RF module for spectrum?

[erhard52]

I just tested on the bench and both my Futaba 9C with the XPS-F1 transmitter module and my Taranis with the XPS-J1 transmitter module show a rapidly flickering green led when in normal operation connected to a receiver.

When I press the range test (prog) button on the transmitter module, the led turns solid red.  when I release the button it goes back to flickering green.

Paul 
i really appreciate your help - this is exactly how my module behaves too. so this info that flickering rapidly green is indicating range test mode is nonsense.

on the multiplex evo XPS module actually brings out 2 control buttons to the transmitter outside which i can use to BIND and PROG. so for binding i just need to hold this button doen and turn on and the module is in binding mode and the PROG if i hold it down when turning on puts it in RANGE testt mode (but in this case LED still flickers fast green).
bottom line is from your testing my module works as yours

so when you do range test can you remove the antenna easily as recommended by the manual?

finally i could remove the antenna but have not done the range test yet. i came across your last years response on the XDP RSSI testing , very helpful. i have also a JR XPS module and it is roughly giving me same db readout. main difference it hat i need to bring my multiplex ver close to the XDP to perform the binding whereas the JR (optic6) module binds from 2 ft away.
can you run the TxDiag program? i can bind but after that i am not able to connect to the transmitter.
i am using windows 11.


thanks
Erhard

[flyingw]

Erhard,

I never removed the antenna for range testing. I only used the low power mode by pressing the PROG button.

I checked the XPS manuals for the transmitter modules and the receivers. In all cases they do not say to remove the antenna. They only say to position it at a 45 degree angle relative to the receiver.

I cannot connect to the TxDiag program either. I have a vague recollection that the TxDiag program requires that the transmitter be configured in non-hopping mode or something like that. I've never used non-hopping mode so I likely never used the TxDiag program. If you want to see the transmitter's signal strength output, use the RSSI program instead.

I also have similar behavior with binding. Sometimes it binds at two or three feet apart, sometimes not until I move to within inches. And sometimes right away and other times after a few seconds. I discussed this behavior with Mr. Drew and he explained that the binding sequence sometimes retries after some random time and that is normal. If it takes longer than usual, but still binds, it is good to go.

Paul

[erhard52]

Erhard,

I never removed the antenna for range testing.  I only used the low power mode by pressing the PROG button.

I checked the XPS manuals for the transmitter modules and the receivers.  In all cases they do not say to remove the antenna.  They only say to position it at a 45 degree angle relative to the receiver.

I cannot connect to the TxDiag program either.  I have a vague recollection that the TxDiag program requires that the transmitter be configured in non-hopping mode or something like that.  I've never used non-hopping mode so I likely never used the TxDiag program.  If you want to see the transmitter's signal strength output, use the RSSI program instead.

I also have similar behavior with binding.  Sometimes it binds at two or three feet apart, sometimes not until I move to within inches.  And sometimes right away and other times after a few seconds.  I discussed this behavior with Mr. Drew and he explained that the binding sequence sometimes retries after some random time and that is normal.  If it takes longer than usual, but still binds, it is good to go.

Paul

thanks again Paul. i am so happy to have another XPS 'friend'.
and sorry for bombarding you with all my questions. see i want to love XPS  and i love my old multiplex royal evo
-today i will get my radiomaster TX16 max - i hope i am not disappointed. sadly nobody else at the club uses it - most fly spektrum

from my XPS evo module manual - please see item 2 and the last sentence after item 9
--------------------------
To perform a range test of the XtremeLink system using the
transmitter module that has the removable antenna, follow the
instructions below. Have someone help you if there is any possibility
of the R/C device moving from a stationary location.

1. Install the receiver in the R/C device as it will be used.
2. Remove the antenna from the transmitter module.
3. Turn on the radio system so servo movement can be observed.
4. Using flat ground (pavement, low cut grass, or dirt) place the R/C device
so that the receiver antenna is no less than 6" from the ground. This might
require you elevating the R/C device during the testing.
5. Hold your transmitter waist high, away from your body.
6. Press and hold the PROG button on the transmitter module.
7. Walk around the R/C device completely (360 degrees) at a distance of at
least 50 feet, making sure that the transmitter antenna connector is pointed
at the R/C device. If at any time you experience a pause in controls, try to
reproduce it again and release the button to see if the pause no longer
occurs. If the problem does not occur now, check to make sure that your
receiver is at least 6" from the ground while testing.
8. With the PROG button still pressed down, walk away from the plane until
there is intermittent operation.
9. Turn the transmitter away from the plane so that your body is between
the transmitter and the plane. The plane should stop responding completely.
10. Without changing your positions, re-install the antenna on your
transmitter module (do not release the PROG button). The plane should now
respond, even with your body in the way. If it does not respond fully, do not
fly!
9. Test complete.

Testing the original antenna design is the same as above but the range
requirement is 300 feet instead of 50 feet.

