MACGREGOR INDUSTRIES Instruction Manual PCM9X
JR PROPO PCM9X MacGregor Industries Canal Estate, Langley, Slough, SL3 6EQ Phone 01753 549111 • Fax 01753 546983 2
Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 (SYSTEM) Battery Charging Charger Control Stick Length Control Stick Tension Adjustment DSC Cord Lithium Battery Indicator Screen Contrast Adjustment Installation Requirements Setting Up Your PCM9X System Menu Model Select & Copy Model Name Type Select Data Reset Modulation Data Transfer Trim Step Device Select Wing Type Swash Type Select Stick Mode 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 11 11 CHAPTER 2 (HELI) Dual Rates & Exponential Reverse Switch Sub Trim Travel Adjust Swash
1 Chapter All Models T he JR PCM9X is the latest JR transmitter and features the latest technology. New to the PCM9X range is the scroll bar interface. Enter Scroll Bar List Clear Timer The scroll bar is used in conjunction with the side entry buttons to provide a quick and efficient programming environment. Rotating the scroll bar left or right will move the highlighted (selected) section of the screen around available menu choices.
Battery Charging The transmitter and receiver battery packs should be charged for at least 16 hours each evening before flying the next day. The first charge should last between 20 and 24 hours. Please note: the polarity of the JR charger is negative centre. This may be different to other manufacturers' chargers. You must make sure that the centre pin of your JR transmitter is always connected to negative to ensure correct polarity.
DSC Cord Direct Servo Connection (DSC) allows you to control the servos of the model without having to transmit any RF from the transmitter. The lead bypasses the module of the transmitter and allows safe operation of your radio equipment without interfering with any other pilots’ transmitted signals. To use the DSC connection make sure all equipment is turned off. Plug the DSC cable into the transmitter and then into the receiver’s charge lead. Then turn the receiver to ON.
1. Wrap the receiver in protective foam rubber that is no less than 10mm thick. Secure the foam to the receiver with rubber bands. This protects the receiver in the event of a crash or a very hard landing. 2. The servos should be mounted using the rubber grommets and brass bushings supplied to isolate them from vibration. Do not over-tighten the mounting screws — this will negate the vibration absorption effect of the rubber grommets. The brass bushings are pushed from the bottom up in the rubber grommets.
Model Select & Copy The PCM9X transmitter employs a memory function, which memorises data for up to 20 individual aircraft. To avoid using incorrect model memories, it is recommended that you enter a unique name for each aircraft. Press the ENT key and turn the power switch ON to access the System Set-Up Mode. The Copy Function enables you to copy all of the settings of your current model to another memory (model number) within the same transmitter.
Modulation The Modulation Selection Function enables your PCM9X to transmit to all JR receiver types. You can select from either S-PCM or Z-PCM mode, depending on the Central Processing Unit within your receiver, or from PPM (Pulse Position Modulation—FM). Caution: After making modulation changes, you must press the scroll bar to accept the new modulation type. If the Tx power switch is turned OFF before this procedure, the modulation change will not be saved.
5. Transmitting mode transmitter (Tx with program to be transferred): Check that the Transfer screen shows Transmit mode and press the CLR key to start transmitting data. Both transmitters will indicate "End ok!" when the transfer is complete. When there is a data receiving failure during transfer, the counter will stop. At this time, press the CLR key to stop the receiving condition. Check to be sure the receiving counter is operating normally and ended with 100%.
Device Select A new feature of the PCM-9X is the device select menu. From here you can assign functions to a switch to allow you to tailor the layout of your transmitter to your own personal taste. The device select menu also allows you to activate the extra flight modes. Use the scroll button to highlight a function (top line) and then depress the button to bring up the assign menu where you can then select the desired switch to assign the function to.
Flaperon Connections: Connect the left aileron to AUX1 Rx port and right aileron to AILE servo Rx port. In System Set-Up Mode, select the Wing Type function. Then press the scroll bar to display the Wing Types. Rotate and press the scroll bar to access the flaperon wing type selection. Note that each servo’s operational value is automatically set for 75%.
Swash Type Select (Heli) The PCM9X provides four types of Cyclic Collective Pitch Mixing (CCPM) mixing. Either normal mechanically mixed CCPM (mCCPM) or three types of electronically mixed CCPM (eCCPM). The three versions of eCCPM pre programmed in the software are 90 degree 4 servo, 120 degree 3 servo or 180 degree 2 servo. Stick Mode This function enables the stick mode to be changed between Mode 1, 2, 3 or 4.
