Step 1 - Kopter-Check

Before the Kopter will be powered up the first time after a successful assembly you should review your work again.

For that reason that it is an electronic model a solder bridge or an improperly connected cable can destroy hours of work within seconds.

What should you check?
Here are some hints:

• The red outrigger is pointing forward/to the front?

• The FlightCtrl is mounted correctly (with the SMD parts upwards)?

• The FlightCtrl is pointing with the arrow forwards to the red outrigger?

• The propellers were properly aligned and mounted with the correct direction?

• All bolted connections were made correctly?

• Visual check of all solder joints.

• Visual check of all connected cables.

• The power distribution board has been checked for shorts? (Check help)

• If you have allready mount the GPS-System, is it correct connected? (Check help)

Also this should be checked:

• At the transmitter a model memory with a fixed-wing model (ACRO) has been set up.

• The transmitter has been set to your desired MODE (MODE 2 is the regular mode).

• The channels on the transmitter are assiged to switches, buttons and potis.

• The receiver was bound with the transmitter?

• The receiver gives a PPM sum-signal?

• (or has it been changed to - i.e. necessary at the receiver of the HoTT transmitter => Link)?

• The receiver is connected to the FlightCtrl ? (Check help)

Step 2 - Prepare PC

Requirement

• Step1 has been read.

Prepare the PC

To check and to adjust the Kopter right after the power-up the KopterTool has to be installed on your PC/Laptop.
To make all your settings with the KopterTool to your Kopter you need to have a connection between the Kopter and your PC/Laptop. This requires the MK-USB.

1. MK-USB

First at all you need to solder the both 10-pole pin-header and the 2-pole pin-header for the jumper to the MK-USB board:

(Please make sure you solder properly!)

After that the required Windows-driver can be downloaded here: VCP-Treiber
(Who is using a Linux-PC or a MAC can also download here the appropriate drivers)

If the MK-USB is connected to the PC/Laptop it can be installed with the driver.

(More information about the MK-USB you can read here: MK-USB)

2. KopterTool

Is the MK-USB now installed and connected to your PC/Laptop you can download the KopterTool.

The actual version you can get here: MikroKopter-Tool

• TIPP
  If you are not able to download the file with a "Left-click" of your mouse you should open the context menu with a "Right-click"
  and there click on "SAVE Target as...".
  
  

  The KopterTool is a Windows-based program.
  If you want to use this program on a Linux computer or a MAC you need to have Windows-compatible runtime enviroment
  like i.e. Wine, Darwine or WineBottler. (Detailed describtion you can get from the appropriate program.)
  
  

The downloaded file is packed in a ZIP-file and need to be unzipped. This you can do i.e. with a packing-program like 7-zip or WinRAR.
After unpacking the file you have a folder named Kopter_Tool_Vx_xxx (the "x" is asigned for the version-No.!).

In this folder you can find the file MikroKopter-Tool.exe. If you open the file by double-clicking on it you will start the KopterTool.

(Further information about the KopterTool you can find here: KopterTool)

Step 3 - Connect the Kopter with the PC

Requirement

• Step2 has been read.

Connect Kopter with PC

Is the KopterTool and the MK-USB installed and set up there is now a good time to connect the Kopter over the MK-USB to your PC/Laptop.

Here now you need to connect right in polarity the ribbon cable to the MK-USB and the FlightCtrl (or another module).

If you connect the ribbon cable in a wrong way you may be damage the boards.

Two things you should know:

• On ALL boards is on the TOP-side and on the right next to the pin-header a "1" printed.

• The ribbon cable has on one side a red mark.

The red mark should point to the printed "1".

Wether or not if you have connected only the FlightCtrl or already the GPS-System, the connection to the Kopter looks in that way:

The jumper on the MK-USB has to be open.

Step 4 - Switch ON the Kopter

Requirement

• Step3 has been read.

Supply Kopter with voltage

Now turn on first the remote control and after that supply power to the MikroKopter

Tones after switching ON

After the Kopter has been supplied with power all BL-Ctrl's are starting their self-test after a short beep out of the buzzer.
All motors are "beeping" and moving one time. There is no specific order in which the BL-Ctrl's are performing their tests.
(INFO: This tests of the BL-Ctrl's with connected motors are been done even if the FlightCtrl is not connected!).

