Here are some pictures of my Spektrum setup on My Trex 600N. I'm using the new DX7SE with an AR7100 receiver. I prefer to mount the 7100 on the top of the radio tray. This allows for very neat wiring as all of the servo wires can come straight to the receiver from behind the radio tray. To mount the 7100, I recommend using sticky back velcro with another velcro strap around that. This allows for some vibration dampening and makes it easy to remove the receiver when plugging in wires. I chose to mount the external reciever on the front of the tray using double sided tape. Velcro doesn't seem to hold well in this application, (due to the small size of the external receiver) so I definately recommend using double sided tape here.
The 7100 comes with a couple of options for turning the power on and off. I prefer to just use the switch and mount it to the side of the frames using double sided tape and a zip tie. You can also mount it in the optional spot on the frame stiffener.
I've been using the 7100's since they first came out and I have really enjoyed them. It really makes for a clean setup. Add the DX7SE to the equation and I get very fast, accurate response from my helis. I couldn't be happier!
When I started testing the new AR9100 receiver system in one of my 40% Caps, I could not believe how much more connected I felt. I had already equipped it with the AR7000 receiver and two batteries, one powering a match box. The big advantage of the AR9100 is the power supplied to the servos. Trying to run ten high-power servos through the standard servo connectors didn't supply the peak current loads that are needed in giant-scale applications. The difference I felt using the AR9100 was like going up a size in servos.
When starting my new giant-scale project, the AR9100 was the obvious choice. The plane is a Quique Pits Python with a Turbo Prop motor, and it uses eight JR 8611a servos that require a good battery source. With the AR9100s dual 16 AWG battery input leads I knew that I would be getting the voltage I needed to every servo. Setting up the electronics was very simple, thanks to the AR9100s versatility, allowing me to locate the remotes anywhere in the plane. Using all four remotes with different lead lengths helped ensure that path diversity would not be a problem, since I was able to place the remotes throughout the plane, preventing signal polarization issues. My 2-cell LiPo packs (at 7.4 volts each) are routed through two of the new Spektrum VR6010 Regulators, and the soft switch is plugged in to the regulators, so mounting them was a breeze. The new regulators also have a very small fan installed in them to help keep them cool for those high-current load applications. All of the servo current is routed around the switch so that if the power fails, power to the system will not be interrupted. The receiver and the regulators all came pre-wired with the new E-flite EC3 plugs, and the receiver has two small blue LEDs that indicate when power is on. The LEDs make it easy to tell that you have both batteries turned on, even in bright sun light.
Once everything was set up, it was time for some testing. Using the Flight Log I could see that the voltage read a solid 6.1 volts. I loaded the two rudder servos to a full stall, and the voltage stayed at 6.1 volts! Try that with a standard servo plug type battery plugged into a receiver.
Using the Flight Log to examine the antenna fades, all the numbers were very low since each receiver was mounted in a slightly different location and exposed to a different RF environment. Another convenient feature on the AR9100 is that it does not re-boot if the power on the receiver is cycled for some reason.
I feel much safer using Spektrum products in all my models, and with the new AR9100 receiver and the Spektrum Voltage Regulators, I can be sure that I have a bulletproof RF link and consistent power to the entire system.
I converted my 40% Carden Cap over to Spektrum Equipment. I'm using the AR9100 with the VR6010 voltage regulators. I used this set up in a turbine powered Pitts (also pictured) with great results. Here are some pictures of my installation.
I set up the DX-7 for my F3A Pattern aircraft using the following setup steps. Some of the steps seem a bit out of order, but I set up the plane in very short order.
I like a single switch for all the control surface dual rates, so the first thing I did is got into the system menu (holding the select and scroll down button while turning the Tx on) and once on the "D/R SWITCH SEL" to "COM AILE" (I could have chosen to put them all on another switch like the flap, elevator, rudder DR switch).
To set up the wing (I have one servo for each aileron), Scroll to wing type, select flaperon on. Scroll down one more to input select. Select Aux 2: INH. TRIM: INH. Flap: INH, Flap TRIM:ACT. This gets everything working with the trims, takes the flap switch off, since normally I don't use any kind of flaps on my pattern plane.
Thats it- done with the system menu. There is one other neat function which you may consider called throttle recovery. If you beep the throttle trim down all the way to cut off the motor after a flight, if you beep once back up it goes to your pre-set position, ready to start the motor again.
Now, I went to Function mode (Turn off the Tx, push the select and up scroll while turning on the Tx)
Scroll to reversing SW and set up any servo reversing you need. (you get to this by holding select and down scroll and it gets you in to make the reversing).
