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® Instruction Manual Bedienungsanleitung Manuel d’utilisation Manuale di Istruzioni ®...
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WARNING AGAINST COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS Thank you for purchasing a genuine Spektrum product. Always purchase from a Horizon Hobby, Inc. authorized dealer to ensure authentic high-quality Spektrum product. Horizon Hobby, Inc. disclaims all support and warranty with regards, but not limited to, compatibility and performance of counterfeit products or products claiming compatibility with DSM or Spektrum.
fl ying challenges that you never would have before. That’s why you must read this manual before you fl y with the DX18 for the fi rst time. There is so much this transmitter is capable of that you don’t want to miss a thing.
V-Tail Differential (Air and Sail Types only) ....24 Parts Contact Information ...........41 Throttle Cut ...............24 Compliance Information for the European Union ...41 Throttle Curve ............24 Mixing ...............25 Sequencer ..............26 Range Test ..............27 Timer ................27 Telemetry ..............27 Monitor ..............28 X-Plus Monitor ............28 SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Never connect an external battery charger to your The System Settings Screen allows you to change the battery DX18 transmitter. If you wish to charge the LiPo battery using a type and low alarm settings. See “System Settings” for more LiPo charger, you must remove the battery from the transmitter information.
fi lm applied to some Throttle/AileronStick (Mode 4) front panels for protection during Switch C shipping. Humidity and use may cause this fi lm to come off. Carefully remove this fi lm as desired. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
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Charge Port Adjustment (Mode 2,4) Throttle Spring Tension Left Lever Adjustment (Mode 1,3) Left Rear Grip Right Rear Grip Trainer Port Right Lever SD Card Gimbal Stick Tension Adjust- ment Battery Cover Handle/Antenna 2 SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Main Screen Tip: The tick mark below shows the current switch position. Rolling and clicking the roller turns the selected box black, indi- cating that the value or condition will act on that position. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Binding is the process of programming the receiver to recognize the GUID (Globally Unique Identifi er) code of a single specifi c trans- mitter. The DX18 and AR9020 are pre-bound at the factory. You will need to rebind after the model programming is initially set up to fully program the model’s failsafe positions.
You establish failsafe positions when you bind your transmitter and receiver. If radio signal connection is lost between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver immediately moves the aircraft control surfaces to the failsafe positions. The Spektrum AR9020 receiver has three failsafes programming options: SmartSafe, Hold Last Command, and Preset.
SD CARD Installing the SD Card The included SD Card enables you to: • Import (copy) models from another DX18 transmitter • Export (transfer) models to another DX18 transmitter • Update AirWare™ software in the transmitter To install the SD Card: 1.
2. Scroll left or right until the desired character appears. Press until the Model Name is complete. the scroll wheel once to save the character. 4. Select BACK to return to the System Setup list. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
When X-Plus is active in the transmitter, the DX18 recognizes channels 11 and 12 (AUX 6 and AUX 7) on a 12-channel receiver. Channels 11 and 12 will have 22ms frame rate and 2.
Normal at the bottom of the Trim Setup screen and press the scroll wheel. Aircraft Model Type IMPORTANT: Crossed trims will cross both sets of trims for both Throttle gimbals. - Throttle Digital trim button (default) SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Auto: The Telemetry screen automatically appears as soon You can also enable Data Logging to save a telemetry fi le on as the transmitter receives data from the telemetry module. the SD Card and view the data in the Spektrum STi(TM) mobile application. Units Scroll to Units and press the scroll wheel to change between US and Metric.
The Bind menu enables you to bind a transmitter and receiver without powering off the transmitter. This menu is helpful if you are programming a model and need to bind the receiver for failsafe positions. See “Programming Failsafe Positions” for more information. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
The DX18 features a programmable trainer function with 4 Slave trainer modes. The transmitter assigns the trainer function to Use Slave mode when using the DX18 as a slave transmitter and Switch I. The 4 trainer modes include: PilotLink is active in the master transmitter.
2. Scroll left or right to change the region and press the scroll wheel once to save the selection. Transmitters sold outside of Europe do not have the option to change the region from US-247. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
The transmitter AirWare version appears between PREV and Spektrum Community website. NEXT at the bottom of the Serial Number screen. Register your DX18 to get AirWare updates and other news at Exporting the Serial Number to the SD Card community.SpektrumRC.com You may fi...
