Time for a refresh: Mike's OpenTX/EdgeTX Clinic

It's hard to believe that ten years have passed since I created OpenTX Clinic! 

At the time, FrSky had just launched the Taranis X9D with a novel operating system called Open9X soon to be renamed OpenTX. Since then both OpenTX and its offspring EdgeTX have exploded in popularity, and the website has expanded with tutorials, templates and Lua scripts.

RadioMaster Zorro review: pushing the boundaries

RadioMaster have a new baby transmitter. Yes, it's the Zorro! You'll probably already know that it's packed with features, supports OpenTX and EdgeTX, and comes with a choice of Multiprotocol or ELRS modules.

However while most of the Zorro reviews focus on its use with drones, this review takes a different approach - it's geared towards pilots of sailplanes, DLG and electric gliders. If that sounds like you, then read on!  

A template for DLG, and a channel changer script

With summer just around the corner, I've just added a brand new setup to my family of OpenTX templates. It’s called, simply, 'DLG', and it’s intended for 4-servo discus launch gliders like the Blaster, Snipe, Vortex etc.  Read on and find out if DLG is the right solution for you...!

RadioMaster TX12 - mini marvel or... ?

Looking for a compact and inexpensive radio which runs OpenTX? Well here's something to put on your shortlist - it's the new TX12 from Radiomaster, and it's possibly the smallest and cheapest OpenTX transmitter currently on the market.

I've been playing - and flying - with a pre-production unit for the last couple of weeks. Read on and find out if this little baby is for you...

Hands on review: FrSky X9 Lite

The FrSky X9 Lite is a compact, lightweight transmitter running OpenTX. It's also FrSky's cheapest transmitter at around £70. 

The price may be tempting - but how good is the transmitter, and who is it for? In this review, we're going to find out! 

RadioMaster TX16S review: can it crush my X9D Plus?

Never has there been so much choice for OpenTX fans! While FrSky tries to steer us towards their ACCESS protocol, other manufacturers are offering an alternative pathway with their multi-protocol module (MPM) equipped radios.

One such transmitter is the RadioMaster TX16S, a fully featured radio at a highly competitive price. It features an integrated 4-in-1 MPM which works with receivers from FrSky, Graupner, Spektrum,  Multiplex, Futaba, Hitec and many others.

Can it succeed where the Jumper T16 failed, and replace my Taranis X9D+? Read on and find out!

A template for flying wings - and a new test tool!

Lockdown! Here in the UK it's been three weeks of relative quiet. On the bright side, I've been keeping busy with a couple of projects - a new template, and a testing tool for OpenTX setups...

Jumper T16 Pro - is it ready for prime time?

The launch of the Jumper T16 has attracted a lot of attention. It's well equipped, runs OpenTx, and is very aggressively priced. But is it good enough for high value sailplanes? Could it replace my FrSky X9D Plus?

There was only one way to find out, which was to get one and play with it!

Crow-aware adaptive elevator trim

In this post I describe an adaptive (continuously variable) trim system for crow brakes.

Instead of supplying a fixed offset, the elevator trim provides a variable trim according to the amount of crow. To adjust the trim at any particular crow setting, the pilot simply nudges the trim as required. Simple!

Ahi 1.0: an OpenTx template for aerobatic slopers

I've just added a new setup to my library of soaring templates. It's for 4-channel aerobatic slope soarers like the Ahi, Phase 6, Voltij etc.

E-Soar Plus 3.0

E-Soar Plus, my template for sport and F5J, has been updated. Version 3.0 offers a choice of three arming methods, plus various other enhancements.

Advanced snapflap mixing with OpenTx and Lua

In this post, I'll describe an advanced snapflap mix using Lua. It offers full control over the snapflap curve, via dedicated controls.

Preparing your setups for OpenTx 2.2 RC10

The OpenTx developers have been making great progress with 2.2. The latest build is able to open .eepes created in OpenTx 2.1, and convert them to OpenTx 2.2 format. Even better, they can be re-targeted to the Horus - great news for those wishing to migrate their setups to the new transmitter.

Sailplane setups now available for Horus

After a number of RF firmware updates, FrSky's flagship transmitter is finally starting to fulfill the high expectations of FrSky fans. I think we can expect to see many more Horus's appearing on the field/slope shortly, and it'll get a further boost when OpenTx 2.2 is officially released. In anticipation of this I've ported over my F3F, F3J, E-Soar and E-Soar Plus templates to the new transmitter.

F3J setup v.3.0 with KAPOW!

I've just released a new version of my F3J setup. Version 3.0 offers an optional 'Kapow' mode, and a quicker setup procedure. It supports OpenTx 2.1 or higher, and there are separate packages for the Taranis and Horus. In this post, I'll describe the various changes.

F3F setup v.4.1 with PUMP mode

Following hard on the heels of v 4.0, I've just released a further update of my F3F Setup for the FrSky Taranis. The new version 4.1 features an optional Pump mode.

F3F setup v.4.0 with quicker config

Version 4.0 of F3F setup for Taranis is now available. Enhancements are aimed at getting your 6-servo F3F ship into the air as quickly as possible. So if you want the mixing without the fiddling, this is the version for you!

[Update 20 October 2016: version 4.1 is imminent, featuring a new Pump mode.]

Migrating setups from Taranis X9D to X9E

The Taranis X9E contains a superset of the X9D's controls, and in theory any setup designed for the X9D will also run on the X9E. In practice, setups which use LS or RS will need modification.

In this post I'll explain the background, and the fix. Or you can jump straight to 'Fix'.

EU, non-EU/World and EU-LBT - module firmware demystified

[last updated 9 April 2017]

The latest ETSI directive EN 300 328 V1.8.1 has, I think it's fair to say, caused a certain amount of confusion amongst Taranis users. Many pilots are unsure whether they should upgrade their firmware, or how to do so. FrSky's fumbling firmware releases haven't helped matters, either.

The purpose of this post is to try and shed some light, and to answer common questions such as:

Flight mode selection issue and fix

There's a bug in Companion 2.1.2, 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 which impacts my current F3F, F3J and E-Soar setups. If you open the EEPE file in one of these versions you may find that one or more flight modes cannot be activated in the simulator. The error will also be present after uploading to your transmitter.

The problem has been fixed in Companion 2.1.5 so if you have this version or later, you need not read further.