Taranis OpenTX v2.2.1 Flight-Modes and Sound Profiles

Here are some setup notes for my Taranis (running OpenTX v2.2.1), about Taranis audio and setting-up sounds. Remember that if you switch computers and you start having USB detection and communication problems ... try a different (higher quality) Mini-USB cable.
OK, so let's start with this tip:

I setup the S1 (left) potentiometer to be the Taranis' full-time volume control. The other command is for resetting the Timer to zero. These are Global Functions (affects all models) .

A while back I assigned sounds to my Flight Modes (via Special_Functions and Play_Track) .

However when I am using an Android GCS (like Tower/Mission-Maker) ... their nice verbose announcements include Flight-Mode as well. Having them both announce the Flight-Mode seems redundant and un-professional. Turning-down the volume isn't a good solution because other important sounds are silenced.

With the help of the guys in the forums, looks like I have figured out a way to have TWO separate Sound Profiles (controllable with a switch; I used SA). One for flying with the GSC, and the other without. It's a combination of new Logical_Switches and Special_Functions.

I recently found-out that the Amber Sound-Pack (from 2017) has been slightly updated in the past few years. The new file I downloaded is 19mb and now has about 714 wav-files. I installed this on my Taranis-x9d (running OpenTX v2.2.1). It seems to work fine, and provides more Amber spoken words than the old file.

 

EDIT 2025: These tips were given to by RC-forum users, as I try to re-evaluate my RC gear and models after a break, and trying to remember how this all works. 

• Always keep the versions of the three OpenTX items the same - The main Taranis software, the BootLoader-Firmware , and OpenTX-Companion software on the computer. So yes, that is the version you want. The bootloader doesn't seem to be as critical, but still best practice to keep them all the same.
• The main thing is that you are already on 2.1 (or newer), which is when all the telemetry stuff changed. So going to 2.3 (and/or the final release) from that should be pretty straight-forward.

FrSky Taranis X9D TX Clock Battery Replacement.

It's flying season again, so I took my FrSky Taranis X9D transmitter down off the shelf. I haven't used it much in the past 6 months, but I do keep its main battery charged/cycled. I bought it new July-2014.

I noticed the Time was very wrong, and the Date was 1970. I tried to set the correct Date-and-Time several times, but it kept reverting back to 1970 after a simple power-cycle.

Turn off Taranis and remove main NiMH battery.
Loosen 2 of the switches a bit (just the top-two on the case-seam)
Remove 6 screws on back
Carefully separate halves and lay flay on table (don't strain cables)
Replaced tiny CR1220 3-volt lithium coin-cell battery.
- The old one was dead (down to 0.5-volts).
- Verify that the battery socket is clean (ie, no dust or corrosion)

- Carefully inspect and insure all internal connectors are still properly/fully connected
Re-assembled and tested radio.
Set Time and Date and test it's retention after a power-cycle.
Be sure Time and Date survives the radio being turned off for 15 minutes.
Mine tests good again.

FrSky Taranis X9D - Inside PCB and CR1220 coin-cell battery.
Open in a new Window or Tab to fully Zoom-In

EDIT: In January-2026 ... I still have and use this radio (but it's been in closet storage for a while). I had to replace the tiny clock-battery once again. The old one now reads only 0.1-volts. The new one I'm installing reads 3.2-volts.

A Good Indoor Beginner RC Drone Eachine E014 Windmill - WiFi SmartPhone FPV 2019

I like my new indoor WiFi 720p FPV Drone with Altitude-Hold (via optical-flow AI). This is the best beginner RC drone I have flown in a while. Very stable and easy hover. Auto-TakeOff, Auto-Land, and Altitude-Hold ...  all work fine.

Comes with a good/basic Mode-2 RC-Controller and SmartPhone-Clip for FPV.  I fly (Mode-2 like most people) with an old iPhone-5 clipped-on. I use 4- AAA Eneloop rechargables in black RC-Controller.

