Setting Up Buddy Box with DX8 and DX6i

[Derek]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNT5oWCotbQ

[Tony]

Totally brilliant Derek, does the plug on that lead look like the one on the simulator lead, it's basically a stereo jack plug..? I've got a few of those of so, use one on my phone to drum kit..

[Graham Lawrie]

Yes Tony, i use a standard jack lead:)

[Tony]

Good, thanks Graham. I've got a few of those so no need to buy one..

[Derek]

Yep! That cable is a simple stereo jack. That was a fact that I was unaware of until after I had bought the "Spektrum" cable, lol. So..ya live and ya learn, lol. But....using the buddy box with these two transmitters is super simple.

A bit of advice....once the connection between the two tx's has been made, double check and triple check that all stick inputs are making the model work properly. On some instances, I have noticed that the "default" settings on the "Student" tx aren't always proper. Most of the time they are but there have been a few instances where there have been a few Dual Rate variances. So...just double check everything and I'm sure, between you and Lee, you'll have a positive experience.

Good luck!!!

[Tony]

Thanks Derek, appreciate that, well I've got a good mentor.....lol

[Lee]

Do both radios have to be programmed to run the model. or only the one that normally flys it?
Like if I want to be the master with my DX8 on Tony's Heli with his DX6I, do I need to programme my DX8 to fly his heli?

[Tony]

Yes u do Lee, dx8 setup to fly my heli, and I'll need a new model set with defaults.

[Derek]

Yes u do Lee, dx8 setup to fly my heli, and I'll need a new model set with defaults.

This is correct!

Lee....if you were to let Tony fly your 570...you'd simply go to the "Trainer" option on the DX8. Scroll over to "Pilot Link Master" and select it. Press the back button and the tx should go to the main menu (as if you had just turned it on). On that screen, it should say "NO SLAVE". Then, on Tony's DX6i, simply create a default "heli" model...just so that the tx knows that Tony has "helicopter" functions and not "plane". The "default" model that I have on my DX6i is for planes and I just have another model set (called Buddy Box). That model has all "default" settings. So...back to the helicopter.... Once the "default" model is set on Tony's DX6i and the Pilot Link Master is enable on your DX8, with your DX8 turned on and Tony's DX6i turned off, plug in the buddy cable to both tx's. The DX6i should then turn on and you should be ready to fly.

Now...I've not done a buddy box with anyone and my helicopters...just a few of my planes. Be VERY VERY certain to do pre-flight checks on both tx's. Lee, simply do your usual preflight checks, as you normally would. Then, press and hold the "BIND/TRAINER" button and have Tony do the same preflight checks. This is ensure that everything is working properly.

I've had a few of my friends, my Dad, and my wife fly a few of my planes with me and I've not had to change any of the settings in the "Student" tx except for one time. I don't know what made the difference in that one occasion. I did the preflight checks with my DX8 and all was well. Did the preflight checks with the DX6i and I noticed that all 4 control surfaces weren't moving as much as when I did the checks with my DX8. So, on that one occasion, I did have to change the dual rates and expo settings. Other than that, you should be good to go.

Since I know that Tony will be flying the mini quad, for the first time, I imagine the steps taken will be very similar. Again, I've not done a buddy box with a multi rotor but a little common sense goes a long way and I'm quite confident that, between the two of you, you'll figure it out.

I wish ya the best of luck and I hope to see some video!

Oh...one other thing....regarding the buddy box....along with the preflight checks on both tx's....also be sure to give control of the model to Tony...have him run up the throttle just a little bit (just so that it's obvious that he has control) and then you let go of the "BIND/TRAINER" button and see what happens. If your throttle stick is all the way down and he is running the throttle, the motor(s) should stop. This will show that the Buddy Box system is working properly.

Ok....I'm done (I think, lol) Good luck guys!!!

[KevG]

Nice explanation Derek even I could follow that logic,

[Tony]

Nice one Derek, I'm sure we can do it now with all that info, thanks mate. Appreciate it.

Don't think we will be using buddy box with the quad like... There much easier to fly lol, and I do fly my hubsan around ok..

[Derek]

Nice explanation Derek even I could follow that logic,

Awesome! It was a bit tricky, for me, at first, but it's no problem now. The big key that I found to success is "pre-flight checks".

[Derek]

Nice one Derek, I'm sure we can do it now with all that info, thanks mate. Appreciate it.

Don't think we will be using buddy box with the quad like... There much easier to fly lol, and I do fly my hubsan around ok..

Awesome, Tony! I'm sure that you two clever lads will do just fine!

[Lee]

Thanks for the instructions Derek.
We will make sure everything is 100% before flying, thats for sure

[Derek]

Thanks for the instructions Derek.
We will make sure everything is 100% before flying, thats for sure

I have no doubt that you will, Lee! I'm sure it will be a positive experience for both of you.

Have fun guys!

[Tony]

Ferry in 6 days time...can't wait to get away...

[Graham Lawrie]

Have you buddied yet?

[Derek]

It works great each time I do it. I hope all goes well for Lee and Tony.

[Graham Lawrie]

Cameron does it with me:) makes him very nervous with my flying:)

[Derek]

It can certainly nerve racking while watching someone else fly your model. I have a habit of letting go of the "trainer" button, and taking control, because I get uncomfortable when there is something happening that I don't like, even if the other person says that they had control.

I've not done the buddy box with any of my helicopters but I've done it with several of my foamie planes.