Configuring the your Pixhawk

Below is a link to Q Ground Control set up Users Guide, we have here an edited version but the one from Dronecode have more information and links.

Note: Software and Firmware

There are several software applications you can use to set up your pixhawk. We will use Q Ground Control. It is free and available for Windows, MAC and Linux.

There are 2 firmware version available, we will use PX4.

Use the link below to download and install Q Ground Control

Below are the base screen in Q Ground Control.

Initial Screen

Mission Screen

General settings

Log Screen

Sensor Screen

NOTE: You must have the Pixhawk connected to your computer in order to see most of these screens you see in these instructions. PS: longer cables make this calibration process easier.

Once connected to the FC plug in to your computer. The FC will power up, you will see LED lights flash and hear start up tones.

Firmware Screen

Always insure you have the most recent firmware installed by downloading and re-flashing your Pixhawk. Once your reflash is complete you will need to reboot the the Flight Controller (FC) by disconnecting it and reconnecting to your copmputer.

Under Quadrotor X, Select the H4 680mm with Z1 Tiny2 Gimbal.

Then click "Apply and Restart"

You will then come to this screen where you will configure and calibrate the sensors.

If you rotated your FC during installation this is where you will need to select the rotation before proceeding.

Pick your drone and rotate is arond around each axis one at a time until the box turns solid green. Make sure all boxes are green.

Power down and restart once this task is complete.

Place the drone on a level surface for this step.

Place the aircraft in each positon and hold it as still as possible until the box turns green. Complete this for each axis.

To complete this calibration you will need to connect a battery to drone and turn the radion transmitter on.

Then press the "Calibrate" button and follow the visual instuctions on the right and those printed below the Calibrate button.

There are several flight modes you can choose. We recommend including "Stablized", Position and Altitude to start. You can change them later if you wish after you get used to these.

NOTE: Postion mode is the most stable flight mode. We recoemmend you review each mode to see what each offers before flying.

In the Mode Channel select Channel 5

Your transmitter has 3 -postion switches so you can only select 3 flight modes.

This is an alternate screen for selecting flight modes.

Your kit came with 3 cell batteries, make sure the top number is set to 3.

WARNING: Make sure propellers are NOT install on the drone during the ESC calibration and the Motor Set Up.

The ESC calibration process requires you to have and connect a battery to the drone. click on the "Calibrate" button and follow the steps.

Note: the Motor Set up is a new feature from the latest version of Q Ground Control.

You will need a battery to perform this set up.

You may need to press the "Safety Switch" on the GPS antenna or seperate switch depending on which pixhawk you have to arm the motors.

It is important to make sure the motors are connect to the correct channels AND are rotating in the correct directions. Use this diagram to verify by using the sliders to spin each motor.

If a motor is rotating in the wrong direction, simply unplug any two motor wires from the ESC and reverse them and plug them back in. This will reverse the spin of the motor.

If motors are not spinning in the in the correct order (ei: testing motor channel 1 and motor 4 turns) just that check the motor signal wires are plugged into the correct channel on the Pixhawk FC.

These are settings to make for safer flying.

We recommend setting max radius at 150' and altitude of 100' to start. This will ensure you keep the aircraft insight as required by the FAA and most governments.

Recommend "climb to Altitude of 60'-80' and "land immediatly."

This is where you can find and make changes to parameters.

We recommend you well research parameters before making changes.

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