More Channels than physical switches...?

[Crstn_Jdi]

I have the Taranis q x7 Transmitter with the update that gives it more channels to it. How is that possible when there is still just the original 6/8 switches/pots that came with it? I don't need more than 6 channels at the moment but will need them for modifying with more functions I want to do with future projects on some of the airplanes I have.

 

[LitterBug]

Well, you can do mixes which use more channels. Independent left/right aileron/ elevon/ flaperons/ crow for example. Differential thrust...

 

[Crstn_Jdi]

Well, you can do mixes which use more channels. Independent left/right aileron/ elevon/ flaperons/ crow for example. Differential thrust...

Oh, I see. It's just a bit confusing me to the point that I pondered on getting another Transmitter with more physical channels standard. ^_^
I was thinking about doing like a cargo drop/bomb bay, speed brakes, and some other mixes.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Oh, I see. It's just a bit confusing me to the point that I pondered on getting another Transmitter with more physical channels standard. ^_^
I was thinking about doing like a cargo drop/bomb bay, speed brakes, and some other mixes.

Radiomaster TX16 will have enough switches for anything you will ever need and it a good price compared to other transmitters!

 

[Shurik-1960]

My friend and an aircraft modeler solved this problem a long time ago: he bought another transmitter + receiver. Watch the video on YouTube: complex models are launched by 2 pilots with two transmitters. Simple and ingenious.

 

[Crstn_Jdi]

Perhaps I should have clarified my question. What I was wondering is this: how I would use these supposed extra channels for additional functions, with the radio (like simply going into the setup menu and have a switch to do multiple functions on the same switch).. I apologize for the oversight. 😅🙏

 

[LitterBug]

What exactly is it you want to.do with the extra channels? Then we can help you with radio setup.

 

[Bricks]

What exactly is it you want to.do with the extra channels? Then we can help you with radio setup.

Well at least some of us can.

 

[Crstn_Jdi]

I might be being a bit silly and stressin' over nothing 😅, but you tell me. Here's some pictures of my radio.

Bomb bay, bomb release, flaps, self-leveling, LED light pack for I want to fly it at night, and perhaps differential thrust. I recently bought the FT B-25.

 

[Piotrsko]

You're limited by transmitted word length, I believe it was 256 bits so something like 42 words with a checkbite each. Around 40 channels because you want to toss leading and trailing words. That's with 8bit words, divide by whatever bit length/ baud rate they use, but way more than 10 functions. Transmitter box isn't big enough for all the switches

 

[Crstn_Jdi]

What exactly is it you want to.do with the extra channels? Then we can help you with radio setup.

Bomb bay, bomb release, flaps, self-leveling, LED light pack for I want to fly it at night, and perhaps differential thrust. I recently bought the FT B-25.

 

[LitterBug]

I would just power the lights off another BEC. Either plug them in or not rather than putting them on a channel. Self leveling will require a flight controller which will come with it's own channel needs, but relieve the mixing from the radio. (needs flight mode channel and possibly arming channel) bomb bay could be done with a single three position channel first click for door, 2nd click payload. Or just have the door be the release. flaps would be it's own channel.

 

[Piotrsko]

Saw a B17 many years ago with all sorts of functions, way more than the ten channels available at the time. Very ingenious sequencing like run the gun turrets and turn on the marker lights then the bombbay doors opened, or something like that, but he pulled the cover off and it was full of wires and pulleys. Kinda like a super @quorneng project.

 

[LitterBug]

Saw a B17 many years ago with all sorts of functions, way more than the ten channels available at the time. Very ingenious sequencing like run the gun turrets and turn on the marker lights then the bombbay doors opened, or something like that, but he pulled the cover off and it was full of wires and pulleys. Kinda like a super @quorneng project.

I remember a V-tail glider from the 70's that had a mechanical ruddervator mixer. No need for a radio mix.

 

[MadMonkey]

Those guys back then came up with some clever ways to get around the lack of functionality.

My first JR radio had pots and dipswitches on the back for mixing. Blew my mind after starting off with a Futaba Attack 4 🤯

 

[Piotrsko]

Still have "vector directors"* and bolt on stuff to do V tailed and elevons, mainly because it's stoopid proof and perfect for 1 servo wide glider fuselages. Mixing was very rare back in prehistoric days, just the really rich guys or electronic geeks diy adapters. Boards were available to build your own, maybe 15 components about the size of your phone today.
Vector director was a patented trade name by somebody who kitted my Grand Espirit. airtronics?

I like my attack 4, wish I had a 6

 

[L Edge]

The "average" flyer if he covers the area of sport, 3 D flying, helicopters, pylons racing, and giant scale (55CC) will need 9 or 10 channels.

If you become a "Geek" working with scale or larger giants, then it may require require spare channels.

Best I did with JR radio with programming, had a twin engine transport start one engine, wait 5 seconds, and then the other started and then gave you back the throttles (called a sequencer) and the second sequencer either had a no brake, brake on, or a oscillating servo so when taxing, moved the plane at a fixed speed. Then you could reverse it so you landed, taxi back at fixed speed, lock brake, then you could flip a switch which reverse and shut #2 engine off, 5 sec and then #1 engine. That's what I used to do as a plane captain in my Navy day's.