2 Chapter Function Menu - Helicopter To enter the function menu, switch on the transmitter then press the enter key. From here you can choose the following functions: Dual Rates & Exponential Dual rates can be defined as the ability to vary the travel or throw rate of a servo from a switch. Due to differing travel rates, you will find that the sensitivity of the control either increases or decreases accordingly. A higher rate, or travel, yields a higher overall sensitivity.
and Rudder channel dual rate values will be switched between the settings available on screen for those flight modes. To activate ADR please enable the flight mode switch in the device select menu, and then set the D/R function to FM (Flight Mode). Typical dual rate settings are as follows: Dual Rate Switch Position 0 Position (reduced servo travel, for hovering e.g. 80% D/R, 20% EXP) 1 Position (maximum servo travel, for aerobatics e.g.
Travel Adjust The purpose of Travel Adjust, also known as endpoint adjustment or adjustable travel volume, is to offer you precise servo control deflection in either direction of servo operation. The travel adjust range is from 0-150% (0 degrees to 60 degrees) and it can be adjusted for each direction individually. The factory default (data reset) value is 100% for each direction of servo travel. In Function Mode, use the scroll bar to select Travel Adjust and access by pressing the scroll bar.
The factory setting for the throttle hold is inhibited. Adjust the throttle hold value to deliver the proper engine RPM for your helicopter. The adjustable range is -20 through +50%. To shut the engine off during an autorotation, a negative value may have to be input. In Function Mode, use the scroll bar to select Throttle Hold and access by pressing the scroll bar. Rotate the bar to highlight the INH icon and press the bar to activate Throttle Hold. Highlight the HOLD Pos. icon and press the bar.
“smooth,” creating a more equal throttle servo movement during the entire throttle curve range. Pitch Curve Adjustment of the pitch curve is very similar to the throttle curve adjustment described in the preceding section. A thorough understanding of the throttle curve section will make pitch curve adjustment easier to understand. The PCM9X offers six (6) independent types of pitch curves: Normal, Stunt 1, Stunt 2, Stunt 3, Stunt 4 and Hold.
Gyro Sensitivity The gyro sense software of the PCM9X allows the pilot to change the gyro gain remotely from the transmitter. The gyro can be controlled manually from the rudder dual rate switch or automatically with the flight mode switch. The rudder dual rate switch allows two gains to be chosen, while the auto function allows you to select three gains. The gain lead from the gyro should be connected to the AUX2 channel of the receiver.
points can be moved independently to any desired servo position from 0 to 100%. Assigning Channels Using the scroll bar, move the cursor to the master channel. Press scroll bar down to activate selection. Roll the scroll bar to select the desired channel. Operating with a Switch Using the scroll bar, position the cursor on the SW SELECT function and Press to select the desired switch for the particular program mix being used. Assigning Mixing Values Position the cursor on the desired “Point” and press.
Failsafe The failsafe/hold function is only available with PCM modulation. If you have selected PPM modulation, the fail-safe screen will not appear. Z-PCM modulation mode. All channels can be HOLD or can take a pre-selected position. Three fail-safe time delays are available. Select your chosen delay (0.2, 0.5 or 1.0 second) by using the scroll bar to select the desired setting.
Trainer The PCM9x transmitter employs two separate types of trainer system - the normal trainer system where all functions are controlled by either the master transmitter or the slave and the programmable function trainer where one or more of the four primary control functions may be assigned to the slave individually. Basic Connections and Conditions for Training 1. The slave transmitter must be set to PPM (Pulse Position Modulation) and have a DSC (Direct Servo Controller) jack.
has control of rudder and elevator only, while the master retains control of throttle and aileron. Releasing the trainer switch returns all control to the master transmitter. Be sure to reset the slave transmitter to its defaults by using the reset function. All servo reversing, pitch and throttle curves etc. will be taken from the master transmitter. Use the scroll bar to rotate around the channels and toggle between master and slave.
Servo Monitor The PCM9X provides a servo monitor function screen that allows you to see the actual real time travel of all 9 channels. This is a useful function to observe the effects of mixing on your channels. All trim and mixing adjustments are shown. Throttle Cut & Trim Select The PCM9X features an intelligent throttle trim as well as a throttle cut function. Only one or the other can be activated at a time. The throttle cut function turns the trainer switch into an engine kill switch.