Now you should hear different beep-tones out of the buzzer. First at all comes a short "beep" followed by more and longer "beeps".
Is i.e. a 4S-Lipo connected comes after a short "beep" 4 a little bit longer "beeps".
With a connected 3S Lipo comes after a short "beep" 3 a little bit longer "beeps".

Example:
On a QuadroKopter with connected 4S Lipo the "beeping" should be in that way:

After those "beep tones" the Kopter should be silent.

LEDs FlightCtrl

The green LED of the Flight-Ctrl should light now, the red LED is OFF and the buzzer is silent.

Is the red LED on the FlightCtrl OFF and the buzzer beeps continuously in intervals it could be possible
that the connected Lipo is empty and should be charged again. Infos about the Lipo's and charging them you can find here: LiPo

LEDs BL-Ctrl

On the BL-Ctrl's each green LED is ON and the red LEDs are OFF.

• Exception for HexaKopter and OktoKopter:
  
  

  At the Kopter only the BL-Ctrl's with the addresses 1-4 should have the green LED on.
  

  • On a HexaKopter the BL-Ctrl's with the addresses 5+6 the green and the red LED should be permanently ON.

  • On an OktoKopter, the BL-Ctrl's with the addresses 5+6+7+8, the green and the red LED should be permanently ON.

• That is normal. The right mixer is not set in the KopterTool.
  If the right mixer is set the green LED of the remaining BL-Ctrl's are ON.
  
  

  How to set up the mixer in the right way is described on the next and following "Step"-Sides.

LEDs NaviCtrl / GPS

If a GPS-System is already mounted the LEDs are lighting as follows:

• NaviCtrl V2.0 => green and red LED ON.

  • (The red LED goes off after calibrating the compass. This will be described on the following "Step"- Sides.)

• NaviCtrl V1.1 + MK3Mag => green and red LED ON. LED on MK3Mag is blinking.

  • (The red LED goes off after calibrating the compass. This will be described on the following "Step"- Sides.)

• MKGPS V1.0 => LED on the TOP-side lights permanently. After a Satfix this one is blinking.

• MKGPS V2.1 => LED on the BOTTOM-side lights permanently. LED on the TOP-side lights permanently + flashes after a Satfix.

Step 5 - First check in the !KopterTool

Requirements

• Step4 has been read.

First check in the KopterTool

Depending on which Kopter is connected (Quadro, Hexa or Okto) the displays of the KopterTool are different in the virtual display.

Below of the virtual display is also a status indicator. Here you can determine quickly if everything is OK (green status indicator) or if there is an error (red status indicator).
Is a status indicator red another button appears next to it "Details..." . One "click" on the button tells you more about the possible error.
It should be your target to have all indicators on green.

The displays for a QuadroKopter should be in that way as shown in the examples under: View QuadroKopter.

If you have a HexaKopter or OktoKopter connected it should be in that way as shown in the examples under: View of HexaKopter or OktoKopter.

View QuadroKopter

The FlightCtrl has as a standard mixer the "Quadro" set up. If you have now a QuadroKopter connected the display in the KopterTool should be in that way:

Only FlightCtrl on the QuadroKopter:
All Status displays are on green = ALL is OK.

FlightCtrl + GPS-System on the QuadroKopter:
Red Status display shows us that something is not OK.
Here now and depending on the used NaviCtrl a bad compass value or a Magnet error will be displayed.

Getting the information Magnet error you should click on the button Details....
If here is as an error a missing compass calibration indicated you must, as well as with a bad compass value, calibrate the compass.

Just only calibrate the compass, an error is not indicated.
Before the compass is calibrated, however, a few other settings are required.
How that works is written in a different Step further down the road.

With each new NaviCtrl V2.0 (or MK3Mag) the compass is still not calibrated. For that reason an error message with a red status display is shown.

View HexaKopter or OktoKopter

If a HexaKopter or OktoKopter is connected the actual set up standard mixer "Quadro" shows you the first 4 BL-Ctrl's but not the other ones.
The display in the KopterTool looks in that way:

Only FlightCtrl on the Hexa- or OktoKopter:
For that reason that the default "Quadro"-Mixer just only displays the first 4 BL-Ctrl and not the remaining BL-Ctrl's of the Hexa- or OktoKopter,
a Mixer Error is shown. If the right mixer for the Hexa or Okto is choosen everything is OK again.

