Range-Testing the Radio System
Before each running session with your model, you should range-test your radio system to
ensure that it operates properly.
1.
Turn on the radio system and check its operation as described in the previous section.
2.
Have a friend hold the model. Make sure hands and clothing are clear of the wheels and
other moving parts on the model.
3.
Make sure your transmitter antenna is fully extended, and then walk away from the model
with the transmitter until you reach the farthest distance you plan to operate the model.
4.
Operate the controls on the transmitter once again to be sure that the model
responds correctly.
5.
Do not attempt to operate the model if there is any problem with the radio system or
any external interference with your radio signal at your location.
• Higher Speeds Require Greater Distance
The faster you drive your model, the more quickly it will near the limit of radio range. At
60mph, a model can cover 88 feet every second! It’s a thrill, but use caution to keep your
model in range. If you want to see your model achieve its maximum speed, it is best to
position yourself in the middle of the truck’s running area, not the far end, so you drive
the truck towards and past your position. In addition to maximizing the radio’s range, this
technique will keep your model closer to you, making it easier to see and control.
No matter how fast or far you drive your model, always leave adequate space between
you, the model, and others. Never drive directly toward yourself or others.
TQ 2.4GHz Binding Instructions
For proper operation, the transmitter and receiver must be electronically ‘bound.’
This has
been done for you at the factory.
Should you ever need to re-bind the system or bind
to an additional transmitter or receiver, follow these instructions.
Note
: the receiver must
be connected to a 4.8-6.0v (nominal) power source for binding and the transmitter and
receiver must be within 5 feet of each other.
1.
Press and hold the transmitter’s SET button as you switch transmitter on. The
transmitter’s LED will flash red slowly. Release the SET button.
2.
Press and hold the receiver’s LINK button as you switch the model on. Release the LINK button.
3.
When the transmitter and receiver’s LEDs turn solid green, the system is bound and ready
for use. Confirm that the steering and throttle operate properly before driving your model.
Steering Sensitivity (Exponential)
The Multi-Function knob on the TQ 2.4GHz transmitter has been programmed to control
Steering Sensitivity (also known as exponential). The standard setting for Steering Sensitivity is
“normal (zero exponential),” with the dial full left in its range of travel. This setting provides linear
servo response: the steering servo’s movement will correspond exactly with the input from the
transmitter’s steering wheel. Turning the knob clockwise from center will result in “negative
exponential” and decrease steering sensitivity by making the servo less responsive near neutral,
with increasing sensitivity as the servo nears the limits of its travel range. The farther you turn
the knob, the more pronounced the change in steering servo movement will be. The term
“exponential” comes from this effect; the servo’s travel changes exponentially relative to the
input from the steering wheel. The exponential effect is indicated as a percentage—the greater
the percentage, the greater the effect. The illustrations below show how this works.
Normal Steering Sensitivity (0% exponential)
In this illustration, the steering servo’s travel
(and with it, the steering motion of the model’s
front wheels) corresponds precisely with the
steering wheel. The ranges are exaggerated for
illustrative purposes.
Decreased Steering Sensitivity (Negative Exponential)
By turning the Multi-Function knob clockwise,
the steering sensitivity of the model will be
decreased. Note that a relatively large amount of
steering wheel travel results in a smaller amount
of servo travel. The farther you turn the knob, the
more pronounced the effect becomes. Decreased
steering sensitivity may be helpful when driving
on low-traction surfaces, when driving at high
speed, or on tracks that favor sweeping turns where gentle steering
inputs are required. The ranges are exaggerated for illustrative purposes.
Experiment! Try varying degrees of exponential. It’s easy to go back to
“zero” if you don’t like the effect. There’s no wrong way to adjust exponential. Any setting that
makes you more comfortable with your car’s handling is the “right setting.”
TQ 2.4GHz Advanced Tuning Guide
Your Traxxas transmitter has a programmable Multi-Function knob that can be set to control
various advanced transmitter functions. Accessing the programming menu is done by
using the menu and set buttons on the transmitter and observing signals from the LED. An
explanation of the menu structure follows. Experiment with the settings and features to see if
they can improve your driving experience. See the Menu Tree on page 4 for more information.
Throttle Sensitivity (Throttle Exponential)
The Multi-Function knob can be set to control Throttle Sensitivity. Throttle Sensitivity
works the same way as Steering Sensitivity as described above, but applies the effect to
the throttle channel. Only forward throttle is affected; brake/reverse travel remains linear
regardless of the Throttle Sensitivity setting.
Steering Percentage (Dual Rate)
The Multi-Function knob can be set to control the amount (percentage) of servo travel applied
to steering. Turning the Multi-Function knob fully clockwise will deliver maximum steering
throw; turning the knob counter-clockwise reduces steering throw (note: turning the dial
counter-clockwise to its stop will eliminate all servo travel). Be aware that the steering End Point
settings define the servo’s maximum steering throw. If you set Steering Percentage to 100% (by
turning the Multi-Function knob fully clockwise), the servo will travel all the way to its selected
end point, but not past it. Many racers set Dual Rate so they have only as much steering throw
as they need for the track’s tightest turn, thus making the car easier to drive throughout the
rest of the course. Reducing steering throw can also be useful in making a car easier to control
on high-traction surfaces, and limiting steering output for oval racing where large amounts of
steering travel are not required.
