RC T3000

Vario and navigation system

Manual version: 1.0

RC Electronic

support@rc-electronics.org , http://www.rc-electronics.org

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 2

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Power supply ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Controls ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

USB Connector .......................................................................................................................................... 4

SD card reader........................................................................................................................................... 4

3.5 audio jack ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Main page ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

TSK Navigation page ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Task ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

New ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Load ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Options .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Start ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Logbook/statistic page .................................................................................................................................. 7

Flight info .................................................................................................................................................. 8

Setup page .................................................................................................................................................... 8

Beeps ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Beep settings ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Voice ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Channel ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

Warnings ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Password ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Info .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Battery information and power management ............................................................................................ 11

How to power on and off ........................................................................................................................ 11

Revision history ........................................................................................................................................... 12

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 3

Introduction

The unit’s main function is telemetry receiver for RC Multi system with RC TRX30 and RG GPS. With this

system user can view/track on field different plane parameters (vario, altitude, battery and GPS

position). Software was designed for GPS triangle competitions. User can fly predefined or manually

created tasks. Unit will give acoustic vario tone with user defined beeps and voice announcements. For

RF communication 433 ISM band is used.

Key features are:

-Extremely small outline: 40 x 62 x 22 mm

-Completely new design approach

-Sunshine readable color display as a central part of the system

-Simple manipulation via one multifunctional switch

-Internal battery ensures up to 7 hours of autonomy

-Built in battery charger (5V via USB cable)

-SD card as a data transfer medium (micro version)

- GPS triangle competition scoring code supported

- 69 RF channels (LPD channel table) with 25 KHz spacing

Power supply

The unit contains a battery (accumulator) which is capable to run the unit for

up to 7 hours.

The accumulator can be recharged via USB port of a PC with a USB-A to USB-

mini B cable. Charging time is typically 3 hours. When battery is charging, you

can see a “plug” symbol in top right of main page.

Controls

There is only one device which makes possible to control the unit. A so called

navigation switch which includes five independent switches and those switches

realizes following functions:

- Up and down command

- Left and right command

- Push button after vertical press

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 4

USB Connector

An USB Mini B type plug is situated on the right bottom side of the unit and is used for battrery

charging.

Note!

There is no USB port carried out, that means no direct communication RC T3000 – PC via USB. Via USB

connector only power can be supplied (5V max).

SD card reader

The unit has an integral micro SD card reader positioned on the left side of the unit.

SD card is used for:

-Uploading TASK from RC\TSK folder (AFG format)

-Updating system firmware (BIN format)

-Audio files for voice announcements are stored on RC\AUDIO folder (WAV files)

Note!

If SD card has no wav files in RC/AUDIO folder or it is not inserted during flight, no voice announcements

will be possible.

3.5 audio jack

3.5 audio jack is situated on left side of unit. You must use mono earphone.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 5

Main page

The main page consists of basic flight parameters. In the left upper corner you

find ground speed information. Close to ground speed display, you see GPS

signal status (green bars), where 1 bar represent 3 satellites and 5 bars for

more than 6 satellites and the battery indicator. When the internal charger is

charging the battery status indicator is replaced with the charging “plug”

symbol. The main part of this screen is the vario indicator with yellow needle

and numeric value in middle. The analog needle deflection is ±4m/s (±8knots)

but the numerical indication is not limited.

Plane battery indicator showing voltage is in the left part of the display.

Lower part of page is reserved for pressure altitude indication and vario volume indicator.

Note!

Pressure altitude reading will be always 0 at ground. It will change when takeoff is detected!

Buttons:

Left -> setup page

Right -> TSK navigation page

Up, down -> vario volume change

Enter -> no effect

TSK Navigation page

Task is a complex navigation procedure which will guide the pilot from start

point over turn points until finish line. Task can be created manually or

imported from SD card. On this page pilot will find basic information how to

approach towards selected TP from a task. In top left corner remaining task

time is displayed, followed with start status point and the distance to point

which is visualized in the right top corner. Tp name is under remaining time. In

top center position you will find steering information. On bottom of the display

you will find 3D speed and GPS altitude above ground information. Navigation

is always track up orientated.

TP zone is yellow. Green line shows towards next TP of the task.

Pressing up, down button you will be able to change the zoom. After pressing on Enter, task functions

will be offered.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 6

Buttons:

Left -> main page

Right -> logbook/statistic page

Up, down -> changes zoom

Enter -> Task menu

Task

Pressing enter on task navigation page will shove you task options. Pilot can

manually generate new task selecting “NEW” sub menu, load pre-generated

task from SD card with “LOAD” option. Task start altitude and length can be set

under “OPTIONS” menu.