FlightCtrl + GPS-System on the Hexa- or OktoKopter:
Also here shows the default "Quadro"-Mixer just only the first 4 BL-Ctrl's and not the remaining BL-Ctrl's of the Hexa- or OktoKopter.
If the right mixer for the Hexa or Okto is choosen everything is OK again.
How that will be done is described in a later Step.

With each new NaviCtrl V2.0 (or MK3Mag) the compass is still not calibrated. An error message in form of a red status indicator is displayed.
After the right set up of the mixer the nissing compass calibration will be shown.
How that will be done is described in a later Step.

Step 6 - Open the settings

Requirement

• Step5 has been read.

Open the settings

To set up the Kopter (in example the mixer) and to check on the functions of the transmitter you need to switch in the KopterTool to the .

After a click on the button "Settings..." the following window should appear:

Step 7 - !EasySetup - Basic settings

Requirement

• Step6 has been read.

Basic settings

Here in the EasySetup the first basic settings will be made.

Height regulator

Height regulator

With this function you can keep automatically the height of the Kopter during a flight.

Switch ON the function

• The height regulator on the FlightCtrl2.1 is installed by default. Here now the function should be activated. ("click" into the box)
  

  As a switch channel (nominal value) is already Poti 1 => Channel 5 set by default.
  Is a switch on the transmitter assigned to the channel 5 you can switch ON/OFF this function direct from the transmitter.

  • Function/Switch ON: The Kopter is holding in ~middle position of the throttle stick automatically the height.
  • Function/Switch OFF: The Kopter need to be hold manually in the height.

• As a Stick Neutral Point "0" is set by default. This value usually will be NOT changed.
  Here you must set only a different value if you use a throttle stick with a centered spring (The throttle stick stays automatically in the middle position).
  (The function is described here: Link)
  
  
  
  

GPS

The functions of the GPS can be used only, if the GPS-System (NaviCtrl with compass + MKGPS) is mounted to the Kopter and also connected.

Switch ON the function

• If the GPS will be activated you can use additional functions.
  

  For the GPS Control Mode is already the Poti 2 => Channel 6 set by default.
  Is a 3-way switch on the transmitter assigned to this channel 6 you can switch from the transmitter to the functions PositionHold and ComingHome. (Further information you can find here: Link)
  
  

  In addition you can activate also the Dynamic PositionHold and set up the function ComingHome Altitude.
  (More information you can find here: Link)
  
  
  
  

CareFree

With the GPS-System you can use also the function CareFree. This function can help the newcomer to learn how to fly way easier.

Assign a free channel to this function

• This function can be also placed like the GPS or the height regulator to a switch on the transmitter (Poti1-8).
  Is this function switched OFF, the red outrigger is pointing to the front.
  Is this function switched ON, it doesn't matter in which direction the red outrigger points.
  The function Teachable CareFree makes it easier to use the CareFree and provides more functions.
  (An explaination of this function you can find here: Link)
  
  
  
  

Motor-Safety Switch

To prevent that the Kopter will be switched off accidentally during a flight a motor safety switch can be set.

Assign a free channel to this function

• This function can be assigned with a free channel and then over a switch on the transmitter to enable/disable those functions.
  INFO: The Kopter will be with "Throttle down + Yaw left" switched OFF. So that you do not turn OFF the Kopter accidentally during a flight this function can be enabled/disabled.
  
  
  
  

Set the mixer

Is a QuadroKopter connected (4 Motors) it is not necessary to change something.

Was a HexaKopter (6 Motors) or an OktoKopter (8 Motors) connected the error Mixer Error has been shown in the virtual display.
To eliminate this "Error" you must set the right mixer:

One "click" on the button "Load..." opens a selection of existing mixers.
It depends on which Kopter you have you need to choose the appropriate mixer. The mixer you can find here:

If the right mixer has been chosen with "OPEN" the selection window will close. On the right of the Mixer-SETUP you can see the name of the mixer.

Those settings must be written now into the FlightCtrl.
Here a "click" on the button WRITE is enough.

Step 8 - Set receiver and transmitter

Requirements

• Step7 has been read.

