• Videos: Other
  Forum: General
  Last Post: greggold
  18-04-2024, 12:40 PM
  » Replies: 213
  » Views: 146,367
• climate update
  Forum: General
  Last Post: greggold
  10-04-2024, 12:12 PM
  » Replies: 0
  » Views: 270
• Videos: RC Flying
  Forum: General
  Last Post: secant0give
  05-04-2024, 07:07 PM
  » Replies: 760
  » Views: 615,456
• VTOL
  Forum: General
  Last Post: secant0give
  02-04-2024, 04:36 PM
  » Replies: 1
  » Views: 101
• Comparison of Radio Brand...
  Forum: General
  Last Post: srl
  19-03-2024, 04:53 PM
  » Replies: 6
  » Views: 327
• Updating firmware on Mate...
  Forum: General
  Last Post: caffeine
  11-02-2024, 07:18 AM
  » Replies: 4
  » Views: 206
• Elrs Gemini is here!
  Forum: General
  Last Post: greggold
  21-01-2024, 10:35 AM
  » Replies: 1
  » Views: 172
• using a gyro with a Radio...
  Forum: General
  Last Post: greggold
  03-01-2024, 12:51 PM
  » Replies: 0
  » Views: 119
• A guide to arming elrs fo...
  Forum: General
  Last Post: secant0give
  01-01-2024, 07:12 PM
  » Replies: 4
  » Views: 566
• Fuzzy understanding of RC...
  Forum: General
  Last Post: greggold
  29-12-2023, 12:19 PM
  » Replies: 0
  » Views: 134

• Forum posts:31,188
• Forum threads:1,504
• Members:344
• Latest member:hotmetalman

Arming - or not arming - has been a lively debate that has led to progress: John Hopke has now produced a definitive guide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARCfafma1rM

Some airplane flyers regard elrs as a drone rc system, with unnecessary features/requirements such as arming. They think plane flyers should stick to real airplane rc systems such as Spectrum and Futaba. Well they are right elrs is a drone system, that developed out of the need for fpv drones to maintain a rc signal with a decent rx signal to noise ratio at 20 km. The thing is, this elrs rc signal is also better than the legacy systems for flying line of sight planes at 200 m in noisy radio environments.

It is integral to elrs that channel 5 is for arming, it only has two positions, armed or not armed, unless you choose a special elrs tx mode which the video explains. However you do not need to worry about ch5 or special modes.

The video gives examples of calls for help, such as this: my betafpv or RM rx has 5 sets of pwm pins, I am using ch1 rud; ch2 ele; ch3 thr; ch4 left ail; ch5 right ail. Everything works except the right aileron, which only goes full up or full down, and nothing in between.

The solution is simple, but not intuitive for plane flyers who think 5 sets of pwm pins means 5 channels... but that is not true with elrs. You simply re-map the right aileron onto ch 6 in the mixer, leaving the R ail servo plugged into the 5th set of pwm pins (if this point or the next para confuses you please ask a club member who uses elrs for help).

Ch 5 remains empty in the mixer, but you assign a switch to arm or disarm ch 5. If you use a throttle cut/thr-active switch (which is always active when the plane is in the air), this switch is set in a special function to override ch5, so that whenever the thr is active, the plane is armed.

The bottom line: the video explains what being armed means, and reasons why you might want to be armed. Most plane flyers will want to use the elrs dynamic power feature and this works better if you are armed. A comment under the video by alanpaul1234 explains why dyn power works less well if you are not armed.

I thought I would write something about flashing firmware that everyone using elrs should know, and likely knows already, just in case someone doesn`t.

I am an elrs believer, after 12 months I remain convinced it outperforms other rc systems. An issue is that at regular intervals you may find yourself flashing rxs and tx modules, as there are frequent firmware upgrades to elrs and to edgetx. The wifi method is by far simpler than uart methods, but occasionally the wifi flash may fail with an error message such as 'not enough space'. And then the uart method can also occasionally fail, either because there is a mess on the memory of a rx from earlier efforts, or lack of space.

Fortunately a solution to this flashing problem is now at hand. ELRS Configurator v1.6.0 is now available, and elrs (since v 3.0.1) has a new features 'erase before flash' and 'force flash'.
Uart flashing is done is with a recovery dongle. John Hopke shows how its done with these 2 vids.

Flashing with UART using Betafpv dongle
1. ER6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS8a5RfwXlw
2. ER4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiADI0JcC20&t=3s

John uses the BetaFPV ExpressLRS Recovery Dongle ELRS Flashing Tool $15.00  on sale and in stock at FpvFaster at Lidcombe. It comes with the necessary cables and plugs.

For Sale: SOLD

FrSky Tandem X20 transmitter (mode 2 setup) - excellent condition, comes with storage case and FrSky Tx 4000mah 2s lipo - $300

See attached pictures

Florian

I hope this has not happened to you....

I received advice by someone on the  Discord elrs site that my edgetx firmware on my RM Tx12v2 ("edgetx-txc12mk2  2.8.0-self build 8/6/2022") was out of date and it would be a good idea to update it, and as well my elrs version, even though everything was performing perfectly well.

