Betaflight SmartAudio vtxtable troubleshooting (WHY DOESN'T SMARTAUDIO WORK)

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Why doesn't my Betaflight SmartAudio work is one of the most common questions people ask me. So let's do some Betaflight SmartAudio vtxtable troubleshooting. Let's go through every step to get it working!!!
Watch the rest of my Betaflight 4.2 playlist at: • Betaflight 4.2

[@RobertKram2895]

my respect Josh, I flew about half a year with an unconfigured VTX - I'm very glad that your video came across to me in the recommendations. I really learned something today! =)

[@Mmcalpine1977]

I don't normally comment on Video's but thank you JB after re-watching this video you saved me hours of pain, just bought a new TBS Pro 32 HV and couldn't figure out why it wasn't accepting SA. You're a god sent to the FPV community. Absolute Legend, thanks again and keep up the good work! #ZorinFPV from Scotland

[@joehayden6772]

Josh, thank you so much for your videos. You are so thorough and clear. I've watched this whole series and it's helped me get my tinywhoop up and flying! It was convoluted, but I finally got the VTX working too from watching this video of yours. Keep up the good work! :)

[@nairamification]

Not writing comments very often but you saved me Josh! Great to have you

[@macelius]

I'm watching this trying to figure out why there was a VTX tab on one of my tinyhawks and none on the other. Thanks Josh, I learned something today!

[@tryhardfpv5351]

Started using Crossfire to control all my VTXs about a month ago. Working great for me. Set my setting once on the TX and it sets all my quads to that as I power them up.

[@sunshynff]

Finally, I had a problem that has known explanation for, my last two stumped everyone I talked to. THANK YOU!!!

[@mariusschmitt5855]

Got my new VTX set up and running just fine via tramp protocol. Thanx to you Joshua

[@Jmoneydeeppockets]

Dude I searched and searched for an answer as to why I couldn't get device ready yes with TBS 32 HV and this video finally cleared that up for me LOL Thanks man! I thought i was loosing it

[@EmanueleSpatola]

Thank you so much! I had given up trying to make smartaudio work and today I saw your video and... working now!!

[@kingi7607]

My story is exactly the same:)

[@wrstew1272]

You are edumacated so well that you have figured out what the lame manufacturer neglected to include with the product. Something so basic (to a programmer or electrical engineer) but so positively foreign to the average person, and absolutely zero,zip, nada cooperation betwinxt the manufacturers neglect to inform the end users about. I feel your frustration with working out the bugs that beta SHOULD HAVE Been fixed. You are a wonderful blessing to the hobby Mr. Bardwell. I salute you, and damn sure learned something today.

[@nunoandre2799]

You're a life saver, got it working, as soon as I copied the vtx table :) My power levels were like in IRC Tramp, this AKK is smartaudio :)

[@michakwapinski9123]

I've always used buttons on vtx. I finally set it up. Done easily and pleasantly. Thanks

[@alexandersolovyov8688]

You sold my problem with no video signal from Mobula 7 HD to helmet. Thank you very much! I am very happy!

[@marinehm]

Great video. Thanks! And yes, your frig light does go out when you close the door.

[@jrb8081]

Thanks for this subject content I think you may acquire more Patrons from this video. You deserve them.

[@iuriigarmash3285]

Thank you! Really wide and prompt explanation. Did setup mine after your explaining this topic.

[@dougtutt2720]

Maybe I'll come to appreciate the vtx tab in new betaflight but I doubt it. Bought two new kwads since updating and neither vtx will link up with my goggles. I took a stab at vtx setup but haven't quite intuited it out yet so thanks bunches for saving me further frustration and time. You remain the man JB.

[@rasheedgregory5313]

Mr. Bardwell I would like to thank you for this video. I couldn't figure out why my video feed would cut out as soon as i would stand up to move away from the drone. I had the wrong selection in the ports tab and the wrong vtx tables. As soon as i did what you said the vtx power output lit up and was good. Now i need to find out why this new motor is stuttering on my novice 3.