Connect Eachine drone to phone's WiFi.

WiFi Password: 12345678

Power-on RC-Controller. Watch the blue-lights on controller and drone.

Apple iOS App: Eachine Fly- Hailin Yi

Works on iPhone-5 (even with 16gb with old iOS-10.x) 

In Options (gear icon) , set to:

Scenery-Mode

Master-Mode (use controller). Model-2 = Mode-2
- Click X in top right to save/close.

Throttle (left stick) from Max-to-Min to ARM drone
- IIRC, you get a beep and last blue-led on RC-Controller goes solid-on.
Flight time is around 5-minutes indoors.
Just coreless-motors on this one (which are not too loud).

Nice RC-controller, on-board flight-controller, and position-hold abilities for a quad under $39 usd. There is usually a good coupon, but it only works from this page (and once per customer). I pay with PayPal. 

If you are new pilot, I suggest you stand behind the drone before take-off. Indoors, empty garage, or zero-wind is easiest. Don't fly over people, houses, traffic, or anything expensive. If windy, watch your position and altitude (to minimize fly-aways). Know before you fly outdoors.  

September 11th 2001 - 911 As It Happened - News Montage

Never Forget 911

                                                                                                     ⬆ Full Screen icon

Since I posted this, I have exchanged some private messages about this video with friends and family. On this 17th anniversary of this tragic event, I would like to say this:

I think it’s a good record of what happened that day. Yes, it’s hard to watch, but I think every American should (even young-people that are old-enough). Why are things the way they are now-days? Why do people feel they way they do? This is part of why.

There is very little bias … just a record of us all trying to figure out what the heck was happening that day. The whole world was watching also, and some felt powerless against the ruthless terrorist.

It seems they were circling and looking, but could not actually find the (relatively small) White House, so second target was the large Pentagon. Yes, I have been there. I think visiting Washington, DC is another thing every American should do.

The Flight 93 movie is also a good record of events. That airplane was likely destined for the Capitol building. Those passengers are true heroes. They are just putting the finishing touches on a monument dedicated to them. Here is a recent video about it.

Apple macOS High Sierra Upgrade

macOS v10.13 High Sierra - Downloading and Installing Upgrade

Some of you might be using Mac for your multi-rotors and drones, so I thought I would post my notes from my recent High-Sierra upgrade here.

I'm not one to upgrade my Mac's macOS that quickly. Maybe it's because this is an older Mac-Mini(Late 2012) or I currently really only use my Mac for iOS-App development.
However, I don't like to be more than one-version behind, so I at least like to upgrade before the next new final version is released. Let's get started.

Using Apple-Software-Update, make sure all applicable updates are installed to your existing/installed macOS first.

To download High Sierra for use with a bootable installer, be sure to download from a Mac that is currently using:
- High Sierra
- Sierra 10.12.5 or later
- El Capitan 10.11.6.
Enterprise administrators, please download from Apple, not a locally hosted software-update server.

Click the Upgrade button on top High Sierra banner of Updates page.
- After it downloads, the button will say DOWNLOADED. Installer-file is about 5.25gb
- If Installer auto-starts, close Installer for now.
- The macOS-Installer (*.app) file's normal download location is the Applications folder. There might also be a new Icon in LaunchPad for it.

Create macOS USB Recovery Drive
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
The best time to create this is after downloading installer/updater, but before installing it.
It seems that after it is actually (later) installed, the large 4-6gb file will be automatically deleted from your local HDD/SSD.

Disk-Utility and Terminal are located in the Applications/Utilities folder
Open Disk-Utility, and erase (format) a 16gb flash-drive as "MacOS Extended-Journaled" . Name it "MyVolume" .

For High Sierra, enter into Terminal:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app

Press Return after typing the command (copy and paste also works).
When prompted, type your administrator password and press Return again (Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type your password).
When prompted, type Y to confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return.
Terminal shows the progress as the bootable installer is created. (It takes a while)
When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will now have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as "Install macOS High Sierra".
You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.
This seemed to have worked fine.

