Ripmax VintageTx User manual

VintageTx Transmitter Instructions Draft Version 08.25c_01
Page 1 of 116
VintageTx Converted Transmitter Encoder User Manual
The VintageTx encoder is designed to
retrofit vintage R/C transmitters with
joysticks with mechanical trims to give
programming features similar to most
modern “computer” transmitters but
with the retro feel and character of an
older transmitter.
The display and programming
switches are hidden behind the
original manufacturer’s label which is
held on with strong magnets.
Alternatively the display can be
mounted inside the back of the
transmitter if the cover is easily
removable to get access.
The backlit LCD is easily visible in all
lighting conditions and despite its small
size is easily viewable
The converted transmitter is capable of
flying most fixed wing models from
vintage, single channel, trainers, sports,
scale, classic F3A aerobatics, right up to
4 servo wing gliders with V-Tails.
Figure 1. Small Back-Lit LCD Display

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Contents
1 Specification........................................................................................................................................7
Typical VintageTx Converted Transmitters.............................................................................................8
The Rational of the VintageTx Encoder ......................................................................................91.1
VintageTx Features that are Different to Most Modern Transmitters.......................................91.2
What Features are not included in the VintageTx Encoder......................................................101.3
2 Menu Basics......................................................................................................................................11
The Display................................................................................................................................112.1
Cursors ......................................................................................................................................112.2
The Select Cursor ..............................................................................................................112.2.1
The Underline Cursor........................................................................................................112.2.2
The Edit Cursor..................................................................................................................122.2.3
3 Menus ...............................................................................................................................................13
Home Menu ..............................................................................................................................133.1
Battery Voltage .................................................................................................................133.1.1
Status/Alarms....................................................................................................................143.1.2
Audible Alarm/Sounder ....................................................................................................153.1.3
Status and Alarm Menu ....................................................................................................163.1.4
Down and Up Timer Menus..............................................................................................173.1.5
3.1.5.1 Accessing the Timers Menu from the Home Menu......................................................17
3.1.5.2 Adjusting the Minutes and Seconds of the Down Timer ..............................................18
3.1.5.3 Setting the Throttle Position to Control the Down Timer ............................................18
3.1.5.4 Setting the Down Timer Sounder Mode.......................................................................19
3.1.5.5 Choosing the Down Timer On/Off Control Switch or Joystick......................................20
3.1.5.6 Controlling the Up Timer ..............................................................................................21
3.1.5.7 Resetting the Up Timer.................................................................................................21
Model Select from the Home Menu.................................................................................223.1.6
Main Menus 1 and 2 .................................................................................................................233.2
Menu Structure.........................................................................................................................24
3.3
Main Menu 1.............................................................................................................................253.4
Trims Menu...............................................................................................................................253.5
Notes on the VintageTx Trims...................................................................................................263.6
Trim Memories..................................................................................................................273.6.1
Throttle Tick-Over “Trim” .................................................................................................283.6.2