[@stopthenames]

Cheers for the help, you explained it simply and precisely.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Joshua! Thanks a lot!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@gblanco69]

Thanks a Lot !!!!! Mi instinct was to put the actual milliwatts in value for smart audio 2.0, and the D@mn thing was locking on 25mw.... Thanks for your huge and astonishing work!!!!!

[@slamonfpv]

Thankyou yet again Mr Bardwell you have got me to learn something today

[@robertpli743]

Josh, many thanks for all your great videos. I learned a lot from them about drones, their construction and configuration. I have one note regarding the VTX configuration video. I had a problem myself to properly configure the Rush Tank Ulimate II (it did not want to change the channels and transmitter power using the BF settings - it could only be done using the buttons). Well, the bug is included in the Tanks BF 4.3 Presets. The power levels are listed there according to Smartaudio Protocol 2.1, which standard does not work properly with the receiver at all. It has the values 14, 20, 26 .... which is wrong and therefore Smartaudio does not work! The power level values must be set as for you, ie: 0, 1, 2, 3 (Smartaudio Protocol 2.0) and then EVERYTHING works properly. It took me a long time to figure it out, so I tell other beginners to do just that.

[@jonpacheco7581]

Thanks a bunch! Couldn’t figure it out without your tutorial!👍🏽🤙🏽😃

[@WrongWayFPV]

Very well explained! You should just go ahead write a book... "How to FPV for dummies". I'd buy it 😁 thanks JB 👊

[@Asu01]

Considering FPV is developing very rapidly, a book would be outdated within months of release.

[@reinoutwijnholds3347]

Asu 90% of the fpv quad issues and troubleshooting still remains

[@ShaunHusain]

Yah plus his book would just be a list of KZbin links 😂

[@allentituspaz3241]

if not a book, why not a pdf version ehhehe

[@ShaunHusain]

I believe Joshua owns fpvknowitall.com but also Oscar Liang has a great site for text and screenshot content if you're more into reading but I do prefer the video guides myself.

[@robertwasha7234]

Issue resolved. Thanks. I read somewhere that you needed to input the values 12, 23,27,29 for the Rush Tank Mini. Which I gathered were the dbm values. After I input 1,2,3,4 I finally got the Device Ready = Yes. Wouldn't have figured this out without this tutorial. Thanks

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Just means you have an older Rush vTX that supports SA 2.0. The newer ones do 2.1.

[@Pyro17059]

This video has helped me TWICE now..for different reasons. Upgraded to a pro32 HV and couldnt get smart audio to work. Used TBS agentX to switch from crsf to smart audio - fixed. Bardwell is the man

[@edgarreyes4815]

How did you connect the vtx to agentX? I Can’t figure it out.

[@QuadographyAustralia1965]

Cheers Josh, just in time, about to install a Rush Tiny tank on the HX-115, I think you've cleared up all the conflicting and confusing instructions out there.

[@playmatee1]

Can u get out op dip mode, it wont save with me aikon2020f4 rush mini vtx with battery in beta and osd settings save and its gone back in pid again.. ?

[@stevenrusso7298]

Amazing video Joshua. Super excited with my Mach 3 from RDQ

[@Niouteboy]

Thanks for it, vtx tables are not as simple as I though. You helped me a lot.

[@aerialcombat]

Thanks again Joshua Bardwell, I learned something today

[@Johnellenberger1]

Great video! DBM values are something I haven't seem yet.

[@lazyplumber1616]

I love the snicker at the start of the video...nice.

[@uweheim785]

Awesome! TBS Unify Pro 32 HV now works with the tricks in this video! Thank you so much!!!

[@Darthies]

Do you get device ready yes in betaflight

[@americangoose9416]

Was freakin out before I saw how simple it was in the vid, thanks Mr. Bardwell

[@francesgarcia8884]

Second time I had to watch this video and use agent x to select smart audio. Thanks J.B.

[@leadslinger5130]

This should be the first think in you betaflight update video this has been missing me up for months

[@WinstonSmith1984]

Thanks Joshua! Man, that SmartAudio 2.1 dbm instead of mw thing really had me lost and I would not have figured it out if it wasn't for this video. I couldn't figure out why my quadcopter was stuck in Pit Mode no matter what I did. Once I entered dbm values in the 3 power level inputs, then I could disable Pit Mode. That's far from user friendly design.