Observations:
- Notice that as "createinstallmedia" starts, it again erases/formats volume as "MacOS Extended-Journaled".
- There is a 5.25gb installer-file on the drive now. The flash-drive is renamed and also made bootable.
- If you try to use this macOS Recovery drive later (and it does not work) you might have to temporarily change the Mac's date to now.
- Notice that Apple says you now need 11-12gb space on destination volume for High-Sierra. So, you must use a 16gb flash-drive this time
- - I think it writes the file twice, compares both checksums are correct/matching, and then deletes one (or similar actions).
- - This might help explain why it takes so long, and why you need double-the-space

Before starting actual upgrade:
If a Mac desktop, be sure it is connected to a good UPS (like an APC).
Disconnect un-necessary peripherals.
Made sure all applicable updates are installed to existing macOS first
- I noticed that this time it was still showing 2 INCOMPATIBLE Updates (Xcode 9.4.1 and iMovie 10.1.9). Another sign it's time to upgrade.
Be sure a TimeMachine backup has run recently, but is NOT currently running.
- I decided not first run a SuperDuper full-image this time (or mess with updating SuperDuper just yet). Might do later, afterwards.
- I set SimpleControl Hub App to not start on boot for a while

Installing macOS v10.13 - High-Sierra (as overlay upgrade).

Reboot and make sure no other applications are running.
Start the High-Sierra Installer/Updater.
- Agree to the license and install to your main drive (usually named Macintosh HD).
- Enter your admin login-password so High-Sierra can add Helper-Tool.
- You Mac will reboot and upgrade will start (even with a SSD, this phase takes about 45 minutes).
- Login normally
- Enter your password for Apple-ID. If you have more than one, take note of which one it is asking about.
- - iCloud might ask to make changes to your account. Enter your Mac's admin login-password
- Setup finishes and desktop appears.
- About-this-Mac says macOS High-Sierra (v10.13.6) is installed
- Restart/Reboot to start-fresh. Boot-speed seems about the same.

Look around a bit and test your favorite programs. Seems fine to me.
Check that your old data-files are still there (stuff you save in your named User Folder). Still there for me.
If you use iCloud, you can do a quick check by making sure your Contacts and Notes are there and still syncing with iPhone/iPad. Also, OK for me.

Go to App-Store.
- First, click on Purchased, and make sure you can see your Purchased Apps from over the years.
- - If you use a different Apple-ID for App-Store/iTunes Purchases, you will have to enter that other password now
- Now, you can go to Updates, Mac will be scanned, and you can install those final updates for Xcode and iMovie (and any others).
- Xcode updates are usually large and take a while, so I update Xcode separately.
Failure to do it this way will likely result in constant App-Store "wheel spinning"
- However, it might just be because I use two different accounts (a sharing-solution setup long-before Family-Sharing was an available feature).
After any of these primary Apps/Programs get updated, I usually run them once to make sure they still work and to see what's new.

Be sure your TimeMachine backup is still working. It might take a few hours before it's reporting properly.
- Eventually, it should do a large backup of arounf 10gb (takes about 60 minutes to complete).
- Seems fine to me (with no intervention required).

Noticed that my main macOS partition (on my Kingston SSD) has been migrated to APFS.
- Not sure why only this drive. My guess is because it is my only SSD, or maybe just because it is the main macOS partition.
My USB TimeMachine HDD was not (still MacOS Extended-Journaled)
My BOOTCAMP partition was not (still NTFS)

BootCamp:
Restarted MacMini (and held-down Option-key at chime) to boot native Windows-10/64bit (v1703) on my BootCamp partition ... seems to work fine. SIP is still Enabled (like its always been).
While I was in there, ran Apple Software Update (you might have to run it 3 times before it finds updates). Installed the newly-available "WiFi-Update for Boot-Camp".
Shut-Down Windows and restarted MacMini to automatically default-boot back into High-Sierra again.

