Create MODEL, Bind with drone, Test flight

Here, we will introduce the procedure for creating "MODEL" of drone, binding it, and making a test flight using OpenTX/EdgeTX radio.
The same operation is possible with any radio that uses OpenTX / EdgeTX. However, keyswitch assignments / functions differ depending on model, and screen / menu configuration differs depending on installed version of OpenTX / EdgeTX.

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Confirmation of drone specifications

Before you can bind tiny whoop to radio, you need to check specifications of the aircraft. What you should check is communication protocol, channels to use, and its function. Check the specifications on tiny whoop manufacturer's website or FC (Flight Controller) board manufacturer's website.
Here, we will try binding with minimum settings using BetaFPV's Meteor65 HD (FC board is BetaFPV's F4 1S AIO Brushless Flight Controller) as an example. Meteor65 HD is CineWhoop for indoor use that is easy to handle even for beginners, not only small and flies lightly, but also can take aerial video at 1080p 60fps when microSD card is inserted. Furthermore, if you replace the frame and props for 75mm and motors to 1102-18000KV, you can fly aerobatics outdoors with powerful power.
Specification information required for binding this tiny whoop is as follows. The channel map (channel order) is "AETR" (Aileron, Elevator, Throttle, Rudder are assigned in this order from CH1).

Meteor65 HD Product page (BetaFPV)

Meteor65 HD Communication specifications

item	information
Communication protocol	Frsky FCC (D16) (There are also Frsky-LBT and Futaba versions.)
Channel used	CH 1	Aileron
	CH 2	Elevator
	CH 3	Throttle
	CH 4	Rudder
	CH 5 (AUX1)	Arm / Disarm
	CH 6 (AUX2)	ANGLE (900 - 1300 μsec), HORIZON (1300 - 1700 μsec)
	CH 7 (AUX3)	FLIP OVER AFTER CLASH (TURTLE)

Two functions of flight mode , ANGLE and HORIZON, are assigned to CH6 with different pulse length. Radio switch sends pulse of less than 1000 μsec when it is “down”, 1500 μsec when it is “center”, and 2000 μsec or more when it is “up”. So, if you assign 3-position switch to channel 6, "down" position will enable ANGLE mode, "center" will enable HORIZON mode, and "up" will enable ACRO mode (ACRO mode will enable if no flight mode is specified).

When specifications are not clear

If there is little information on manufacturer's site and specifications are not clear, you can check by connecting drone and PC with USB cable and using companion software of the firmware. For drones that use Betaflight , install Betaflight Configurator on your PC and check. You can check channel map of CH1 to CH4 on "Receiver" screen, and usage status of other channels on "Mode" screen. On "Mode" screen, "AUX1" indicates CH5, "AUX2" indicates CH6 .e.t.c.

Installing and using Betaflight Configurator for beginners

Assigning functions to radio

Next, consider which switch on radio to assign channels to be used. This time, I decided to assign switches and names as follows.

Meteor65 HD switch assignment

channels	switches	name (3 chrs)
CH5	SW G	Arm
CH6	SW D	Mod (Mode)
CH7	SW H	Flp (Flip over)

Meteor65 HD video recording function does not require any special switch assignment. Insert a microSD card (FAT32 format, Max 64GB) into SD card slot of the body, connect battery to the drone to start recording in 1080P/60FPS, and remove battery to end recording.

OpenTX/EdgeTX firmware update

OpenTX/EdgeTX radio can update firmware, multi-protocol module (transmitter), and boot loader. If transmitter firmware is factory default, it may not be possible to bind to aircraft released after that. If you cannot bind, you may be able to solve it by updating to the latest version. First of all, let's update the firmware.
See below for detailed instructions on updating the firmware.

• 
  How to update radio firmware

ADC Filter settings

For multi-rotor aircraft, it is recommended to set "ADC Filter" on [HARDWARE] screen of "RADIO (SYSTEM) menu" on OpenTX/EdgeTX to OFF. This option is ON by default. Turn it off when flying a multi-rotor aircraft.
This is a function that smoothes fluctuation of values such as sticks sent from radio. It is effective for fixed-wing aircraft that do not operate steeply, but you may feel unresponsive when maneuvering a drone.

RADIO SETUP setting items explanation

In EdgeTX, ADC Filter can also be set for each MODEL. "Global", "Off" and "On" can be selected in "ADC Filter" field on the [SETUP] screen of "MODEL menu". If you select "Global", "ADC Filter" setting on [HARDWARE] screen will be used.

MODEL SETUP setting items explanation

Create a new MODEL

With OpenTX/EdgeTX, you can register multiple aircraft information as "MODEL"s and switch between them for control. You can create a "MODEL" with the OpenTX / EdgeTX radio itself, or with the OpenTX / EdgeTX Companion software on your computer. Please refer to one of the pages below to create a model.

