Mike Blandford

For plain ailerons both methods work, however if you have ELEVONS, then the limit method doesn't work and you need to use the diff method in the mixers. Mike.

With the capability of the open source firmware I still prefer the 9X to what you refer to as a 'proper' Tx. If it wasn't for the 9X, and all the development that took place for it, I doubt there would be some of these 'proper' Txs around anyway. As an example, quite a few Txs have voice reporting for the telemetry. I fairly certain voice first appeared as an add on module for the 9X. Mike.

The voltage regulator on the standard mainboard of the 9X is an 'ordinary' 7805 type. These require an input voltage that is at least 7V or their output voltage starts dropping below 5V. There is a problem with this as the 5V is used by the processor to measure the battery voltage. When the 5V starts to drop, the voltage measurement is not only incorrect, it actually starts to rise, perhaps leading to you assuming all is OK when in fact the battery is fading fast. I'll assume since yours is "heavily modified" you are running an open source firmware. If so, and your firmware is using the "Bandgap" feature of the processor to correct the voltage reading (er9x definitely does), then you will get an accurate voltage reading. However, I would NOT recommend using a battery of a nominal 7.2V, this is too low for the standard regulator. If it drops a couple of tenths below the 7.2V. Personally I use 8-cell packs of "Instant" cells from Vapextech: **LINK**. I just cut the connector and leads of the original dry cell container (NEVER use that to hold cells, it's too unreliable), and put the connector on the Vapex pack. For charging, there is a diode in the charge circuit rated at 1A, so charge at around 700mA for a fast charge. As an aside, should you want a more capable transmitter, you might consider adding a 9Xtreme board from SmartieParts. This provides the same general performance as a Taranis (same processor) and the same ability to have an internal module and an external module with independent power control. Mike.

See my post of 04/02/2016 22:15:16, I provided two links to the required software. In both cases you get a program that allows editing of radio and model settings, and a simulator window that shows what the effect of moving the controls does to the servo outputs. Mike.

Posted by Barry Cole 2 on 05/02/2016 09:31:02: The OpenTx developers started by using the parameters of the MC4000 program, which Mpx had abandoned on their later Transmitters. The OTX guys accepted the MC4000 as the best system on the market, and went from there. BC The history is more that for the 9X transmitter there was TH9X firmware by Thomas Husterer. This may have been inspired by the MC4000, I don't know. This was picked up by Erez Raviv to create ER9X. Others also added to this code. openTx was then forked from er9x (called it open9x at the time as it was still for the 9X Tx). Mike.

For ersky9x you would need eepskye, available from: **LINK**. For openTx you need Companion available from: **LINK**. Mike.

In case you missed the information, the latest LBT firmware for the XJT module supports D8 mode, so if you have also upgraded the main firmware to one that also supports D8 mode, you won't actually need the DJT. Mike.

The 9XR-PRO is available from the UK warehouse, so no interntional shipping. The Taranis is also avalable from **LINK**, although T9 is the FrSky 'official distributor. Updating the firmware on the Tx modules and the receivers doesn't need a PC, the update ability is included in the main radio firmware. Mike.

Posted by Andy48 on 03/02/2016 19:33:35: However, both use OpenTX which is a free software program that handles all the programming that is normally hidden by the transmitter manufacturer so you only get what they are prepared to offer. The 9XR-PRO comes with ersky9x firmware, not openTx firmware. As I said, you can put openTx on the 9XR-PRO and you can put ersky9x on the Taranis. Since Bruce said he is looking at setting up complex mixes, I think it has been assumed he would be prepared to learn the mix programming on either of these. The mix programming is very similar on both. There is a useful option of "try before you buy". Both sets of firmware are supported by programs that run on a PC. With these you may look at the programming options, and even simulate what they do on the PC without ever buying a transmitter. The PC programs are also capable of reading the model memories on the transmitter so you may edit the settings on the PC and then write them back to the transmitter. The reason the 9XR-PRO comes without a module is there are a number of different ways in which the 2.4GHz signal is used, each manufacturer has their own and the don't in general, work with another manufacturer. You get to choose a suitable module for your use. Mike.

Actually, at the price point specified, the Turnigy 9XR-PRO should also be considered, currently at £49.66, although you will need to get a battery (around £10) and a FrSky XJT module (around £22) to complete. This also provides the same comprehensive telemetry, flexible programming and 16 channels as the Taranis. As with the Taranis, it runs an open source firmware. The firmware that is on the 9XR-PRO is also available to run on the Taranis and the firmware that is on the Taranis is also available to run on the 9XR-PRO. I won't comment on the merits of the firmware on each, I'd be biased (I'm one of the developers and I'm involved with both). I suspect many of those who have already suggested the Taranis haven't used a 9XR-PRO so are not fully aware of its capabilities. Mike.

