FRSky Taranis Beginners Support Group
 

FrSky Taranis Beginners Support Group



Welcome beginning Taranis users, experienced users and all others curious about the FrSky Taranis.

Recently on an RCU message board concerning Futaba radios, several fellow Taranis users agreed that the FrSky Taranis was under represented on RCU and a "Taranis for Beginners" thread might be helpful. So here it is. Of Course everyone is welcome but please lets keep it focused on basic programming and set up for the sport level modeler.

First let me say that I am not a Taranis expert! I'm just a long time sport modeler that started flying in the Kraft-Orbit-Ace days. I purchased one of these awesome radios about a year ago and love it!

Programming the Taranis was a little confusing at first but the basic concepts clicked pretty fast and it was only a few hours before I was out flying with my new radio. I am able to make the radio do what I need it to do, but it really has way more capability than I'll ever need. Still, it's nice to know I'll never be hampered by my radio when encountering something new. After a year I'm still figuring it out as I go, especially if I want to do something out of the norm.

So what is a Taranis?

The Taranis is an 8 channel, expandable to 16 channels (maybe even 32!), 2.4 ghz computer radio manufactured by FrSky and costs about $200 for the transmitter. Receivers run about $20 to $40 but usually when you buy a Taranis you get just the transmitter, battery and charger. Some dealers sell a combo package that includes the radio with battery and charger, spiffy aluminum case, receiver and neck strap.

Why is it unique? Or 10 really cool features.

1. The Taranis runs open source software called OpenTX. This means that FrSky does NOT own the software on the radio! The software is public domain software and constantly improved and modified by hobbyists like us that also like to program computers as well as fly airplanes. FrSky loads the software on the radio for you as a courtesy.
2. The OpenTX software on the Taranis has capabilities commonly found on systems costing many times more than the $200 or so commonly paid for the Taranis.
3. The Taranis is "Crowd Supported". That means that because FrSky does not own or produce the software. They do not support the software, instead the software is supported by enthusiastic users like US! There IS a Taranis manual but you won't get it from FrSky, you get it on line and it is written and supported by fellow users. So if you get stuck or have a question not addressed in the manual, message groups like this one are where you must look for answers.
4. Just about every Taranis part you can imagine is available for purchase from Taranis dealers. Drop your radio and bust the case? No worries, buy a new one for $20 or so.
5. The Taranis has an EMPTY slot in it's back for a Spektrum, Futaba or even another FrSky module! Have some "Bind and Fly" planes? Just buy a compatible module and now you are transmitting like a Spektrum, JR or Futaba radio depending on the module.
6. You CAN program the Taranis right on the radio, some even prefer it, BUT there is software available for your computer that runs on Windows and Macintosh systems that also allows you to program your Taranis, upload sound files, as well as update the Taranis software, and save all of your airplane files to your computer hard drive. This software also acts as a Taranis simulator allowing you to try different things out first on the simulator before loading to your Taranis.
7. The Taranis will talk to you! You can program the Taranis to announce in any voice (even your own voice), functions, settings, switch positions, flight conditions, battery voltage, signal strength, altitude, rate of climb, time of day, favorite song, or just about anything you want!
8. The Taranis has telemetry. Telemetry means that the RECEIVER has a TRANSMITTER that transmits back to your Taranis anything you want to know, depending on your installed sensors. Receiver battery voltage and received signal strength are built into most FrSky receivers designed for Taranis.
9. The Taranis & the computer software both have a "WIZARD" that assists you in setting up your radio by asking questions about your aircraft and then modifying the settings based on your answers.
10. If you have a module installed in the back of your Taranis, the Taranis can transmit from the built in Taranis transmitter system AND the module at the SAME TIME for 16 total channels and increased redundancy.

One more interesting note about the Taranis; It usually does NOT come packaged in a cool looking glossy cardboard box with an FrSky logo, also lacking is any sort of a useful printed owners manual. All that stuff costs big money and we want all we can get for $200.00, right? Besides you can download a manual, with color pictures, online that you can view on your phone at the field, your Ipad at home, even on your computer at work! Printed manuals are "Old School", everyone wants to be green these days!

A couple Taranis links to get you started:

A great place to buy a Taranis or Taranis parts and receivers: www.alofthobbies.com
Here is the manuals for OpenTX: http://www.open-tx.org/documents.html

Finally, the grand daddy of all Taranis message boards can be found on RCGroups, over 40,000 posts and 3.5 MILLION views! Hopefully our thread will be a bit more sedate and always sport flyer focused.


So that is it in a nut shell. Now you know a bit about the capabilities of the Taranis, why I have one, why this thread exists, and a couple Taranis links to get started.

Any questions?