I use two elevator servos. To set this up scroll down the P-MIX 6 and go elev to Aux 2 (plug in to your left elevator servo). Adjust rate to 100% (move elevator stick up and down to do this). Set SW: ON. Use P-MIX 6 for this because P-MIX 5 and 6 include trim. You want the elevator trim to move both elevator halves up and down.
Scroll up to travel adjust. Use a control throw meter and fine tune your travel up and down on ailerons and elevators. Remember you want to get them mechanically set as close as possible then use the travel adjust to get the throws perfect.
Scroll to D/R and Expo and set for elevator, ailerons and rudder. (remember it's positive expo for softer center). Suggest when you set up dual rates you use a proportionally higher expo with high rates, as compared to low rates. This will give you the same feel around center. For example, I use 20% expo on low rate (75% D/R) and 28% expo on high rate (100% D/R). This allows me to switch rates while I'm holding slight input- such as at the top of the loop switching to high rate for a snap roll avalanche maneuver.
For advanced precision trimming, I use the P-MIXES set to the following on my BRIO F3A Plane: I set P-MIX 5 to Throttle to Rudder. +1 high throttle, -1 low throttle. Offset 0 I set P-MIX 4 to Rudder to Aileron. I have a few percent in for right rudder to give opposite aileron. Offset 0. I set P-MIX 3 to Throttle to Aileron. (I don't use that but set it up in case needed) Offset -75% I set P-MIX 2 to Throttle to Elevator. 0 at high throttle, -17% at low throttle; Offset -75% I set P-MIX 1 to Rudder to Elevator. I have a few percent in for left rudder to up elevator. Offset 0.
The reason I use P-MIX 2 and 3 is used when doing throttle to elevator or aileron because these don't tie the throttle trim to the mix. So the down-line mixes will not be effected by throttle trim adjustments. This is similar to the ORIG on the JR 10X.
Done! Don't forget to re-bind with throttle stick at low before flying. This will make sure the throttle fail safe is set at low throttle.
I'm working on a giant scale racer I'm just finishing. It's a 1/5 GR-7. I am using a 9100 receiver with 4 remote receivers, dual voltage regulators and 7.4v Li-Po batteries for power, and all JR 8611A servos. I built a small custom access door for the switches, batt voltage, Flight Log and bind plug. It still looks like a bucket of snakes inside, I'll clean it all up after test flying. Stay tuned, more to follow...
This is my Trex 450 Spektrum install. I'm using 3 JR DS285's and a DS3400G for the tail rotor, and an AR7000 Spektrum receiver with remote RX. I put the main receiver in the back and the remote up front. What a little hoot to fly! Not very good at it yet, no 3D stuff. I'm still trying to master the 1D stuff!
Attached are a few photos of my AR9000 in a new Frenzy 100. The installation uses 2 remote receivers (RXs) providing a total of 4 receivers for the system. The 2 remote RXs are mounted in the top of the turtle deck and at the bottom of the wing saddle while the main RX is mounted in the center of the fuselage towards the rear of the wing saddle. A JR Charge Switch (JRPA004) is plugged into the Bat/Bind port and a JR Deluxe Charge Jack (JRPA025) is connected to the Data port. This allows me to Bind the system externally by plugging the bind plug into the Charge Switch and also allows me to connect the Flight Log to the RX from the outside of the plane. I check the system using the Flight Log after every flight and typical fades have been A=0, B=4, L=0 & R=0... outstanding reception with the RXs mounted in the described positions.
The Spektrum 9-channel Receiver and Flight Log is shown mounted on a 1/8"x1.5" plywood mount across fuse. Mount is screwed under lip and attached with (4) #2 button-head screws. Center of mount should be approximately 8.5" forward of canopy bolt hole. Voltage regulator (if used) is Velcro attached to bottom of mount under receiver. Standard KingCat wiring should reach new receiver location. Attach receiver to mount with Velcro. Flight Log can be attached with 2-sided tape.
One remote receiver is shown mounted to 1/8"x1" ply mount similar to main receiver. Balsa block is glued to mount to hold antennas vertical. Approximate location is 2-2.5" forward of canopy bolt hole. (as shown)
Second Remote receiver (optional with 9-ch) is mounted on top of battery box in nosecone. A 24" "Spektrum" extension is required. A simple wood mount is fabricated to orient antennas laterally.
This Spektrum installation has proven very successful in many flights at considerable distances. NO range problems have been found and very "LOW" numbers have been achieved on the Flight Log (i.e., all 4 antennas reading less than "20" with no fades or holds.
Note: BVM demo KingCats and BobCats have many successful flights on Spektrum 7 and 9 channel radios.