I have 5 different firmware builds for the XJT for the EU (and 3 international): 141230 150122 150413 151118 (LBT) 151223 (LBT) I believe at least one of these didn't support D8 mode, possibly more than one. You then also have the possibility of installing openTx with the EU option selected, this doesn't have the D8 option in the menus. So there is plenty of scope for ending without D8 mode available. Mike.

You seemed to be thinking in terms of openTx on a Taranis to me. The Taranis does have an internal XJT module, but: 1. openTx is not the only firmware available for the Taranis, ersky9x is also available. 2. The XJT is available in plug in module form and may be used in other transmitters with either er9x, ersky9x or openTx firmware. These include the Flysky/Turnigy 9X or the HobbyKing 9XR with er9x/openTx. The 9X with an upgrade (SKY board, AR9X board, 9Xtreme board, all of which have an ARM processor) running ersky9X or openTx, or the 9XR-PRO, which is really a 9XR with a SKY board in it. There is no real difference between upgrading the firmware via the SD card, or direct from the PC. What matters are the options (for openTx) you may have selected when you download the firmware from the openTx server. Mike.

If you are using openTx 2.0.x (rather than 2.1.x), then there isn't an EU checkbox in Companion (2.0.15), and all modes should appear in the menus. Also, the module firmware applies to the external module, that may be being used in a radio other than a Taranis, or with firmware other than openTx (e.g. er9x or ersky9x). In these cases, D8 mode is still available in the menus anyway. Mike.

Frank: Yes, I know thanks. I help write openTx, but prefer to use the ersky9x firmware I maintain. Mike.

I can confirm D8 mode works with this XJT firmware. I had an XJT (Taranis Plus internal) bound to a D8R-II, D8 mode selected. I flashed the XJT, and the D8R-II still responds. I also then carried out a bind procedure on the D8R-II and it bound correctly. As a test, I tried binding the XJT in D16 mode to a X8R (not updated) and it fails to bind. I'll test flashing the X8R later. Mike. Edit: By the way, I'm running ersky9x firmware on the radio, not openTx.   Edited By Mike Blandford on 02/01/2016 17:20:12

Posted by Myron Beaumont on 22/12/2015 14:17:32: Presumably it landed on unprepared ground? Makes you think -what kept something of those dimensions upright? "deployed landing legs, and settled itself on to a newly refurbished landing pad occupying a decommissioned missile site." Mike.

You are then relying on the electronics to ALWAYS work as you expect. It is possible, for all sorts of reasons, for the electronics/radio link to fail and cause the motor to start, even with the throttle held off. e.g. with the Tx close to the Rx you can get "swamping". To my mind, holding the throttle stick down is more dangerous as a jolt or a trip could cause the throttle to be advanced. Mike.

A safety note! The way you carried the model for the first flight (with 3S) looks to have been risking injury should the motor have started unexpectedly. Please, with all electric models, treat the propellor as turning as soon as you plug the flight battery in. Mike.

18000 spending £1000 each is £18m, not £1.8m. Mike.

I think that's 1Kg (1.5Kg is for rockets?). Their definition of an "aircraft" is quite general. I reckon they are including kites flown more that 15m high and even paper 'planes if you throw them out a window from more than 15m high! Mike. Nothing on the MACI site (Ireland's BMFA), but a minor reference on the Leinster model club site that the MACI are questioning the IAA.   Edited By Mike Blandford on 17/12/2015 21:55:48 Edited By Mike Blandford on 17/12/2015 21:56:07

1) No "Toffee bombers" ((g) permitting or attempting to permit, any article or animal, whether or not attached to a parachute to be released from that aircraft.) 2) Seems to apply to free flight as well (‘unmanned aircraft” shall mean an aircraft including a drone without a human pilot on board.), so how do they do "(3) Small unmanned aircraft shall give way to manned aircraft." No reference to outdoors either, so no flying small multi-rotors in your fourth floor flat! Mike.

Unless I've misread the "order" this also looks to be rather restrictive of what you may now do! (c) at a distance of less than 30 metres from a person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the direct control of the operator; (d) at a distance of less than 120 metres from an assembly of 12 or more persons not under the direct control of the operator; (e) beyond direct unaided visual line of sight and not farther than 300 metres from the point of operation; (f) at a height of more than 120 metres above the ground or water; (g) permitting or attempting to permit, any article or animal, whether or not attached to a parachute to be released from that aircraft. Also, if a model weighs less than 1kG, it is only excluded from this if flown below 15m! Mike.

Posted by WolstonFlyer on 03/12/2015 13:29:10: Very interesting Martyn, thanks. I thought the range was lower with the EU firmware, this proves it! I'm not sure why you think this. The LR protocol was always different from the D16 protocol, and only works with the LR receiver. Mike.

Graham has just added a forum to his website, **LINK**. A useful place to make suggestions for stock and ask questions about the products for sale. Mike.

You have the option to update the firmware on new receivers to the old (pre-2015 EU) to make them compatible with your existing radio module firmware. As an alternative to a curve, use the sub-trim on the flap channel to set the position when the switch is in the centre, and the limits to set the end points. Mike.