Buying a new transmitter (TX)

bfeist · August 27, 2020, 05:07:16 PM

Hi everyone,

It's time to retire my Futaba 9C Super that I bought at the Toronto Hobby Show in about 2004 for $500. In 2010 I added an FrSky 2.4Mhz module to it. It was a gamble at the time that paid off--FrSky now is an enormous part of our hobby. The 9C still works like a damned charm. A testament to the build quality given that it's 16 years old. I fly my entire fleet on this one transmitter--everything from my 13' Sailaire electric glider (the only plane I have that I still fly on 72Mhz) to my Enigma hotliner and crazy fast Sunracer pylon racer. It has never failed me, nor have FrSKY receivers.

The need for a new radio only comes in because I'm looking at getting into newer quadcopters and they use D16 protocol receivers with SBUS connections (serial controller connections) to a flight controller. My current FrSky hardware won't support these receivers. I'm also going to switch to TBS Crossfire 900Mhz long range protocol for some of my models (like the Sailaire). The Crossfire module won't fit in the 9C. In other words, after all these years my equipment is bumping up against my interest in the hobby. Time to upgrade.

My initial choice was a no-brainer: go for the FrSky Horus X10S. It's super capable, gorgeous, and of course I already have FrSky everything so it'll just work. Right? Nope. FrSky has been making some questionable decisions lately in an attempt to fight off competitors. This has left many of their customers (like me) behind.

Enter the OpenTX movement. OpenTX is a free opensource software platform that will run on a many different transmitters, including FrSky. This platform has enabled a completely different approach and price point for transmitters. Because of this, many clone transmitters and receivers that support FrSky hardware have appeared at much lower prices. Side note: some of you might remember that this is exactly how FrSky broke into the market, by making receivers compatible with Spectrum and Futaba 2.4Ghz at a fraction of the price of the name brand units. Well, I guess what goes around comes around.

In an attempt to fight these competitors, FrSky has introduced a new protocol called ACCESS. The difference? Well, read past the marketing about how much better this is for the end user and all they have done is introduce signal encryption that makes it impossible for competitors to mimic the protocol without possessing FrSky's secret encryption keys. Now, there's nothing wrong with this. If they want to protect their name brand stuff that's fine. The problem is, they are abandoning their ACCST protocol that all of their hardware has used up to this point (of which several iterations and generations exist across different hardware, but it's all compatible). This means that some of their own receivers won't work with their new radios like the X10S. That's right, they want X10S owners to buy new receivers. Currently FrSky does support newer ACCST (like the D16 protocol ones), but all of my D8 and V8 FrSky receivers will not work with the FrSky X10S. Ridiculous. And just to be clear, the D8 receivers are still in stock and for sale all over the place. It's not like this is ancient hardware by any means.

So here I am, a current FrSky user, unable to find an upgrade path within the FrSky world without replacing a whole bunch of my stuff. Goodbye FrSky.

This lead me to researching alternatives, and there are many. New players are making very interesting new hardware. One is a company called Jumper that came out with the T16 transmitter. Apparently some of the Jumper team went off to make their own product under the name Radiomaster. Enter my chosen transmitter: the Radiomaster X16S. This includes an internal, open design "4-in-1" hardware radio module that's capable of speaking EVERY 2.4Ghz spread spectrum protocol including Spectrum, Futaba, and every variation of FrSky (except the locked down ACCESS protocol). The opensource software approach has hit the RC market big time with these products. The TX16S also has a "JR" module port on the pack that will accept the TBS Crossfire module I'm picking up. The only downside? I have to wait until November for the backorder on this radio and it will come from Banggood.com in China. No local distributor.

I hope you guys found this post helpful. It's a complex playing field out there in the radio market. Oh, and if there's anyone with a beginner radio who wants a huge upgrade, hit me up about the 9C come November

Cheers,
Ben

sihinch · August 27, 2020, 05:24:07 PM

Hey Ben, great post. I've been doing lots of the same research.

You can get the Tx16 locally and it's in stock!
https://www.rotorquest.com/hobby-porter-radio-radiomaster-new-tx16s-crossfire

Only thing I found is that the 4-in-1 module in the Jumper and Radiomaster radios puts out a lower 2.4Ghz transmit power and some people have had range issues.

The people at TEMAC with these radios don't report any issues but I have seen it on forums and RCGroups.

I have 2 Taranis radios - the old original X9D and an X9D plus SE - and I love them. Open Tx is super easy, the telemetry is great and I've also just bought a TBS Crossfire module.

bfeist · August 27, 2020, 07:24:39 PM

Thanks Simon! I'll try to switch my order to rotorquest.

Edit: Done. Picking it up tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

VadimKirillov · August 28, 2020, 11:39:04 AM

I have Jumper T16 and I like it. there were Issues with ribbon cables, that can be fixed with adjustment or free cable replacement, I had Issue with fitting the radio in a case, the handle does not let it fit in most bags , you can also buy foldable handle. Most of the early issues we addressed in RadioMaster version and Jumper T18. You have more choice now. but the best part is that it's only $200 and gives you one radio for All your models.

Andy Hoffer · August 28, 2020, 09:32:36 PM

Hey @VadimKirillov and @bfeist ,

I love my six-channel Futaba T6A 72 MHz radio. It works great!! And the planes fly just fine. No issues! It has as a built-in wind sock mast too.

What more could you want?! They're really inexpensive too at @Frank v B 's radio Supply.

