ExpressLRS definitive getting started guide

Uncertain about what to buy? Check out THE ULTIMATE FPV SHOPPING LIST: www.fpvknowitall.com/ultimate...
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON at: bit.ly/2Ep5Sia
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0:00 - The definitive guide to getting started with ExpressLRS
0:44 - What is ExpressLRS and why do people use it?
ExpressLRS website: www.expresslrs.org
Log on to the ELRS Discord server at: / discord
4:34 - Download and install ELRS Configurator
Download ELRS configurator at: github.com/ExpressLRS/Express...
5:47 - Identify the hardware "target" that you're working with
8:33 - Download and install the ExpressLRS Lua Script
11:59 - Configure your controller to work with your ELRS module
13:18 - ELRS receiver wiring and FC configuration
14:17 - ExpressLRS doesn't handle binding like you expect
How to bind ELRS without using binding phrase: • Yes you can bind Expre...
16:30 - Setting basic ELRS options before flashing
17:31 - Flashing Method 1: ELRS Passthrough
19:08 - Flashing Method 2: USB plug on module
CP210 driver download: www.silabs.com/developers/usb...
21:05 - Flashing Method 3: Wifi direct-to-module
24:36 - "Targets Mismatch" error?
25:30 - Flashing Method 4: Connect to home WiFi
28:42 - Flashing Method 5: Wifi direct-to-receiver
30:46 - Flashing Method 5: Betaflight pass-through to receiver
31:58 - How to un-brick your receiver or module: FTDI flash
For instructions about flashing your receiver via pass-through and FTDI: www.expresslrs.org/2.0/quick-...
32:26 - ELRS settings: Packet Rate
33:41 - ELRS settings: Telemetry Ratio
34:18 - ELRS settings: Switch Mode Hybrid vs. Wide
35:28 - ELRS arm switch MUST be Aux1 high = armed
36:01 - ELRS settings: TX Power
36:39 - Modules with screen and joystick can change settings there
36:50 - There is a LOT more to learn!

[@redogg2749]

I dont think Joshua understands how many people wouldnt be flying without his content for these past years. Much Respect!"

[@a-wingsgaming9162]

I feel the same way. No way would I have survived starting this hobby. He’s definitely earned my Patreon sub 👍

[@0Ciju0]

Me being a prime example, haha. Joshua has been a life-saver; anything I search he comes up.

[@marcelpost4052]

Awesome video. The best part I like about your videos is that you never assume that the viewer knows all the jargon and so you add a bit of 'what is a ..' explanation before you dive further into it. Really good educational practice and a pleasure to watch. Definitely learned something today! :-)

[@uncleharley1]

haha he's talking plenty of things that I have no clue what he's talking about I'm so lost.

[@slowridefpv9668]

Yea, at first it’s over whelming, no worries, It even makes sense to me.

[@the_thunder_god]

As a computer guy (web developer, network nerd, general computer geek)...I love that RC stuff has moved into the realm of open source and interacting with Wifi and computers. To me, right now, looking through all your videos it seems like the obvious choices for me are ExpressLRS and HDZero due to their open source nature. Just building my knowledge right now and updating it after having been out of the RC hobby for a little while. Hopefully will be building my first drone in a few months and using this guide then.

[@stickboyfpv4742]

I like you! You sound like an awesome dude! Hope the planning / life is going welll!!

[@user-kc9jb3wi8y]

hey, i see something i cant understand, if ELRS can go 30km and so , but video transmiters breaks after like 300-500 metters... whats the point?

[@F1v30h1]

@@user-kc9jb3wi8y Penetration! It’s all about the penetration. 🫢

[@narbeha341]

@@user-kc9jb3wi8y I think you would then upgrade your antennas, but generally with FPV drones, Long range is a territory you do not really want to explore. There are lots of liabilities, one of them being losing your drone and never find it, or god forbid you crash and cause damage to something else. I would most certainly upgrade the antennas, directional and Omni-directional antennas are widely available. Good Luck.

