Trainer Set-up (Buddy Box)

[Fireflite88]

Did a brief search on the above mentioned subject for FrSky radios. I have a Horus x10 and a Qx7 both running on ACCST. I would love to be able to set up the Qx7 as a "Slave" for my son's. Is this possible between the two of they are the same protocol and running OpenTX?

 

[HENNY]

Trainer setup doc.

Master / slave has nothing to do with the RF protocols.

I will explain the corded connection however the newer Qx7 has wireless and so does the X10S but this requires some additional setups on both radios. For a corded connection you will need a 3.5m mono audio cable.

1. On the Qx7 as a slave radio setup a model and call it trainer. Ensure this model has no trims or sub trims and 100% stick movement. If the master has Expo also set this on the trainer. With this setup the master does trims and dual rates etc.

2. As the trainer setup does not require RF transmission you can turn off the internal module in the model setup page.

3. Select the model setup page, scroll down near the bottom of the page, you will see Trainer Mode. Select SLAVE / Jack.

4. On the X10s select MDL, scroll down until you see Trainer mode, select MASTER JACK.

5. Setup the Trainer On/Off switch. In Special function, in the first column I use the momentary switch SH in the down position. In the second column select Trainer sticks, remember to tick the box, on the X10s it turns red.

6. With both transmitters connected and turned on, center the sticks and operate SH-down. If the servo positions move when you switch to the trainer don,t use the slave trims to correct this.

7. Select SYS button on the master radio, page forward to the TRAINER menu. With the sticks centered on both radios click CAL. now operate the SH-down switch, servos should now not move.

8. If you remove the 3.5 mm cord the radio should announce trainer lost.

You are done.

The trainer also works with other radios like Spektrum that support the DSC trainer Jack.

 

[Fireflite88]

@HENNY thank you so much that was explained well and now I can use the Qx7 as a trainer. Thank you.

 

[HENNY]

@HENNY thank you so much that was explained well and now I can use the Qx7 as a trainer. Thank you.

Did it work????

 

[Fireflite88]

Did it work????

Well, I'm not sure. I'm at work and I won't get off until Tuesday morning. Sounds legit and I have to buy a good size mono cable. I will respond as soon as I try it.

 

[Fireflite88]

@hennI just re-read your instructions and I have two questions.
1. I don't have an x10s I have the original x10, will it make a difference?

2. Do you know what songs would have to be set in a Spektrum radio?

My partner here at work is just getting into flying and he just bought a dx6.

 

[HENNY]

Yes X10 same deal. The only difference in the X10 and X10S is the higher quality sticks, the radio is the same otherwise. And then there is the X10S Express series which is almost the same but has a different main board and RF module the ISRM series. But this makes no difference for Corded trainer mode.

I guess you mean what settings in the spektrum, not songs. Do you mean a slave or master. The trainer model for a slave needs to be basic, no trims and sub trims as in Opentx it does the dual rates and trimming. With slave spektrum once you have setup a slave model when you plug the 3.5mm audio jack in with power off the spektrum radio powers up in slave mode. If the slave flight direction is the wrong way you will need to rev this in the OUTPUT menu on the X10 same for any other radio as well.

 

[Fireflite88]

Yes X10 same deal. The only difference in the X10 and X10S is the higher quality sticks, the radio is the same otherwise. And then there is the X10S Express series which is almost the same but has a different main board and RF module the ISRM series. But this makes no difference for Corded trainer mode.

I guess you mean what settings in the spektrum, not songs. Do you mean a slave or master. The trainer model for a slave needs to be basic, no trims and sub trims as in Opentx it does the dual rates and trimming. With slave spektrum once you have setup a slave model when you plug the 3.5mm audio jack in with power off the spektrum radio powers up in slave mode. If the slave flight direction is the wrong way you will need to rev this in the OUTPUT menu on the X10 same for any other radio as well.

Yes! I meant settings (does anyone proof read anymore) okay seems simple enough. Now I have to find a mono cable.

 

[HENNY]

You can find them on Ebay.

 

[Wayne]

There is a good little video out there about using a spectrum as a slave, pretty much the same, just need to get the channels sorted out correctly and use the calibration step to get the radios aligned. With the correct cable you can connect any brand radio to just about any other brand radio for training. But OpenTX on the FrSky radios really makes things work GREAT, and gives you more options than any other.

For example, I like to give my students control of just the rudder and elevator at about 70% of max throw for the first flight and until they show good control. Then I will add throttle to the mix and maybe more throw. The other thing I do is I only "add" the student inputs to my inputs. So "add" instead of "replace". This allows me to make corrections but not take the entire plane away from the student. This has worked out really well for training, typically the student learns much faster this way. I love this ability.

 

[Fireflite88]

There is a good little video out there about using a spectrum as a slave, pretty much the same, just need to get the channels sorted out correctly and use the calibration step to get the radios aligned. With the correct cable you can connect any brand radio to just about any other brand radio for training. But OpenTX on the FrSky radios really makes things work GREAT, and gives you more options than any other.

For example, I like to give my students control of just the rudder and elevator at about 70% of max throw for the first flight and until they show good control. Then I will add throttle to the mix and maybe more throw. The other thing I do is I only "add" the student inputs to my inputs. So "add" instead of "replace". This allows me to make corrections but not take the entire plane away from the student. This has worked out really well for training, typically the student learns much faster this way. I love this ability.

So if I understood this, you essentially can activate the slave radio and still have control of the model via the master. And this is done by "add" and not "replace"? In sure it'll be clearer once I get my hands on my radios at home.

 

[Wayne]

Yes, that is what I do. I may be wrong on the terms as I am basing this on my memory, but you will figure it out. You make this setting in the master radio in the trainer settings. You can assign each channel from the slave to each channel on the master, you can control the percentage of control they have, and control if you pass off full control, or just add their input. Simple stuff that really becomes powerful.

 

[Fireflite88]

Yes, that is what I do. I may be wrong on the terms as I am basing this on my memory, but you will figure it out. You make this setting in the master radio in the trainer settings. You can assign each channel from the slave to each channel on the master, you can control the percentage of control they have, and control if you pass off full control, or just add their input. Simple stuff that really becomes powerful.

It's wild.... how capable FrSky is compared to their price points. Can't see me going to any other brand.