Like 049 I bought the Taranis about a year ago. I purchased the package of Transmitter, 8Ch Receiver, Tx case and charger from Aloft. I bought it for the programming flexibility and the telemetry functions. I have since purchased 2 more X8R receivers, an Air Speed Sensor, A Precision Vario. a GPS and a voltage sensor. I have the Air Speed working in a Shoestring (60 powered) and the Altimeter (Vario) in a 1/4 Scale J-3 Cub. The 3rd receiver is in a Electric Powered P-47 with retracts and Flaps. I intend to use the Voltage Sensor in the P-47.

To date I have had no malfunction of any of the equipment. The built in receiver/servo telemetry probably saved the Shoestring about 6 weeks ago. As I was taxing out for the first flight of the day I got a verbal report that A1 voltage was low. I took the airplane home and ran a discharge check and the batteries checked at 250mah left in a 2300mah pack. I replaced the pack.

About 4 years ago I purchased a Weatronic Tx module and 12Ch receiver because I thought it was the best RF link available at that time and they promised Air speed telemetry. Weatronic was late in supplying English voice files for their telemetry so I decided to try the Taranis. My only complaint on the Taranis is the stick centering was too soft for my personal preference. I have fixed that by making metal centering arms for the gimbals. Aloft now offers metal centering arms as a after market item.

I am not a Taranis expert but will help where I can. I have been flying R/C models since 1952. I fly a range of models from large foamy to turbine jet. I also love to scratch build models and have my own web site: http://www.sidgates.us

Sid

All of my receivers are D series. I understand that the X series have a "Model Match" like capability. Can you comment on the difference between the two series of receivers? I'm thinking of buying a couple more.

049,
Sorry, I have only used the X8R so don't know anything about the D series. I am sure one on-line can comment.

I don’t have a Taranis, but I did some testing of FrSky FASST receivers along with my other Futaba FASST receivers using my Futaba 12FG. They have worked out well, so recently upgraded my old Futaba 9C with a FrSky telemetry module and FrSky D receivers.

I bought all my FrSky stuff from Aloft Hobbies and I’m very pleased with their service. From my past experience with radio gear, I think the retailer of the equipment can have a huge positive impact on your satisfaction with your radio. Aloft Hobbies makes it a great experience.

Deleted Double post caused by the RCU site being slow.

Sid

I think the D series receivers don't have "model match" and also need a sensor hub if multple sensors are used. I believe that the X series have "model match" and have a daisy chain type of sensor capability, whereby you just plug the sensors in end to end with the last one plugged into the receiver.

I believe these are the major differences but have no actual experience with the X series so can't confirm. I do know that the D series DO NOT have model match and will at least work with the variometer WITHOUT the need for a hub. The variometer combined with voice announcements of altitude and rate of climb is awesome.

Sid

I think the D series receivers don't have "model match" and also need a sensor hub if multple sensors are used. I believe that the X series have "model match" and have a daisy chain type of sensor capability, whereby you just plug the sensors in end to end with the last one plugged into the receiver.

I believe these are the major differences but have no actual experience with the X series so can't confirm. I do know that the D series DO NOT have model match and will at least work with the variometer WITHOUT the need for a hub. The variometer combined with voice announcements of altitude and rate of climb is awesome.

Is there any support offered by the manufacturer or distributor?

================================================== ================================================== ===================the
The manufacture has a web site that offers firmware upgrades to the sensors and the firware that comes on the transmitter. I am only familiar with Aloft and they are very helpful. Best support is available on RCG and now this thread on RCU

If you buy it from Aloft Hobbies you get excellent support. Wayne is also very active on RCG answering questions and assisting newcomers.

If you are in Australia, I can highly recommend Boltrc.com - Mark is very helpful.

Excellent thread 049flyer - I have been in RC for 37 years and own many name brand radios which I can't fault. However I am enjoying the Taranis more than any of them for a number of reasons, e.g., voice alerts, telemetry and the power of the Open TX programming.

One of the main differences with the X receivers is they have the Smart Port which allows you to plug in (and daisy chain) telemetry sensors directly, and as you mentioned, model match, which you cannot do with the D series.

Support for the Taranis hardware is usually provided by the dealer who sold you the radio, therefore it is important to purchase from a Taranis savy dealer. As FrSky did not develop the software that runs on the transmitter they do not support it. HOWEVER there is plenty of support available via message boards like this one and on RCG, Taranis specific websites, the OpenTx forum and also from your Taranis dealer. In the technology world they call this support scheme "Crowd Supported".

As mentioned above, FrSky's hardware support is limited to firmware upgrades for the products they manufacture.

FrSky has taken this spartan approach to radio manufacturing and support in order to provide modelers a radio with features usually found on systems costing several times more. The downside is the modeler must put forth a bit more effort to get help or advice when needed.

Certain model receivers, such as the X8R also have S.Bus which allows 1-16 channels or you can bind two of them to have 16 channels via the normal servo ports.

