DX7

= Introduction =

The DX7 has so far been the backbone of the Spektrum range. It is a fairly comprehensive radio for an intermediate user. It does not have all the bells and whistle features of the high end radios such as advanced glider programing. However that being said it is fairly configurable and if you are willing to sit and fiddle with it you can get away with more complex functions.

= Programing Tips =

Crow/Butterfly programing on the DX7
This is a cut and paste from http://www.parkflyers.org.nz/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=14994#forumpost14994 it is a very useful guide on configuring crow with a DX7.

Thanks Andrew for posting this originally.

Channel 1: not used (but drives crow)

Channel 2: Left Aileron

Channel 3: Elevator

Channel 4: Left Flap (no rudder on this plane!)

Channel 5: Right Flap

Channel 6: Right Aileron

Enable Flapperons (Channel 2 and 6)

Set travel adjust on Channel 4 (rudder) and 5 (gear) to 0%

Set Flap system to 0% for norm/mid/land (we aren't using this function)

Prog Mix 1: Throttle -> Gear -100% Offset 50 (or whatever suits) -- Right crow/flap mix

Prog Mix 2: Throttle -> Rudder +100% Offset -50 (or whatever suits) - Left crow/flap mix

Prog Mix 3: Throttle -> Elevator +20% (or whatever suits) - Flap/Elevator compensation

Prog Mix 4: Throttle -> Flap +41% (or whatever suits) - To deploy spoilerons with crow

Prog Mix 5: Aileron -> Gear +50% (or whatever suits) - For full span ailerons - Right flap

Prog Mix 6: Aileron -> Rudder -50% (or whatever suits) - For full span ailerons - Left flap

Seems to work well on the bench - might be a couple of reversals to set once everything is actually hooked up. Nice thing with this setup is aileron left and right trim will affect the the full span ailerons because the flapperon function is used and also PMix 5&6 to drive the flap portion of the full span aileron.

= Modifications =

FrSky hack
Installing a hack module into the DX7 is a relatively easy thing to do if you are comfortable soldering in small spaces with small wires. Most of us in the electrics side of things have had enough fiddling to be able to do this.

I do need to add this voids any tx warranty you may have with your DX7.

First step is to remove the back cover of the tx. I would recommend removing the tx's powerpack as well while doing this just in case you short something.

I will expand a bit more on this HOWTO as I get the time.

First up you need to locate the PPM signal wires. On the DX7 you will see them sitting here. Yellow is the PPM wire red + and black is -.



Then if you look from the other side you will see where they come from the computer.



Please note the wires originally run from the computer to the DX7 tx board the photo's are post me snipping them and adding extension leads to them.

At this point you can decide if you want to just run FrSky and not install a switch or install a switch to flick between the two systems.

If you want to run just the FrSky module snip the wire and then solder the hack module directly to the computers wires.

If not and you want to run a two way switch solder two extension leads to the DX7 tx board and the DX7 computer boards leads, I also installed an extention to the DIY hack module to give me more room to move things around.

You will note in the pictures I used a servo extension lead and I mapped the wiring as follows.

Another good reason for installing these extension wires is I suddenly have a colour standard and I don't have to continuously remember which colour is the PPM signal etc.



Not the best picture but you will see the extension has been wired to the DIY hack module.

Next up the switch wiring. You will notice that the (GND) - wires have been soldered together. The wires of the PPM signal and positive run through the switch. This way when the switch is flicked the PPM signal and + get switched to the module that you want to use. I will draw up a wiring diagram a bit later for those of you who don't understand my gibberish. ;-)



Once that is done measure out where you want the antenna and bind board to sit. If you place yours where I placed mine please install a bit of card with hot glue or something to prevent shorting out of your DX7 components.

The following pics show these steps.







If you have any comments questions please submit them in the talk section and I will edit the page accordingly. Alternatively if you feel comfortable editing wiki's and you want to edit directly please feel free to do so.