• 
  Create a new MODEL / setting on radio
• 
  Create a new MODEL / setting on PC

Failsafe settings

Failsafe feature specifies how the drone behaves when communication between radio and drone is lost. It can be specified in "Failsafe / Failsafe Mode" field of transmission protocol setting on "SETUP" screen.

Failsafe settings on OpenTX radio

parameter	meaning
Not Set	Indicates that nothing has been set for failsafe. Depending on communication protocol, warning message may be displayed from the radio when switching models. The behavior when communication is lost is the same as "No Pulses".
Hold	When communication is lost, the last value of each channel is kept as it is. Therefore, the aircraft will continue to fly. If the flight mode is "Acro", the aircraft will soon rotate and crash.
Custom	The value of each channel when failsafe is activated can be specified individually in advance. For each channel, you can specify a value or select "Hold" or "No Pulse".
No Pulses	The pulse on all channels will stop (become zero). Throttle will also be zero, so drone will usually fall in place.
Receiver	Follow failsafe settings of receiver mounted on drone.

Failsafe settings of receiver

Failsafe function can be set on some receivers. If you press "F/S (Failsafe)" button on receiver while radio and drone are connected, the value of each channel at that time will be memorized. And if communication is lost, the drone will follow stored channel values. In addition, some receivers with failsafe function may be able to be set using companion software such as Betaflight.

Setup Failsafe on a Mini Quad | Taranis & Betaflight (oscarliang)

Bind and test flight of radio and aircraft

Let's finally bind radio and aircraft. When binding for the first time, remove propellers to avoid the risk of runaway due to misconfiguration. In addition, screws of the aircraft immediately after purchase may be loose. Tighten all screws. There are two types of propellers, one for clockwise rotation and the other for counterclockwise rotation. Make a note of the removed propeller so that it can be returned to its original position.
Using ExpressLRS(ELRS) protocol, See also How to Bind ExpressLRS Transmitter and Receiver .

• 
  How to Bind ExpressLRS Transmitter and Receiver

First, open SETUP screen of MODEL menu on the radio, and place cursor on [Bnd] (bind) on transmitter setting screen. Do not press [ENTER] yet.
If the distance between radio and drone is too close, you may not be able to bind properly. When binding, keep a distance of about 30 cm ( 1 ft ) or more between them.

Then start drone in bind mode. This method depends on the product. Check website or instruction manual of FC board or RX board.
For Meteor65 HD, connect battery to start drone, then hold down Bind button on FC board. Eventually green LED will stay lit and will be in bind mode.

F4 1S Brushless FC (SPI Frsky RX) Manual (BetaFPV)

For drones with Betaflight firmware and built-in receiver on the FC board (AIO type FC), you can also switch to bind mode from Betaflight Configurator by connecting to a computer. Click [Bind Receiver] button on Betaflight Configurator [Receiver] screen, or type "bind_rx" or "bind_rx_spi" in CLI command line.

Installing and using Betaflight Configurator for beginners

When drone starts in bind mode, press [ENTER] on [Bnd] field on radio.
Depending on the protocol you use, you may see a screen like this. Specifies the range of channels to use and whether to use telemetry. Normally, "Ch1-8 Telem ON" should be selected.

Then the radio will start binding process. It keeps beeping, beeping, beeping.
If binding is successful, there should be some action on drone side. For Meteor65 HD, green LED flashes fast.
Once drone has been bound and radio stops beeping, remove battery from drone and reconnect it.
If you cannot bind, try updating the radio firmware or try frequency tuning .

Once radio and drone are successfully connected, bars indicating strength of telemetry signal (RSSI) will be displayed on main screen of the radio. First, turn on Arm switch and slowly raise throttle to check that the drone's motor turns. If there are other things you can check without propellers, check here. If it doesn't seem to be a problem, attach propellers and fly it. Take a test flight, such as in a large room, to make sure sticks and switches are assigned as expected.

Can't bind !? Frequency tuning

Some protocols, such as FrSky, allow frequency tuning. It can absorb frequency fluctuations due to manufacturing variations in transmitter hardware. If you can't bind, or if the signal doesn't reach as expected, try frequency tuning.

Frequency tuning is performed in the "Freq tune" field on SETUP screen of MODEL menu. If you set the corresponding protocol to "Internal RF" or "External RF", "Freq tune" column will be displayed. The initial value here is zero. You can set a value from +30 to -30.

If you cannot bind, try increasing or decreasing the value in "Freq tune" column one by one and try bind again.

After binding, make fine adjustments. Keep the radio and drone about 2m apart. Then increase the value in "Freq tune" column one by one to find the maximum value at which communication is lost. Then decrease the value in "Freq tune" column one by one to find the minimum value at which communication is lost. Calculate intermediate value (= (maximum + minimum) / 2) and set it in "Freq tune" field.
After fine-tuning, do bind again.