I did this edgetx update following the advice on a chapter in the Edgetx user manual
https://edgetx.gitbook.io/edgetx-user-ma...ing-edgetx. 

I chose the bootloader method.

After updating, in System/info my Edgetx now reads "edgetx-tx12mk2  2.8.5 2023.08.04"
However after updating the tx did not work. Some of my models were missing, but after reflashing the firmware they all appeared. On powering a model, the model appeared to bind, and indeed telemetry worked normally, but none of the controls worked. The surfaces went into full R rudder, full down ele, and an odd aileron position, with no response from the sticks. On the control monitor the sticks did not move but were stuck at extremes.

For 24 hours I pondered and sweated this problem. Then I read a post by Oscarf Liang.
https://oscarliang.com/flash-edgetx/#How...-to-EdgeTX

Oscar says after updating, you must re-calibrate the sticks, he shows how. I had not done this. I never imagined that failure to do so could cause the above problem. But after re-calibration suddenly the sticks worked. I have not checked all special functions etc but it looks like all is now OK.

I have not yet updated my elrs firmware, currently I have elrs module firmware BETAFPV_2400_TX_MICRO_1000mw-3.2.1.bin  in the Tx12.

At FpvFaster at Lidcombe, the Tx12mk2 is $190 for the elrs version; in my case the elrs version was not available and I needed to add a BetaFPV micro elrs module when I purchased the tx in Oct 2022. It has performed flawlessly since.
The Tx12 is the most cost-effective elrs solution, the RM Boxer with elrs is 298$ and the Tx16S is 368$.

Why do this? Flight log plots let you see details of the radio signal performance that were previously unknown to the pilot. This allows adjustments or repairs of the rc system to be made on your valuable model before a signal failure and crash occurs. Simply put, flight logs are a major advance in protecting valuable models.

I have previously posted some flight log plots that show some things they can do. I will provide details of how I use google sheets to make a plot. If you can do a google search, you have google sheets on your pc or mac. If you can write flight logs on your tx, you are ready to go. Once you have made your first plot (it takes around 30 - 40 minutes) it will only take you <5 minutes for any subsequent plot.

I will give the instructions for a Radiomaster Tx16s tx, using a matek rx that has a single antenna. Different rxs and different gear brands require slight changes in the details but basically use the same instructions.

The instructions are broken down into 4 steps, with some minor preparation before step 1 and a few tweaks of the plot at the end.

Preparation

You need a special function to record a log on your tx sound card. I assign a switch to switch on write logs before launch and switch it off after landing. This creates a file in the Logs folder on the tx sound card, that is a .csv file. My logs always use a 0.5 second measurement interval, ie, 2 measurements per second. This file is moved to my laptop using a USB-C cable.

If you open google search on your computer, at top right there is a button called google apps, click it and find google sheets, then click sheets to open it. In sheets, click File/Open/Upload/Browse; this allows you to find the folder where you stored the .csv file, select the file and open it. If your flight lasted 5 minutes, you will see there are 600 rows in your spreadsheet, and you will see in the column headers the kinds of data in the sheet.

Step 1 Insert Columns (create the insert column macro)
These instructions will insert a column to the right of the following columns:
B,C,E,F,I,M,S
These cols have the headers: Time, 1RSS, RQly, RSNR, TPWR, RxBt, Thr
Click cell A1, then click Extensions/Macros/record. A small macro  box is opened while the macro runs, check it has absolute references selected.
Move the cursor to the header cell C, and find the down arrow near the right edge  of the cell, click it and select insert 1 column left. Note the 1RSS col has changed from col C to col D, and see how all the other columns have changed their header letter. Repeat this for cols E,H,J, N, S, and Z
Click the save button in the macro box, name the macro InsrtCol, and give it number 1. (Notice the spelling of InsrtCol without the e).

It is now essential to test this macro, as follows: find the undo button next to the magnifying glass in the top toolbar, and click it 6 times. Check all the new cols have gone, except the one beside Time col, and click undo once more. The spreadsheet is now the same as when loaded. Now run macro 1.
The method to run macro 1 on my mac is to press shift/option/command with one hand and press 1 with the other.
NB The first time a macro runs, you see a warning that macros can be dangerous, and google wants to check you trust the person who wrote it. You click allow to run - seeing as you wrote it yourself -  then you try to run it again and it works.
When the macro stops running, check cols Time, 1RSS, RQly, RSNR, TPWR, RxBt, and Thr now all have a blank col on their R side. If not, restore the spreadsheet (or delete all rows and reload the csv file), and start again.

Soon I will post Steps 2, 3 and 4.

Step 2  Insert Headers for the new columns
Step 3  Fill the new cols, eg by dividing the col to its left by 2, or other manipulations
Step 4  Insert the plot

Once you have the step 1 macro running, and tested, you are over the biggest hurdle and its downhill the rest of the way. If something is not working be sure to ask a club member to help.