Braking Percentage
The Multi-Function knob may also be set to control the amount of brake travel applied by
the servo in a nitro-powered model. Electric models do not have a servo-operated brake,
but the Braking Percentage function still operates the same way in electric models. Turning
the Multi-Function knob full clockwise will deliver maximum brake throw; turning the knob
counter-clockwise reduces brake throw (
Note
: Turning the dial counter-clockwise to its stop
will eliminate all brake action).
Throttle Trim
Setting the Multi-Function knob to serve as throttle trim will allow you to adjust the
throttle’s neutral position to prevent unwanted brake drag or throttle application when the
transmitter trigger is at neutral.
Note
: Your transmitter is equipped with a Throttle Trim Seek
mode to prevent accidental runaways. See below for more information.
Steering and Throttle End Points
The TQ 2.4GHz transmitter allows you to choose the limit of the servo’s travel range (or its “end
point”) independently for left and right travel (on the steering channel) and throttle/brake travel
(on the throttle channel). This allows you to fine-tune the servo settings to prevent binding
caused by the servo moving steering or throttle linkages (in the case of a nitro car) farther
than their mechanical limits. The end point adjustment settings you select will represent what
you wish to be the servo’s maximum travel; the Steering Percentage or Braking Percentage
functions will not override the End Point settings.
Steering and Throttle Sub-Trim
The Sub-Trim function is used to precisely set the neutral point of the steering or throttle servo in
the event that simply setting the trim knob to “zero” does not completely center the servo. When
selected, Sub-Trim allows finer adjustment to the servo output shaft’s position for precise setting
of the neutral point. Always set the Steering Trim knob to zero before making final adjustment
(if required) using Sub-Trim. If Throttle Trim has been previously adjusted, the Throttle Trim will
need to be reprogrammed to “zero” before making final adjustment using Sub-Trim.
Disabling the Multi-Function Knob (Setting Lock)
Once you’ve adjusted all of these settings the way you like them, you may want to disable the
Multi-Function knob so none of your settings can be changed. This is especially handy if you
operate multiple vehicles with a single transmitter via Traxxas Link.
Throttle Trim Seek Mode
When the Multi-Function knob is set to throttle trim, the transmitter remembers the
throttle trim setting. If the throttle trim knob is moved from the original setting while
the transmitter is off, or while the transmitter was used to control another model, the
transmitter ignores the actual position of the trim knob. This prevents the model from
accidentally running away. The LED on the face of the transmitter will rapidly blink
green and the throttle trim knob (Multi-Function knob) will not adjust the trim until it
is moved back to its original position saved in memory. To restore throttle trim control,
simply turn the multi-function knob either direction until the LED stops blinking.
Turning Range
at Transmitter
Effective Turning
Range on Model
Profile 1
: 1/16th E-Revo • 1/16th E-Revo VXL
1/16th Slash 4WD • 1/16th Slash VXL 4WD
E-Revo Brushless • E-Revo • Revo • Revo 3.3
Slash • Slash 4X4 • Slayer • Summit • T-Maxx 3.3
Turn
Transmitter OFF
Hold both
MENU and SET
Turn
Transmitter ON
Release MENU and
SET
red LED blinks
Profile 2
: Bandit • Bandit VXL • Blast • E-Maxx Brushless
E-Maxx • Rustler • Rustler VXL • Stampede
Stampede VXL • Nitro Stampede • Nitro Sport • Villain EX
Turn
Transmitter OFF
Hold both
MENU and SET
Turn
Transmitter ON
Release MENU and
SET
red LED blinks
x
2
Press MENU
red LED blinks (x2)
Press SET
to clear settings. LED will turn solid
green. Transmitter is restored to default
Profile 3
: Jato, Jato 3.3
Turn
Transmitter OFF
Hold both
MENU and SET
Turn
Transmitter ON
Release MENU and
SET
red LED blinks
x
3
Press MENU twice
red LED blinks (x3)
Press SET
to clear settings. LED will turn solid
green. Transmitter is restored to default
Profile 4
: Nitro 4-Tec, Nitro Rustler
Turn
Transmitter OFF
Hold both
MENU and SET
Turn
Transmitter ON
Release MENU and
SET
red LED blinks
x
4
Press MENU three times
red LED blinks (x4)
Press SET
to clear settings. LED will turn solid
green. Transmitter is restored to default
Profile 5
: T-Maxx Classic, S-Maxx
Turn
Transmitter OFF
Hold both
MENU and SET
Turn
Transmitter ON
Release MENU and
SET
red LED blinks
x
5
Press MENU four times
red LED blinks (x5)
Press SET
to clear settings. LED will turn solid
green. Transmitter is restored to default
Press SET
to clear settings. LED will turn
solid green. Transmitter is restored to default
Selecting Your Model Profile
(Resetting to Defaults)
The TQ 2.4 GHz system has been
programmed with servo reversing
profiles for use with current Traxxas
models. Find your model on this chart
and follow the steps to set the default
transmitter settings for your model.
The settings for servo direction will
be set, but you may need to adjust
the trim and endpoint settings for
the steering and throttle channels.
Should you ever need restore your
transmitter to the default settings for
your model, use the steps described
in this chart.
See the next page for
using the Traxxas TQ 2.4GHz radio
system with non-Traxxas models.
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