I'm calling my High-Sierra upgrade successful and done. Hopefully this helps someone.

EDIT:
After 6 months, all is still working fine.

PixRacer Adv. Setup (PixHawk - ArduCopter) & OpenTX v2.2.1 Taranis Upgrade

My first PixHawk (PixRacer) build starts here.

FRS FrSky S.Port 
This should enable a lot of Telemetry to now run over the FrSky's 2.4ghz main link/channels, instead of using a dedicated SiK telemetry radio (for example).

On FRS connector, connect both signal lines together, and then connect to the S.Port line at X8R. Also, connect GND (black wires) but NO RED (Power) WIRE (X8R is already powered by PixRacer through RCIN connector).

Upgrading Taranis to OpenTX v2.2.1

I had to upgrade my older OpenTX version before the newer "Discover Sensors" was even available for use on Taranis.

It seemed to work fine going from old Open-TX v2.0.12 all the way up to v2.2.1 (all at once) on my FrSky Taranis X9D. Remember that you must also upgrade your OpenTX Companion for Windows to version 2.2.1 (so they match exactly). Remember that if you are ever connecting your Taranis radio to a NEW computer, check to see what version of OpenTX is running on the radio first (and then download and install the proper version).

I loosely followed DKEmxr's forum-post instructions and also some tips from Oscar Liang at this page. I backed-up the Taranis (to a computer file) first.

You should also document (or screenshot) the Logical Switches programming for any models that currently use them. As it turns-out v2.2.1 changes the variable names of Logical Switches from L1, L2, L3, etc. to L01, L02, L03, etc. and can't be fully migrated.

I used these Settings in OpenTX Companion v2.2.1:
My Radio
FrSky Taranis X9D (specify your exact model)
en (English for me)
lua and luac (only those checked, I dis-liked the way sq5font looked, so i re-did it)
Mode-2
AETR (what ArduCopter uses)
-
IIRC, I also erased the SD-Card and loaded a new set of files from sdcard-taranis-x9-2.2V0013.zip
And finally toward the end, I found and reinstall Amber (for Open-TX v2.2.x) .
Ok, now all it right with the world :)

Double-check your Logical Switch programming for those affected models. Check all parameters (including the "AND Switch" column).

NOTE: The above directions have been amended with changes resulting from May-2019 troubleshooting of "flight modes missing for some models after OpenTX upgrade".

With Open-TX v2.2.1 installed, now the "Discover Sensors" option is actually there. But so far, it reads RSSI (for RX) and RxBat (the default ones).

In Mission-Planner, the PixRacer's FRS (FrSky) port is Serial-4. So, set Baud = 57 and Protocol=4. Save that and Reboot PixRacer. Now, when you Discover-Sensors on Taranis, many (all ?) should now populate the List of Telemetry Sensors.

In the Model's Telemetry screen, you can assign Sensor fields to Main Page Flying Screen.

PixRacer ESP8266 WiFi Module

Since it's not "keyed" be careful to always connect like this little WiFi board this way. Be sure it's turned like this, and always use the 8 right-most holes.

On mine, the SSID was "AI-THINKER_code" by default. This is a good sign that the firmware is out-dated. While I could connect the laptop's WiFi to it, I was unable to establish a connection through it with Mission-Planner. DKEmxr says this tiny ESP8266 must be flashed with better firmware before it will work properly.

It apparently must be flashed to v1.1.1 (or maybe at least v1.1.0) . I used NodeMCU-Flasher. It will set SSID to "PIXRACER". It will also set the ESP8266's WiFi AccessPoint to be password-protected now (pixhawk). After running it, you should (might) be able to do further Firmware upgrades "Over the Air". While working with NodeMCU, it might help to disconnect from Internet and connect laptop only to ESP8266 SSID (AccessPoint/ HotSpot) via WiFi.

