Multiplex Profi - revival of a legend?

[Update February 2017 The article was written when the Profi was first released. The latest firmware is considerably more capable.]

I've always been a big fan of Multiplex radios. There's an elegance about their design and programming which sets them apart from the usual run of Far Eastern clones. And of all their radios, the legendary Profi 4000 is surely the most notable. It was way ahead of its time when it was launched back in the 90s, and its generic programming method opened up a world of possibilities for scale, jet and F3X glider flyers.

Porting an F3F setup from the Multiplex 4000 to OpenTx

Most of us are familiar with open-source software, whether it's operating systems, office suites or any of the thousands of other programs. But open-source firmware for R/C transmitters? It may sound a little strange in a world of commercial R/C systems. Well it exists... and it's called 'OpenTx'.

And very soon you're going to hear a lot more about it, as FrSky have adopted OpenTx as the operating system for their forthcoming Taranis.

FrSky Taranis - spiritual successor to the Multiplex 4000?

There's been a lot of interest in the FrSky Taranis recently. In fact it must be one of the most eagerly anticipated R/C system in recent years.

The reasons are not hard to find. First there’s the price - just $175 / £139.99 (Tx only). Second, it offers the kind of capabilities you'd expect to see in a high end set. 

It's sure going to ruffle a few feathers over at Futaba and JR, not to mention the boys at Bretten-Gölshausen.

Modelspot closes its doors, and a new web site for Multiplex fans

Last week the unthinkable happened: the once-mighty Graupner went into administration. And today, one of our best loved retailers, Punctilio Modelspot, closed its doors for the last time, after 41 years. Their tales are told on their home pages:

Graupner 404'd

RIP Modelspot

Multiplex Profi Tx announced

Multiplex fans will be excited by the recent announcement of their new flagship radio, the Profi. The new radio is being touted as the natural successor to the legendary Profi mc4000, and will be offered with a choice of 9, 12 and 16 channels. Each version optionally comes with the appropriate DR Pro telemetry receiver.

Cockpit SX M-LINK goes F3F

As we roll into 2012, I'm at last migrating my F3F models from 35 MHz to 2.4 GHz. Yep, it's time to recognise that the world is changing, most competition pilots already having made the switch. And it may seem a little thing, but having a tiny little aerial in place of the enormous 35 MHz fishing rods will make it easier to negotiate the rocks and rabbit holes which inhabit our slopes.

Programming your transmitter for F3F

F3F models are fairly demanding in terms of programming (if not quite as complex as F5J or DLG!). Aside from having four-servo wings there are ergonomic and trimming considerations which need to be taken into account, especially for competition work.

Over the years, I've competed in over 140 F3F competitions [as of Feb 2025] and programmed a variety of radios for this task. These include the Futaba FF7 Super, MPX 3030, MPX 4000, MPX Royal Evo, MPX Cockpit SX, Futaba 12FG and FrSky X9D+ running OpenTx. More recently, a FrSky X20 running Ethos.

Multiplex Cockpit SX in Hahnenmoos

My blog has been a little quiet, so let me bring you up to date.

In August I spent a fantastic stag weekend in Hahnenmoos in the Swiss alps with a group of F3F flyers from the UK and Switzerland, all at the kind invitation of our Swiss F3F flyer friend Stefan Bertschi.

Multiplex web site changes

Multiplex appear to have done a big revamp to their web site, which has a new more modern look. The site does have a few issues though - it seems painfully slow at times, and the content of the English version is incomplete.

Among the content missing from the English section are the USB drivers for the data cable (#85149). These drivers are required by the Launcher program. If you can't find the USB drivers in the English version, just dip into the German version and you'll find them there.

Unboxed! The Cockpit SX M-LINK

As promised, some photos of the 'unboxing' of my new Cockpit SX M-LINK. First I should explain that the 'Action' which I bought last week had to be go back to the shop - the trims were malfunctioning due to a hardware problem. As West London Models had no more Actions in stock, I exchanged it for an 'Elegance' instead.

My Multiplex Cockpit SX. It's in there, somewhere!

Let me introduce you to my latest R/C system. Yes, I know you can't tell from the photo, but take it from me, it is bright yellow, and it has one of those diddy little aerials which mark you out as a thoroughly modern modeller!

Cockpit SX 2.4 GHz - new variants spotted

Last weekend, at the Wings n Wheels model show, I finally got to see Multiplex's newly launched Cockpit SX variants, the 'Elegance' and the 'Action'.

Some thoughts on the latest Multiplex releases

Those clever chaps at Multiplex must have been working pretty hard recently, judging by the number of M-LINK 2.4 GHz products launched at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. Some interesting/curious/cool things which caught me eye:

Multiplex at Nuremberg

Amidst all this talk of gloom and doom with the economy, I've been told that Multiplex will be cheering us up with the release of some interesting M-LINK goodies at Nuremberg.

Multiplex are also supporting third party manufacturers who wish to incorporate M-LINK telemetry  in their products. For anyone interested in R/C, and in particular for Multiplex-watchers, it's interesting times!

Update 31 Jan Gordon Upton has posted a 'teaser' on RCMF

Sensor soup

A tasty dinner

Telemetry with M-LINK, and some thoughts on the Spektrum DX8

Today I had my first taste of Multiplex's telemetry system in action. I flew my Easy Glider electric with two sensors: the 35 Amp current sensor, and Altimeter/vario. Controlling this lot was a Multiplex Royal Pro 12 M-LINK transmitter and RX-7-DR M-LINK receiver.

Multiplex M-LINK telemetry - first thoughts

Multiplex are making quite a splash these days. Their M-LINK 2.4 GHz spread spectrum system is bi-directional, and supports a neat system of fully integrated telemetry.

Multiplex M-LINK 2.4 GHz review: progress report

To those of you wondering when my review of the Royal Pro M-LINK will hit the stands: my editor at RCMW put it back by a couple of months as apparently there was a raft of new products in the queue (including at least one other 2.4 GHz system).

Multiplex M-LINK 2.4 GHz - upcoming review

Today I did some initial flight testing of the Multiplex Royal Pro 12, equipped with a brand new M-LINK 2.4 GHz module - woo hoo!

Multiplex 4000: End of an Era

On Friday 28th October a message appeared on the Multiplex Yahoogroup that production of this landmark radio has finally come to an end, and the news was confirmed to me by Multiplex in Germany. A shortage of key componenents has led to this situation, and no doubt what remaining stocks are left will be held back for spares.