SD card separate from the transmitter before performing this IMPORTANT: The orange LED Spektrum bars fl ash and a status function. bar appears on the screen when AirWare updates are installing.
2. Power off the transmitter and install the SD Card in the updates are installing, the transmitter screen is dark. The transmitter. orange LED Spektrum bars fl ash and the update status bar 3. Power on the transmitter and the update automatically appears on the screen.
4. Press the scroll wheel again to save the selection. travel without affecting the amount of “up” travel on the opposite control surface. The Differential menu option only appears when a multi-servo aileron wing type is active in Aircraft Type. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
To remove points from a Throttle Curve: 1. Move the Throttle stick until the cursor is near the point you wish to remove. 2. Scroll to Remove Pt. and press the scroll wheel once to remove the point. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
3. Scroll to the switch position where you want the mix to be active. The mix is Active when the box is fi lled and Inactive when the box is open. You can assign a mix to be active in multiple switch positions (0,1 or 2). SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
3-position switch. The 3 positions act as ‘kick points’ of the movement at fi xed percentages (equal thirds) of the sequencer output. In a function screen, highlight each point (0-2) and select the switch position desired for a function to be active. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
If you let go of the trainer button, the transmitter will go back to Full Power. Timer The DX18 Timer function allows you to program a countdown timer or stop watch (count up timer) to display on the main screen. An alarm sounds when the programmed time is reached.
X-Plus Module. X-Plus module and an X-Plus-capable receiver. X+1 and X+2 channels also serve as the monitor for channels 11 and 12 on a 12 channel receiver. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Refer to community.spektrumrc.com for more information about *Selection of multiple ailerons activates the Differential menu option. new DX18 AirWare updates to support these options. **Selection of either of these activates the V-Tail Differential menu option Activates the Gyro menu option in the Function List.
4. Select the Curve you wish to edit. 5. Add the desired gyro gain values to the points on the curve. 6. Assign the switch positions to activate the gyro curve. The curve is active when the box is solid. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
2. Adjust the mix value for the Pitch. If the swashplate does not move in the correct direction, change the direction of the value (negative instead of positive). SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
fl ight mode switch to one of the active positions. Move the programmed cyclic or rudder channel noting the throttle position. The throttle position should increase. If the throttle decreases then the opposite value (positive vs. negative) is needed. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Tail on the transmitter screen to show the available setups. Normal Refer to community.spektrumrc.com for more information about V-Tail A** new DX18 AirWare updates to support these options. V-Tail B** Motor Inhibit Assign to a Switch (optional) *Selection of multiple ailerons activates the Differential menu option.
In helicopters, install receivers in the radio tray, where there is usually suffi cient room for receiver separation. Where there is not suffi cient room, install a receiver on an external receiver mount made of clear plastic. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
NOTICE: The DSMX DX18 is compatible with all current Spe- Recommended Power System Guidelines ktrum DSM2 and DSMX aircraft receivers, but NOT compatible 1. When setting up large or complex aircraft with multiple high- with the original DSM AR6000 receiver.
10. Connect the battery to your transmitter. 3. Carefully remove and keep 4 screws from the back of the SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Please see your local or regional modeling association’s guidelines (j) Not operate a turbine-powered aircraft, unless in compliance for proper, safe operation of your model aircraft. with the AMA turbine regulations. (AMA Document #510-A). SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
ANTENNA SEPARATION DISTANCE is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may When operating your Spektrum transmitter, please be sure to not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept maintain a separation distance of at least 5 cm between your any interference received, including interference that may cause body (excluding fi...
NOTICE: Horizon service is limited to Product compliant in the country of use and ownership. If non-compliant product is received by Horizon for service, it will be returned unserviced at the sole expense of the purchaser. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
Signed for and on behalf of: Horizon Hobby, Inc. Steven A. Hall Champaign, IL USA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Offi cer May 1, 2011 International Operations and Risk Management Horizon Hobby, Inc. SPEKTRUM DX18 • TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL...