FlySky FRM303: Next Level Radio Control Tech and Everything You Need to Know

[@fd2237]

Props to you John for the very comprehensive video and to Flysky for the product! Finally something really new is cooking!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you. Agreed--this is pretty cool tech.

[@jlarson42]

Excellent overview and demo of the Flysky FRM303 module. It is pretty cool tech. 👍😎

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks John.

[@lokaero]

The following night in his sleep he murmurs "LORA... LORA..."🤣

[@RCVideoReviews]

Love me some LORA!

[@zebzeb3219]

Hi John, in China, the module alone (with a standard antenna and 2 cables only, this bundle might not be available in the US) costs about 76 USD. The full bundle you got with the LR antenna, all the cables and bay adapters is about 123 USD. That’s a straight conversion rate from RMB, so need to add import tax and other VAT.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks for the info. Where are you seeing those prices? The two versions according to FlySky are "Jr" and "Carefree".

[@zebzeb3219]

@@RCVideoReviews I live in China, so those i gave you are from domestic hobby shops from Taobao, the chinesee version of Amazon.

[@flyguydb]

This is amazing! I have the PL-18. I’ve watched this video, upgrade tx and rx and now ready for the frm303. Will the 303 have better range than the 301 using the internal battery?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I believe it will because they have the ability to use LORA modulation. LORA has achieved some ridiculous ranges with very low power output settings. Check out the ExpressLRS leaderboard. ELRS also uses LORA modulation on the same frequencies.

[@Top-Jimmy]

Great video, Thank you! - Q: I know its not mentioned but need to ask - Is the module compatible with the TX12 Mk II ? Cheers.

[@RCVideoReviews]

On the TX16s a hardware mod is required for full duplex communications. I didn't perform that mod on the TX12. I did plug the module in and turned on PPM, but I saw the red led on the FRM303. I didn't go beyond that point, so I don't know the answer. I do know it would require a hardware mod and EdgeTX 2.8.4.

[@Top-Jimmy]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks very much John, Top info mate. 👍

[@ChaosRC666]

I'm also into cars. Did you know you can use the frm303 as a high power relay station for the flysky nb4 and noble pro radios? So you will NEVER run out of range on speed runs.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Interesting question, but also a pretty specific use case I haven't tested, so I really don't know the answer. If you figure it out, let us know.

[@OlliW42]

in the video you were indicating that flysky has a program runing for discussing the ibus2 protocol, I couldn't find any such thing by googling.Could you provide a link, or other pointer? THX.

[@RCVideoReviews]

www.flysky-cn.com/journal/2020/4/22/flysky-seeks-partnership-announcement-for-new-agreement-i-bus2

[@OlliW42]

@@RCVideoReviews many thx!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sure thing.

[@travelrideandfly8355]

Hi! I just installed this module with PL18 & FTR10 receiver, and I can’t get more then 6-7 km regardless of power and external power of the module. I run classic 18ch mode. Do you have any idea why ?! Am i missing something ?🤔

[@maxun1]

Thank for the info.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sure thing :)

[@justanoldcowboy8326]

Well... I want a module that I can plug into a laptop and some little python example scripts. Think flying saucers seeking, tracking, identifying and firing lasers at others. There are pilots, gunners and other crew stations so I got complex ground stations but no range issues. When I got back into this I figured you guys had this all worked out but, nope. I was doing connected mode packet radio in the mid 90s using ham radio and Linux. We called it tcp/ip. Yea I was doing wireless internet about the time 28.8 modems showed up and AOL was cool. Yes that's a yagi for the ground station. I don't know why they do horizontal polarization but I can only guess it's because so many use to point the transmitter/antenna at the plane. It's all about the lobes boys it's all about the lobes. Ask for a radiation pattern on any antenna that matters. Transmitter power isn't the range issue. It's the receivers transmitter power that limits range. The radiated power. In the right direction. God I've forgotten all this stuff. Put a pan and tilt yagi on the craft and the ground station and legal power will give you max range. Radio failsafe should turn up the transmitter power in the craft. It should run a 1/4 power to save batteries, half power with a warning and full power when that's not enough. You have to double the power to get a noticeable difference in the received signal. Now, aren't you sorry you asked? 🤠

[@ignasanchezl]

I really hope we start getting ESCs that support iBus2 telemetry, that way I can have integrated telemetry for once.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Yeah! That would be really cool.

[@flyguydb]

What version interface are you using for the PL 18? I have 1.0.49 Is there a better version?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I have 1.0.71. I didn't use 1.0.49 enough to be able to map out the differences though, so all I can say is try it. Make sure to export your models though.

[@burntnougat5341]

Seems like the Flysky answer to Radiomaster Ranger

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sure does...

[@sashgorokhov]

1.5mbps is great but what is the distance for that throughput? What about penetration?

[@RCVideoReviews]

1.5mbps refers to the speed of comms between the host controller and module. Has nothing to do with OTA. RF OTA is 2.4ghz and has the same penetration characteristics as any other LORA modulated signal at 2.4ghz.

[@cagmuer]

Sometimes going at high data rates over a TTL Serial interface makes it more susceptible to electrical noise and could drop the data stream. That's why the Non-FlySky radios need a hardware mod, there's too much noise. But what about the connection between the receiver and your airplane's flight controller? I would guess FlySky have tested this since they tested Non-FlySky radios. I'm curious about that. That's a fast data stream for TTL Serial versus RS-232.

[@RCVideoReviews]

The hardware mod on the TX16s is to connect heartbeat and ppm to Aux1. AFAIK it's not due to anything with the data rate. I can't speak to the data rate between Rx and FC.

[@rickhunter1984]

Is the radiomaster zorro compatible???

[@jgroetsema]

Maybe I missed it but where does this fit with elrs and similar projects?

[@RCVideoReviews]

ELRS is opensource. So development is managed by members of the ELRS development team which are not beholden to a company. Since this chip provides LORA modulation, I would expect similar OTA performance as what we see in ELRS. Given it supports SBUS, IBUS, IBUS2, PWM outputs, I'd say it can provide a one stop shop for most connection types you need with the obvious exception being CRSF (iNav/BF); however, the iNav wiki states iBus is supported. github.com/iNavFlight/inav/blob/master/docs/Telemetry.md

[@MichaelRyannz]

So you still need the module in the PL18 to get the protocol and transmission.. It's not built in..

[@RCVideoReviews]

Yes, for AFHDS3 you need the FRM303 on the PL18.

[@3dflyer347]

Will Flysky EL18 2.4G AFHDS3 EdgeTX Radio Transmitter be able to use ibus2?

[@RCVideoReviews]

iBus2 is planned to be available in EdgeTX with 2.10.0 for all radios supported by Edge as far as I know.

[@aviphysics]

18 high resolution channels seems like a big deal for people flying large complicated fixed wing.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Could prove useful for some that's for sure.

[@aviphysics]

How is iNav and AP support with ibus2?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Don't use AP, so don't know. iNav supports iBus. Unclear if it has or when it will have iBus2. Keep in mind iBus2 is relatively new. Gyros like A3S4 also support iBus. I would expect iBus2 support eventually. github.com/iNavFlight/inav/blob/master/docs/Telemetry.md

[@williwonti]

Beta Max?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I hope not. I think they're doing some good things and I think integration with Edge will help avoid the Beta Max situation.

[@williwonti]

@@RCVideoReviews If they sell things at competitive prices it could do well

[@minkorrh]

Who cares. I'm not jumping through anymore hoops for proprietary BS. ELRS baby.

[@RCVideoReviews]

ELRS is a great choice. No doubt.