for you, but is not available in 2.4GHz.

With the 9xv3 you would have to remember to set the stick-mode appropriately each time you changed between flying a heli and flying a plane. That could get annoying and potentially lead to an uhappy outcome if you forgot one time.