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Sub Trim Menu..........................................................................................................................293.7
Rates and Expo Menu (Exponential).........................................................................................303.8
Models Menus ..........................................................................................................................313.9
Model Select Menu (Model Memories)............................................................................313.9.1
Model Edit Menu ..............................................................................................................333.9.2
Model Copy Menu ............................................................................................................343.9.3
Model Delete Menu..........................................................................................................353.9.4
Reset All Models Menu.....................................................................................................363.9.5
Servo Reverse Menu.................................................................................................................373.10
End Point Menu (End Point Adjust/EPA) ..................................................................................383.11
Throttle End Point (Throttle EPA) .....................................................................................393.11.1
Mixers Menus (Select and Monitor).........................................................................................403.12
Elevons and V-Tail.............................................................................................................403.12.1
Elevon Mix when using a 4 Channel Receiver...........................................................................413.13
Getting the V-Tail and Elevon Surfaces Moving the Correct Direction.....................................423.14
Setting the Elevator to Aileron (Elevon) or Rudder (V-Tail) Ratio ............................................423.15
A > R (Aileron to Rudder) Mix ...........................................................................................443.15.1
Aileron Diff (Aileron Differential)......................................................................................453.15.2
Single Channel Emulation .................................................................................................463.15.3
Selecting Single Channel ...................................................................................................46
3.15.4
Single Channel Menu ........................................................................................................473.15.5
Selecting S/C Compound or Sequential Operation...........................................................473.15.6
Selecting Seq Beeps (Sequential Control “Beeps”)...........................................................473.15.7
Selecting No Throttle Control, 2 Position or 3 Position Throttle......................................473.15.8
Setting the Rudder % ........................................................................................................483.15.9
Setting the Elevator%....................................................................................................483.15.10
Setting the Mid Throttle %............................................................................................483.15.11
Disabling Single Channel Control..................................................................................483.15.12
How the VintageTx can be used for Single Channel Training .......................................49
3.15.13
What Single Channel Functions are Available ..............................................................493.15.14
Notes on S/C. ................................................................................................................493.15.15
The How Does the 2 or 3 Position Throttle Work in Compound Mode?......................503.15.16
Throttle Curve Mix...................................................................................................................513.16
Selecting Throttle Curve Mix.............................................................................................523.16.1

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Adjusting the Throttle Curve.............................................................................................523.16.2
Throttle Joystick Position Superimposed on the Throttle Curve......................................543.16.3
Turning the Throttle Curve Off .........................................................................................543.16.4
Swap Throttle............................................................................................................................553.17
Notes on the Swap Throttle Mix.......................................................................................553.17.1
Using the Swap Throttle Mix.............................................................................................563.17.2
Pmix - Programmable Mixers....................................................................................................573.18
Pmix Order of Execution ...................................................................................................573.18.1
Programmable Mixers - Pmix 1 to Pmix 8 Selection and Monitoring......................................583.19
Pmix Basics........................................................................................................................593.19.1
Pmix Status........................................................................................................................603.19.2
Pmix Control......................................................................................................................603.19.3
Master and Slave Channels...............................................................................................613.19.4
Master Channel.................................................................................................................613.19.5
3.19.5.1 Master Channel - Ail (Ailerons).................................................................................62
3.19.5.2 Master Channel - Ail.L...............................................................................................62
3.19.5.3 Master Channel - Servo Slow....................................................................................62
3.19.5.4 Master Channel - Offset............................................................................................63
Slave Channel....................................................................................................................633.19.6
3.19.6.1 Slave Channel - Int1, Int2 and Int3............................................................................64
3.19.6.2 Slave Channel - Flap ..................................................................................................64
3.19.6.3 Slave Channel –AuxF and IntF..................................................................................65
Option ...............................................................................................................................653.19.7
3.19.7.1 Option –J/S...............................................................................................................66
3.19.7.2 Option –RtEx. ...........................................................................................................66
3.19.7.3 Option –TR+E. ..........................................................................................................67
3.19.7.4 Option –Pmix............................................................................................................67
3.19.7.5 Option –T/H (Threshold)..........................................................................................68
Pmix Values.......................................................................................................................70
3.19.8
3.19.8.1 Limits to Pmix Channel Values..................................................................................71
3.19.8.2 Selecting Pmix6 or Pmix7 when Throttle Curve is Already in Use............................71
3.19.8.3 Selecting Pmix8 when Single Channel is already in use............................................72
Main Menu 2.............................................................................................................................733.20
System (System Settings) Menu ...............................................................................................733.21

