I never learn more than what I learn when I learn I’m wrong. This has definitely been the case for me with RadioMaster and EdgeTX.

Both RadioMaster and EdgeTX may be foreign words to you now, but I’m sure they’ll be as much in the hobby lexicon as Futaba and Spektrum going forward. RadioMaster is a fairly new hobby radio company which was started by two talented visionaries with considerable experience with major companies including Corona, and HobbyKing. These two individuals worked together in HobbyKing upper management for for some time before leaving that post and starting the trading company HobbyPorter. They realized the opportunity to create a transmitter that would be so much more than was currently available so in late 2019 they established RadioMaster. There had been a convergence of technologies that allowed the development of the MPM – or Multi-Protocol Module – which is a transmitter module which allows a single transmitter to selectively use over 75 different protocols including Futaba/SFHSS, RadioLink, Husban, Hitec, HoTT, FrSky ACCST v1 and v2, FrSky D, FrSkyL Flysky, Flysky AFHDS2A, DSM (Spektrum and JR), Corona, and many more used by inexpensive drones and toys. In short – it seems that with the exception of Futaba/FASST pretty much every transmission protocol we see flown at our field can be handled by a radio with an MPM...Continue Reading

My April 2021 contribution for the TCRCM newsletter is below. Note that the text is below, however attached is the article with images.


Mixes:
Frequently the mixes screen is simply a pass-through screen where the inputs are assigned their channel values based on the order in this screen. However the power of computer transmitters can be unleashed when mixing various inputs to a discreet output. OpenTX does this in the Mixer screen and an advantage of OpenTX is the mixes are completely customizable to whatever you can imagine.
When you are thinking of doing a mix you must fill in the blanks for the following statement. When I do _______. I want _____ to happen. “When I do” is your Input or source line is and “want to happen” is the mix line you’ll be inserting that source into.
For example: Coordinated turn: When I use my ailerons I want my rudder to yaw in the same direction. So I’ll be using an aileron source line in the rudder channel mix. These two lines will be additive as specified in the Multiplex option.
In this example I have rudder assigned to Channel 4. Note: any channel can be assigned to any control surface, thus: Rudder is not necessarily CH 4 – but that’s the channel I’ve chosen to use here. The first line of CH4 has as its source the input from the rudder line on the input page. The second line has as its source the aileron – which is set with a rate/weight of 50% and is added to the first line. This AIL line will only be in use when...Continue Reading

This is a short article for our club newsletter in March.

What are Expo and Rates (Weights)
Expo (exponential):
This setting alters how sensitive the sticks are around the center point. It does not alter the total throw of the servo movement. It alters the default linear curve to one that either is less sensitive (positive expo) or more sensitive (negative expo) around the middle point. (Some transmitters including Futaba use negative expo for less sensitivity.) Typically, I start with 30% for all my aircraft on all surfaces, and then alter as deemed necessary. This allows for a little more stick movement around the middle for more precise flying. Typically, 25-40% expo on control surfaces is typical for beginners. 3D planes generally use much higher expo and high speed planes lower values for expo.

Rates (weights):
Rates are called weights in OpenTX. Dual, or multiple, rates controls the total deflection (throw) of the control surface. On most of my models I setup 3 rates. This is mostly due to using a Taranis radio where most all the switches are 3 position. It allows me to setup a low, medium, and high rates on any or all of the control surfaces. I setup my multiple rates like this: Low rates match the Low throws specified in the build, Mid rates match the high throws specified, and high rates utilize the maximum servo throws allowed without binding the servos. Think of it as low, mild, and wild.

By mixing your preferred expo and rate settings in the radio, you can instantly switch from precise control with lower throws to insane 3D with high/extreme throws. The expo setting will assist in the sensitivity around mid-stick.

I've started a series of articles for out club newsletter on using OpenTX. Here is the first installment. - Because I have settings in the fonts that won't copy to RCG I've attached a .pdf of this article.