3 Chapter Function Menu - Aero To enter the function menu, switch on the transmitter then press the enter key. From here you can choose the following functions: Dual Rates & Exponential Dual rates can be defined as the ability to vary the travel or throw rate of a servo from a switch. Due to differing travel rates, you will find that the sensitivity of the control either increases or decreases accordingly. A higher rate, or travel, yields a higher overall sensitivity.
flight mode switch in the device select menu, and then set the D/R function to FM (Flight Mode). Typical dual rate settings are as follows: Dual Rate Switch Position 0 Position (reduced servo travel, for fast flight e.g. 80% D/R, 20% EXP) 1 Position (maximum servo travel, for slow flight e.g. 100% D/R, 10% EXP) Reverse Switch The PCM9X features a servo reverse function. This allows the user to electronically reverse the direction of a channel. Servo reversing is available for all 9 channels of the PCM9X.
The travel adjust range is from 0-150% (0 degrees to 60 degrees) from neutral and it can be adjusted for each direction individually. The factory default (data reset) value is 100% for each direction of servo travel. Elevator to Flap Mix Elevator to flap mixing is used to provide a quicker pitch response on the model. The general usage is to have up elevator/down flaps and down elevator/up flaps. The flap travel is independently adjustable for both directions.
Throttle Curve The PCM9X provides a two (2) programmable throttle curves for aircraft. Typical uses for the throttle curves include: adjusting the curve to achieve a more linear throttle response; de-sensitising a particular part of the throttle stroke to maintain a more consistent throttle setting that’s typical for rolling circles or torque rolls; or for giving reduced throttle range (high an low, which is useful for stall turns, etc.) in any selected flight mode or switch position.
The Snap Roll Switch affects the aileron, elevator and rudder only; all other functions work normally. While the snap roll switch is activated, the related sticks will not operate until the switch is released. When this function is inhibited, the display will show INH and the snap roll system will not operate. Individual adjustment is available for each control surface in either direction.
Gyro System To activate the gyro function you need to use device select in the system menu to assign a switch to the gyro function. The gyro system allows you to easily fit a gyro to your aircraft. Gyros normally reserved for helicopters can now be easily utilised using the PCM9X gyro function. Gyros help stabilise flight controls and are particularly useful for elevator control on pitch sensitive aircraft. You can have 2 gyros in use, one activated by Aux 2 and another by Aux 3.
Different servo speeds can also be assigned for each direction. These speeds can be activated using a switch or activated depending on throttle stick position. Use the THRO STK item to set the desired throttle position for speed selection. Program Mix The PCM9X offers six (6) programmable mixes to be used for a number of different purposes. The function allows mixing any one channel to any other channel. The mix can remain ON at all times, or be switched OFF in flight using a number of different switches.
Assigning Channels Using the scroll bar, move the cursor to the master channel. Press scroll bar down to activate selection. Roll the scroll bar to select the desired channel. Repeat this process to select the slave channel. Origin Mixing When origin mixing is activated any dual rate, exponential or other modifier applied to the master channel is ignored on the slave channel.
Assigning Mix Value Using the scroll bar position the cursor over POS0 and click. Move the master channel to highlight either the top or bottom figure. Increase or decrease the mix value by rolling the scroll bar. Use the CLR key to reset the mix value to zero. Complete the input by clicking the scroll bar. When activating the mix with a switch, different mix values may be input for both switch position 0 and switch position 1.
All channels can be HOLD or individual channels can take a pre-selected position. The fail-safe time delay is fixed at 0.5 seconds. Use the scroll bar to select the desired setting as activate or inhibit. For each channel, move the appropriate control to the desired fail-safe position and store the setting by pressing the CLEAR key. A beep will sound to confirm that the fail-safe positions have been stored.
Normal Trainer System In this mode, all functions are switched from the master to the slave using the trainer switch. No function setup is necessary to activate this system. Be sure the slave transmitter’s servo reversing, dual rates, end point adjustment and trims are identical to the master. This may be checked very easily by pulling the trainer switch. If the control surfaces move, adjust the slave transmitter until the trainer switch can be activated without a change to the control surface position.
