Bob,
you will ALWAYS have general telemetry functions, but since the batteries and receivers are connected to the Powerbox, you cannot record the individual battery conditions and info on RX reception without changing the settings as descibed. Also if you are going to add more sensors to the system (like speed, pressure or GPS sensors), you will have to change the settings anyway, because you need the EXT port(s) to connect the sensor(s).
Thomas