First set up for Futaba 6X (6XAs/6XHs) known as well as Futaba ff6

by Gonper

I'm new to helis and I had some difficulties (two days with sleeping problems) to set up my brand new TX as I was not used to computerized radio control systems. I hope this can help you out.

First of all:

You need to know that there is not a good way to use this TX with the stock swash plate that comes with the ECO 8/16 kit, as it a 90º swash is not supported by the TX software (didn't know when bought it, if so I will have to choose another one…). But if you already own one of this nice radios, it means that you will have to spend some more money on an aluminium 120º swash like this:

Nice piece,isn't it?

 

Or spend some time modifying yours like:

Thank you Gary for the pictures of this nice modification.

Or like this:

Thank you to myself for this photo.

Here is a simple guide to make you first set up:

First step:

  • Read the manual carefully, you have to read it, if you don't read it; you will we not able to understand how it works and, you will not understand what I'm talking about here.

You have to read as well the airplane sections because some of the main functions are described there and not in the helicopter section.

  • Put batteries in TX, switch it on, select a memory, bla, bla, bla… (you read it?)

Second step:

Set up your RX channels:

  • Battery disconnected on your heli.
  • Channel 1 - Aileron. This goes to the servo on the left side of the swash (When I say the left I mean the left when your are standing beside the ECO and both of your noses are pointing in the same direction)
  • Channel 2 - Elevator. This goes to the servo on the back of the swash.
  • Channel 3 - Throttle. Goes to your ESC (also powers your RX via the BEC)
  • Channel 4 - Rudder. Goes to your gyroscope and then to your tail servo.
  • Channel 6 - Aileron Goes to the servo on the right of your swash.

Third step:

Choose your swash plate type.

  • TX on only.
  • Following the manual you have to chose HELI menu functions and then SWSH 3 this is the one that you have now on your heli.

Forth step:

Centering the servos.

  • Make sure your motor is disconnected.
  • Center the sticks and trims tabs.
  • Connect your TX and then your battery, the servos will move to their electromechanical centre position.
  • Switch the Rx and then the Tx off.
  • Unscrew the servo arms and mount them back in the closest position to 90º with the rods, see photo.

90°where you see the red arrow.

  • Make sure your motor is disconnected.
  • Center the sticks and trim tabs.
  • Connect your TX and then your battery, the servos will move to their electromechanical centre position.
  • Use STRM (sub trim function) to get 90°between the servo arms and rods.
  • Switch everything off.
  • Now you will have to adjust your rods to get your swash plate completely flat and the distance between the swash and the frame should be 17 mm. and your tail blades with more or less 0º pitch.
  • Make sure your motor is disconnected.
  • Center the sticks and trim tabs.
  • Switch your Tx on and then your Rx, the servos will move to their electromechanical center position again.
  • Check that the servos arms are in 90º with the rods.

Fifth step:

Reverse servos.

  • Do not move your throttle channel now (left stick up or down).
  • Tilt right stick to the right, then the swash have to lean to the right if it doesn't then reverse channel 1 and 6 in the REV menu.
  • Tilt right stick to the front, then the swash have to lean to the heli nose if it doesn't then reverse channel 2 in the REV menu.
  • Tilt left stick to the left then the servo have to push the tail rod, if not reverse channel 4, you can find more info on tail and gyro set up in the tail setup page

Sixth step:

Setting up the AFR values.(The Mama of the Papa) Thise are the de rates and directions of the mixing throttle with cyclic.

  • Now move your left stick up and watch your swash. This has to go up! If some of the servos are puling it down then reverse the AFR value from + to - or otherwise in that servo they should keep 50% value.
  • Check all the servos do the right movements, stick up - swash up, stick down - swash down.
  • Check that the distance in middle sticks position between your swash and the bearing plate should be 17 mm. left stick down 12 mm. top left stick 22 mm. If this varies a lot, you will need to adjust the rods or change the ball links in the servo arms.

Seventh step:

Setting throttle hold.

Go to HOLD in the menu, activate this function, and input 0% value. You control this function with the switch at the top right on the TX.

It is very useful when you are going to get close to the heli and you do not want it to start up. Use it always before connecting batteries if you do not want surprises…

Eighth step:

Setting throttle curve.

This TX only has a three point throttle curve. Go to HV - T in the menu and input +50% value, then you will have a curve like 0-75-100 for down, middle and top up stick positions.

Ninth step:

Checking the throttle.

  • Move the motor to the front of the heli to separate it from the main gear. We do not want the heli to spin up, only the motor to run.
  • Check that the throttle stick is completely down and throttle hold is on.
  • Connect the motor, if it begins to run then disconnect and reverse the channel, if it doesn't then move the stick up an down until it begins to run and then reverse if necessary.

Tenth step:

  • Perhaps you will need to use some ATV for limiting your servos travels.
  • Double check that everything works ok…
  • Copy this setup in another memory.
  • Switch everything off.
  • You are done, congratulations.

If you have more questions or you find that something here is wrong or can be added, do not hesitate to contact me, you can find me in under the name of Gonperin at the IkarusBBS.