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Transmitter Interface Tutorial

Applies To

RealFlight Classic
RealFlight Deluxe
RealFlight G2

Transmitter Interface Tutorial

RealFlight allows you to use two different types of controllers. The first is the Controller Box, which is replica of a real R/C transmitter. The second is the Transmitter Interface, which lets you use your own R/C transmitter with RealFlight. Which one do you get? Good question. Hopefully the following chart will help you decide.

Basic Information

The transmitter interface version of RealFlight is very useful, however, it may be a little confusing to set up for the first time. With use, it becomes much easier to comprehend.

This information is designed to supplement the online manual's information regarding the transmitter interface. This document will take you through the exact steps in order to set-up two types of controllers for RealFlight. Once you have mastered this tutorial, you can start to customize some of the procedures to gain even greater flexibility.

Prior to utilizing the transmitter interface, first make sure that you have input the serial number of the transmitter interface into the computer when you installed RealFlight or RealFlight Deluxe. This serial number is located on the transmitter interface's case. If you did not do so during the installation procedure, rerun the setup program at this time. After entering the transmitter interface serial number click "Next". You may then cancel the remainder of the installation procedure.

Terminology

First, some basic terminology before we get started.

Software Radio or RealFlight Radio. This refers to the "radio" that exists in the RealFlight software. The computer actually emulates a real transmitter and performs all mixing (especially for helicopters) inside the computer. To make changes such as ATV adjustments or mixing changes, you would actually edit the radio parameters inside of the RealFlight program by choosing first to edit the aircraft, then editing the radio.

Transmitter. This refers to an actual R/C transmitter such as Futaba, JR, Airtronics, or HITEC.

Computer Transmitter (a.k.a. computer radio). This is a transmitter (i.e. Futaba 6XAS, 8UHFS etc.) that enables you to program functionality into the radio such as mixing curves. Computer Transmitters almost always have the ability to store multiple aircraft configurations (models) so that you can have one transmitter that flies multiple aircraft.

Transmitter Model or Transmitter Program. This refers to one of the "programs", or model "memories" in a computer transmitter that contains all the information necessary to control a single aircraft.

RealFlight Controller. This is a Futaba transmitter that has been modified for use with the RealFlight program. Rather than providing input through the parallel (printer) port, this unit connects to your PC via the IBM-compatible game port.

Tutorial Organization

This tutorial is designed to get you up and running as quickly as possible. Further steps then take you into the advanced functionality of the interface.

Joystick Mode

In the Joystick Mode, your transmitter is simply used as the device from which data is received to control the respective aircraft. Generally speaking, the transmitter acts as a simple joystick with the RealFlight software providing mixes or any other such functions.

Step 1 (Computer Transmitters Only)

Note: If using a non-computer radio, please disregard the instructions below and proceed directly to Step 2.

In order to calibrate your radio with RealFlight, you need to select a model memory that is not currently being utilized on your transmitter. You may have to consult the instruction manual included with your transmitter for information on how to do so. Additionally, when creating this model, ensure that your transmitter is in the "airplane mode" if applicable. If your transmitter is heli specific- unable to select the "airplane mode", make sure any revolution/collective mixing is not active.

Name this new model "RealFlight Joystick". On most radios, the numbers of characters you can use to name your model will be limited. In these cases name it whatever will fit, for instance "RFJOY". The reason you are doing this is to help RealFlight find the maximum, minimum, and center pulse widths for your transmitter. By making a fresh model with 1:1 channel mappings (no revo curves, no collective mixing), no additional mixing, 100% ATVs and no trims, you are giving RealFlight a clean picture into the pulse lengths of your transmitter when you move the sticks to the extremes.

Step 2

Start the RealFlight program. When RealFlight first starts after installing the interface, it will come up with a screen like this:

Select the transmitter manufacturer that is applicable to the transmitter you will be utilizing for the simulation. Click "Next".

Note: If the calibration screen does not appear when the program is started, then proceed to the "Simulator Settings/Controller" tab and select "Transmitter Interface" under the "Controller Type". Then click the "Calibrate" button. If this option does not appear in the "Controller Type" dialog box, reinstall RealFlight and input the transmitter interface serial number accordingly.

