Turnigy 9/XR with FrSky Telemetry, Shopping List

Here's a complete shopping list.  (update: this post used to have "telemetry" and "no telemetry" options, but FrSky discontinued their non-telemetry line.  I've updated the post to remove links to the discontinued non-telemetry items.  Note that even if you get the telemetry-enabled units, they work just fine without using the telemetry.)

First, you need the "no module" version of the transmitter.  Get the "Mode 2" (left hand throttle) unless you know otherwise.

• Turnigy 9XR Transmitter Mode 2 (No Module)
• Turnigy 9XR Transmitter Mode 1 (No Module)

Here's two good LiFe batteries.  The 2100 has a bigger capacity, but IMO the 1500 is fine for many hours and a better value.  That's the one I've used before.  You can also use just about any 3S battery if you've got a spare, so you can consider this "optional but recommended."  I've been using a 3S 500 mAh and it's been great.

• HobbyKing 1500mAH LiFe 3S 9.9v Transmitter pack
• ZIPPY Flightmax 2100mAh 3S1P 30C LiFePo4 Pack

Here's the telemetry module with one receiver, and extra receivers.  The module comes with one receiver.  Get enough receivers so you have one installed on each model.

• FrSky DF 2.4Ghz Combo Pack for JR w/ Module & RX
• FrSky D8R-II PLUS 2.4Ghz 8CH Receiver with Telemetry

Note: everything below is optional.

Here's the telemetry display screen.  It plugs into your module. You need to figure out a way to attach it to your transmitter.  Most people attach it to the transmitter handle.

• FrSky FLD-02 Telemetry Display Screen

Here's a better whip antenna and a patch antenna.  The higher the dB, the better range, and the more directional.  Neither of these are very expensive, so they're probably worth it if you're doing FPV or autopilot stuff.

• FrSky 2.4G V8 Series 5db module Antenna
• 2.4Ghz 7DB Antenna for FrSky Modules (And compatible Radios/Modules)

Here's the Voltage sensor.  It's the only sensor that doesn't need the sensor hub.  It's the sensor that makes the most sense (haha!) to get.

• FrSky Lipo Voltage Sensor FLVS-01

Here's the sensor hub and some other sensors.

• FrSky FSH-01 Telemetry Sensor Hub
• FrSky FAS-100 Telemetry Amperage Sensor
• FrSky FVAS-01 Telemetry Variometer Sensor
• FrSky GPS-01 Telemetry GPS Module
• more here.

[shopping note:  all the above links have an affiliate code which gives me a small credit when you use them, at no cost to you.  Some people are bothered by the concept of affiliate codes... if you are one of them, please feel free to remove the affiliate code!]

Some FrSky docs

I just keep getting more and more impressed with the FrSky people.  Their serial bus is documented here:

http://www.frsky-rc.com/uploadfile/201009/20100921121837352.pdf 

http://www.frsky-rc.com/uploadfile/201111/20111124233818462.pdf 

FrSky installed, 9x module rejiggered

 Here's my FrSky module.  HK was out of the new model with telemetry, so I got the older model from Range Video.  Once the original 9x module was removed (more on that below), it was a simple matter to plug in the transmitter module and bind to the two receivers.

 I got the patch panel as well.

 Here's how the patch panel looks when installed.  I'll experiment with the range, it may be necessary to hold the transmitter a bit higher than usual?

 Here's what the transmitter module looks like from the side.  Very nicely, the  antenna mount points forward and there's a flat surface for the receiver to rest on.

 Here's my rejiggered 9x module.  I should have taken some pics of the disassembly, but it's pretty straightforward.  Open the Rx case and loosen the screw that holds the antenna.  Open the module and remove the board.  Unsolder the antenna from the board, and remove the antenna and wire.  Don't bend or break the wire, it's actually a coax cable soldered onto two pads on the board.  Once the 9x module has been removed, you're good to use the FrSky module.

 I drilled a hole for the coax and ran the antenna through.  I epoxied the antenna over the hole, scoring the module cover and drilling some extra holes around the base for the epoxy to hold onto.

Here's an alternate method for removing the antenna that doesn't involve unsoldering and resoldering the connection.

 Resoldering the antenna cable needs a bit of care.  The two parts of the coax cable need to be soldered onto the two pads of the circuit board.  Study the board carefully before unsoldering and you'll see what needs to be done.

It turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I didn't have to add any more solder or flux.  Hot glue the board into place as it was.

Here's what it looks like from the bottom.  Not quite as well as nice as the flat bottom of the FrSky module, but it doesn't seem to be too bad.  I'll point the antenna straight down when flying.

FrSky Stuff

Got these from RangeVideo... these units are the older ones, that don't have telemetry built in.  That should be OK for me, since I'm planning on using APM for the telemetry.

FrSKY 2.4GHz JR Combo Pack

FrSky 2.4GHz 7-Channel Receiver W/PPM Output V8R7SP

FrSKY 2.4GHz patch antenna

Some notes copied from RangeVideo...


V8R7-SP Specs

• Operating Voltage Range: 3.0V-16.0V
• Operating Current: 30mA
• Resolution: 3072
• Latency: 22ms
• Specified: 7CH, 9g, 49mm×23mm×12mm 

Bind Procedure

• Turn on your transmitter and switch it to PPM mode, turn off the TX.
• Turn on your transmitter while holding the programming button. Release it a few seconds later. The RED LED on the transmitter module will flash, indicating the transmitter is ready to bind the receiver.
• Connect the battery to the receiver while holding the receiver’s F/S button. The LED on the receiver will flash, indicating the binding process is complete. Turn off the transmitter and receiver.
• Turn on your transmitter. Connect the battery to the receiver when ORANGE LED on TX is on. The LED on the receiver will indicate the receiver is receiving commands from the transmitter. In a few seconds system is ready to work (communication is established).

Failsafe

• Move the transmitter into failsafe position for all channels.
• Press F/S button of the receiver. The green LED will flash twice indicating that failsafe has been set.
• To cancel failsafe, rebind the receiver.

FrSky Notes

Thinking to upgrade to FrSky... here's some random notes.

Bruce has a nice tutorial on installing the DIY Kit.  And here's another.

• FrSky V8HT 2.4Ghz DIY Module

Andreas has these on order:

• FrSky DJT 2.4Ghz Combo Pack for JR w/ Telemetry Module & V8FR RX
• 2.4Ghz 7DB Antenna for FrSky Modules (And compatible Radios/Modules)

It looks like going this route is simpler, just need to remove the old module and antenna, and snap the new module in.  The 9x is compatible with the JR module, not the Futaba.

There's a bunch of confusing bits about telemetry.  (Update: which can safely be ignored asFrSky has discontinued all non-telemetry Tx)

Transmitters

• V* series are one-way (no telemetry) -- discontinued, FrSky only making telemetry-enabled transmitter modules now.
• D* series are two-way (telemetry).

Receivers

• D4FR: voltage only
• D6FR: two external AD inputs. you can use one with a voltage divider for pack voltage
• D8R: two external AD inputs, and serial port

Thanks ExplodingLemur for this great information!

Repackaging the original 9x radio.

Azure Engineering has a nice way of doing this.  The end result is that the 9x is now a pluggable module like the (non-DIY) FrSky module.

Other bits:

• Looking also for some definitive information pages on all the above.  Somebody tell FrSky they should get a web page!