If your FTDI-wiring is correct, but you have trouble getting NodeMCU-Flasher to work, try swapping the wires for TX and RX (nothing should blow or fry just swapping those two lines). This ended-up being the reason my ESP8266 couldn't initially get MAC addresses in NodeMCU (and finally initiate the Firmware Flashing process). I followed the (simple) cable pin-out exactly so I think that maybe the silk-screened TX and RX labels on my new 3.3volt FTDI-USB Interface might be incorrectly swapped-around.

Communicating with PixRacer using Mission-Planner over WiFi (ESP8266 Module)

In the top right corner of Mission Planner, choose UDP. I don't think baud rate matters. Click the CONNECT button. If it asks for the Local port, enter 14550.

While I haven't tried it yet, I've read that it also works with QGroundControl.

Eachine E010s FPV Indoor Quadcopter

Winter is here, but that doesn't mean you have to stop flying :)

After comparing several inexpensive indoor FPV racing-drones, I found this Eachine E010s quad. It has a nice camera and F3-class Flight Controller. The 65mm ducted-fan design also provides prop-guards (to save the pets, furniture, and walls). Sure, it has brushed (core-less) motors and matching ESCs, but that helps to keep the price and weight down. I've since read the pilots call it a cheap Tiny Whoop or Inductrix clone. It's even Bind-and-Fly so you can use your favorite hobby-class transmitter. I have a Taranis, so I got the FrSky RX version.

While the directions are fairly-poorly translated (no surprise there ... but we are used to it, right :), there ARE some good specs and tidbits of info. These are readable if you open them in a new window (and zoom-in). Hopefully this blog-post will fill-in the missing pieces and get you started in the right direction. I know the Blue-LED is for the FrSky (PPM) RX radio. Additionally, Red-LED appears to be Power, and I think the Green-LED might be the F3-Evo  Flight-Controller (complete with brushed-ESCs).

Radio Setup

I thought the setup was easy or fairly normal (if you have some previous experience with FrSky and CleanFlight).

First, you Bind the RX to TX and setup a new model on the Taranis. The Mode is D8 and Channel Range is CH1-8. I saw some pilots thought the Binding procedure was difficult, but I think it was easy and like any other FrSky Bind. Like always (with any FrSky equipment), the E010s should not be too close (within 3 ft) to Taranis or you might have communication problems. These FrSky radios are tuned for long-range.

1. When you start, the E010s' Blue-LED for RX will be flashing (means it's un-bound).
2. At Taranis, select Model. Go to Model Setup and click Bind. Taranis will start Beeping
3. Carefully, hold-down tiny button on E010s FC PCB and apply power (connect it's battery completely). Blue-LED will turn off
4. Stop the Bind-beeping at Taranis
5. Cycle power on E010s (disconnect and re-connect it's 3.7v 240mah 45c 1-cell LiPo battery).
6. The Blue-LED should now be solid-on (indicating it's successfully Bound).
7. On the Taranis display, you should now be getting basic FrSky Telemetry and it will show the E010s' battery voltage (similar to your full-sized FrSky RX equipped multi-rotors).

Like other quads with F1-F4 based FC, the actual programming at the TX radio is fairly basic. You just need TAER1234. CH1-4 is TAER for main-control and 1234 are for any (AUX) switches you want to assign to CH 5-8.

I'm used to setting up for SBus (not PPM), but this seems to work (including switches). TAER is the important part. If you wanted to lock it into Angle-Mode, I think it might fly with as little as 4-channels.

CleanFlight 1.x Setup

Like many older F1 (Naze32) and even smaller current F3-based quads, you should use a CleanFlight 1.x. Even if you already have a newer v2.x version of CleanFlight installed, the old v1.x can also be installed or "side-loaded". v1.x can be installed as a Google Chrome App in Extensions Developer Mode. I still use CF v1.2.2, but I've also read about pilots using v1.2.4 (which is the last stable v1.x release).