Receiver 1 with be channels 1-8 and receiver 2 will be 9-16.

They also make a long range receiver - the L9R which has been tested to over 9 kilometres.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxLJOLr7xQ


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2081172http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2081173

I love the open source concept. There is no telling as to where this radio is going to be a few short years from now! I feel this is the perfect way to contribute to the hobby.
Can anyone tell me what a good example of LUA scripting might be? If I understand correctly, the script is meant to run once, not continuously, for instance, the model setup wizard.
If I am on the right wavelength here, what might be another good application for LUA?

================================================== ===================================
This link had a Lua script example. You can find a lot more if you search RCG for "Lau Scripting"
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=86

I upgraded my firmware a couple days ago to 2.0.15 and yesterday tried to operate my P-47 and no control. I checked my J-3 and same problem so assumed that I needed to rebind. I did the rebind on the P-47 and all is working now. All three of my receivers are X8R.

I did my upgrade a few weeks ago and had the same problem. Not an issue as far as I'm concerned but a little unsettling.

I'm currently "testing" my Taranis on my scratch built giant Stik. I have the X8R recievers and plan to put 2 of them in a 120" A1H Skyraider for 16 channels. It is replacing my SD-10G because I needed more channels. The SD-10G was a great radio but I'm really starting to like this Taranis.

I suspect receivers with model matching are the problem. A friend who upgraded didn't have the bind problem with his older receivers. I too am not concerned but surprised.

I inadvertently tested the Model Matching feature of the X8R receiver. I had been working on programing the 2 - X8Rs for my Skyraider and had gone as far as binding and testing the programing. I decided to use one of the receivers in my Giant Stik to see how the radio would perform before fully committing to the Skyraider. I had to rebind the receiver to the new Stik model before it would work. Love it!

What is the weight of the Taranis Plus transmitter with the factory battery installed?

1lb 14.3oz

Thanks, so a couple of ounces lighter than my 9C and 8 less than my 12FG.

It is important to note that mastering the Taranis (or any other open source radio) will require a great deal of research and time. Many people buy these radios, and return them once they realize that they cannot fly the plane 5 minutes after opening the box. The documentation that is included in the box is pretty minimal, as a complete manual would require hundreds (or thousands) of pages. The idea of developing a manual is not realistic, since Open TX changes constantly.The FrySky company does not really have a presence in the US, so manufacturer support is pretty much zero. If you buy from Aloft, you can get some good advice from them, but you are going to be figuring out a lot on you own. No vendor (not even Aloft) can setup the transmitter and receivers for all of your models.

The upsides:

• For around $200, The Taranis can do things that high end radios (including Futaba's $3000 flagship) cannot do. LUA scripting is the primary example. The availability to control 32 channels simultaneously (with a 2nd receiver and a external TX module) is another. There are very few features available on other radios (e.g. built-in SBUS programming) that are not available on the Taranis
• The telemetry sensors and receivers are far, far less expensive that similar equipment from one of the mainstream manufacturers. Try to find Futaba's GPS sensor for $40.
• There is an extensive support network out there for Taranis users. OpenTX University is probably the most lucrative single source of information for Open TX. Rc Groups also has a few threads that are very, very active (one with 30,000+ replies.) There are also a plethora of YouTube videos that cover pretty much every aspect of Open TX.
• Once you understand how Open TX works, you quickly realize that the possibilities are endless. You can set up voice prompts using your own voice, or any other recorded sound. The Trainer function can be setup to allow the instructor to take control from the student by touching any stick on the "master" transmitter. When my Taranis boots up, it shows a picture of my wife and daughter, with my daughter's voice as the start up greeting. There are some things that $3,000 can't buy.

The information about Open TX is out there, you just have to find it.

The Taranis is not perfect, and it is certainly not for everyone. I don't think Open TX is going to put Futaba, Spektrum, Jr, etc. out of business, but it will make a large number of modelers very happy. In the end, I would strongly recommend the Taranis to anyone who is patient, and who likes to tinker with stuff.

I think the X series receivers are generally a better choice. I think most people who are using D series receivers nowadays had those receivers before the X series receivers were released.

I'm pretty sure I will be a FrSky Taranis owner soon!

I have owned the Taranis since July 2013. I will not consider another transmitter available today. I just recently purchased the plus model.
There are two things it will do that the most expensive tranmitters will not do that are not even mentioned here that I consider essential:
1) Instant trim.
2) Telemetry logging and recording.

Instant trim. If your new bird is out of trim you get it flying straight and level then push a switch and your stick positions are copied into your trims and your aircraft is trimmed
Telemetry logging. I think telemetry is useless if it is not logged.I( crash a lot. I like to know what happened.) Taranis logs everything- and I mean everything.
I just load it into a spreadsheet and I can plot it from there.

