There are 16 programmable mixes (above left), but a minimum of preset mixes. Some of these are taken care of in the presets for Aircraft Type. Trim Setup (above right) provides adjustment of trim steps, crossed trims, or the option for
common or separate trims for Flight Modes. Telemetry (below left) appears in both the Function and the System Setup menu structures. The TM 1000 telemetry Module has been added to the mix of receiver and X-Plus (below right).
Only 38 pages long, it assumes a familiarity with complex radio systems and their evolu- tions, and a comfort with experimenting with them. But there is some help available that partners with the manual. Spektrum has some excellent videos on the Spektrum website,
www.spektrumrc.com that docu- ment the Sequencer, the Checklist, the Servo Balancing, and the X-Plus. It’s found at
www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx ?ProdId=SPM18000.
One other item to mention is the Mixing function. Besides offering 16 programma- ble mixes as well as three pre-set mixes for the usual rudder, aileron and elevator in- teractions it has been amplified to include Combo Mixing and Back Mixing. The for- mer involves meeting “AND”/“OR” situa- tions where the activating switch can be programmed to provide an action to make two mixes combine, or select one mix or the other. The latter is used more for paired functions like aileron servos select- ed in an Aircraft Type found in the System Mode.
As in the earlier DX radios the Function Mode will provide Dual Rate/Expo, Throttle, Cut, Throttle Curve, Flap System, Teleme- try, Range test, Monitor, and a few more. There is a lot more to say about the DX18. This just skims the surface of its capability. Just a few more items that are fairly inter- esting to note. For one, there are two anten- nae on the DX18 transmitter. One is obvi- ously the stub above the case, but it turns out that the carrying handle also serves as an antenna. Not sure why, but can only sur-
FLYING MODELS
mise that two always seems to be better than one. The DX18 also comes with a 7.2 volt lithium polymer battery. There is a caution here: make sure that the Warning setup reflects the proper low voltage setting—always 6.4 V for the Li-Po or the battery chemistry used. The DX18 comes with an international charger with a variety of interchangeable plugs. Since the all the switches can be config- ured in all sorts of ways, the DX18 will han- dle air, sailplane, or helicopters with their own unique menu choices depending on the aircraft type selected. And there’s room to store the model memories of 50 aircraft. While the transmitted offers 2048 servo res- olution, it can only do that for the first 10 channels, something to keep in mind when assigning servos to the various receiver ports.
Without writing a book there is no way to completely describe all that this radio can
do. All those channels are one thing, but the sequencer is the real shining star in the midst of all that rich variety. Perhaps the brevity of the manual was done on purpose to just basically introduce you to what’s there and then let you experiment. And therein lies the real acquaintance with this system. Experiment to your heart’s content, and you’ll really learn. And watch the videos mentioned earlier. They will really help ground you in what some of the features are all about.
As they have done with all their products, Horizon has the manuals available as down- loads for the DX18, the X-Plus module, and the AR9020 receiver. They all can be found online at the Horizon Hobby website www.horizonhobby. com. This is an outstand- ing radio for any experienced modeler who wants to fly anything, from tiny indoor to 150cc monsters, with the maximum of options and capability.
Helpful links for the Spektrum DX18
http://www.horizonhobby.com/pdf/SPM18000-Manual_EN.pdf http://www.spektrumrc.com/DSM/Products/ServoGuide.aspx https://community.spektrumrc.com
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