Set receiver

After you have set the basic settings the function of the receiver and transmitter should be checked/set.
Here we need to open the second tab: Channels

To make sure that the ways of the sticks and the switches/buttons/potentiometer from the transmitter are implemented properly in the KopterTool and also on the Kopter. You must set first the appropriate receiver:

• See INFO
  
  

If the appropriate receiver was choosen you need to save the changes into the FlightCtrl: This will be done with a "click" on the button WRITE.

Set transmitter

To fly horizontal with the copter, you have to check the stick settings on your transmitter.
If both joysticks are in the center position, the trim of this channels 1-4 have to be in the middle in the KopterTool.

If necessary you have to set the trim on the transmitter.

(To enlarge -> Click image)

If the trim is perfect a changing during flight is not needed.

Step 9 - Check channels

Requirement

• Step 8 has been read.

Check channels

Under the tab Channels will be displayed on the left side the individual channels and also their allocation:

The channels 1 - 4 are assigned for the control of Throttle, Yaw, Nick and Roll.
The channels 5 - 12 are assigned to the POTI's 1 - 8.
Those POTI 1 - 8 can be assigned to each function in the setting.

On the right side you can find a graphical display of the channels. Below the display there is the channel, above the set value.
Has been the receiver correctly set up and saved the display should look in that way:

Are the channels on the transmitter already correctly assigned the display may look like this:

If you move the control stick or press a switch on the transmitter the appropriate channel (bar) should change.

We assume in the Example View 2 that the transmitter is set up in MODE 2. For a transmitter which is set in a different mode the display is pretty similar.

In the Example View 2 we will see as follows:

• Channel 1 (Throttle) => Stick down

• Channel 2 (Roll) => Stick in middle position

• Channel 3 (Nick) => Stick in middle position

• Channel 4 (Yaw) => Stick in middle position

• Channel 5 (POTI1) => "ON" (i.e. Function !Hold Height => 2-way switch at the transmitter)

• Channel 6 (POTI2) => "OFF" (i.e. Function GPS "Free-PH-CH" => 3-way switch at the transmitter)

• Channel 7 (POTI3) => "OFF"(i.e. Poti at the transmitter on "left stop")

• Channel 8 (POTI4) => "OFF" (i.e. Function CareFree => 2-way switchat the transmitter)

• Channel 9 (POTI5) => "OFF"(i.e. 3-way switch at the transmitter for further functions)

• Channel 10 (POTI6) => "OFF"(i.e. 2-way switch at the transmitter for further functions)

• Channel 11 (POTI7) => a little bit over middle position (i.e. Poti at the transmitter "turned not quite centered")

• Channel 12 (POTI8) => "OFF" (i.e. button at the transmitter to trigger a camera)

Moving the sticks or using the switches/buttons/potis the values above the graphical display should be in that way:

Is the display looking like as shown here you must set up correctly the "Servo settings" at the transmitter:

Here we can see that the value of the Servo at the transmitter is not in the range from "0" to "254" but only from "3" to "252".
With these wrong servo values a malfunction can occur. To avoid that should be on the transmitter for each channel the servo travel been adjusted properly.

The exact procedure and the setting are described in the instructions of the transmitter.

TIPP:
At the transmitter the menu point is called mostly "Servo Settings".
The servo travel can be changed for each channel at the transmitter. As a basic setting for each channel is 100%/100% set.

Why 100%/100% ?
For each channel whether it's a joystick, switch, button or potentiometer on the transmitter, it rules the servo travel. This is from -125 <=> 0 <=> +125.
The first 100% are assigned for the lower Servo travel (from -125 to 0) and the second 100% for the upper Servo travel (from 0 to +125).
To make it a little bit easier the servo travel is shown in the KopterTool from 0 <=> 127 <=> 254.

Now you can select the values 100%/100% and increase it slowly. The number should change over the appropriate channel in the display of the KopterTool.
Both percentage values should be increased with the same value. Is now the lower Servo travel i.e. raised to 105% should the upper Servo travel also been raised to 105%.

Step 10 - Camera mount

Requirement

• Step9 has been read.

Who has got no camera mount right now at the Kopter can skip this point and continue with the next "Step".

