About Expo

[Vez]

I'm a brand new Younger 81year young wannabe, "What is meant by-after first flight you may adjust expo in your Transmitter"? Thanks all,Vez

[WintrSol]

Expo (exponential) changes the output of the transmitter to a curve, from a straight line to one that (usually) reduces control motion about the center of the stick position, increasing as you approach the limit. After a flight, if you have expo added to a control, you would decide if the model feels twitchy with small stick movements, or kind of sluggish, and adjust the expo to suit.

I made a control curve by measuring my receiver pulse width output with increasing amounts of expo, including one the opposite of what is normally used:

[TiredIronGRB]

Welcome to Hobby Squawk!

You have rate and expo, rate is the percentage of the control surface (aileron, elevator and rudder) travel that you want available. Exponential allows you to ease into that travel so that when you first start moving the gimbals (controls) they won't respond as fast as they will once you move them further keeping you from making adjustments too fast.
Having your rates and expo setup before your first flight is a must especially if you are a new pilot. If you haven't already I would strongly suggest getting involved with a local club and get some hands on help setting this up.

[Alpha]

Welcome to Hobbysquawk, Vez!

What radio are you using? Knowing this is critical.

It is important to note that some brands' Expo value settings are the exact opposite from other brands. For example, to give you a range of expectation, most pilots will fly with between 20% and 35% Expo, providing less sensitivity around the center of the stick. Think of the % number as a "dead zone" or "muddy zone"... the larger the number, the wider your muddy zone is around the center of the stick, outside of which the controls start reacting more linearly. On a Spektrum radio, this "softening" number is expressed in the Positive. So you would INCREASE the Expo to +30%, for example. But on a Futaba or Hitec brand radio, this same "softening" number is expressed in the Negative. So you would DECREASE the Expo to -30%, for example.

Using a negative number for a Spektrum radio wouldn't widen the dead zone, it would shrink it... essentially making your aircraft very, very, very sensitive and responsive to the slightest input. This can be a death knell for new pilots.

The bottom line is, if we knew what brand and model of radio you have, we can make a direct recommendation for Expo Value, and Positive or Negative, to at least get you started with what the average beginner will start with.



If you haven't already, please read through our Beginner Guide and other related articles on our Knowledgebase:

https://www.motionrc.com/blogs/motio...eginner-guides

[Grossman56]

The best description I've heard was that its like the null zone on the old non power steering cars. You had to swing the wheel over to get to the other side of the null zone before the wheels would turn. With Expo, the more you have, the greater the size of the null zone. Most of the time, I start with 30% and will reduce it if I feel like I'm working too hard (LOL), like going from manual steering to power assisted to full on power steering (with no expo)
The reason is that our fingers may not be what they used to be and that the muscles that allow the movement may tend to pull the stick over to the left or right while we are trying to push up or down (or the other way around, up and down when we're trying to pull left or right). Expo reduces or eliminates these tendencies by letting the radio ignore them until the stick is past the null zone.

Grossman56

[Vez]

From Vez, thank you all for the input,as a newbe I really appreciate your help.I'll be 81 on Dec. 8th. But I can still chew gum and walk at the same time. I did join local this Sept.got a Real flight 7.5 Sim.at their advise.Bought 2 new planes,Sportsman S+Gen2-and latest is the new Timber.I am working with a Spektrum 6 TRX. and with about 5 trips to flying field with our President have soled 5 times now, I think I'm gonna love this hobby as long as I still have some time left . I think this Squawk ling is a GREAT Idea. Oven N Out! Vez

[Alpha]

Love it every day, Vez! I like how you think. Welcome and we're happy to have you here to join in on the fun. With Real Flight, the Sportsman and the Timber it sounds like you're off to a good start.

[TiredIronGRB]

Sounds like you're on the right track Vez :)

[Grossman56]

Great to have you aboard Vez, and yes, live every day!!

Grossman56

[Vez]

My SpektrumDX4 TRX. which is only 1-1/2 years old,very little usage with it.However now, even though I've replaced the alkaline batteries,the green l.I.D. digress 1 digit to the left<IE:-now the middle green light is lit instead of the usual one to the right which usually indicates a fully charged battery set.?? Could anyone hazard a guess for me? No hurry, as I've since upgraded to a new Spek.DX6. Tnx.again, Vez

[TiredIronGRB]

Just kicking tires at Motionrc.com, "What is the denotation of pnp regarding the wingspan? Thanks in advance, once again, Vez

PNP refers to "plug and play" which means that it's mostly assembled and requires a receiver and battery to complete, the term "PNP" doesn't have anything to do with the wingspan.

[Alpha]

Hi Vez, as I referenced earlier, check out our Beginner Guide for helpful articles, including this one about PNP/RTF/BNF and other acronyms in this hobby.

https://www.motionrc.com/blogs/motion-rc-blog/arf-bnf-pnp-rtf-what-does-it-all-mean

Regarding your Spektrum DX4 issue, I don't have that radio so unfortunately can't comment definitively.

[Vez]

Hello again from Vez, new wannabe,"I just read proper way to store batteries,only thing is how can I drain a fully charged battery down some to keep it safe through this winter?" Also, I have an eflite lipo Bat @1800mah that swelled up a skosh, Is this dangerous or should I dump it?
Over N Out Vez

[TiredIronGRB]

Hello again from Vez, new wannabe,"I just read proper way to store batteries,only thing is how can I drain a fully charged battery down some to keep it safe through this winter?" Also, I have an eflite lipo Bat @1800mah that swelled up a skosh, Is this dangerous or should I dump it?
Over N Out Vez

Most chargers will have a discharge mode.

[Grossman56]

I believe that my charger with set storage volts at about 42%, I've heard many theories about storage, but I put mine anywhere between 42 and 60%
If you can't discharge from your charger, best thing to do is fly, guess you could also tie the plane down and run the motor....

Grossman56