Is the direction of propeller rotation correct? : How to solve yaw spin

In the case of self-assembled drone, ESC motor rotation direction may be different than expected. If rotation direction is not correct, the drone will not be able to take off or will spin in the air.
For drones with Betaflight in FC firmware, connect the drone to your computer and try rotating motors one by one on "Motors" screen of Betaflight Configurator , and check that the wind blows downward. If rotation direction is wrong, please correct it using BLHeli Configurator .
For more information, please refer to Installing and using BLHeli Configurator / How to solve yaw spin .

Installing and using BLHeli Configurator / How to solve yaw spin

Installing and using Betaflight Configurator for beginners

Drone flies in an unexpected direction!? : Turn off AIR MODE

At the moment you arm and raise the throttle, drone may fly in an unexpected direction. This can occur if AIR MODE is enabled. First, try turning off AIR MODE.
For drones with Betaflight installed in FC firmware, connect the drone to a computer, switch [AIRMODE] off on [Basic settings] screen of Betaflight Configurator , and "save".

Flight Mode of FPV drone Angle/Horizon/Acro/Air

Installing and using Betaflight Configurator for beginners

Drone's flight is strange !? Stick broke !?

If you feel drone is behaving strangely, or if you feel stick is broken, first check the main screen below. If you feel something is wrong with your flight or drone simulator , check these screens to find out where the cause lies. Try stick calibration .

Transmitter output value : Output Monitor
In this "CHANNELS (MIXERS) MONITOR" (Output Monitor) screen, value of each channel output from the radio (transmitter) is displayed as a bar graph. You can see the actual output value of each channel processed and synthesized on MIXES screen of "MODEL menu".
Make sure bar graph moves smoothly as you move each stick.

Stick input value : Input Monitor
In this Input Monitor screen, one of the main screens, current input state of sticks and switches recognized by radio is displayed as an illustration.
Make sure illustration moves smoothly as you move each stick.

Tune PID and Rate profiles

By tuning the PID profile and Rate profile, you can change the flight characteristics of the drone. However, if you change these parameters indiscriminately, drone will not be able to fly. While studying the meaning of these parameters, try adjustments in order from the one you understand. Also, save initial values so that you can restore them at any time.
To make it easier, first try increasing P value and RC Rate value little by little to test the operability.
For tuning drones with Betaflight in the firmware, The information on each site below will be helpful.

Betaflight FPV Drone Tuning In 10 Simple Steps (oscarliang)

Quadcopter PID Explained (oscarliang)

RC Rate, Expo, Super Rate Explained (oscarliang)

Betaflight Tuning for Mini Quad (oscarliang)

Betaflight Feed-Forward (Previously “Setpoint Weight and Transition”) (oscarliang)

What is TPA in Cleanflight/Betaflight (IntoFPV Forum)

PID tuning (Betaflight WiKi)

Installing and using Betaflight Configurator for beginners

How to use OpenTX / EdgeTX Radio

How to use OpenTX / EdgeTX

• 
  Basics of OpenTX/EdgeTX radio operation
• 
  OpenTX/EdgeTX radio initial setup procedure
• 
  Create MODEL, Bind with drone, Test flight

Detailed explanation of OpenTX / EdgeTX

• 
  How to change radio screen design / How to use Screens Settings menu
• 
  RADIO SETUP setting items explanation
• 
  How to install EdgeTX on the radio
• 
  How to prepare microSD card for EdgeTX radio
• 
  How to prepare microSD card for OpenTX radio
• 
  How to use Zadig / How to install STM32 BOOTLOADER
• 
  Stick (Gimbal) calibration
• 
  How to use function switches
• 
  How to use trim switches
• 
  How to install EdgeTX Companion
• 
  How to install OpenTX Companion
• 
  How to update radio firmware
• 
  Create a new MODEL / setting on radio
• 
  Create a new MODEL / setting on PC
• 
  How to set or change Splash Screen / Background Image / Model Image
• 
  MODELSEL screen explanation / Create / move / copy / delete model
• 
  MODEL SETUP setting items explanation
• 
  How to use timer
• 
  How to use flight mode / How to use trim and global variables
• 
  MODEL INPUTS setting items explanation
• 
  MODEL MIXES setting items explanation
• 
  MODEL OUTPUTS setting items explanation
• 
  MODEL CURVES screen explanation / How to use curves
• 
  MODEL LOGICAL SWITCHES screen explanation / How to use logical switches
• 
  How to use Special Functions / Global Functions
• 
  MODEL TELEMETRY screen explanation / How to use telemetry
• 
  MODEL DISPLAY screen explanation / How to display telemetry etc. on the radio screen
• 
  Lua script for beginners

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