Step 3

Put all for trims in their center position (Or center the digital trims if you have them on your transmitter.) Click Next.

Step 4

Center the sticks on the transmitter (including the throttle stick) and click Next.

Step 5

Move all the sticks in complete circles. Click "Finish".

The center, maximum, and minimum pulses are now stored for the first four channels of your transmitter. It assumes that the other channels on your transmitter (5-8) use similar pulse widths.

Step 6

In order to ensure that the interface is working properly at this time, let's test a standard model before we get to the advanced radio functions. You'll be using using the keyboard to emulate the switches for now. Later in the tutorial, you will learn how to use the switches on your own radio.

Click on Simulator Settings/Controller page. Select advanced setup. Choose Switch 1 and change it's source to Key 'H'. The screen should look something like this when you are done:

Next, change Switch 2='J', Switch 3='K', and Switch 4='L'. Click "OK" when you are finished

Step 7

Now in the "Controller" page, channels 1-4 and the switches should be functional. Activate the respective switches by clicking the H, J, K, and L keys. Make sure when you move the sticks that the appropriate "Channel Value" meters move in RealFlight. It is important that the channel 1-4 display in the "Controller" page operates according to the respective labels ( 1=Ailerons, etc...). If they do not, it is necessary to access the "Advanced Setup" page and re-map them so that they match accordingly.

Don't worry about channels 5-8 at this point. If, however, the channel meters are not moving when you are moving the sticks, then try the following in order:

• Make sure the transmitter is powered up. JR transmitters require that the "On-Off" switch remain in the "Off" position. All other transmitters should be in the "On" position.

• Make sure the cables are securely connected in both the transmitter and the interface.

• Make sure the transmitter is in PPM (FM)mode.

• Try changing the mode in the computer's CMOS or BIOS to ECP, EPP, or standard (Change from one to the other). If you are unsure how to do so, we suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your computer.

• Try changing the interrupt for the LPT port in the CMOS.

Step 8

Now lets make sure the channels are moving in the right direction. You should still have the controller page up and available.

The meters should read:

If you have a channel reversed, you may reverse the channel in your transmitter or in the Advanced Calibration in RealFlight.

Step 9

Now try flying any of the stock airplanes or helicopters in RealFlight. Use the keys ‘H, J, K, and L’ to activate the switches for the various aircraft.

The keys will activate the following for helicopters:

• H = Dual Rates (Switch 1 to RealFlight)

• J = Throttle Hold (Switch 2 to RealFlight)

• K = Idle Up (Switch 3 to RealFlight)

For airplanes, the switches usually control the following:

• H = Dual Rates (Switch 1 to RealFlight)

• J = Flaps (Switch 2 to RealFlight)

• K = Retracts (Switch 3 to RealFlight)

* * * * Take a breather here and fly some aircraft! * * * *

Step 10 (Only for transmitters with more than 4 channels)

Everything should fly just fine at this point. Lets now make a few changes so that the switches on the transmitter control the aircraft. Say for instance that you have a switch on your transmitter that you want to use instead of the 'J' key. Go to the Simulator Settings/Controller page. Flip the switch on your transmitter and note which channel is changing on the page. Say for example your switch controls channel 5. Then go to Advanced setup and assign Switch 2=Channel 5. (if when you flip the switch and nothing happens, see step 11)

Click OK on this dialog. You should return to the "Controller" page. Flip the switch on the controller once again. You should see the switch 2 button change state (either illuminate or dim). Now go fly the stock aircraft, but instead of using the J key you will use the switch on your transmitter.

Step 11 (Only for transmitters with more than 4 channels)

Repeat the same instructions in Step 10 to assign functions to Switches 1 and 3 on your transmitter. If you only have a 5 or 6 channel radio, then you will need to keep the keyboard switches.

Some switches on your transmitter don't actually control a channel, but control a state. Throttle hold and idle up switches are prime examples of this. To assign these switches to control a switch in RealFlight takes a little more work. You will need to have a computer transmitter to do the following: Add a programmable mix to your transmitter to cause a switch to control a channel. For instance, add a mix to the transmitter to make your idle up switch mix into channel 7 on the transmitter. This is usually done with an "offset" mix, where an offset is added to a channel when a certain switch is in the "On" position. You may also have to use the transmitter sub trims to obtain a slightly negative value when the mix is not utilized(idle up switch "off").