Both timers are displayed when returning to the main screen. The countdown timer is activated using either the bottom push button on the left hand side of the screen or the trainer switch. When the count down time is active, the transmitter will beep three times at 30 sec., twice at 20 sec., and beep once every second from 10 sec. to 0 sec. At zero there will be a continuous tone for 1 second and then the timer will begin counting up with a + indication to the left of the voltage display.
The trim select allows the throttle trim to remember a predetermined position. When a good idle point is found with the trim, enter the software and activate the trim memory. This allows the stopping of the engine with the throttle trim, but one click forwards on the trim will return the digital trim to the predetermined idle position.
4 Chapter Function Menu - Glider To enter the function menu, switch on the transmitter then press the enter key. From here you can choose the following functions: Dual Rates & Exponential Dual rates can be defined as the ability to vary the travel or throw rate of a servo from a switch. Due to differing travel rates, you will find that the sensitivity of the control either increases or decreases accordingly. A higher rate, or travel, yields a higher overall sensitivity.
Reverse Switch The PCM9X features a servo reverse function. This allows the user to electronically reverse the direction of a channel. Servo reversing is available for all 9 channels of the PCM9X. In Function Mode, use the scroll bar to select Reverse Switch and access by pressing the scroll bar. Sub Trim The sub trim function allows you to individually fine tune the centring of all 9 channels on the PCM9X within a range of + or - 125% (+ or - 30 degrees servo travel).
Elevator to Flap Mix Elevator to flap mixing is used to provide a quicker pitch response on the model. The general usage is to have up elevator/down flaps and down elevator/up flaps. The flap travel is independently adjustable for both directions. The mix can be set to activate on numerous switched ranging from the flight mode switch to the timer switch. Aileron to Flap Mix This mix is only applicable when the dual flap function is activated in the wing type menu in the system menu.
system can be set to activate at a set throttle position using the THRO STK function. Flap System (Flap Travel Adjust) Dual flap needs to be active in the system menu for this facility. The 3-position flight mode switch activates the flaps. The Flap System is used to set the travel adjustment for the flap servo(s) from 0% to 125% up or down. The flap position can be individually set for each flap switch position. In addition a corresponding compensating elevator adjustment can be set.
The mix can be set to activate on numerous switched ranging from the flight mode switch to the timer switch. Butterfly Mix Butterfly mixing, otherwise known as crow mixing, allows the spoiler (throttle) stick to activate the model’s trailing edge controls as an airbrake when landing. It also allows mixing of elevator to overcome any pitch changes caused by the activation of the spoilers. Spoiler offset determines the activation point.
points can be moved independently to any desired servo position from 0 to 100%. Assigning Channels Using the scroll bar, move the cursor to the master channel. Press scroll bar down to activate selection. Roll the scroll bar to select the desired channel. Repeat this process to select the slave channel. Origin Mixing When origin mixing is activated any dual rate, exponential or other modifier applied to the master channel is ignored on the slave channel.
Assigning Channels Using the scroll bar, move the cursor to the master channel. Press scroll bar down to activate selection. Roll the scroll bar to select the desired channel. Repeat this process to select the slave channel. Origin Mixing When origin mixing is activated any dual rate, exponential or other modifier applied to the master channel is ignored on the slave channel.
S-PCM modulation mode. All channels can be HOLD or individual channels can take a pre-selected position. The fail-safe time delay is fixed at 0.5 seconds. Use the scroll bar to select the desired setting as activate or inhibit. For each channel, move the appropriate control to the desired fail-safe position and store the setting by pressing the CLEAR key. A beep will sound to confirm that the fail-safe positions have been stored.
4. Switch the master transmitter ON. Do not switch on the slave transmitter; it is only necessary to have the master transmitter switched ON. 5. Push the trainer switch to transfer control to the slave. Release the switch and control automatically reverts to the master transmitter. Normal Trainer System In this mode, all functions are switched from the master to the slave using the trainer switch. No function setup is necessary to activate this system.
Timer The timer function provides an integrated timer for each model memory and a countdown timer too. The integrated timer shows the total time the transmitter has been turned on for that model, and the countdown timer is useful as a low fuel warning. Both timers are displayed when returning to the main screen. The countdown timer is activated using either the bottom push button on the left hand side of the screen or the trainer switch.
E&OE Please note that while every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this booklet, errors may occur. MacGregor Industries Limited can accept no responsibility for losses or damages caused. If you are unsure about any aspect of the operation of your PCM9X please contact our Service Department on 01753 549111 before attempting to operate your model.