Install Camera mount

If already a camera mount is assembled to the Kopter it need to be connected correctly to the FlightCtrl:

Set Camera mount

Is a camera mount assembled to the Kopter can these be controlled via the FlightCtrl and automatically kept in balance.
Under the tab Camera the function can be set for that.

After the calibration of the Gyros (is described in a later "Step") the camera mount is adjusting by itself.
Previously the servos are not activated and have no reaction to commands / movements of the Kopter.

The "Servo control" has a pre-set value of 128 for the orientation of the camera mount:

Is the camera mount after the calibration not straight you can change the values for Nick and Roll to compensate this.
You can increase/decrease the value. After saving the new value by clicking the button WRITE the camera mount changes accordingly.
You can repeat this as long as the camera mount is straight under the Kopter.

If you want to adjust yourself the tilt over a potentiometer at your transmitter in addition to the automatic alignment of the camera mount,
you can enter a fixed value with the "Servo control" instead of a potentiometer. We remember: the POTI 1-8 are assigned to a channel.

In our example in the previous "Step 9" there is a potentiometer at the transmitter assigned to Channel 7. This is in the channel setup's POTI 3.
This POTI 3 => Channel 7 we can enter for Nick instead of the fixed value:

With this settings you can change now the tilt (Nick direction) of the camera mount over the potentiometer at your transmitter.
If you want to set yourself also the Roll direction over a Poti at your transmitter, you need to assign a free channel. That channel need to be entered under Roll and over the appropriate POTI 1-8.

The alignment of the camera mount will be done over the Poti's at your transmitter.

The Nick compensation needn't be changed. This setting controls the influence of the nick angle and the roll angle in correspondence to the servo.

The servo travel for both servos is already set by default under Servo min: and Servo max:.
Who still needs a greater servo travel can adjust this here:

There are no needs to set up more right now. More information about different settings you can get later here: MK-Parameter

Step 11 - Outputs

Requirement

• Step10 has been read.

Who has got no ShutterCable assembled to trigger the camera or an ExtensionPCB to switch the lighting on the Kopter can skip this point and continue with the next "Step".

ExtensionPCB oder ShutterCable

If already an ExtensionPCB to control the lighting or a ShutterCable to trigger the camera has been mounted to the Kopter
the connection should be look in that way:

Setting Outputs

The FlightCtrl has got two switch outputs. These outputs can be independently switched and set.
You can let flash the LEDs or you can switch them ON/OFF. Also you can use an output to trigger a camera.

The both switching outputs you can find on the upper pin header SV2 on the FlightCtrl:

A ground potential will be switched here!

To set up a blink sequence on an output you can choose throughout the 8 boxes in the Bit mask different flash pattern.
The speed of the blink sequence you can set with a number under Timing:

Example Output1 (OUT1)

If you want to trigger a camera over an output (i.e.with a ShutterCable) you can set it here also.
You should only activate the first box in the Bit mask. Under Timing the channel (POTI) of the button will be set here at the transmitter:

Example Output1 (OUT1) Poti 8 => Channel 12

If an output was set to trigger a camera you should disable the Low voltage warning for that output.
Otherwise with an empty Lipo and the following battery warning the camera would trigger continuously:

Example Output1 (OUT1) = OFF

As soon as you save this settings with the button into the FlightCtrl the LEDs strat to flash or you can trigger a camera.
(With a connected LED-Lighting the LEDs start blinking with a low voltage warning.)

After these settings you can close the setting window. Here you need to "click" on
We are now back to the "Main Window" of the KopterTool.

Step 12 - Calibration

Requirement

• Step11 has been read.

Calibration

Now that in the previous "Step's" the right function of the transmitter has been checked and (if necessary) the right mixer has been set,
you can start with the calibration.

Calibration ACC

First at all you calibrate the ACC. That you have to do only one time.
(Only in case of an error or after downloading new software you should repeat it)

1. The Kopter should stand straight.

• (An inclined position influence the calibration and leads to errors during the start or in the flight behavior.)
  
  

A circular level can help to align the Kopter in a straight way: Link

2. Over the transmitter the ACC will be now calibrated.

3. The Kopter acknowledges the ACC calibration with beep-tones.

• Depending on where in the 5 Setting's you are the Kopter confirms with that numbers of beeps.
  Example: We are in the Setting 3 (Easy). The Kopter "beeps" 3x to confirm.
  