[@pablofpv]

Stop it Bardwell, I will buy into Express LRS when I'm ready! Everytime you make a video I'm interested in, I end up spending lots of money.........😁

[@jasonromair]

Well I just got on the TX16S train! Im excited and thank you for your kick ass videos!

[@Mt_Dew_aholic]

I just got my happy model module in the mail today, perfect timing! Keep up the good content

[@Cyanid3-VX]

Thanks a bunch, got my first drone built this evening with ELRS and everything is working great!

[@dannyporter888silverfox8]

love all your videos they are all very comprehansive. Just what a begginer needs and your step by step guide is easy to understand. keep up the good work.👍

[@Sav_FPV]

Flashed my r9m and the receivers on my whole fleet! Thank you Joshua.

[@KillerWhale806]

I seriously don't think I could have built and setup a drone without your videos. Thank you!

[@sg1trogdor]

been out of flying for a few years. Come back and things have definitely changed. Great video.

[@sixtofive]

Great info and it's much appreciated! One item that maybe should have been mentioned is dealing with flight controllers with onboard spi elrs receivers. For everybody flying whoops and micros this will be a very common use case. Hopefully there will continue to be more in depth videos coming in the future.

[@infamous2117]

Thank you for this. I haven't flown in over two years and so much has changed. Your channel was a natural go-to for me. This answered a lot of questions

[@synapticstudio]

Good timing. I ordered my first eLRS radio and receiver LAST NIGHT.

[@manuelneumann]

Unbelievably helpful - just got my ELRS set up following this vid

[@juanvanstaden7084]

Based on what i have seen from your videos i just ordered the mk2 radiomaster with elrs. This is all new to me after being out of fpv for about 6 years (alot has changed) but i wanted to have up to date equipment and from what i have seen elrs is the way to go. So hopefully i will be up and running in a few days. Thanks for all your hard work and invaluable info you put out. Next step is getting into hd, probably on the next build.

[@BergRD]

Wonderful! Been watching the last few months while HDZ Goggles on order, picked up parts for 5" freestyle, and got my TX16s MKII Max working in the simulator. Went through you guides for the radio and updating ELRS and had some issues with drivers (STM Drivers weren't installing but reading ELRS RM getting started; they gave me details I needed) but just now flashed v3.2 which worked great from this video. Became a Patreon from these types of guides my friend. This is quality A++ content and I thank you greatly. It has been a huge BOON in me getting into FPV at age 50. Thank you.

[@andrewpatterson3139]

I have watched about 5 other videos on this topic and you are the first that I actually understand whats happening. Good work bud!

[@joelfarrelly725]

This was perfect timing for me, I just bought a tx16s and Elrs module

[@EqualibryumFilms]

just missed it, installed elrs in all my quads 3 days ago. the discord was a big help.

[@smidge321]

perfect timing thanks jb 🙏 i have elrs arriving tommorow after my frsky xm+ failsafed above a lake

[@Hoss8676]

After your answer to my question last week on live stream about elrs vs mambo I now have the beta module and rx otw. Thank you for posting this today!!

[@amathma]

First I bought the TX16S JS edition and used it with TBS crossfire. I was very happy with this controller. But I ordered a ELRS quad by accident instead of Nano RX a couple of days ago. I did not know until today that this controller had an intern TX which absolutely amazing. Thanks for this clear video you made my day !

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

Great tutorial, especially the intro for us newbies. Thank you!

[@kevinmulholland4563]

You're a wizard JB. I finally upgraded my X9d to a lovely pink JB Tx16s. Can't wait to change all my Rx's and try elrs. This vid will solve hrs of future troubleshooting. Cheers! from Dublin IRl. 👍

[@nearyou7232]

I have watched this video already a few times.. Always coming back for something else, this time to understand the ELRS settings in the RM Zorro. Thanks! You are the best!

[@ilan8465]

One of the most important and complete guids on elrs. Thank you Joshua.

[@CalleyyyC]

Yes! I’ve been wondering when you were going to do this. Just went through setting up elrs and was wishing for this video!

[@OldManCassius]

Great timing! I'm just starting my transition from xfire to elrs.