To determine if your mix is working, flip the switch in question, channel 7 should change from a negative value to a positive value. Access the Advanced Calibration and make sure Switch 3 uses Channel 7 as input. Now when you flip your switch, you should also see switch 3 button at the bottom of the dialog illuminate or dim.

Step 12 (Only for transmitters with more than 4 channels)

After you have mapped all the switches from your radio to correspond to switches in the RealFlight software (Steps 10 and 11), you can control any of the stock airplanes or helicopters using this "RealFlight Joystick".

It's best to refrain from making any adjustments to this "RealFlight Joystick" transmitter program. Any settings that you change on the computer transmitter will affect all models on RealFlight that utilize this particular model memory for a transmitter. For instance, don't change the ATV of any of the channels as it will change the values for all of the aircraft that you fly with this transmitter model, as well as altering the calibration when you calibrate RealFlight.

If you want to change the ATVs, expo curves, or revolution mixing create a copy of the aircraft (in the RealFlight program itself) and then click on the "Edit" radio button and change the radio values in the software itself rather than on the transmitter.

* * * * Stop at this point and Fly some more!* * * *

If you're utilizing a transmitter with single model memory, don't want to use additional models in your transmitter to control aircraft in RealFlight, or you're satisfied using the standard software radio in RealFlight then you should stop at this point. Your transmitter will still be able to control all aircraft. Any custom radio changes should be done with the software radio in the RealFlight program (Edit Aircraft/Edit Radio).

Also, there will be little need to return to the calibration dialogs again. The remainder of the changes will occur in either aircraft editing, or on the transmitter itself.

Direct Control Mode

Using Direct Control Mode, as the name implies, means that your transmitter inputs, settings, etc. have a direct control or effect on the model accordingly. RealFlight takes the channels from your transmitter and applies them directly to the servos in the aircraft. Any mixing or radio editing needs to happen on your transmitter.

Step 13

From this point on, it is assumed that you have a multi-model computer transmitter.

At this point we are going to make a new transmitter program in your computer transmitter to control a single aircraft in RealFlight. The advantage of this approach are the following:

• You use your own transmitter exactly as you would when flying a real R/C Plane

• You can make changes to your transmitter while you are flying the aircraft

• If you are new to airplanes or helicopters, you can learn how to use your transmitter and not risk your aircraft

• Your transmitter may allow you to program more options than those available in the software radio program of RealFlight

The disadvantages of this approach are the following

• You need to have a separate transmitter program for each model in RealFlight- just as you would in real life

• When you switch from one custom aircraft to another, you also have to switch the program on your computer transmitter- just like you would in real life

• The software radio in RealFlight may offer more options and flexibility than your transmitter

Step 14 (Airplane Example)

Create a new model in your transmitter. Call it "RealFlight P-51" or whatever will fit. Flip the switch on your transmitter that controls retracts on your actual R/C models. In the Controller page, observe which channel value is changing. For this tutorial, we’ll use channel 5. Now operate the knob or switch on your transmitter that controls the flaps. Also observe which channel is changing. We’ll use channel 6 in our example.

So in our example, the controller page indicates the following:

• Channel 1 - Ailerons

• Channel 2 - Elevator

• Channel 3 - Throttle

• Channel 4 - Rudder

• Channel 5 - Retracts

• Channel 6 - Flaps

Note: the switch buttons at the bottom of the page are irrelevant at this point.

Step 15 (Airplane Example)

• Go to the Airplane/Airport button in RealFlight.

• Select the Aircraft page.

• Make a copy of the P-51 Mustang. Call it "P-51 Mustang - My Radio".

• Edit this plane and select "My Own Radio" under the "Radio Type" selection

Step 17 (Airplane Example)

Go to the "Servos" tab on the plane editing dialog. Make sure the servos are mapped to the same values in Step 14. You can test to make sure all the control surfaces are operating correctly by looking at the animation in the dialog. If an input has the opposite of the desired effect, simply click the "Reversed" button in the dialog to reverse the respective channel.

