Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

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Vintage Pilot
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Joined: 15 Aug 2024, 10:33

Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

Post by Vintage Pilot »

I have just returned to model flying after many years away from it and on picking up my old radio gear discovered it didn't work. After a bit of research on the subject I completed a conversion of my old Digifleet PCM7 Tx to 2.4GHz using the Lemon DIY module. I was surprised it was a success after having to change badly corroded batteries, remove lots of black rot wiring and remove some encoder board corrosion too. However everything is working perfectly now after binding to a Gen2 LemonRx 6 channel receiver.
The only thing that is not quite right is that the servo outputs on the receiver are labelled: 1-THR, 2-AIL, 3-EL, 4-RUD 5- Gear, 6-Aux1.
However from the control inputs at the TX (Mode 2) the outputs at the receiver are: 1-EL, 2-THR, 3-AIL, 4-RUD, 5-Aux5, 6-Aux6.
This is no issue as I just plug the correct servos in the correct sockets to give me the control mapping required and ignore the labels.
However it has occurred to me that if I were to buy a "bind and fly" model which comes with a preinstalled receiver with stabilisation (eg. Spectrum AR637T) the gyro outputs need to be applied to the correctly labelled channels. Otherwise the roll stabilisation signals might be applied to throttle, for example. And so on the for the other incorrectly assigned channels. This is obviously undesirable.
My question is, is there a way of reassigning (reprogramming?) the system to allow the correct signals to appear at the correct servo outputs on the Rx?
Can this be done by receiver reprogramming or would it mean rewiring the sticks in the transmitter? The latter is probably not worth the effort. I suppose the other option would be to insert a separate gyro stabilisation module between the receiver and the servos to apply the corrections to the correct channels. Having said that most gyro modules seem to be integrated into the receiver these days.
I think most likely just keep the old Digifleet Tx for the slope soarer and buy a posh new all singing and dancing new Tx for everything else.
I just like keeping the old legacy gear going, like a lot of people on this board.
All thoughts/solutions on this would be most welcome.
Julian
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Phil_G
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Re: Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

Post by Phil_G »

Although labelled on the receiver, the channel order is set by the transmitter as you've discovered Julian.
If (as I suspect) there is no provision for PPM channel mapping within the Fleet encoder then you're pretty much stuck with it.
You may get away with swapping stick-pot wires but generally and especially with separate trims, thats a nightmare.
There is a further consideration - some receivers only have failsafe on the throttle channel, which would be channel 1 on any 'Spekky style' receiver
and elevator on your setup (!). More modern receivers have failsafe on all channels but its as well to check. I think all Lemons are 'all channels' but not 100% sure.
I'm occasionally in touch with Mark Agate who wrote the Fleet PCM firmware decades ago, it uses an 8049 which I do code but I dont fancy the idea of reprogramming a soldered, 50-year-old SMT processor, also there are 2 versions and its timing is heavily dependent on cycle counting, not interrupts - its probably possible to remap but I just dont fancy it :D
My personal suggestion is to forget BnF and enjoy flying a great British radio in a proper period model, using a 'failsafe on all channels' rx :)

BTW its not necessary to "...buy a posh new all singing and dancing new Tx for everything else" you can take virtually any vintage transmitter and change the encoder for one of Mikes and enjoy all the benefits of a modern radio and more - plenty of examples on here! :)
Cheers
Phil :D
Vintage Pilot
Posts: 10
Joined: 15 Aug 2024, 10:33

Re: Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

Post by Vintage Pilot »

Thanks for your prompt reply Phil. Really helpful stuff. I was intuitively inclined to take the same line as you, that rewiring the Tx pots was not the way forward. It seems that remapping at the RX is not an option.
As I have another Digifleet PCM Tx to convert I'm particularly interested in your comment "you can take virtually any vintage transmitter and change the encoder for one of Mikes and enjoy all the benefits of a modern radio".
Firstly, who is Mike and what are the details/cost of his encoder. Is it capable of remapping the channels? Won't such an encoder require all the pots and trim pots to be soldered into it to make it work? It sounds like a big job. But happy to give it a go if there are some clear instructions about how to go about it. Perhaps you could point me to a link about this encoder module??
Thanks again for your help with all this.
Julian
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Phil_G
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Re: Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

Post by Phil_G »

Mike is your host here on mode-zero Julian :)
Mikes encoder is capable of anything a modern computer set can do, and more - but there would be no problem channel order to remap!
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=60
Vintage Pilot
Posts: 10
Joined: 15 Aug 2024, 10:33

Re: Channel mapping after 2.4GHz conversion

Post by Vintage Pilot »

Thanks Phil,
PM to Mike seems to have sent now so deleted it from this post.
Julian
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