Category Archives: Frysky Taranis X9D Plus

Equipment Manuals, Frysky Taranis X9D Plus

How to upgrade a FrySky Taranis X9D plus to OpenTX 2.2.0

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Here’s the lowdown on installing OpenTX 2.2.0 to your FrySky Taranis X9D Plus, this being just the OS, this should also work for other transmitters using OpenTX.

1) Download 2.2.0 OpenTX Companion.

2) Backup! backup old firmware and radio models

3) Update Profile Info. Open your profile and check LUA and LUAC under the profile and save. This also solves the issue on “Invalid Language” Error.

OpenTX Invalid Language Error

4) Click on “Download Firmware and voice files”.

5) Write firmware to radio.

6) Read Models and Settings from Radio, you will be prompted with an error “eeprom old format” or something.. this only means that  the model file format in the transmitter is still 2.1.9. Simply replace this file in the radio by “Write Models and Settings to Radio”.

7) Backup or save the radio and model profile found in your SDCARD to your PC as  well as we will delete the taranis’ SDCARD contents in the next step. What I is go to the SDCARD and copy all the contents from there to the PC.

8) Replace your USB contents with default 2.2.0 SDCARD.. if you dont do this step, you will get an error re wrong USB version.  Open the taranis USB and remove old files and replace with unzipped correct contents from http://downloads.open-tx.org/2.2/sdcard/

9) Transfer your saved radio profiles saved in #7 above, unplug the radio and test.   Good Luck!

Optional:

1.) Remove Unnecessary sound files. Clean up /SDCARD/SOUNDS in your attached SDCARD (and SDCARD sync folder in your PC by removing folders of languages you dont need.

2.) Update sound files. Download Updated Soundpack for 2.2.0:

https://github.com/RCdiy/OpenTxSounds/tree/master/2.2%20Sound%20Packs

Equipment Manuals, FPV Transmitter, Frysky Taranis X9D Plus

FrySky Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition Stock 2db vs 5db antenna range test

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The Frysky Taranis X9D Plus SE from GetFPV.com is finally in my hands =)  Having used a Spektrum DX6i for the past 5 years, the transmitter hardware (16 channels!) and OpenTX seems like light years away in features.

My particular interests in the Taranis are:

a) Future proof by having a transmitter that can handle > 6 channels.
b) Basic Telemetry even for fun flying aircraft.
c) Longer range with stock equipment < 3km range without using LRS.
d) Simplified setup.

The X9D certainly seems to be what I’m looking for plus more (e.g. the removable antenna!)

Frysky Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition

Anyway, enough of that.. after tinkering with the transmitter setup etc. I set up a range test kit, with a X6R RX (with an orange flag tied to a servo for extra visibility from 200ft away):

Range Test Kit with a Flag!

So here’s the result from an open field:

1) Stock 2db antenna – at 80 paces (approx 200ft) the receiver reported an RSSI range between 30 to 35 (the variation depends on the position of the transmitter antenna relative to the receiver). At 90 paces (approx. 225ft) the RSSI is 10-15. At this point I can see the tiny orange flag jerking as the receiver receives sporadic data from the transmitter.

2) 5db Frysky Antenna from HobbyKing – went up to 100 paces (or approximately 250ft) before getting a “critical” warning.  The Taranis is registering 30-35 RSSI at this distance.  At 110 paces (275ft) I got a 10-15 RSSI reading.

Conclusion: with low powered range testing a 5db antenna does give at least 20% more “range”. However, as expected the 5db does suffer from a narrower beam.