I'd removed my Videos from service due to their becoming passe' with the evolution of OpenTX - and my better understanding of OpenTX over time. It's my intention to create a new series this winter. In the meantime - I'll list the links to the videos for any interested. Understand that some of this information may be incorrect and out of date.
These are OLD -- understand?? I have them listed in the order they were published - so the most recent stuff is at the bottom. None of this relates to OpenTX 2.1 -- however the next series will start with OpenTX 2.1

EEPROM - Model setups and general setup files reading and writing

Companion9x Configuration Wizard

Looking over CompanionTX - Take 2 - the companion program for FrSKY Taranis

Download calibrated Taranis settings, create new model and upload new model with all calibration

FrSky TARANIS general settings set in the TX in more detail


Preparing audio files for OpenTx and the Taranis using audacity


Taranis 5 Ch Mix with Rudder and aileron mix


Getting Started with OpenTx Sound and custom Switches on FrSky Taranis


What to do first when you get your FrSky Taranis - a little of this and a little of that

Deleting all sounds or selected sounds on the Frsky Taranis


FrSky Taranis Gimbal Replacement Demonstration


Programming Taranis with C9x for Simple mix, rates, and expo


Custom Functions - Some Meat and Potatoes


FrSky Taranis: Rates, Mixes, and a little bit of pixel dust.


Taranis Audio...Continue Reading

Several years ago Aloft Hobbies sold this airframe they called the Killer Bee. It was sold as the Hummingbird in other places, and probably another name or two.

Well - it's almost ready for maiden. Setting it up on my Horus X12S transmitter.
Ailerons and elevator. -- roll and pull. More details to follow.

I've seen lots of trays. Over the past few years I've taken pictures of every tray I saw and compiled a collection of what I likes, and didn't like so much. My wife bought me a wonderful tray that requires a harness to wear properly. It was expensive and effective, but the harness left alot to be desired and the tray had some features that bothered me a bit. One thing is I want my hands to rest in one place so that they are anchored to datum (as in surveying). Secondly I wanted to be able to reach all of the switches easily. I wanted the transmitter to hang level from the strap - and I wanted a strap - not a harness. It needed to be somewhat compact but also protect the transmitter. I don't know if I succeeded at making the perfect (for me) tray or not yet, but for now it seems to be working pretty good.
Its laser cut from OPTIX 18" z 24" .220 in. Acrylic Sheet. The spring on the bottom was made from LEXAN Polycarbonate Sheet that is .093 inches thick. Plastic materials were purchased from Home Depot. The T-nuts and hex cap screws are 3mm. Lexan bends very easily when heated with a heat gun - but easy not to get it too hot too fast or it will bubble and ruin your surface. Acrylic is even easier to bend because it is not so likely to bubble, but will if heated too fast.

I've included several photos of the final product and an zip file with two illustrator files for cutting.

Lightening holes in foam is nothing new. The problem is that rigidity and construction integrity is compromised in the process. My goal is to try to eliminate much of the foam in the wings of a "flying W" without sacrificing strength or rigidity.

The Flying W is basically a design similitude of the Robbe Gemini - which was reverse engineered and plans posted on Watt flyer and RCG about 2007 or 2008 as the "Capricorn". The plane is actually an amazing plane and an absolute hoot to fly. The lower the wing loading the better they fly.

So as I'm learning to use a laser cutter I needed a more challenging project and so the Swiss W was born. In addition to the honeycomb pattern cut into the depron, used a 12mm CF tube back bone which extends from the motor mount to the root of the stab. This back bone will be the hard anchor point for the battery and ESC. The firewall is constructed from poly-carbonate that has been heat shaped so it has a 4 degree up thrust. I predict that as the thrust increases, the firewall will flex forward to reduce the amount of up thrust -- possibly helping to remedy one common problem with the W/Capricorn/Gemini -- and that is altitude gain on high throttle. Yes, you can mix in elevator -- but that increases parasitic drag -- a changing thrustline could be more efficient.
Below are the building photos so far.

I used Ultrakote, MonoKote, and New Stuff for different areas covering. New Stuff is much lighter -- shrinks less so is less of a problem deforming the panels. Next preference was ultrakote. MonoKote was really heavy, needed much more heat to start with, leaving less of a range for adjustment of warps and such.

To do it again I'd just use 100% new stuff from alofthobbies.com

In the upper left corner of the RCG menu there is a link to "My RCGroups".
See the attached image for the link below that which will cure chronic pains in the butt.