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Calibrate Joystick Menus. .................................................................................................743.21.1
Other System Menu..........................................................................................................763.21.2
3.21.2.1 V Adjust% (Voltage Calibration Value)......................................................................76
3.21.2.2 Alarm Voltage. ..........................................................................................................77
3.21.2.3 Transmitter Inactive..................................................................................................77
3.21.2.4 Mode.........................................................................................................................77
PPM + Channels Menu (PPM Output Polarity, Pulse Length, Aux Channel Mode and3.21.3
Default Channel Output Order). .......................................................................................................78
3.21.3.1 PPM+/- ......................................................................................................................79
3.21.3.2 Pulse (300uS or 400uS) .............................................................................................79
3.21.3.3 Aux1 and Aux2 ..........................................................................................................80
3.21.3.4 Order (Default Channel Order) .................................................................................80
Trim Alarm ........................................................................................................................813.21.4
About Menu..............................................................................................................................823.22
Throttle Cut Menu ....................................................................................................................823.23
Mode.................................................................................................................................833.23.1
3.23.1.1 Cut (Throttle Cut)......................................................................................................83
3.23.1.2 Limit (Throttle Limit) .................................................................................................83
Throttle Cut Switch ...........................................................................................................833.23.2
3.23.2.1 Throttle Cut Inh (Inhibited).......................................................................................83
Sw Rev (Switch Reverse)...................................................................................................843.23.3
Sounder.............................................................................................................................843.23.4
Throttle “Lock” at Power On.............................................................................................843.23.5
Ch Order Menu (Channel Output Order/ Channel Output Assignment)..................................853.24
Range Test.................................................................................................................................863.25
I/P Val Menu (Input Value Monitoring) ....................................................................................873.26
Output Values Menu.................................................................................................................883.27
4 Programming Examples ....................................................................................................................89
Setting up the throttle of an I/C engine....................................................................................894.1
Setting Up the Throttle Servo ...........................................................................................894.1.1
Setting up the Throttle for Electric Powered Models with an ESC...........................................904.2
Throttle Curve Mixes.................................................................................................................914.3
Throttle Curve Mixes - Making the Power Delivery more Linear .....................................914.3.1
Skipping Part of the Engines RPM Range..........................................................................924.3.2

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Flatten the Power Curve for Around the Hover for Electric 3D Models...........................934.3.3
Setting Up I/C Engines on a Twin..............................................................................................934.4
Notes on Rates and Expo ..........................................................................................................944.5
Output Channel Assignment Order. .........................................................................................954.6
Output Order When Servo’s have been Connected to the Wrong Channel ....................954.6.1
Using a 4 channel Rx for a Slope Soarer or a Glider with 2x Aileron Servo’s....................954.6.2
Using a 4 channel Rx for a Delta or Flying Wing ...............................................................964.6.3
Using a Spektrum AR6400 with Integral Servo’s for a Delta or a Flying Wing..................964.6.4
5 Setting the Joystick Gain...................................................................................................................97
6 Examples of Commonly Used Mixers ...............................................................................................98
Throttle to Elevator and Throttle to Rudder Pmix to Correct the Engine Thrust Line......986.1.1
Rudder to Elevator and Rudder to Aileron for Knife Edge Correction..............................996.1.2
Elevator to Flaps (Flapperons) “Snap Flap” ....................................................................1006.1.3
Flaps to elevator (to stop zooming when the flaps are deployed).................................1016.1.4
Flaps to elevator (Alternative Method) ..........................................................................1026.1.5
4 servo wing with camber/reflex and flaps/crow/spoilers.............................................1036.1.6
Programming the 4 Servo Wing Glider/Powered Glider ................................................1046.1.7
Setting the Flaps Up on a 4 Servo Wing Glider...............................................................1076.1.8
Four Aileron Wing with Snap Flap and Flap/Crow..........................................................1086.1.9
Engine differential for throttle steering on twins (Twin Motor Models)........................109
6.1.10
Differential Steering for Electric Twins ...........................................................................1106.1.11
Differential Steering for I/C Twins ..................................................................................1116.1.12
Two Elevator Servos (or Two Rudder Servos).................................................................1126.1.13
7 Appendix.........................................................................................................................................113
Using the VintageTx Encoder with Flight Simulators..............................................................1137.1
Using the VintageTx for Training/Buddy Box..........................................................................1137.2
Suitable Transmitters for Conversion.....................................................................................1147.3
What is single channel Control? .............................................................................................1167.4
With Thanks ............................................................................................................................116
7.5