Some of the more interesting things I have it doing.
It starts logging when I advance the throttle. Below 50% it samples once/sec. Above 50% it samples once/0,,1sec
I have a non linear curve on the throttle to balance out the non linear response of the throttle of a gas motor.
All three controls have triple rates.
My GPS sensor records position,altitude and speed
We have a first day flying session on Jan 1. It plays Ald Lyngs zyne.Sorry I dont know how to spell it.
Instead of yelling "on the field" when I taxi out I just push a switch it honks "OOGA"
And when I crash it plays Chopans Funeral March.

Thanks for that Info, Dirtybird. Every time I read about the Taranis I learn something new.
Can you explain how you set up your instant trims please? I want to use this feature very much so.
Thanks!

Its a special function.
Go to the special function menu and select an open line.
Click the line with ent and move to the first position and press ent again. Use the +.- buttons to select the switch you want to use and its position.
push ent then - and move to the next position. again push ent and scroll to instant trim
Push ent again
You will see a box on the end of the line. Check that. After you use instant trim uncheck that box to prevent inadvertent operation of it

Awesome! Very easily done. I cant wait to fly something with my Taranis... I have 2 planes in progress and am updating my beloved Hobbyzone Super Cub... The first rc plane I have ever owned... the upgrade is the X9R receiver, motor and esc. I could have flown it today because the weather permitted finally, but not enough time to do so.
From now on , only one project at a time. Three at once means nothing (or not enough) gets done!

I would just like to point out that all the Jeti transmitters have instant trim and telemetry logging, Weatronic modules and receivers and their new Tx have much more logging than even Taranis does.
Not dissing Taranis, I have one and the OpenTx firmware is the most powerful firmware available, but instant trim and data logging are not unique to it!

Instant trim has been around for a LONG time. The first computer radio, the Ace Micropro from the early 1980's had it. They called it "Auto Trim". Interesting how all the manufacturers ignored the feature until recently.

Please note that I said most expensive transmitters do not have that feature- I didn't say all of them did not.
Also please elaberate what Wheatronics logs that Taranis does not.
I am aware of Auto trim on Ace. I have one. Also Graupner had one.Again read what I said.
BTW how much does Jeti or Wheatronics cost?

Yes you did. You did not say as you now claim "most expensive transmitters do not" , you said "the most expensive transmitters do not". The addition of "the" completely changes the meaning. I did read what you said, perhaps you should too!

OK Henry I wont argue that point. But then again Jeti is not the most expensive transmitter. As far as I know a Futaba is. Does it have instant trim?
Again I ask what does Wheatronics log that Taranis dont?
BTW if you want to argue about grammar I can put you in touch with my granddaughter. She is an English teacher a university.
I think you knew what I meant

The FrSky Taranis sure is in demand. Wayne at Aloft Hobbies got a shipment in and I think they were sold out in less than a day, but luckily snagged one. I think the impact of open source is having a huge impact on radio systems. When I bought my Futaba 12FG a few years ago I think it cost well over $1,200 plus the 2.4 module. It is a great radio, but now seems pretty limited compared to the Taranis. It's going to be interesting to explore the Taranis.

8178

You are in for a treat my friend.

Telemetry and voice notifications are a game changer if you've never had a radio with the capability. I suggest you download the computer side software/simulator now and start playing along with a few of Wayne's videos on youtube.

Once you get your mind around the basic concepts it really isn't very hard at all to get it set up for the average sport airplane. It will probably be a little different than what you are used to but once you "get it" it seems logical. It's the massive capability that makes it seem overly complex early on.

It is pretty neat stuff for sure. I have the Open TX Companion and have been working with it while I'm waiting for FEDX to deliver the radio. So far I'm finding that the Taranis documentation is really great.


I'm not a fan of Chinese made stuff, but when I noticed that some of my new Futaba stuff had a "Made in China" stickers on them I decided that "Chinese" is "Chinese" even if it has the Futaba name on it. So Futaba prompted me to try some FrSky FASST receivers with my Futaba 12FG and then I converted my 9C to FrSky. That worked well so on to the Taranis!! It is all Futaba's fault! :-)

I would be interested to hear what type of models each of you are flying with the Taranis and what receiver are you using?

I have 3ea X8R receivers and they are in the following:
Shoestring 60 powered glow with Airspeed Sensor
FMS P-47 electric power
Sig 1/4 Scale J-3 Cub OS 160 Twin with vario for Altitude reporting.

Using X8R's in a 50 CC Pilot Yak 54, a 1/4 scale BUSA Cub and a RC Guys 30 CC Decathlon. Have a X6R in a small electric Yak and a small electric Spitfire. Telemetry is Rx battery only, no sensors.

I have a total of 14 D series receivers, both 6 channel and 4 channel, installed in a variety of scratch built and kit built planes .40 size and smaller. One is a 2 meter glider with the precision vario for altitude and rate of climb telemetry data.