Hello RTF,
please check out the Gov. II panel, in Setup. There, you can check the box (persistent, so you can power-cycle the NEO), do your stick thing, then uncheck the box again. ESC must be connected to the ESC port, obviously. If in doubt, you can connect a servo there (or parallel, using a y-harness), so you have a visible pointer for the output to the ESC.
Careful—with the box checked, you have throttle on your collective stick, no questions asked.
And please mind that the collective curve in your radio might interfere, if it's not –100...+100.
Man, was it difficult, back in the day
Kind regards
Eddi
Born to fly ...
forced to work.