Andy

bfeist · August 28, 2020, 11:22:24 PM

Quote from: Andy Hoffer on August 28, 2020, 09:32:36 PM
Hey @VadimKirillov and @bfeist ,

I love my six-channel Futaba T6A 72 MHz radio. It works great!! And the planes fly just fine. No issues! It has as a built-in wind sock mast too.

What more could you want?! They're really inexpensive too at @Frank v B 's radio Supply.

Andy

That was my first radio! (left). Bought in 1997, upgraded to the 9Cs in 2005. Hopefully this new one lives up to the quality of the other two.

electroflyer · August 29, 2020, 11:56:20 AM

That looks like a very cool option for a new radio or even a spare. I have had very good luck with Spektrum DX18 and use a variety of stock Spektrum receivers as well as HK Orange and Lemon Rx's, dependability and locked signals have been terrific. My greatest value with this system has been the Model match which ensures that you do not fly on the wrong memory. Having lost several planes to
mistakenly flying on the wrong model and watching the plane go down as a result of reversed controls always hurts! Is this a feature on the radio you purchased? I

Andy Hoffer · August 29, 2020, 12:35:53 PM

Hi @electroflyer

I love the cognitive function test features of the old T6XA. They force you to slow down, check the directionality of the controls (to ensure you have the correct model selected), AND zero the trims, AND extend the antenna after the range check. You are rewarded with an exciting, if brief, flight if you stray from the mandatory protocols.

Andy

pmackenzie · August 29, 2020, 08:29:01 PM

FWIW, you could also have bought an MPM, the same module in the TX16S, and used it in your X10S with the same functionality.
But neither will solve the problem of new FrSKy receivers, which might eventually only be ACCESS capable.

TX16S is a fairly good radio. It will be interesting to see what the OTX team comes up with to make use of the touch screen.
But build quality of the X10S is well above the TX16S.

Ergonomics are similar, but for me the sticks on the TX16S are very far forward in the case.
I 3D printed some spacers to push the sticks farther back ( I have similar ones in my X10S), but it is causing the sticks to hit the case in the extreme inside corners.
Since I fly "thumbs" I think I can fix this by turning down the OD of the stick barrels.

This is different than just shortening the sticks, it moves the pivot point farther back and lets you run longer sticks.
I liked what it did for the X10S ( which was already farther back than the stock TX16S)

My other main problem with the TX16S is the sliders - they are terrible. Terrible centre detent. I have some new ALPS pots to put in them to try to improve this.

X10S I mainly use for indoor flying, with a Spektrum "hack" module.
For DLG I use X9lite, sort of an 85% scaled down X9D. However it is pretty light on the number of switches, and the sticks are only so-so.
For models that need more switches (full house sailplanes for example), I hope to use the TX16S to replace my aging X9D.

Last thing I will note - if you have a bunch of FrSky models already, you can actually "clone" the TX16S to match the RF ID of your X10S, and avoid rebinding.
There are Youtube videos out there that show how it is done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30iDKPuzx-o

Pat MacKenzie

bfeist · August 30, 2020, 01:13:31 PM

Quote from: electroflyer on August 29, 2020, 11:56:20 AM
Having lost several planes to mistakenly flying on the wrong model ... Is this a feature on the radio you purchased?

I believe so. The models are bound within the software of the radio rather than to a module (like my 9C's module). My 9C does NOT have this feature

bfeist · August 30, 2020, 01:20:29 PM

Thanks @pmackenzie for the thoughtful response. I don't already have an X10S, it was just one of the new radios I was considering for my upgrade from 9C with module.

I agree that the sliders aren't great on the tx16s. If your pot mod works out, please let me know. I might do the same. I'd like to change the pots on the two dials as well (though I've never used dials for anything before)

I just moved the momentary switch to the left side (where I prefer it). It was pretty simple save for me doing it before having enough coffee and making several ridiculous mistakes along the way. All good now.

We'll see if the stick length bothers me once I start flying. I saw a spacer model on thingiverse for exactly the mod you made. Good to know that it caused you to not have 100% stick throw available. I'll keep that in mind.

pmackenzie · August 30, 2020, 02:54:32 PM

I can confirm that if the protocol supports it, then the TX16S does "model match"
This is true for DSM2/X (Spektrum) and FrSky D16 modes.
Unlike Spektrum transmitters you manually set the "receiver number", and Opentx warns you if that number is already in use.
You can use this to your advantage, by creating a copy of a model and using the same receiver number.
This could be a slightly differently trimmed version, say ballasted for windy weather, or if you want to experiment and not mess up the original.

sihinch · October 12, 2020, 10:19:46 AM

Any further thoughts from the people using the TX16s? How are you liking it?

bfeist · October 12, 2020, 12:05:05 PM

It's working out very well! I've been using it for my Revolver, Sunracer, Minimag, and FPV Quadcopter. The sticks feel great. It might just be psychological, but I actually feel more in control with the Sunracer (~200mph) which is my only plane where I can sense the lower latency (faster response to input). No range issues. OpenTX is a bit of a learning curve, but it's way more intuitive than the bizarre Futaba system.

My only "to do" is to get a better 18650 cells for it. The crappy no-name cells I have in it right now are typical Chinese Amazon cells fraudulently labelled 5000mAh that are more like 1100. Currently I have to be diligent about turning off the transmitter between flights to make it last a whole day at the field. You can switch packs quite easily though.

Ben