Of course, (since you are using CleanFlight) you also have to install the SiL-CP210x Drivers (in my case, for Microsoft Windows-10). You will know that they are correctly installed when the (USB connected) quad appears in "Devices and Printers" with a Comm-Port at the end of its name.

Remember that while using CleanFlight ... after you make a change on any page, scroll to the bottom of that page and click Save. Also, I'm not really going to document each setting here now (especially if it's a default that is already set correctly). After you get CF installed and running, select your Comm-Port and then click Connect (top right).

• Setup
• Backup is the first thing I suggest you do. This should be the E010s' current "shipping defaults" ... to a file for safe-keeping.
• Ports
• Nothing to change here. Remember to never change or mess-with the first (UART-1) line, or you will lose USB communication with the FC :(
• Receiver
• Channel Map change to JR/Spektrum (and then click Save) to get TAER1234. At this point, sticks on Taranis radio should be moving the proper channels.
• Direction say to set Serial Receiver Provider to "SPEKTRUM1024". It's the default first item so no changes required. However, since this quad is setup on PPM, I'm not sure it's even relevant.
• I've never been able to find an actual "radio calibration" in CF over the years, and it seems to work fine without it. Of course, the Taranis itself is already calibrated (but that's not something you would do in CleanFlight).
• Config
• Mixer stays on Quad-X
• Receiver Mode changed to RX-PPM . As far as I can tell, no SBus on this one (but it's not like we need the extra channels anyway).
• The directions say to set Serial Receiver Provider to "SPEKTRUM1024". It's the default first item so no changes required. However, since this quad is setup on PPM, I'm not sure it's even relevant.
• Modes
• Aux-1 (aka 1st assigned switch on TX). I used Angle (flight mode) for all 3 positions
• Aux-3 HeadFree. Set to the 3rd assigned switch. Bar takes-up 2/3 of line so it's active when the switch is in Position 2 or even Position-3
• More experienced pilots might want other modes (like Acro) assigned to different switches and position. I probably add that or similar later.
• I didn't have any problems Arming the quad the normal way (Throttle stick down and to right for a few seconds), but some pilots apparently do. They assign a switch to Arm.
• CLI
• I see a note in the directions-sheet to SET motor_pwm_rate=1000. Actually, I did NOT set this yet, but I'm thinking it's already set correctly because the E010s flies fine.
• Setup
• Setup screen one last time and calibrate accelerometer. It's real easy in CF since quad just needs to sit still on level surface for a few seconds.
• Backup final settings to another file (since it's setup properly now).
• AFAIK, there is no barometer, magnetometer (compass), or any other sensors to calibrate on this quad.

Plastic Body (Protector Shell)

Yeah, it's a strange looking robot head, but this is Quadcopter-Robotics :) Seriously, I thought it was a good idea to install it to help protect the camera, antenna, and FC-PCB. Installation is self explanatory. I did have to shave-off about 0.5mm of the two top guides to allow the camera to slide into place completely (you want the front of lens pretty close to flush in front). I think it also does a good job of supporting the camera/antenna.

I'm surely not taking off the body any time soon. I don't expect needing the Bind button again soon. However, it might be a good idea to carefully Dremel a little slot for the USB plug. I also saw a mod that puts a "arch protector strip" or loop over the antenna (for additional protection).

Conclusion

I tried Angle and HeadFree flight-modes so far, and it flies good for me indoors. Even for beginners ... while some simulator-time is a good idea, the Eachine E010s should also work nicely as a FPV trainer (when indoors or even outdoors with no wind).

Blue-LED (on steady) = FrSky RX and TX R/C radios are bound and connected
Green-LED (on steady) = F3-Evo Flight Controller is Armed (also visible thru body)

If I do any more mods to it I will try to post them here with an edit.