Eagle Spektrum TM User Manual

Instruction Manual for

Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your Spektrum™ and JR™ Data Interface (the Interface). Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If, after you read the manual, you have further questions or problems, see the Support page on http://www.eagletreesystems.com for additional information, or email us at support@eagletreesystems.com.

IMPORTANT: It is extremely unlikely that the installation of the Interface will affect your model’s radio range or control. But, as always after making an electronics change to your model, it is very important that you range and function test your model once the Sensor is installed to ensure that there is no impact on your system. Make sure that your “antenna down” operating range is within the manufacturer’s specifications. See your Radio owner’s manual for the correct procedure for your equipment. DO NOT OPERATE IF

YOUR MODEL DOESN’T PASS THE ANTENNA DOWN RANGE CHECK.

IMPORTANT: Before connecting the Spektrum interface cable to your Spektrum Receiver, ensure that you have configured your eLogger or Recorder for the Spektrum interface, as described in the “Configuring the Interface with the Windows Application” section below!

Packing List

Your package should include the following: The Interface cable, and a printed version of this manual. Please check our support web page for the electronic version of this manual which may be updated if changes were made after printing.

What the Interface Does

For the first time ever, see and hear how your receiver is performing real time, while you fly! The interface provides support for wireless telemetry and logging of all the Spektrum™ and JR ™ RF link performance parameters, with “FlightLog” compatible RX’s. Just think, while you do your range check, get instant feedback on the Seagull LCD display about how your RF link is performing. And best of all, audible ‘beep’ alarms can be programmed on the Wireless Dashboard display, to alert you in real time when things start to go wrong during flight! With the programmable beep capability, you keep your eyes on your model, where they should be, knowing that your Receiver is getting a good signal at all times unless alarms sound. Fly with confidence knowing that your radio link is performing optimally!

The Interface gives you access to the following parameters:

• Receiver Holds – displays a count of the number of Failsafe Holds that have occurred

• Receiver Lost Frames – displays how many frames have been missed during your flight

• Receiver Antenna A, B, Left and Right Fades – displays fade (poor signal) counts of each antenna (up to four). This helps you to

determine which of your antennas needs to be repositioned.

NOTE: at this time, the Interface cable CANNOT be used simultaneously with the GPS Expander, as they use the same port. Eagle Tree is developing a solution to this shortcoming.

Supported Products

The Interface cable is designed to plug directly into the Data port of most “FlightLog” compatible Spektrum™ and JR™ receivers. It will not work with any other receiver brand or model! NOTE: Eagle Tree has received a report that Spektrum™ and JR™ PowerSafe™ receivers will start up in bind mode when connected to our Recorders during power-up, so PowerSafe™ receivers may not be compatible.

The Interface works with the eLogger V4 or V3 (not the eLogger V1 or V2), with all versions of our Pro, Glide, Flight, Car and Boat Seagull and Recorder products that have shipped since 2007, and have a firmware version of 4.XX or higher. If you have a “3.xx” or lower recorder firmware version, a hardware upgrade is required. Please see our support web page for more information on hardware upgrades.

Steps to Follow

Installation and use of the Interface should be quite easy and enjoyable if you follow these few steps:

• Read through the manual to understand the warnings, determine the installation and setup sequence, etc.

• Upgrade the Windows Application and Firmware for your Recorder as described in the “Windows Application and Firmware

Update” section below.

• Install and configure the Interface as described below.

Spektrum™ and JR™ Data Interface

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Windows Application and Firmware Update

To use the Interface, you must update to Eagle Tree Windows Application version 6.08 or higher. To update, download the latest application from the support page of our website, located at http://eagletreesystems.com/Support/apps.htm . After downloading and installing the Application, the firmware of your eLogger or Recorder and Dashboard will need to be updated. To upgrade your firmware, just choose “Tools, Firmware Control” and click the Update button.

Connecting the Interface Cable to your Receiver

The 3 pin JR style plug on the interface cable is polarized. Simply plug the JR end of the cable into the Data port of your Receiver. NOTE: there are only two wires on the JR end of the cable, and the color of these two wires is probably different than the “standard” wire colors. Just plug the Interface cable in based on the polarization of the JR plug. NOTE: with a standard servo Y cable, you can connect your Spektrum™ Flight Log™ LCD data display at the same time as the Eagle Tree Interface cable.

Connecting the Interface to your Data Recorder (NOT eLogger V3)

The 4 pin plug of the Interface cable plugs into the “GPS” port of your Data Recorder, as shown in Figure

1. Note the correct polarity of the Interface cable plug, as shown in Figure 1. NOTE: the Data

Recorder must be powered with less than about

5.5V for the Spektrum interface to operate correctly!

Connecting the Interface to the eLogger V3

The 4 pin plug of the Interface cable plugs into the “GPS” port of your eLogger V3, as shown in Figure 2. Note the correct polarity of the Interface cable plug, as shown in Figure 2.

Configuring the Interface with the Windows Application

If you have not already done so, set up the Recorder software as described in your instruction manual.

Then, click connect your Recorder or eLogger V3 to the PC with the USB cable, and choose “Tools, Enable Spektrum™ Flight Log

Interface.” Then, click the “Enable Spektrum™ Interface” checkbox, and click OK.

Logging Interface Data To log interface data, just click “Tools, Choose Parameters to Log in the Recorder” and check the “Spektrum™ AR9000™ Flight Log Interface”

checkbox.

Displaying Interface Data the Windows Application

Once the Interface is enabled in software as described above, whenever data are downloaded from the recorder and played back, or when PC Live Mode is started, Interface data will be displayed at the bottom of the Windows Application screen. The format of the interface data is as follows:

Spektrum: Holds=0, Lost Frames=0, Ant Fade A=0, Ant Fade B=0, Ant Fade Left=0, Ant Fade Right=***

Note that when “***” is displayed for a particular antenna, this indicates that the antenna is either not attached or not functioning properly.

Graphing Interface Data

To graph logged Interface data, click “Graph Data/2D Chart,” select either the Left Y Axis or Right Y Axis, and select one or more of the Spektrum™ parameters for graphing.

Displaying Interface Data on the Seagull Dashboard

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