[@Droneshots347]

1 year later from this videos date I get into fpv buy the boxer and all this information is what helped me flash and understand my new radio 💪🏻🙌🏼

[@BR-my3su]

Love this video, it took me a long time to get everything working right but I couldn't have done it without this video!

[@robertreitz5554]

I hope you feel our collective appreciation for your efforts! Butn on! Excellent video!

[@DoktrDub]

I didn’t absorb half of this because I was falling sleep half way through the video, not an insult! Great video! so now I need to go back and listen again :’)

[@Steve-hd2wm]

Brilliant! I've watched a couple of other "ultimate" and "total" beginners guides by other content creators. After all these years I don't why I bother! The bald, bearded, bespectacled yoda of all things quadcopter and RC does it again! What a great guide and resource on this topic. Also thanks for the serial based receiver expressLrs guide, that particular topic had been driving me nuts for weeks. The only video I have seen on this BTW. Keep up the amazing work Joshua, I know I would have given up on many different aspects of the hobby without the channel. Your next level knowledge and how you make complex topics understandable, giving me a foundation to build on. Merry Xmas to you and your family, and keep it coming in 2024!

[@johndd8186]

This video is great. JB has a real talent for explaining things.

[@BarbarisII]

Super helpful, I think! I'm getting my elrs drone tomorrow and have been trying to prep my tx16s for its arrival. I got my module for this controller today. Your videos have helped me through every step of the process, I'll be watching more tomorrow when my quad gets here. Thanks for making this all so easy so far!

[@helenovsky]

Which module did you but? Could you share the link?

[@SunjunKim]

30:57 you actually don’t need to connect boot pad shorted for BFPassthrough flash when it’s running normally. That step is only for a recovery flash (aka unbricking). When you setup BF receiver port correctly, it will just work just by connecting a usb port of your fc.

[@alienghost1605]

Pretty good manual, the best I've seen about ELRS. Many thanks!

[@AirKhanFPV]

I fly elrs now with rc smoothing turned off since 1 month, and it flies great! But i have to turn off telemetry ratio and check the NO_SYNCH_ON_ARM box. I had no failsafes, since i use ELRS even not with the no synch on arm checked. I freaking f love ELRS!!! 500Hz FF smoothing 65 and Jitter red at 7, averaging 2-Point

[@VinydFPV]

How freaking cool!! I absolutely love new tech! Only thing better than me getting geeked over all this is watching you getting geeked over all this first then me getting all super geeked out! I think we had a moment there Joshua! Going to go have a smoke!

[@hubba002123]

You are truly the FPV KnowItAll! Thank you! I put my Happy Model ELRS Module in my TX16S (OpenTx) and it the module had firmware version 1 and it didn't like it. So I took the ELRS module apart, connected via USB and used the ExpressLRS Configurator to flash the module with ... TX16S (the wrong thing). When I tried to access the LUA script it hung on "Loading". I was convinced that since I was putting the module in my TX16S that was the right Device Category.. but it wasn't. It wasn't until I watched this video that I realized I should have been flashing the module with HappyModel 2.4 and ES24TX 2400 TX AND using the Happy Model LUA script. Works like a champ in my TX16S now! Thank you! Spent a whole day trying to figure this out before your video.

[@scooby3133]

I decided to finally install and setup my elrs stuff, came to KZbin to find a tutorial and like magic..... there's JB! my man!

[@lifeinrc9051]

Wow Josh, thanks for this video man. Really helped me out decide what I wanted to go with. Great tutorial for a noob like me.

[@Greatdayforaswellbattle]

I almost ripped my hair out while switching from frsky to elrs but I got it. And it was thanks to you. Listening to you on repeat was helpful and irritating. I don’t know you but I think I may now love you. Lol

[@spikester]

I've finally added ELRS to two of my smaller quads and I can't for the life of me understand what TBS's business model is anymore. They gone completely quiet and I have a bunch of CSRF nano's sitting on the bench, was going to throw a nano pro (telemetry amplifier) in one of my LR rigs but seems like a ELRS betafpv with the same amplifier will be a better choice. TBS could just make 150hz LoRA & have a usable system that isn't stuck at 50hz for LR but I am not holding my breath if thats even possible; if not due to the Tracer business model thing. Thank you as usual for your stellar job for our community Mr. Bardwell.