[@neilchoh296]

Thanks a lot. Great video. Especially for such a confusing and silly issue.

[@jellifpv735]

I actually watching this video cause i watch all of JB's viseos

[@tweekFPV]

Perfectly explained 👍👍

[@verdi6092]

Wow this is me emailing JB on vtx problem in iff411pro. Thanks alot JB!

[@dzulw]

another thing in my drone fixed thanks to you.

[@ryanclawson7307]

Thank you, this is super helpful!

[@darkosostaric8077]

Yep That was info i was wandering abot....i was trying to understand Mobula 6 V2 that have 400mW and Smart Audio2.1.....So Value didnt had any sense untill you just show it is in dBm.....Crazy....Thank you for clearing this up. Great video as allways....By the way New JBf7 is Perfect....:)

[@craigdavidson52]

Bloody good stuff - I've learnt heaps 🍻

[@rondonato7443]

thank you. I have been struggling with this :)

[@piratec6291]

legend as always, thanks heaps!!!

[@hairygamer6630]

Thanks man, helped me out as always

[@lukeiam0]

Excellent video!

[@iflyfpv5927]

Awesome video I believe I can now get my vtx to be active in BF.

[@robertwestall3456]

You my friend are an encyclopedia, a fountain of FPV knowledge, and a friggin FPV God. Thank you for this. I figured out the FC and the GPS and the ESC’s and etc. etc. This tramp? Well it really had me stumped. I just wanted to say thanks, folks like you make this hobby what it is and also make it fun. Thank you also for the safety reminder. Look, knuckleheads, if your on the bench take the props off and keep the piggies happy! Lol!!!!😆

[@kabirahmed9845]

Thankyou for details explaination 👍

[@richgebhardt7960]

And I just had this problem thanks jb!

[@alexanderthygr8]

Brilliant outro!

[@berberdodo]

Saved me again! thanks bro!

[@stevensbox9625]

You are a gold mine!

[@wrenchingvids]

Thanks for doing this one!

[@jancaletka2715]

Thank you soo much for this video 👍

[@ERadicator49]

Man just thank you!

[@sumanthbolisetty]

How do you have so much of knowledge, whatever the trouble I face in FPV you keep a solution already...

[@keithmccormick1272]

This is why i'm still using 4.0 . They fixed something that wasn't broken . And now that I am using Crossfire on every quad I think from now on I'll wire the VTX to the rx .

[@jetttpilot]

JB, great video. Extremely helpful to trace the system to rule out many issues. But still, it left me stuck. I had all good indications in BetaFligth and on the OSD, "Device ready - yes", but the VTX wouldn't budge despite all software indications it should. It was a BetaFPV VTx Stuck on factory default channel, band, and power, which were somewhere close to BOSCAM A 1 and BOSCAM B 8, but really neither. What solved my issue was reloading the VTX tables with 2.0. Perhaps someone else might see the same issues after troubleshooting everything right to the end of your video - EVERYTHING software "AOK" yet still no hardware movements. Don't trust whatever is in there on the video transmitter VTX table page, try reloading the VTX tables, or try a different one. Good luck!

[@dibrin1979]

You Rock Josh!! ty

[@sergio5825]

Great video I did my fc from 3.5 to the lates n lost my akk vtx control in lua I’ll have to give this a try hope I can get this to work. Thx

[@SolowFPV]

great video dude. fixed my problem with tramp 🤘🤘🤘

[@Rip1Outdoors]

it finall came to me. thanks joshua

[@cjz1987]

oh man thanks God you made this vid! THANK YOU !!!!!

[@vressQ]

Thank you sir !

[@nstadsnes]

tnx JB, did not work whith power levels on my new rush tank ultimate 2, needed to upgrade bf from 4.2.3 to 4.2.6... and now it works... this is a new error for me, but it works now

[@alboostfpv]

Thanks JB you saved me!

[@ufopilotFPV]

I've been back to using the dip switches for a while because of this... pretty lame. Hopefully I can get all mine working again, thanks for the vid

[@mrjusten100]

Best man here

[@rumbatimba]

My dude, thanks!