New

To manually generate task on field, go to start position with your plane

having good GPS position. When you press enter on “NEW” currently

coordinates are remembered as start coordinates. To select course to which

first task turn point should be pointed, walk with glider to that direction. You

will be able to see course on screen. When you are satisfied with course press

enter button and task is generated. It is recommended to walk at least 30m to

direction you wish task should be orientated. All other points will be

recalculated, so regular triangle will be generated.

Load

To load pre-generated task you should first upload task file (.afg) to SD

card into RC/TSK folder. After selecting “LOAD” option all task files find in that

folder will be shown. Select required task file from list and task will be

uploaded.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 7

Options

This sub menu allows you to change task start altitude and task

distance. Press enter on value you wish to change and then use up/down

buttons to change it. Task will be recalculated when you leave this sub menu.

Start

To start or restart task select “START”. Red dot in task page will be green when start is triggered

and task time will start to count down when plane will cross start line. Voice announcement will alert

you when you select start or you restart task.

Logbook/statistic page

While flying this page provides statistic information to pilot such as start time,

start altitude and speed, penalty points, flight time, number of laps and

average task speed.

Buttons:

Left -> Tsk navigation page

Right -> Setup page

Up, down -> scroll up down on statistic page

Enter -> no effect

After flight, statistic information will be replaced with logbook showing date of

flight, takeoff time, landing time and flight time. Log book is stored in T3000

unit flash memory.

Buttons:

Left -> Tsk navigation page

Right -> setup page

Up, down -> moving up and down over logbook

Enter -> flight info

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 8

Flight info

Pressing enter on any flight of the logbook will show you flight info with scoring

code for GPS triangle competition.

Setup page

Setup page offers a wide range of system inputs. Select input of interest and

press enter.

Yellow colored frame shows ready for edit status, so you can immediately start

alternating data with Up/Down key. To close press enter and the frame will

become not active (white colored frame). To leave the menu use left or right

arrow.

Beeps

Pilot has option to set a user defined beep for entering inside turn point zone,

when penalty points are calculated on crossing start line and to be alerted on

distance to turn point. Beep on distance will be generated 100m, 50m and 20m

before turning point.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 9

Beep settings

User can enable /disable beep. With F1 and F2,

frequency of beep is set, while P1 and P2 define pause

between different frequencies. With “Repeat” user can set

how many times beep will be repeated. All seated options can

be tested with “Test BEEP” option.

Voice

Different voice announcements can be set here.

Line dist.: Overflowing distance from ideal line to TP set here, will trigger

announcement with how many meters are you away and if you are “in” or

“outside” of this triangle line.

Time: Task remaining time every sated time will be told.

Inside: “Inside” word will be generated when you will enter tp sector.

Penalty: Number of penalty points will be told when crossing start line and if

penalty is detected.

Channel

Channel number on 433MHZ ISM band can be set here. RC Multi must be set

on the same channel!

Channel 1 is 433.075MHz and channel spacing is 25kHz.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 10

Warnings

RC T3000 can warn user with voice warning when GPS Altitude set here is

crossed and when battery voltage from plane is under value set here. Also

warning box will be shown on screen and user must confirm it with enter

button to disappear.

Password

To access some special functions of the RC T3000 unit you must enter different

passwords.

99999: Will erase all stored flights!

46486: All settings will have factory default values.

76253: Snake game will be activated.

Info

On this page you will found some information about firmware version, serial

number etc …

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 11

Battery information and power management

RC T3000 is powered by a rechargeable battery. The battery can be charged and discharged hundreds of

cycles. Only use PC USB port to recharge the battery.

Do not leave a fully charged battery connected to a charger for a longer time, as overcharging may

shorten its life time. If left unused a fully charged battery will lose its charge over time.

Battery endurance after is typically 7 hours.

Note!

Always charge device when you will not use it for longer time and periodically check battery status if

recharge is needed.

How to power on and off

A longer press (approximately 2 second) on push button of navigation switch will power on the unit, the

first signal that the power has been applied is presence of RC Electronics logo. After you see logo,

release push button. If press is too long, unit will switch off due to some kind of safety procedure, to

filter out undesired turns on.

To switch off simple apply a longer press on the push button until the unit will go off. If flight is still

detected, you will be asked if you wish to finish flight or not.

RC T3000 – vario and navigation system Page 12

Revision history

January 2012 Initial release of owner manual.