I also experienced radio signal issues today with my Tx16s, but there was no loss of control. Rather I had more jumps in tx power (TPWR) today than usual. My RM Tx12 tx (set to dynamic power on) has a minimum default of TPWR of 25 mw and has less frequent jumps. I am doing a comparison flying the same model using the Tx16 and Tx12 on alternate flights.

I posed this question several says ago on Discord Help and Support and I got some responses including from an expert V-22. My Discord user name is Gregor. This link may access the full conversation:
https://discord.com/channels/59635002219...2615555074

Title:  Dynamic power range on a Radiomaster Tx16s

Is there a way to adjust the dynamic power range on a Radiomaster Tx16s?
I am using edgetx 2.7.1, ands elrs 3.0.1
Packet rate 100Hz full, telem ratio Std (1:32).
At my noisy flying environment the tx defaults to minimum TPWR 10 mw on startup and model launch, but there are frequent jumps to 25 mw, and occasional ones to 50 or 100 mw.
My RM Tx12 has a minimum default of TPWR of 25 mw and does not have frequent jumps.
Can I adjust the Tx16s dynamic range so there is a minimum of 25 mw?

Some points are:
For aircraft a packet rate of 100 Hz full is recommended with telem ratio of 1:32. V-22 says a telem ratio Std (1:32) is fine, it means "Link stats frames are sent ~2x/second, and 1:32 at 100Hz should give you ~3 telemetry frames per second." This means at lower packet rates you can use  better telemetry ratios (1:32) providing more frequent updates for the tx which means quicker power jumps when required, eg interference causes the receiver signal to noise ratio to fall.

A post by sunjun (screenshot attached) says it is easy to adjust the  minimum default of TPWR of 10mw on the Tx16s to 25 mw. V-22 says jumps are a sign the Tx16s is working properly, and there is no need to worry.

This discussion of dynamic power is useful:

https://www.expresslrs.org/software/dyna...mit-power/

I will add some flight logs in a subsequent post.

Hi All,

I am seeking donations of old r/c equipment to build up some buddy box and trainer units to take prospective members up in and also old transmitters for use with Simulator for Phoenix RC to make available on loan to our younger members.

I am after.

- Old transmitter for Slave mode 2
- Old Transmitters for Master mode 1
- receivers
- old planes suitable for training can be a basher....

I have old spektrum mode 1 transmitters and recievers to use already. Old frsky is welcome which might be a better choice for McCoy Field. And keep spektrum for Sim use.

So climb in your roof or look under the bed and dust off your old stuff and let me know what you might have.

Your assistance is appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew

When flying my 3D planes I like to include 1-2 blenders in each flight. Essentially this is a blender:

vertical climb on full power
cut power, enter vertical dive
full R aileron to commence vertical spin
after a while, apply full L rudder to achieve a wobbly spin
wait 1-2 sec before apply down ele
when its time to recover, release aileron and rudder, and increase down ele till plane levels, then exit maneouvre in level inverted flight

On Sunday there was an unfortunate outcome of a blender with a 1m 3D plane, which happened to be documented with my Edgetx/Radiomaster flight log that allows a full black box investigation. In the preliminary analysis I monitored the radio signal (using RSSI, RQly, radio signal to noise and more), which ruled out a failure of the radio signal as the cause of the crash. The attached plot shows the position of the flight controls and reveals pilot actions/mistakes during the short flight.

A red arrow marks the start of the blender. At 68 seconds the plane is in vertical climb on full throttle at a great height, when throttle is cut.

Between 68 and 69.5 sec the aileron, rudder and elevator are in neutral position and throttle remains cut, as the plane tips over into a vertical dive.

At 69.5 sec full right aileron is applied, followed by full left rudder at 70 sec. The plane starts spinning (clockwise) in its vertical dive. Throttle is increased to full between 70 and 70.5 sec, along with down elevator whose purpose is to convert the vertical spin into a flat inverted spin.

Between 72 and 74 sec the vertical spin did not flatten out, and the spin rate increased. At 72.5 sec the pilot sensed a problem developing, and put aileron to zero. However down elevator, full throttle and left rudder were still applied and this remained the case till 75 sec when the plane - still in a fast vertical spin - struck the ground. Around 74 sec there was a brief application of left aileron (which is not really advisable ... it might have helped reduce spin if the plane had height and if rudder and elevator had been released).

The official report notes the pilot - when the time came to exit the blender at a safe height - failed to apply the recommended methods to exit. The pilot should have been aware that releasing (centering) the aileron, elevator and rudder controls and reducing throttle causes the fast spin to stop, and then down (or up) elevator is applied to fly out in an inverted (or level) flight.

Damage was surprisingly light as the plane came down in long grass. Unfortunately no explanation has come to light how the pilot - who routinely performs safe blenders - on this particular flight came to totally lose the plot.

For a more detailed anaysis of a blender, check out this excellent video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T798zEZCSxA&t=3s

Hi guys, is the indoor flying at Kellyville happening or no more?
Thanks

Radiomaster have just released a new, small, cheap radio, available in 4-in-1 or ELRS versions, priced at $65 USD!

I might get one for my son to practice with.

https://www.radiomasterrc.com/products/p...troller-m2