VintageTx Transmitter Instructions Draft Version 08.25c_01
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1Specification
For converting vintage R/C transmitters with mechanical joystick trims (not switched trims) into a
full “computer transmitter”with a LCD display, menu switches and a ppm output.
8 channels
LCD 128x64 graphics display with LED backlight and 4 programming switches
10 model memories with 10 character model names
Auto-trim setting on Aileron, Elevator and Rudder via a pushbutton (buddy-box switch)
Trim memories on Aileron, Elevator, Rudder and Throttle tick-over
Separate inputs for electrical trims as found on many sets with open gimbal sticks such as
Kraft, Pro-Line etc.
Sub trims on all output channels
End point adjust on all output channels
Dual Rates and Expo on Aileron, Elevator and Rudder
Servo Reverse on all output channels
Freely configurable output order/assignment for all channels
8x programmable free mixes (Pmix)
“Servo slow” on any channel as a Pmix option, adjustable from 0 to 10 seconds
Elevons (delta and flying wing) mix and V-tail mix
Aileron to rudder mix (coupled aileron/rudder)
Aileron differential mix
Throttle Curve Mix
Single channel compound escapement emulation with optional 2 or 3 position blip throttle and
optional kick up (or down if preferred) elevator
Single channel sequential escapement emulation with optional beeps to indicate next direction
Up and Down timers that can run independently of each other
oUp timer (selectable on rudder rate, throttle cut or gear switch)
oDown timer with countdown alarm (adjustable on/off as % of throttle joystick position
or rudder rate, throttle cut or gear switch)
Operation from 6.0V to 12.0V to suit to suit 2S Lipo or Li-Ion, 2S/3S LiFe and 6S-8S NiMH. If
using 2S LiFe ensure the 2.4GHz module will operate at 6.2V, their usable minimum.
Digital voltage read-out with low battery alarm (adjustable to suit the battery used)
Output for the existing meter with trimmer adjustments to give full scale meter at the nominal
maximum battery voltage to suit most brands
Inactivity alarm (adjustable1-15 minutes)
Throttle Lock with arm/reset. On power-up or when a different model memory is selected, the
transmitter will output closed throttle until the joystick has been closed to reset/arm.
Two Throttle Cut modes: Throttle Cut and Throttle Limit.
oThrottle Cut mode operates when the switch is active
oIn Throttle Limit mode, when the switch is operated, the throttle will not go beyond
point, so I/C models can be safely carried out to the patch without worry if the throttle
joystick is inadvertently opened, the motor will not go past the limit.
The throttle joystick can be “swapped” with Aux1, Aux2 or the Gear switch. This is used when
flying powered gliders so that what would be the throttle joystick for a powered aircraft can be
used for flaps/spoilers/crow and the motor controlled by the Aux1, Aux2 or the Gear switch,
with the throttle reset/arm, throttle cut and countdown timer still working
Alarm if the trims are not centred at start up or a different model is selected
Tested with the following modules: FrSkyTM XHT, DHT and V8HT, LemonRxTM DIY, OrangeRxTM
DIY, SpektrumTM DM8, DM9 (case removed), Jumper 4IN1 Multi-protocol (case removed), Jeti
TU and FutabaTM TM-7 and TM-8 (case removed).

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Typical VintageTx Converted Transmitters
Figure 2. Futaba with 1.2" LCD Display
Figure 3. Skyleader with 1.8” LCD Display
Removable Label
held on with
strong magnets
Throttle Cut
Switch
Aileron
Rate Switch
Rudder
Rate Switch
1.2” LCD
Display
Aux2
3 Position
Switch
Aux1
Lever
Gear Switch
Buddy-Box
Switch used for
Auto Trim or
Single Channel
Meter Converted
to Display
Battery Voltage
Elevator
Rate Switch
Menu
Switches
Aux1
Lever
Aux2 Lever (if
fitted)

