autotune and radio

[red zeppelin]

Good afternoon,
getting back to flying a bit after the winter.  My quad is still a bit more unstable than I would like, and I suspect PID as it seems to greatly affect the flight control and stability.  I want to run autotune but just realized my limited radio will not support another channel for me to switch that on.

In looking for a new radio and rx, I was looking at the Turnigy 9x or the Flysky TH9x as both have 8 or 9 channels. 

Looking for advice from the pixhawk flyers; does anyone use either of these?  Is one better than the other?  Will they both allow me to switch into and out of autotune mode?  Thanks for any input.

[ched]

Just to let you know the FlySky i6 (not the s or x) by default is 6 channels (capable of AFHDS and AFHDS2) but there is a Firmware hack that allows it to do 10 channels. It will do 10ch with the 10ch rx but I think in ppm mode it does 10ch with the 6ch rx.
The i6 is a small tx and has basic telemetry. Has 1 x 3 pos switch, 3 x 2 way switches and 2 rotary controls. So should have more than enough switches for you.
Plus they are only about £35.

Happy Flying

[Hands0n]

I think the issue with both of those Transmitters is that they are using now-dated radio technology that has been surpassed over the last two years by stronger and more reliable radio.

I';d look to either FrSky using ACCST  or FlySky using AFHDS radio protocols. These are quite robust and reliable at distance, which means they are essentially bulletproof at LOS.

Once upon a time I';d suggest Spektrum, but after losing a DSM2-equipped rig I';m not too keen these days.  I know that Spektrum also uses DSMX which is infinitely better than DSM2, and on a par with the two above - but then you rapidly find out how expensive Spektrum Receivers can be.  Orange RX are equivalent in capability - but I';m not convinced about their range and FailSafe capabilities (particularly if you';re using Pixhawk).   But thats strictly my opinion on Spektrum that I';ve grown dissatisfied with and now gathers dust.

[red zeppelin]

Just to let you know the FlySky i6 (not the s or x) by default is 6 channels but there is a Firmware hack that allows it to do 10 channels. It will do 10ch with the 10ch rx but I think in ppm mode it does 10ch with the 6ch rx.
The i6 is a small tx and has basic telemetry. Has 1 x 3 pos switch, 3 x 2 way switches and 2 rotary controls. So should have more than enough switches for you.
Plus they are only about £35.

Happy Flying

Thanks for the info.  I currently have the FS-T6 but its pwm, so that limits it too.  I think getting into something with more channels, and ppm is a better bet long term.  Otherwise I have been happy with my current one.  I will look at the i6.

[Hands0n]

Here';s the 10-channel hack for the FS-i6

http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php?topic=17136

[red zeppelin]

Here';s the 10-channel hack for the FS-i6

http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php?topic=17136

I only skimmed that article but it looks great and very informative.  Thanks for providing that work.  I am not running cleanflight on my pixhawk, will that affect any of what I am about to do?

[ched]

I only skimmed that article but it looks great and very informative.  Thanks for providing that work.  I am not running cleanflight on my pixhawk, will that affect any of what I am about to do?

I have no experience with pixhawk but even standard the i6 with the 6 ch (the B version of the receiver has better range and can have telemetry) receiver should just connect up to your FC either with ppm, or pwm (selectable via tx). Then at a guess you have to assign channels in pixhawk, calibrate stick movements and calibrate escs.

[red zeppelin]

am I also correct to state that the i6 has a hack to go to 8 or 10 channels, but the i6x is 10 channel as is?

They are similar in price so I am curious why not go for the i6x right out of the gate.   Does the normal i6 offer additional upgrade capacity as a result of being able to update the firmware, over what the x would have?

[ched]

I think and I am not sure on this but the i6x does not do AFHDS  only AFHDS2. This isn';t normally an issue as the receivers you are normally AFHDS2. The but is that there are some Ready To Fly quads that come with FlySky AFHDS rx. So if the i6x cant switch to AFHDS you cant fly with these quads.
One constraint I am aware of on the i6 with the 8/10ch firmware hack is you cant reverse ch7-ch10. So as long as you don';t need to reverse ch7-10 you are fine. Not sure if the i6x has similar issue. I think the restriction is due to memory size on the i6 and there not being enough space to hold the fw change that would be necessary.

Hope that gives you some info.

ADDED
Just did a quick bit of checking and it is the i6s that has the AFHDS issue. The i6x does seem to be a 10ch version of the i6 out of the box. But it also has more memory and maybe a processor change, so looks very good. Long thread on RC groups...