WARNING! DO NOT PRESS AND HOLD THE PROG BUTTON DURING
THE NORMAL OPERATION (FLYING, DRIVING, ETC.) OF YOUR R/C
DEVICE!

[flyingw]

Yeah, I see the remove antenna instructions - on top of pressing the PROG button for range test mode.

Jim Drew: If you are monitoring this conversation, please tell us why removing the antenna was instructed for the Multiplex setup and not the others.

[erhard52]

Yeah, I see the remove antenna instructions - on top of pressing the PROG button for range test mode.

Jim Drew:  If you are monitoring this conversation, please tell us why removing the antenna was instructed for the Multiplex setup and not the others.

Paul i think it was also required on my JR module

[erhard52]

Yeah, I see the remove antenna instructions - on top of pressing the PROG button for range test mode.

Jim Drew:  If you are monitoring this conversation, please tell us why removing the antenna was instructed for the Multiplex setup and not the others.

Paul i think it was also required on my JR module

Paul I just test the range on the flying field and without antenna after 20 ft I lost control. That does not make me happy. Nevertheless I did my maiden flight with the GT2000v2 motor glider successfully.

this range testing is quite a challenge. when i came home i used my XPS-F1 module in the optic 6 transmitter and repeated the range test with this transmitter and it basically double the range. ok being a good boy i went back tot my multiplex XPS transmitter and repeated the same range test - and voila they behaved the same. so what does that mean? what happened on the field measurement? when i flew i forgot to switch to the LQI RSSI, i will do that next time but when the plane was on the ground and i was about 50m away the LQI dropped to 70ish.

[erhard52]

more...
i got my radiomaster and it has also an additional external bay like my optic 6 but the connector is on the side (long edge) not in the middle at the short end for my JR optic 6 transmitter.
so it seems that i could dial in the proper protocol and use the XPS module - if it had the right physical connector location to operate my XPS receivers from the radiomaster. yes if Drew would be reading this he probably would have an immediate solution.
does your XPS module have the connector on the side?

[flyingw]

Erhard,

The RadioMaster TX16 has a JR-style external module bay. It requires the XPS transmitter module with the part number XPS-J1. The XPS-J1 has the pins on the lower side to match the standard JR bay pins. I use an XPS-J1 module in my Taranis transmitter.

Regrettably, the XPS-J1 has been discontinued for several years now and the only way to get one is used - but you rarely see one come up for sale. I reckon folks are holding on tight to anything XPS equipment they have.

There is a work-around to use a Futaba style transmitter module that has the pins on top. I tested it and it works. You have to set the transmitter to output PPM protocol to the external module bay. I'm pretty sure the TX16 can output PPM to the external radio module. You also have to figure out how to mount the module. But it works! See this thread for the details:

https://www.xtremepowersystems.net/forum...hp?tid=165

[erhard52]

Erhard,

The RadioMaster TX16 has a JR-style external module bay.  It requires the XPS transmitter module with the part number XPS-J1.  The XPS-J1 has the pins on the lower side to match the standard JR bay pins.  I use an XPS-J1 module in my Taranis transmitter.

Regrettably, the XPS-J1 has been discontinued for several years now and the only way to get one is used - but you rarely see one come up for sale.  I reckon folks are holding on tight to anything XPS equipment they have.

There is a work-around to use a Futaba style transmitter module that has the pins on top.  I tested it and it works.  You have to set the transmitter to output PPM protocol to the external module bay.  I'm pretty sure the TX16 can output PPM to the external radio module.  You also have to figure out how to mount the module.  But it works!  See this thread for the details:

https://www.xtremepowersystems.net/forum...hp?tid=165

Paul thanks again (also for the link)
suddenly XPS items become collectible items .
i think i will keep my eyes open for a used J1.
you are right the tc16s is also based on the edgeTX 

looks like you have tried all permutations on the planet, great.
i just received the SPM4651T DSMX remote receiver (spektrum) it has a 4 wire cable i assume ground, plus. serial port and ? 
it seems to accept 5V so need for special 3.3V conversion of the X10. i just need to add the proper connector - right.
however somewhere i was reading i cannot bind the remote receiver directly with a master spektrum receiver - any comment?

Erhard

[flyingw]

I looked in the Spektrum manual for the SPM4651T receiver and saw that the connector has +5v, GND, Signal and no connection. It's just three connections. Make an adapter that puts the wires into a servo plug to connect to the X10.

The X10 manual says that it can be configured to take Spektrum Satellite protocol as an input signal. I would do that first.

I have never used Spektrum equipment before, but I imagine that you first have to tell the TX16's 4n1 module to talk Spektrum protocol. Then connect the receiver to the X10 and put the receiver into bind mode by powering up the X10. The X10's instructions cover that part, but I do not know the specifics on how to bind a Spektrum receiver and transmitter.