[@MykolaDolgalov]

This video saved me from buying and replacing my ELRS receiver. My receiver came with the flag Match Model set to On, and I could not bind the radio. This video explained it all. It is surprisingly difficult to find information on the Internet.

[@soursham]

I got some new gear. Decided to upgrade to the new version. So I’m back watching your videos. 🤟

[@bebenoeg5188]

Wow super JB. 👍👍 Thanks for this great explanation. I'm an early user of this ELRS.. your explanation is very helpful. I learned a lot from you all about kwad fpv. I really appreciate it and many thanks. I hope you are always healthy and keep the spirit! 💪 Happy flying.. 😊

[@HandofTheQueenakaJesse]

I wish this video came out a month ago, before I lost 18 hours to BetaFPV and ELRS. Bardwell is KING (but late this time LOL). Thank you as usual Joshua.

[@tucker173]

I don't understand......why there are not MILLIONS of views on your videos, you are seriously a huge help to the community. Thanks a bunch Now I just need to make my move to ELRS - internal or external module is my hardest decision right now :P

[@cotillion1687]

Just built my first drone with ELRS and your guide was very very helpful! Awesome work!

[@user-kc9jb3wi8y]

hey, i see something i cant understand, if ELRS can go 30km and so , but video transmiters breaks after like 300-500 metters... whats the point?

[@cotillion1687]

@@user-kc9jb3wi8ydepending on what you’re doing 500 meters is plenty. I don’t know how you arrive at these figures but ELRS also has good stability overall, which is as important at 500 meters as at 30km. But yes, you would need a very strong Transmitter and antenna for a video feed at 30km. Depending on where you live, it could be illegal as well.

[@stevehaynes2857]

I am just starting out into drone flying. I am about to build a 5” FPV drone and intend to use it for videography. I am finding your channel so useful, you explain everything clearly. Thank you Joshua.

[@SonicFlyte]

Ok tons of good info. Watch, repeat, took some time to soak in but got it! Thanks for the details, so helpful.

[@kenhaupt1865]

Starting my switch from crossfire tonight! This is a very helpful video

[@tunerfpv6930]

I didn;t finish watching yet but already put tumb up and must thank you for this tutorial with ELRS :) Just got ELRS tx module and RX so need to know how to finally use it :)

[@cdavidnk]

Been following your channel for several years. Even though I already know most of this stuff, I still enjoy very much watching you present everything in such an easy to understand and pleasant manner. great job. unfortunately I don't fly quads and only use ardupilot so most of your content is not applicable to me. hope you will venture into arducopter or FW someday lol.

[@rohansully584]

Another excellent Video Bardwell, thank you. I donated a while back. Currently unemployed, but will lend my support again once I return to work Keep up the great work!

[@Gzz..]

Been waiting for this before I made the jump thanks jb

[@itsallsobothersome4537]

I always find it fascinating how different some people's opinion on the supposed advantages of open source/libre software are. Someone like RMS would probably argue user freedom and individual's rights, whereas more practical-minded people would probably cite the freedom to tinker with, modify and learn from open source software. Others might even point out that elrs is essentially a complete communication stack that could be implemented on many different LoRa chips and provides programmers with the groundwork for future innovation (much like MultiWii did back in its day). I guess for Joshua it's free work and companies ability to profit off of voluntary work. And that's fine, everyone benefits from this project and its the best thing since sliced bread. Thanks for making this video :)

[@Happy_FPV]

the part where you said "and that is everything you could possibly wanna know about express LRS.......no there's more" man i got excited but now im all DAMN IT NOW I HAVE TO LEARN MORE AND MY MODULE AND RECEIVERS AREN'T EVEN HERE YET! hahaha see ya at rampage and thanks for posting this i learned SO much more than i expected from this.. keep up the good work friend..