[@lewisalansparkywhitton5074]

Hey man, videos are great helped me get my setup going. I've ran into a few problems that I just cant seem to figure out. 1) My XM+ reciever keeps intermittently losing connection to my controller, paired with this the value I have in my AUX12 is extremely volatile even though I have no attached switch on my controller to it. 2)When my controller is connected, I can arm no issue and the motors all spin at the same rate. When I increase my throttle I have one motor that slows down and then another that will keep throttling up no matter my inputs. I have tested the motors in betaflight and when the desired input is give they all spin at that speed and spool down in sync as I lower the throttle value. 3)I purchased the rush tiny tank and it came with the vtx and the connector but has no cherry/antenna. I have an old antenna and am wondering if it is possible to retrofit the 2 together. Even better is the connecter the antenna itself and Im just being dumb. Thanks for the help

[@martianmcfly]

Thanks dude!

[@parklander6459]

Good stuff!

[@uavtech]

I propose all VTX manufacturers move to TRAMP and life would be much simpler (on Protocol --- and version of Protocol to boot!) A cool trick is if you unselect "Use Manufacturer's Table" on each row of the VTX table, it ignores the locking and just sets the channel to whatever is set in the table. [p.s. another way to make sure things are working - if a Smart Audio VTX at least - is to set the SA Debug mode and look in the Sensors tab. As you switch things on the VTX tables tab, that debug in the Sensor tab will show the change. But again, there is only a SA debug (no Tramp -- because it is simpler actually so a debug was not created for Tramp).] Rcvd a cool comment on my VTX tables in 5-min video recently: QUESTION: "How can the FC receive data from the VTX when the connection is using a TX pin on the Uart?" ANSWER: It's because it's not a UART. It's a USART internal to STM32. It's flexible. TX and RX switch and are use for receive and transmit data. @t

[@codecae2]

Half duplex uses one wire. Both USART and UART devices are capable of half duplex. The difference between USART and UART, is that a USART device is capable of using a second wire for clock sync instead of a using a pre-defined baudrate. UART is purely asynchronous and does not use a wire for clock, requiring that the device be configured to sync to the right baud rate on its own. Granted, a USART in synchronous mode is typically half-duplex, but it definitely needs two wires.

[@BruceLuckcuck]

"A cool trick is if you unselect "Use Manufacturer's Table" on each row of the VTX table, it ignores the locking and just sets the channel to whatever is set in the table." - No. When the "FACTORY" switch is on the channel is set by sending a band/channel number to the vtx - only SA supports this. When the "FACTORY" switch is off (equates to "CUSTOM" in the CLI vtxtable) then the actual frequency is sent to the vtx - Tramp *ONLY* works this way. Some SA vtx's will support this (generally real TBS) but many will not and only support setting by band/channel (FACTORY) mode. To complicate things further, even if the vtx supports setting by frequency (Tramp and some SA), then it still may not support every frequency. For example it may not allow frequencies outside the normal bands or even those that don't correspond to normal channels. Setting an unsupported frequency can lead to strange results. For example on Matek Tramp vtx's the vtx will stop transmitting if you select a frequency that's not a "real" channel. The behavior depends on how the manufacturer implemented it and there are no predefined ways of responding.

[@uavtech]

Thanks gents for clarifying.

[@parklander6459]

UAV Tech I know the Unify EVO is on the more expensive side but it has saved me from the VTX tables entirely. Much nicer controlling all of that witching crossfire. Also easier to show up to a group fly and not have to wait to get into the air.

[@chrissofpv3017]

@@parklander6459 ..ME TOO,haha..All my 10 kwads are Evo vtx,s... throttle down,yaw left..and use the Evo,s OSD to set your power....much less bullshit isn't it?

[@danialaire]

Muchas Gracias AMIGO...!!!

[@yoniati]

hey Joshua, excellent guide as allways. I rip my FC usb and i wish to know if there any option you know to set correct power level via osd.. i put mismatch power level and as you say, my vtx probably locks on 25mv Thanks

[@jamesparkerfpv435]

Thank you.

