1) A simple introduction to T9x

Saturday, 06. November 2010 18:58

History, target group, the risk

RC T9x exists as Tx Turnigy brand, such as Imax and more. Under the brand Turnigy T9x appeared in the online store Hobbycity (HobbyKing) in March 2009. The first version was sold "empty". That means no transmitter module. I bought this radio with Assan v2 Tx module and I've used it more than a year. The transmitter is nothing got broken, never "froze" I've never crashed on something other than "my hands". This means that the radio was flawless, stunning and amazing? Not a chance! Firmware in this first version was full of bugs, which fortunately did not affect the "basic" flying, but when trying to mix a little more complex mixes it wanted McGyver... Like me worked well (if I do not see the error in some mixes), but the website is full of desperate contributions of those who were not so lucky... Defective potentiometers, bad soldering, bad displays, etc. And to the buggy firmware ... No wonder that after a few hundred units sold HobbyKing stopped selling the radio. After several weeks, started selling a "corrected" version. They have fixed many bugs in the firmware (but not all!), They changed some manufacturing processes, and reportedly tightened their final inspection. This version (I call it 1B) are also sold without built-in module. And in 2010, about a year after the first version, has begun selling a version of "v2" with built-in module Turnigy. Of course, "Turnigy" is the only printing on the Tx module FlySky "new generation". This is a FHSS system, ie Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, who wants to know more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FHSS

Again, it was fixed several other bugs in the firmware, again, unfortunately not all.
T9x tests of the technology transfer turned out pretty well, see for example here:

Compared to the "brand" Hitec Spectra module:

Photos of the first version that I ran with Assane:

Photos briefly comparing all three versions Fotografie srovnávající zevrubně všechny tři verze:

Well, this latest version T9x (V2) is integrated Turnigy module, we describe here.

Who is this radio for? It is intended for an ambitious beginner, intermediate to advanced as it needs more channels with some mixing. But even for the experienced who want cheap radio with which he can fly with inexpensive models, he need not worry that someone steals it, but radio has some features that, as a major expensive "big" radio. Or for a modeler to either have deep pockets, or RC is his main hobby. If this is applicable for radio control models or not, it is a topic for many heated discussions on the Internet.
So what happened to the radio anyway? In my opinion it is suitable for radio control model aircraft, to a certain size, speed, weight. And depending on our experience and ability to identify and solve any problem, the "age" and functionality of our radio, how the model can be big, fast and hard .. These limits apply to each radio. But there are other radio for under $ 100 and another for the radio five times or ten times that price. The provision of security, the radio will work, given to the use component base, materials, production technology, output control and experience the company is simply different. Know your limits according to your experience. And your radio. And your model ...

But I'm sure that a reasonable person would not use T9x for controlling large and fast motor models. This use is the "reserve security" is too small! My personal limit for this radio? Yes to any EasyStar, Floater-Jet, Graupner Rookie, Hawk, SkyLady, EasyGlider, EasyFly, EPO ASW, different ones and small Cessnas, Belancas, etc.. Neither Multiplex Mentor I would not worry. Very cautious yes, but more likely not for Cularis et al. Definitely NOT for a large helicopter for a Hotliner and so on. I'm not saying it will not work, saying that the possibility of some defect models for this category is too high! But again the difference if you fly somewhere on the football field between the houses, or in the wild. Your choice ... I'm just saying do not believe that this radio is useless, but do not believe either that T9x is as good as a "brand" 8ch TX for $ 500.

How is this radio equipment? It's not so bad.

It is robust, has two normal control pad, which drives like those of the DX6i ringer ... What a coincidence that ... Likewise, the four digital trims. Trims the DX6i often break. For T9x I have not seen a broken trim.
Among the control pad is recessed power switch, which is quite tough. This I like. Above the main switch is a metal mesh to hang the transmitter on the neck. As with DX6i transmitter is not balanced and we can help with this extension, something of this kind:

For T9x this has not produced
a challenge for the skilled hands!

To the left of the screen are four buttons "+" - "UP" "Dawn".
To the right of the screen are buttons labeled "Menu" and "Exit".
The buttons for navigating menus and explain their function later.
On top of our left-right-position switch ELE D / R, AUX2 potentiometer, three position switch and two-position switch AUX3 AIL D / R
On top of the transmitter is a two-position switch THR CUT, two-position switch RUD D / R and potentiometer HOV PIT.
Right from the two-antenna switch (held in one position), trainer / stopwatch, two-position switch GEAR and a potentiometer HOV THR.
We will describe the controls and their application in specific cases further in the section.

• The transmitter, when using 2.4 GHz and PPM (ie our case), has only eight channels.
• All eight channels are proportional. Link switches for each channel is limited, but OK for normal use.
• The transmitter allows you to adjust the model as "Acro", "Glider" and “Helicopter”.
• The transmitter does not have flight modes.
• The transmitter does not have full functional FAIL-SAFE system is in the PPM.
• The transmitter hasn´t stopwatch on the motor stick. It has only one stopwatch operated only with teacher-student Switch. Stopwatch last minute extra time beeps.
• The transmitter is equipped with memory for the eight models.
• The transmitter is equipped with a graphic liquid crystal display without backlight.
• The transmitter is equipped with all the essential elements of programmable radios such as reversals, EPA, subtrims, 7 custom mix, and a number of preset mixes, I mention some of the most important for normal use:
  • flaperons
  • differentiation of ailerons
  • elevator - flaps
  • elevons
• The transmitter does not operate a conventional wing with four servos, each servo which is fully self-programmable.
• The transmitter allows you to use up to Mode4 Mode1, mechanical change of motor stick from Mode1 (Mode3) on Mode2 (Mode4) is possible, we will describe it later.

The transmitter can be connected to the computer via the connector (3.5 mm jack), but only when extended transmitter module. Transmitter module then hangs on a thin antenna ... This I see as the biggest mistake this version T9x. I do NOT recommended transmitter to operate in this way, ie repeatedly extracting module. What I suggest in this case is rather too drastic, but much safer. I recommend to buy another one T9x without transmitter module for the flying in simulator. If you can´t buy T9x without a transmitter mudule, buy the complete T9x and remove module... The receiver you can use in another model.

Operates on eight AA Accu pieces in a plastic cage. On the transmitter side is the charging connector. I do not use that.
Later we will discuss how to improve it.

The transmitter comes standard with eight-channel receiver with full coverage.