[@HenryFPV-qg8km]

Thank you so much. Ive learned from you a lot since I joint the FPV field. 😊🙏👍❤️🌏

[@barry_dalive]

Josh, you fucking rock. I’ve watched 20 ELRS bind videos, and they all touch on at least one of the topics in th is video, but none of them explain things as thoroughly as you have here. How you keep all of this crap in your head is nothing short of remarkable. I’ve already signed up as a patreon, but going top bump up my donation amount. I’m sure I’ll still fuck up at some point, but I’m not nearly as overwhelmed as I was at the start of my journey!!🤘

[@MeGuess_Adventures]

Today was the day I joined your Patreon/Discord. Thanks a ton for everything you do sir.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Thank you

[@mathieusan]

ExpressLRS is amazing. Thanks for making this video

[@rccr2424]

Absolutely love your channel you have been extremely helpful 👍

[@dpantin]

Thanks! Great job as usual. This is a brilliant for beginners!

[@ERadicator49]

Ohhhh I was so much needed this vid 2 weeks ago. I thought I'll go mad during I tried to configure Happymodel AIO board for tinywhoop 😂

[@josefdahari]

Amazing!!! Great tutorial for sure brother. As always

[@buddyadkins2432]

Excellent Video. I have been undecided about getting a transmitter with ELRS built in OR use an external ELRS module in a JR bay (yeah the full size RadioMaster TX16S II will be my next transmitter...but not the JB edition; sorry). I have also been a bit slow in moving to ELRS, however, this video has helped me decide to move forward with it when I get the new RadioMaster TX16S II transmitter. Thank You.

[@Eroc556]

Joshua you are the man for sure! Thank you so much for all you do Sir!

[@Jangmo_SC]

Excellent walkthrough

[@funkynerd_com]

Even more keen to get my ELRS gear that I've ordered. Decided to finally upgrade after I fail-safed my old Frsky XM+ when it was only 50 metres away due to a (not even very) damaged antenna. Binned the kwad into a bushy field and had to use RSSI to try and find it. lol.

[@greekfpvgeek]

I watched UAV Tech's video where after three powering circles, the receiver would go to binding mode and pushing the binding button in the LUA of the transmitter would get the rx to take automatically the binding frase! 😯

[@benjaminhobbs2623]

I’ve benefitted from your videos, thank you for all the content! I recently bought an entire setup and am still a bit of a noob! Tried to find the answer first but can’t find it anywhere, sadly. Recently crashed, snapped an arm off my Evoque F5X (lost connection mid flight, maybe bad antenna - kids might have messed with it the night before - or just wind interference, there was a huge gust before I lost control and fell). Anywho, replaced the arm, and took off two motor bells to clean them thoroughly (the other two won’t come off no matter how hard I pull, don’t know what to do there). But that said, one of the motors I seem to have lost the itty bitty washer that sits between the bell housing, on the shaft below the rubber gasket and rests on the motor bearing. I’ve looked for these everywhere online, even ordered some from a hobby store but ended up being the washers for under the motor for mounting. Any idea on 1) if I even need it (I assume it’s just supposed to help with friction) and 2) where the heck i’d even buy one rather than buy a whole new motor. Thanks again for your content man! Great stuff.

[@Fly_High_FPV]

Usually get a few spares when you buy motors. You can also call motor manufacturer and ask for replacements

[@kendrickfpv4139]

Thank you, Joshua, this got me started!

[@Chris-vc1dh]

great info and perfectly passed on Josh, Thank you.

[@johanopperman8039]

Fantastic video. Thanks Joshua

[@JimOutLoud]

Very timely as I wade into not just FPV but also ELRS. Thanks for making this video and for your support of the hobby. And by the way I think you should pop a little window up during your videos that says “The shirt Joshua’s wearing today can be found at…” You rock some cool shirts man!