[@playmatee1]

Help rush tiny tank vtx won't go out off pid mode via betaflight or osd settings and saved with battery. Low power disarm does work after we change pid mode changed. We cannot change setting to normal like low power disarm and save it?

[@MarkMofo88]

Great video, well explained! However, I'm still struggling with my new Tron 80. Have everything hooked up and ''Devide Ready: Yes'', but I can still not change the channel of the VTX. I think it uses SmartAudio 2.1, any tips? Greatly appreciated!

[@karni60]

Legend ! thank you

[@SimonSturrockMedia]

Iv got the same set up with the rush tank ultimate , the led indicator light doesn’t seem to change when I change the power using osd ? Band ect changes and can confirm . Just worried my oower isn’t changing due to the light not ?

[@RCwithAdam1]

Thanks Bardwell!

[@Przemo-c]

Thanks for helping noobs like me. I've tried to upgrade to TBS unify pro32 nano but due to mismatch in power levels table and channel lock i counldn't get it to work. But now it gets controlled properly. I still had to go back to previous VTX as with 400mW and MAX i have horizontal lined image distortions. Maybe it's to much for my AIO's BEC or something else. Either way thank you for your help on quite a few things you've shown on your videos.

[@jonathangenel9170]

Oh myyyyyy gaaaaaawddd!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

[@Shlomi_Azulay]

Thanks JB, i use with emuflight 0.3.1 version and with this emu we don't have video transmitter tab, i dont know why mt smart audio not wotking

[@leviathannfpv1282]

Helped out a lot, good esplainin

[@pixaprimrosbif7901]

Thanks. Boss !!! XD

[@richardruckert7954]

Hi Joshua...I cannot change the vtx band/channel or power via my Tx sticks and osd, or at least the vtx leds do not indicate a change has been made even after a battery power cycle. I have loaded the correct vtx table, and BF video transmitter tab shows device ready as yes. Is this possibly a Open Tx setting that needs changed? Other thoughts/ideas?

[@Razart9081]

I was wondering why my unify nano pro 32 was displaying ? for power in OSD, looks like I learned something today

[@etops.flight]

I am currently playing with a BetaFPV 75X HD which is a year old but flown very rarely due to various reasons. Had the 4in1 board replaced by LHS where I bought it and after several weeks got round to flying it. Now having problems with the Betaflight Video Transmitter page saying VTX not ready. Seems the VTX Power is stuck on 25mW and some OSD data will not show such as VTX Band & Channel etc. Replaced the VTX too but still no cigar.

[@h2o-fpv623]

Great freeking video thank u

[@putimir]

Hi, could you point me to a right direction, when SA seems to be working to a degree, you can change channels and bands via configurator (or cli set vtx_band, set vtx_channel....), but you cannot change set/change any of this via OSD menu or via vtx adjustments via channel....thanks

[@BobCorey]

Very nice video! I have this question, every time I go FEATURES>VTX the settings are invisible and I Have to select the channel, band and power setting over again, is this true? Should I have soldered the VTX on the receiver..?

[@StruggleDo]

which table do i have to take when i have the BetaFPV M02 FPV VTX 25-350mW 5.8G??

[@brodydbar]

New to this but trying to hook up my vtx and still getting device ready no. checked all wiring and seems good and uart is set up correctly. what else could cause this issue? I bought this drone used and have seen the vtx work. i am only getting around .6V output from the vtx+ connection from my FC is this normal or is this the issue?

[@nathana5379]

So I have an HGLRC Sector132 Tarsier4k with the default IRC Tramp VTX and the OSD works fine but I can't get "Device Ready" on the VTX page, so I can't change vtx settings through betaflight or through OSD. I verified the Tramp port on VTX is connected to TX Uart on flight controller (tested continuity between the 2 pads) and I have Tramp selected under that uart but still no go (There is nothing connected to that UART's RX pad either). It was like that from the factory with BF 4.1.1, so I tried updating to 4.1.6 and reloaded all the settings and it still doesn't work. Is it possible that I have to modify a setting for that UART like half duplex or something?