FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I really need to upgrade the firmware in my Spektrum Transmitter? 

Yes  Yes  Yes.  Follow the instructions in the Guide for upgrading with an SD card.   With the new iX12, follow the instructions in the Guide to update your radio using the Google Play Store.  Do NOT skip this step.  You may encounter compatibility problems with the templates if your firmware is older than the firmware used to build the templates.  

What do I actually get?

You will receive a digital download of the Guide in .pdf format along with .spm or .ispm templates you import into your Transmitter.  You do not receive a hard copy book.  You must read the Guide on a full size computer screen.  It is not formatted to be read on a Kindle or a smart phone.  Print the Guide on your home printer. 

How soon do I get it? 

If payment is by credit / debit card or by PayPal, you will receive an email within seconds of receipt of proof of payment or as quickly as your server updates your email inbox in real time.   However, many email programs only ping your server every 5 minutes or more, so you will not see the email until then.  Other payment options, such as e-check, will send the email as soon as the e-check clears the bank.  

How do I get it? 

You will receive an email asking you to click on a button or two.  Click on all the buttons.  If you did not receive an email, please check your spam filter.  If you used a work email, please check the work server spam filter.  If your PayPal account uses a different email address than the one used to order the product, the system sent the information to the email address associated with your PayPal account. 

It's been a week, or I just received a request for a review and I still don't have anything.  

My online store is fully automated.  Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing if someone does not receive the download email.  You must contact me as soon as you have gone through the steps in the above question first.  I can verify if payment was received and how many, if any, downloads occurred and fix the problem.  

I clicked the download button, where did the files go? 

This depends on your computer and operating system.  The latest systems will ask you if you want to "Save" or "Save To" or "Save As."   If you just click "Save" the files will be found on your hard drive in a folder named "Downloads."  If you click "Save To" you will be asked to identify or create the folder where you want to send the files.  You can also save directly to the computer's SD Card.  

I found the files, now what? 

Double click on the file with the .pdf extension.  Depending on your computer, the file will open automatically in a PDF reader or in your browser.  If you have an old computer, you may need to download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader from the internet.   

Double click on the file with the .zip extension and extract the files. (there can be as many as five)  Copy these files to the SD card and follow the instructions in the Guide on importing the file(s) to the transmitter.  

Do not double click or try to open the .spm, or .ispm files.  These files are imported directly into and read by your transmitter.  

Do I need anything special for the DX series of Radios?

For the DX series of transmitters, you need a computer with a SD card reader.  Use the SD card to import the files to your transmitter.   With The DX Transmitters, an SD card higher than a Class 4 or larger than 32Gig will not work.  Use a slower card with less memory.    

Do I need anything special for the iX series of Radios?  Any SD card will work in the new iX12.  Files can also be transferred from your laptop directly to the transmitter over WiFi or BlueTooth.  

I imported a template and got the following error message, "779 'Centertone' Invalid Selection Name."

This occurs when you fail to update your firmware.  This message or one similar occurs when the prepared template contains a feature that became available in a newer version of the firmware than the one in your transmitter.  Update your firmware. 

I have heard that a template built on one radio will work on all radios, is that correct?

Yes, what you heard is correct.  Airware, the name of the software / firmware used by Spektrum is common across the entire line of radios sold today.  But there are distinctions.  Lesser capable radio may not have all of the switches, knobs or sliders of a more capable radio.  In other situations, software features found in more capable radios are not available in lesser radios.  An example would be an spm file built on a DX18 will work on a DX6.  However, if the template uses the side sliders, because the DX6 does not have side sliders, those features are unavailable on the DX6. 

Another example is found in the guide for DLG.  At the time this guide was written only the DX9, DX18 G2 and DX20 came with a sequencer that appeared in the menu.  If you import this file to a Transmitter where sequencer does not appear in the menu, the sequencer continues to work in these radios.  The only difference is that the sequencer cannot be modified in those Transmitters.  Feedback confirms that over 99% of those using this template on a transmitter without a sequencer in the menu, don't want to change the 2 second Zoom Mode, so this is not a problem. 

Finally, there might be channel limitations.  There are two guides for the Radian Pro because it uses six servos plus a motor.  The DX6 guide is a channel short so it uses a Y-harness for the flaps which reduces the available features and the ability to fine tune the individual flaps.  The Radian Pro guide for radios with 7 or more channels does not use a Y-harness providing more programming flexibility.   

Finally, files from a DX Transmitter (SPM) can be shared with a iX12 (iSPM).  Unfortunately, the only similarity in voices between the DX Transmitters and the iX12 is the speaker.  Which means, the core programming will transfer, but you will have to manually setup any voices.    

Do I really have to upgrade the firmware in my existing radio? 

Yes Yes Yes.  Even if you just purchased the radio, there is no telling how long it had been sitting in inventory.   As long as the Firmware version in your radio is the same or a newer version than indicated on the cover page of the guide, everything will work just fine.  Visit and register with the Spektrum Community website to check your firmware status for DX Transmitters and check the Google App Store for iX Transmitters.  

Should I register my transmitter?  

Yes Yes Yes!  You cannot update your firmware / software unless your transmitter is registered.  Your transmitter is key locked to a specific update file for your transmitter.  You cannot "borrow" someone else's update file to update your radio.  

I purchased a used radio and cannot set up an account or register the Transmitter on the Spektrum Community Website.

The seller must unregister the radio before you can set up a new account or add the Transmitter to your existing account.  If you can't find the seller, you will need to contact the service desk at Horizon Hobby.  IX series radios can be reset from the menu removing all of the prior owners information.  

Will you help on a case by case basis? 

Generally, I just don't have the time.  I do not take phone calls on programming issues.  I do respond to questions raised on the RCGroups threads dedicated to Spektrum Transmitters and sailplanes.  Ask your specific questions there.   I do not design custom programs to satisfy the requirements of a particular model or pilots desires.  I just dont have the time.  

 

Do you respond to email?

Yes I do.  Unfortunately, I dont check this email every day.  Red Sailplane is more of a hobby so I do not receive emails on my cell phone.  It may take several days before you see a response to an email.