[@scu-dub]

I had to go back and watch this several times lol being that I just got a mobula7 1s elrs and the gyro stopped working I have to get another FC so knowing this is a BIG HELP!!!! Definitely going into my saves 👍🏽 I did have to replay 36:31 I know JB meant to say that dynamic doesn't work with telemetry "disabled" not enabled 😁 after all that great info I'm not as mad about my first whoop taking a crap after 4 packs😑 I'm ready for a new FC now great stuff J🤌🏽✌🏽

[@windwalkerfpv]

Thanks, lol. Been flying ELRS for 8 months and hadn't updated a single rx. All my quads were on different versions from 1.0 to 3.0. Thankfully no issues but managed to update everything to 3.3 via recommended wifi method. Also, I wish the tx update had all rx updates in it. Would be great if the tx could detect the rx its connected to and update via the module and/or lua scripts. The only pain with the current method is finding each rx fw, building it, and making sure you update with the right one.

[@squnxfisher9831]

I switched really early to ELRS as I started with FPV last year don't regret it a bit, even though I had crossfire before

[@SuperheroArmorychannel]

I really love this channel! So much valuable information.

[@michalbielawiak8813]

Love you man! No one told thaht i have to set up internal module on crsf! I'm new in this and this is black magic for me.

[@wesley4713]

Yay - thanks Bardwell! Just got a Ranger ELRS module today (new to elrs) and had it up and running in no time flat thanks to your tips / help. This is why Im a patreon

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I'm really glad to hear it helped!

[@ryankdeboer]

I’m trying to setup the Ranger module but unable to bind to a BETAFPV Nano receiver. Did u have any issues u could share??

[@ryankdeboer]

@@wesley4713 thanks for the reply. I just got it to work on one quad. Seems I wasn’t flashing the receiver correctly. The other one I can’t get the Wi-Fi to work but I’m not worried and can use the internal module to fly that one. Thanks again!

[@FiddlingwithmyWhistle]

OK, so my flight controlllor is listed as only Supporting Frsky XM/XM+ Receiver/ Futaba Receiver/ Flysky Receiver/ TBS Crossfire Receiver/DSMX Receiver but can I install a ExpressLRS Receiver, and just wire it up as a Crossfire Receiver, and it will work ?? or not ?

[@qwerty883]

it will definitely work if it supports crossfire, because express lrs uses the same protocol

[@AerialWaviator]

ELRS uses crossfire protocol between Tx and Rx. Over-the-air communication protocol with ELRS differs from crossfire. ELRS receiver hardware will have similar Tx, Rx, 5V and Gnd connections as TBS Crossfire receiver hardware, so just wire up in similar matter to your flight controller. Configuration and setup of an ELRS receiver will differ (see video ^)

[@techFPV5964]

JB not a day goes by without me learning something, whether i understand it at the end of your video or not. I do know more about ELRS and CRSF tho Your the best bro!! ✈️👀

[@wearemany73]

Superb XLRS tutorial 👌

[@thomasnewton9818]

I'm 63. It's getting harder to keep up with all the changes. Thanks for the video.

[@shivangchauhan8609]

Wifi method worked very well, thanks.

[@xardas-cp3rt]

Flawless interview.

[@momowong]

Hi Joshua, appreciate for your effort, it really helpful!

[@softstart100]

The very best explanation on the internet.

[@shaneintegra]

Please help support the ELRS contributors! They are doing an absolutely amazing job!

[@keitharoo1962]

Very precise and well-explained directions. Thanks! Unfortunately, the universe hates me and I keep getting a red error warning when I click build. Oh well. I honestly didn't expect it to go smoothly. Update: It was a firewall issue. If anyone else runs into the big, bad, red error warning, shut off the firewall and try again.

[@terminsane]

i really liked the betaflight passthrough. it worked flawlessly on my ep1 reciever. The EP2 receiver was having issues tho. I think due to a pin being pulled up or down when it should be the other way.

[@spartan3299]

Update to 3.0 with minimal hassle, Thank you!

[@raymondblanchard2213]

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much! Super instructional video as usual.

[@GuitarMania12345]

This is why your the best!! This thing was giving me a heck of a time untill I watched this!!! Your amazing Bardwell!

[@vamsimolugu8833]

Thank you for detailed video!!! really helpful !

[@MrVasmikey]

Super video my friend! Love it!