  

DONE

Calibration Gyro's

Before every initial startup or after changing the Lipo a new calibration of the Gyro's must be done.
If you don't do it the Kopter will give you an error message and "beebs" while trying to start the engines.
INFO: The servo outputs of the FlightCtrl are only available over the transmitter (if set) after the calibration of the gyros. Not before.

1. The Kopter should stand on the ground and not moving or shaking (IMPORTAND !!!).

• (The Kopter can stand horizontal or also be stand hillsided in an inclined position. For a horizontal flight of the Kopter the right calibrated ACC will help!)
  
  

2. Over the transmitter now calibrate the Gyro's.

3. The Kopter acknowledges the ACC calibration with beep-tones.

• Depending on where in the 5 Setting's you are the Kopter confirms with that numbers of beeps.
  Example: We are in the Setting 3 (Easy). The Kopter "beeps" 3x to confirm.
  
  

DONE

Calibration Compass

Is on a Kopter already the GPS-System installed (NaviCtrl, Compass, MKGPS) you must calibrate the compass.
Until this is done, in the virtual display you see the "error6" message.
(If you doesn't calibrate the compass, you can not start the Kopter and he will "beep" if you try to start him.)

It depends on a right calibrated compass that the function of the GPS-functions like PositionHold" works well.

1. Disconnect the Kopter from the MK-USB.

• If you want to calibrate the compass correctly you should go outside.
  Subjected to any disturbing magnetic influences you shouldn't do the calibration close to the house or close to power poles.
  
  

2. Over the transmitter the compass will be now calibrated.

The LEDs look in that way:

• NaviCtrl V2.0 =>

  • green and red LED ON.
    

  NaviCtrl V1.1 with MK3Mag=>

  • NaviCtrl V1.1 = green and red LED ON, MK3Mag = green LED flashes.
    
    

  The calibration will be done in several steps:
  
  

3. Now that the Kopter "beeped" 2x after a successful calibration that part is done.

• If everything is OK the red LED stops lighting after a few seconds on the NaviCtrl V2.0 with integrated compass.
  If you use a NaviCtrl V1.1 with MK3Mag the red LED on the MK3Mag lights permanently.
  
  

DONE!

After the calibration of the compass the Kopter can be connected again to the MK-USB.

Check in between

After those settings:

• Set the right mixer (if necessary)
• Calibration ACC
• Calibration Gyros
• Calibration Compass (if GPS-System has been assembled)

... all buttons should be green in the KopterTool:

Step 13 - Motor, Propeller and Gyro Check

Requirement

• Step12 has been read.

Last Check

Now the function of the FlightCtrl and of the engines should be checked.
If not already done you can remove the propellers now for the motor-test.
In that way you can check safely the direction of the rotation and also the function of the engines and without that the Kopter lifts off.

Motortest

Here now you need to open under the virtual display the tab "Motortest".

The procedure is as follows:

• "Motortest active" has to be activated.

• "Address" = Choose motor you want to test.

• Slider push slowly with the mouse upwards.

That can be done now for each motor.

Tipp:
If a motor is turning the wrong way it is actually enough to switch two of the three motor cables on the appropriate BL-Ctrl.

Propeller assembly

On the Kopter left and right rotating propellers are used. Those ones have to be assembled correctly.

The propeller with its direction of rotation looks like in thast way:

After that describtion you can assemble the propeller back.

Function of the Gyros

So that the Kopter can fly straight are Gyros assembled on the FlightCtrl Gyros for all three directions (X,Y,Z).
This function can be checked with the scope in the KopterTool.

You should:

• Choose FlightCtrl

• Choose analog datas (click) => AngleNick, AngleRoll, AccNick, AccRoll, GyroYaw

• Click the START button (changes then into "PAUSE")

• Move the Kopter in Nick, Roll and Yaw direction.

The scope should look like in that way:

Step 14 - Control commands

Requirements

• Step13 has been read.

Before the first start

Now everything is prepared on the Kopter for the first flight.

To START and to STOP the engines there are also certain stick positions like as for the calibration.

Here are the three main commands:

We wish you now alot of fun and success with your first flight tests.

PS: Don't forget your sunglasses if it's sunny outside.