Spirit FBL and Spektrum DSMX Satellite (SPM9645)

How many channels are available when using a Spektrum DSMx satellite with a Spirit FBL? I can't find any information that actually states the number of channels the satellite can process.

I've seen the SPM9645 satellite being sold together with anything from 6 to 9 Channel receivers, but there's no information that I can find that specifically states how many channels the satellite can handle itself.

My default configurations for a Spirit FBL with a FrSky receiver uses 9 channels, and if I use a Geolink, that's another 2 channels for a total of 11. Can the DSMx sat handle this many?

Hello,
I mean it would be up to 16 channels if the transmitter can handle that with with appropriate switches -

Regards
Matthias

This is great information.

How did you find this out, I haven't been able to find ANYTING in any of Spektrum's manuals that says this.

Hi Mathias,

Someone posted a really good document referencing the interfacing of Spektrum satellites with 3rd party hardware, and on page 5, it shows the channel identifiers. There are 12 channels in total.

This evening I was able to configure and validate the following channels, on a Oxy 3 heli I just set up:

Throttle
Aileron
Elevator
Rudder
Pitch
Gear/Gyro Gain
bank select
Rescue
Return Home
Stabilization

Hi,
I got the number of channels from Spirit settings, among other things. After selecting the spektrum satellite, up to a total of 16 channels are displayed there - but it's good to know that there are at least 12 channels - thanks !

Another thing that occurred to me, to get all the channels the satellites have to be bound at 22ms, otherwise you won't get the full channel range -

Regards
Matthias

PS. The attached document is really interesting, thank you !

Last night, just for fun, I added 4 more channel assignments in the X20S, and then in the Channels section of the Spirit software (14 total channels). This way I could see if there's a reaction to the buttons. Only 12 channels work, the other assignments don't do anything when I press the back buttons or move the side sliders

So the manual I linked earlier is correct. I don't know if the SRLx sats are any different, but the standard DSMx ones, like the SPM9645, are 12.

"to get all the channels the satellites have to be bound at 22ms"
Actually, if you're using the multi-protocol module like I am, you can choose either DSMX-1F (22ms) or DSMX-2F (11ms). If you choose the latter, the output will be 11ms, but if you enable more than 7 channels, it will automatically drop back to 22ms, so I chose DSMX-2F when I bound the satellite.

Hi,
I have found some info at https://www.manualslib.com/manual/16683 ... =58#manual

The max is shown in acro, heli etc. (IX20) like:


Manual spektrum IX20:


There are shown only 12 channels and I don't know if there are more than this...
Maybe someone other can help here...

Regards
Matthias

So this is the Spektrum IX20. It only shows 12 channels available. Is this for the same type satellite, or in general?

On the FrSky x20s, I can create a new mix, assign a source (buttons, sticks, sliders), then assign a channel to it. Then, in the Spirit Settings, General, Receiver Channels, I start adding functions. The GeoLink, Rescue and Stabi functions are the simplest ones, because I can assign them to a channel, and when I toggle the switch or press the button, I can instantly see if the value changes (Green indicator).

I originally assigned 14 mixes/channels, because I ran out of buttons, some of my other buttons and switches are already assigned to other functions, but I had 4 free ones (SC, left back button, and 2 side sliders). But in the Spirit Settings I can only assign a maximum of 13 functions. Anyway of all the ones that I mapped, all worked except the one assigned to channel 13.

So there are limitations to both the receiver and the FBL.

If your receiver can only handle 12 channels (or less), then you can only assign as many functions as you have channels, but if your receiver has more than 13, like my FreSky receivers that have 16 channels, then the most I can get out of it through the FBL is 13, the rest are not usable. If I had physical servo outputs (PWM) on the receiver or if I was using S-BUS servos, I could use the other channels, but with a normal setup, 13 is the most you can have.

Hi,
I found something new about the IX20 - if you want more than 12 channels you need an X-Plus Channel Expansion Module (SPMXP8000) -->" Just plug the module into a compatible receiver"...for normal purpose 12 channels are the max for the IX20 no matter what type of receiver is present (except for the expansion module) -

Regards
Matthias

Wow. Are you saying the iX20 only has 12 channels by default, and you need to buy and extra device in order to use the other channels? That sounds like false advertising.