Spektrum AR636A Receiver Unlocked

[@budsimpson973]

This has been the best presentation of buddy box setup I have found keep up the good work. By the way I learned on a pt40 with a 4 channel Futaba in a metal box. No buddy cable, just pass the trans back and forth. lol

[@RCJim]

Yes, Bud. I had a similar experience only with nobody to pass the transmitter to!

[@RCJim]

@@budsimpson973 Thanks!

[@txkflier]

The very first AR636A's can't be reprogrammed because they can't be registered. Later AR636A's and all AR636's and AR636B's can be registered and reprogrammed. To enable SAFE, the firmware must be upgraded to version 2.x and then you can use FlightEngr's (RC Groups) SAFE Model Builder (SMB) software to configure the SAFE mode settings. To use an OpenTX/EdgeTX transmitter with Spektrum gyro receivers, the "Enable Max Throw" option must not be enabled.

[@RCJim]

Thanks for the helpful info!

[@txkflier]

@@RCJim Also, the AR636 doesn't use a 2nd channel to control the gains. When you set up the AS3X menu in your transmitter, it creates a mix that uses the transmitter's flight mode system to store the gain setting for each of the receiver's flight modes. When you put the receiver's flight mode channel on a 3-position switch, the default values are -100, 0, and +100 percent. The mix can offset these values up to 45% each way. So, flight mode 1 can be from +55% to +145%, flight mode 2 can be from -45% to +45%, and flight mode 3 can be from -145% to -55%. My DX9 and iX14 can use the left or right trim levers to adjust the gyro gain. A DX6e can use the scroll wheel, but you must put the transmitter in the AS3X menu before taking off. Otherwise, the scroll wheel can't adjust the gain. Several years ago, we used to enable only the roll gain on one position of the switch, enable only the pitch gain on the middle position, and enable only the yaw gain on the 3rd position. With the other gains set to zero, we could test each axis independently. We'd take off and set the roll gain, flip the switch and set the pitch gain, flip the switch again and adjust the yaw gain. That was a lot of trouble, so I just started setting the roll gain to 30%, the pitch gain to 40%, and the yaw gain to 50%. I'd set all of the priorities to 150% because with the dual rates set to 50% (the lowest I ever go), the gyro gain would decrease to zero just as the stick hits the stop. With the servo travel and dual rates set to 100%, the gyro gain would decrease to zero at one-half stick deflection. You don't want any gyro gain at full stick deflection and need it the most near neutral, so having the gain decrease to zero somewhere between 1/2 and full stick deflection is fine. And yes, take the prop off. AS3X doesn't activate until you open the throttle above 25%, so you must run the motor before checking the gyro direction. I used to use heading hold before I started setting up SAFE mode. You shouldn't use it on yaw with an airplane, but it works well on roll and pitch. It can eliminate the need to use RUD>AIL/ELE mixing to straighten your plane out in knife edge flight.

[@RCJim]

Thanks again for the detailed information!

[@clmb2225]

Hello Jim, It may not fit the video, but Spektrum has released an update for the NX series. With this update I was able to expand my MX 8 to 20 channels. This allows me to transmit every switch element, every stick and others. Maybe you should just give it a try

[@RCJim]

Yes, I'm aware of the update. That's fantastic. You just wonder why they didn't do it earlier if the TX actually has that ability!

[@allencummins470]

My AR 636A I done all the steps that you explained on your video. I went to forward program and all I got was a red screen that said I was not connected. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but I must be doing something wrong if you send me a note, explaining maybe what I’ve done wrong? Thank you.

[@RCJim]

Hi Allen, Strange things do happen, especially when you are trying to get a Spektrum product to do something out of the ordinary. Without being there I really can't say what the problem is. What I can say is that I often have problems working with things like that, and I keep on trying, going back through all the steps, and many times I get it to work - but not all the time. Do you have servos connected to it? If so, try it without them being connected.

[@allencummins470]

I have no servos connected to it. I sent it to Utah to a friend of mine and see if he can work with it. He is pretty good with stuff like that hopefully, we can get him to work. Thanks for replying.

[@txkflier]

The AR636/A/B doesn't support Forward Programming.

[@JuanRincon-ef4wg]

Great video, Jim. Thanks! However, I couldn't unlock my AR636A because I couldn't register it on the Spectrum website. The message from the system is, 'This product cannot be registered.' Any tips would be appreciated.

[@RCJim]

Perhaps someone else has registered it, and has not released it. Did you get it second hand?

[@JuanRincon-ef4wg]

@@RCJim Yes I did, It was working on a Corsair S (HBZ8200)

[@RCJim]

I think the previous owner would have to notify Spektrum through their website to indicate that they no longer own it.

[@weseehowcommiegoogleis3770]

This is all fine and dandy but the main thing here is Spektrum ONLY wants the Hardwares registered so it Cant then be Viable as a Used product. Many flyers on here cant seem to fathom how greedy Spektrum is!

[@RCJim]

How true!

[@txkflier]

That's not even close to the truth. If you register your Spektrum products, they can send you a notice when they release updates. If someone else has registered an item, you can contact Horizon and they can clear the previous owner's registration.

[@RCJim]

@@txkflier Agreed.

[@786free1]

Anyone using this on a radiomaster tx16s or any of the opentx or Edgetx tx?

[@RCJim]

Yes, I have used it with my Radiomaster TX16s with Edge TX. I use DSM X2F for the protocol. The radio complains that the signal strength is low, but it seems that this is due to Spektrum having a different system for reporting signal strength than Radiomaster. I have not experienced any actual control problems. But it is a bit un-nerving!

[@786free1]

@@RCJim I am having trouble setting up the safe mode. I have a 3 position switch set as my flight mode switch on my radiomaster tx16s and that appears to kind of work as in FM1 I can use that switch to turn off the gyro and in FM2 and FM3 I get AS3X. However I want FM3 to activate SAFE But I can't t get it to do that. The AR636A rx has safe built in and I believe SAFE has been activated within the rx as on start up the control surfaces do the double dance confirming that it is in SAFE mode but when I flick the FM 3 position switch the plane doesn't try and correct its self from inverted to the right way up. Pls help if you're able to.

[@RCJim]

@@786free1 Sorry, right offhand I’m not sure of what to do with that. I don’t use SAFE at all. I can say that the plane will do its start up dance when only AS3X is being used.

[@786free1]

@@RCJim I managed to get it working. Thanks any way and keep making the very helpful videos.

[@RCJim]

Glad to hear that!