Note: at this point that the software radio in RealFlight is completely turned "Off" and will not be utilized for this particular airplane. RealFlight uses the input as dictated from your transmitter and applies it directly to the control surfaces (just like in real life). As such, any radio modifications should occur in your transmitter.

This plane is now ready for flight and depends upon your transmitter for all input. If you desire to fly one of the stock models in RealFlight, be sure the change the model memory in the transmitter to the "RealFlight Joystick".

Step 18 (Helicopter Example)

Create a new model in your transmitter. Call it "RealFlight Ranger" or whatever will fit. If applicable, make sure that you have activated the collective mixing in your transmitter. Move the throttle stick observing which "Channel Value" is changing for the collective. On most transmitters, this will be channel 6.

Now operate the knob or switch that will vary the gyro gain control. Observe which "Channel Value" is changing. In our case it was channel 5. Please note, the helicopter that you have selected may include a constant rate gyro in which case the gain control is not functional.

Next, operate the knob or switch that will control the rotor head speed governor. Observe which "Channel Value" is changing. In our case it was channel 7. If you have disabled the governor in the helicopter editing page this will not be valid.

Note: If you only have a 6 channel radio, then you will need to go to the Advanced Calibration and make Channel 7 controlled by the keyboard.

In some cases, your gyro gain and/or govenor headspeed will be controlled by your Idle Up switch. In order to set/change the gyro gain using this scenario, you would have to add a custom mix in your transmitter to control channel 5 as a function of the Idle Up switch.

So this example ended up with the following.

• Channel 1 - Roll

• Channel 2 - Pitch

• Channel 3 - Throttle

• Channel 4 - Tail Rotor

• Channel 5 - Gyro Gain

• Channel 6 - Collective

• Channel 7 - Governor Gain

Note: that the switch buttons at the bottom of the page are irrelevant at this point.

Step 19 (Helicopter Example)

Now lets make sure the governor and gyro channels are working correctly. When the headspeed governor sees its channel at -100%, it gives a head speed of 900. +100% gives a headspeed of 2200. 0% gives a head speed of 1550. Values in-between are interpolated.

For Gyro gain, use the following table to determine the gain that is applied to gyro:

• Constant Rate Gyro: Ignores the gyro gain from the transmitter.

• Dual Rate Gyro: If gyro channel is less than 0, it uses the low rate, otherwise it uses the high rate

• Piezo Gyro: -%100 = minimum gyro gain, 100% = maximum gyro gain

• Heading Hold Gyro: If less than 0%, then heading hold mode is turned off. If greater than 0%, then heading hold mode is "on", or activated. For example:

If you made a mix in your radio to control the gyro gain, now is a good time to test it. Check to make sure that channel 5 and 7 are at appropriate values in order ensure proper helicopter operation. For example, if your radio isn't sending anything other than 0% to channel 5 and you have a heading hold gyro in the helicopter, you will have effectively turned OFF the gyro!!!

Step 20 (Helicopter Example)

• Go to the Airplane/Airport button.

• Select the Aircraft page.

• Make a copy of the Jet Ranger. Call it "Jet Ranger - My Radio".

• Edit this plane and select "My Own Radio"

Step 21 (Helicopter Example)

Go to the "Servos" tab under the helicopter editing dialog. Make sure the servos are mapped to the same values in Step 18. You will need to fly the helicopter to ensure that the servos function in the appropriate manner. If not, simply click on the "Reversed" box under the "Servos" page or reverse them in the transmitter. Do not reverse the servos in the Advanced Calibration dialog.

Note: at this point that the software radio in RealFlight is completely turned "Off" and will not be utilized for this particular helicopter. RealFlight uses the input as dictated from your transmitter and applies it directly to the swash plate, engine and tail rotor (just like in real life). Any radio modifications need to happen in your transmitter.

This helicopter is now ready for flight and depends upon your transmitter for all input. If you desire to fly one of the stock models in RealFlight, be sure the change the model memory in the transmitter to the "RealFlight Joystick".

Conclusion

Hopefully you now have all the information you need to successfully operate the transmitter interface. If you have any questions or comments, please email rfsupport@greatplanes.com.

Content Copyright 2005, Knife Edge Software and Great Planes. Web design Copyright 2001, Knife Edge Software. RealFlight Software is Copyright 1997-2005,  Knife Edge Software.

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