RC Flight

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FPV

Transmitter (TX)

Radiomaster TX16s

Solid choice for a traditional TX style radio. Is on the large/bulky side, but with good grip and usable for either thumb controls (default sticks are a bit long with sharp ends, but M4 threaded and replaceable) or "pinchers". Widely compatible multi-protocol radio, bit complex to setup (see Multi-Module doc link, below). Relatively inexpensive, very available from many sources. Seems very widely supported by simulators. Gimbals replaceable, and at purchase time can choose nicer Hall-Effect type for long-life and better feel. Multiple "Mode" choices available, including most common "Mode 2" for quad-copter pilots. Open firmware choices are first-class: shipped with OpenTX for stability, supported by EdgeTX for newer features (like touchscreen).

How-To

Firmware

Flight Controllers

Betaflight

Multiprop

Quadcopters

Happymodel Mobula6

DSM2/DSMX (Spektrum) version

Two versions of this RX model available: older bolt-on serial type, newer built-in SPI type. All notes below are for newer built-in unless specified.

Quad ships without telemetry enabled in Betaflight; head to configurator->Configuration->Other Features and toggle TELEMETRY on to get VBAT/TRSS sensor access on TX.

Note: DSM2/DSMX (Spektrum) version does not send proper RSSI (RX side signal strength). Whether this is a protocol limit or simply software implementation problem is unclear; instead TX radio may expose (computed) TRSS, based only on telemetry signal strength. This is not the same thing, and is even presented on a different scale, roughly (RSSI / 3).

Quad uses 0802 motors (19000KV or 25000KV) with 1.0mm shafts and 31mm Gemfan 1219-3 3-blade props.

ELRS

Two ELRS versions available: 2.4GHz and 900MHz; all notes below are for 2.4GHz unless specified, but may apply to both.

Quad uses 0702 motors (26000KV) with 1.0mm shafts and 31mm 2-blade props. Unknown brand/specs.

Binding Notes
  • Update TX to latest available ELRS (2.2.0 at this time), don't forget to update lua script. See appropriate section here for TX update notes.
  • Make sure to take a diff all from BetaFlight CLI before proceeding. Firmware upgrades often wipe out your settings, you'll need to restore them from this.
  • Update RX to latest available BetaFlight (4.3.0-RC2 at this time), 2.4GHz model is CRAZYBEEF4SX1280
  • Set PID loop frequency to 4kHz: this appears to be critical at this time, otherwise controls appear chaotic in .
  • The documentation (here: https://www.expresslrs.org/2.0/hardware/spi-receivers/#rf-mode-adjustment ) says the default RF Rate Index/Packet Rate is 500Hz, but my attempt didn't agree. I had to manually sync this between BetaFlight CLI (`set expresslrs_rate_index = X` (where X=0 for 500Hz, 1 for 250Hz, 2 for 150Hz, 3 for 50Hz) and the setting in my TX lua script. I chose 250Hz, but may try something else later. This was also critical.
  • Binding seemed overly tricky, but eventually after matching everything carefully (more than once), it just worked without any attempts at traditional or button binding. The phrase method did its job and the red LED on the quad went solid and stayed that way.

Other notes

Protocol-Specific

ExpressLRS (ELRS)

Overview

Long-range capable, low latency, multi-frequency open protocol gaining adopters quickly. Supports 2.4GHz and 900MHz, but using different hardware at this time.

Happymodel ES24TX-Pro

Updating/Configuring

Look at official Quick Start docs, they're pretty great: https://www.expresslrs.org/2.0/quick-start/getting-started/

Then, something like this:

  • Install ExpressLRS configurator, see here: https://www.expresslrs.org/2.0/quick-start/installing-configurator/
  • Using "Official Releases" tab, select latest available (2.2.0)
  • Select correct Target: (Device category: Happymodel 2.4GHz) (Device: HM ES24TX Pro Series 2400 TX)
  • If your TX shipped with ELRS 2.0+ firmware on it, select WIFI Flashing Method. See WIFI Bootstrap section for more info.
  • Set a reasonable binding phrase (it isn't a password! just for collision avoidance)
  • Enable AUTO_WIFI_ON_INTERVAL (60)
  • Make sure your HOME_WIFI_SSID and HOME_WIFI_PASSWORD are set correctly (again)
  • If you followed the WIFI Bootstrap section, your TX module probably was automatically selected under "WIFI Devices" at the bottom. If not, select it or go manual.
  • Click Build & Flash, good luck. This step builds a firmware image and embeds the above settings into it, then flashes it to your TX module. Neat.
  • After this succeeds, you should head to Logs and dig into the log from this session, search for "UID bytes" and note the 6 or so integer comma-separated list somewhere, you'll need it to set your bind phrase in BetaFlight, which does not use the string representation, but this numeric array. If you can't find it, don't want to look, etc, check here to convert from a string: https://www.expresslrs.org/2.0/hardware/spi-receivers/#uid-byte-generator

WIFI Bootstrap

To initially setup WIFI flashing, you'll need to power on your TX and from the ExpressLRS lua script "Enable WIFI". Wait about 60sec after doing that and it'll start broadcasting its own ExpressLRS network, the password is expresslrs. If you do this from a phone, it will probably pop a browser up immediately and place you at the fairly bare config screen. Set a convenient WIFI SSID/Passphrase there and save it. After doing so, you should disable/enable WIFI from the lua script again (and maybe power cycle the TX, unclear.) It should connect to your stated WIFI network, and if that's the same LAN that your desktop running the ExpressLRS configurator is on, it should autodiscover the TX module. If not, you may have to do some digging with dhcp logs or similar.

Battery Info

LiPo

See Also

Flight Skill Building

Other

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