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The Rational of the VintageTx Encoder1.1
To be able to re-use classic transmitters from the 60’s, 70’s and some from the early 80’s, with
modern programming features and 2.4GHz modules for additional security and convenience.
Suitable for transmitters with joysticks with mechanical trims (not suitable for digital trims) and
inputs for trims with separate trim pots, used on many open gimbals sticks such as Kraft.
A pair of compact circuit boards (control circuit board and a small LCD display and menu
switches daughter board) that will easily fit the front or a single board if fitting in the rear of a
transmitter
A 128x64 LCD graphics display with backlight and four programming switches that is compact
enough to hide behind the manufacturer’s label. LCD displays are available in 1.2”, 1.4” and
1.8” (30mm, 35mm and 45mm). The size is the viewable diagonal dimension.
Alternatively the LCD can be mounted on the front with a bezel (available as an accessory) or in
the rear of the transmitter if the back is easily removable
The display uses a font to give 18 characters wide by 5 rows high that is still easy to read, even
on the smaller displays.
Traditional menu driven programming with enough features to make the transmitter useable
as your everyday transmitter.
Can be used with a range of RF modules. Tested with FrSky DHT, Spektrum DM8 & DM9,
OrangeRx DIY and Futaba TM-7 2.4GHz modules. Also tested with Futaba 35MHz and JR 35MHz
modules (so should work with 27MHz, 36MHz, 40Mhz and 72MHz modules).
VintageTx Features that are Different to Most Modern Transmitters1.2
As the converted transmitter will have mechanical trims, the “Trim” memory has to be easy to
set, so that the mechanical trims can be kept centred (they need to be centred so they don’t
affect rates, expo or other mixes and give a consistent trim for all models). This facility is
provided by pressing a pushbutton that copies the amount the trim/stick positions is away
from neutral. After pressing the switch it should be found that the model is trimmed with the
trims centred. Many transmitters have a “trainer or buddy box” switch already fitted that can
be used, else a push button needs to be fitted to make use of this feature.
If not already fitted, switches can optionally be installed for rates/expo.
The number of auxiliary sliders, dials and switches is very limited, so there is often only a few
ways to implement a mix or function. This can actually be a benefit, as it is easy to be
consistent with which switches are used to control mixes and functions.
As a retro transmitter may appeal to modellers from the earlier years of the hobby, single
channel emulation is provided so that you can practice flying with a single button. It’s fun!
A “throttle cut” function is provided, but is not really necessary as the throttle trim can easily
be setup to stop the engine with the throttle joystick fully closed and the trim down. It is
provided principally as a safety feature to stop electric motors starting inadvertently
A Throttle Limit is provided as an alternative that limits the throttle setting when handling.
The throttle trim in the “trim menu”only adjusts the tick-over, not the whole throttle range

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What Features are not included in the VintageTx Encoder1.3
Rather than reading through the whole manual trying to find features that are not included, below is a
list of features typically found on a modern computer transmitter that have not been implemented.
No Helicopter Mixes.
No flight modes (limited flight modes are possible using the various programmable Pmix).
No dedicated 4 servo wing mixes for gliders. However 4 servo wing mixes for gliders can easily
be implemented by using the 8 free mixes. See the Programming Examples section on page
104 for details.
No trainer switch or trainer system, though a work-around is possible using an on-board dual
receiver change over-module, see page 113 for details.
No multi-point curve mixes, but a throttle curve mix is provided.
Mixes can only be controlled by a single switch, not combinations of switches or virtual switch
conditions from other proportional channels.
Programmable values can only be set via the menu and can’t be linked to an auxiliary channel
to adjust in flight.
Graphics are limited to displaying rates/expo curves and the throttle curve.
There is no way to connect the VintageTx encoder to a PC or other computer to backup
models, transfer models to another transmitter or setup the transmitter on the PC.
There is no telemetry (though a separate FrSky telemetry display could be fitted if using a FrSky
module).
There is no voice or haptic vibration alerts, just a sounder.
It is limited to a maximum of 8 output channels.
Even though the VintageTx encoder is missing some of the features of current top of the range sets, it
has a similar feature set to many mid-range transmitters from 10 years ago and better than some
current entry level sets, so is eminently useable.