PART 2 of Radiomaster TX16S mods : removable antenna, breakout board and speaker holes

[@mazlansazani7735]

You got a new sub!Greetings from Malaysia..

[@muteFPV]

Hello and thank you !

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty nice work, mate! It's looking great! 😃 I liked the hand drill! Just added it to my wishlist. 😊 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@muteFPV]

Thank you mate! The hand drill is perfect for fixing press-fit micro props too (fill+drill) :)

[@MCsCreations]

@@muteFPV I bet it's going to be useful for me even on woodworking! 😃

[@muteFPV]

Yes definitely! Although the drill bits are a bit short.

[@MCsCreations]

@@muteFPV I know, I have a set of those. But they can help in some tasks. 😊

[@typxxilps]

really nice ideas and pretty good craftmanship - thx

[@muteFPV]

Thank you very much!

[@JonasCE]

very usefull tutorial! now I can easily switch / repair what ever I wanted to on my TX16s :)

[@muteFPV]

The 3rd and final part will be ready soon :) I don't show absolutely everything but I think I cover most of the necessary parts. I am happy you found it useful!

[@JonasCE]

@@muteFPV Thanks man! Looking forward for next parts! Keep going with the great job you do for this hobby. Cheers from Slovakia

[@muteFPV]

Thank you very much! Cheers from Greece :)

[@sonarfleet2375]

Good video. Is possible just to find red part for the guimbal ?

[@muteFPV]

I am not sure, I have only found the folding handle sold separately. The rest is sold as a CNC kit.

[@TG_Shreds]

If I am only using the multi protocol module, is there a mod or “cap” I can use to eliminate the stock antenna?

[@muteFPV]

Hello! Do you mean using an external rf module installed in the back slot? Or the internal multiprotocol module?

[@TG_Shreds]

@@muteFPV I would like to eliminate the stock antennae because I am using the multi-protocol unit exclusively… the removable antennae mod looks alluring so that I don’t have to remove it completely, but I want the ability to turn on my TX16s without the stock antennae installed without damaging anything

[@TG_Shreds]

I was considering doing the removable antenna mod, but is there a SMA cap or plug that I can put in place of the stock antenna when I use the multi-protocol module? I am trying to remove the extra unused antenna so the remote travels more safely and won't get damaged as easy

[@muteFPV]

Hello and sorry for the late response, I just saw your messages! I am a bit confused, are you using an external multiprotocol module? What kind is your internal module, elrs? Anyway, one way is to screw a dummy load on the antenna, you can find plenty online. BUT it is better to just turn off the respective module in the radio settings. Similar to what you would do for a simulator radio profile (all modules turned off). Also don't worry much about the stock (fixed) plastic antenna arm, inside it is the coaxial cable of the antenna which is very flexible. Even if the arm/pivot of the plastic antenna housing breaks during transport, the antenna will be fine.

[@pling2]

Do you know the size of the LEDs? you give links to both 0805 and 0603 with the X9D video and I would like to buy before I take it apart. Thanks.

[@muteFPV]

Radiomaster had confirmed that it is 0603 size but I think you can use either.

[@Jake-mm1cz]

Enjoyed your mod video’s . Is there a way to add a 2 , 3 or momentary switch , potentiometer or push button . On each side of the top of the radio . Between the two switches and the antenna bracket ? It looks pretty crowded inside . Thanks

[@muteFPV]

I will be showing how to add extra buttons in Part 3 of this video series. The ones I used may be a bit big for the spot you want, but there are smaller 8mm/10mm buttons you could use :) Mine were 12mm flush momentary buttons and I installed them on the lower back.

[@kamilexeo1316]

How you release / didn’t break the small plastic latches on the breakout board?

[@muteFPV]

Sorry I cannot understand what you mean by "plastic latches". Can you point me to a specific part of the video so I understand?

[@muteFPV]

(youtube removed your reply, I just received a notification but cannot see the text)

[@kamilexeo1316]

@@muteFPV oh yes, because I sent you link with the picture. So, I try to explain, I mean small plastick elements which hold the breakout bord on place when you unscrew it.

[@muteFPV]

You can send it to my email if you want (muteFPV at gmail dot com). I watched the video again and the only plastic pieces I see are the 4 rocker switches for trimming. But I don't think you mean those.

[@kamilexeo1316]

@@muteFPV ok, I sent it.

[@allentituspaz3241]

Is that a patch antenna for the internal antenna? I never thought of changing the antenna and like “hide it” inside the radio so for those who uses external module, only that antenna is “visible”. Thanks for the tips :)

[@muteFPV]

Thank you! I don't know its exact transmission pattern but it should be more "squished" since it is a PCB - don't expect the same range though! It works fine so far, not impressive range but decent for what I wanted.

[@JAKOB1977]

This radio just needs two mods / upgrades IMO. better speakers, and that goes for all of them, 1 speaker or two speaker, doesn't matter.. its not good speakers whichever... you can sense the lackluster if you hear fx Horus speakers.. a world of difference. a cheap 2USD from aliE sounds way better and a folding handle also a plus.. and the one from the jumper that is like 4 bucks works great on TX16s.. and if you want you can lower the sticks, by taking a little alumateriel with a 4 or 5mm drill bit.

[@muteFPV]

Yep, it would cost just a little bit more for the manufacturer and be such a significant improvement for the user. Maybe in some smaller radios there is not enough space, but for something like the TX16S it is very easy. For sticks you mean to drill a larger hole at the bottom so that they can be screwed in all the way?

[@onclefly8450]

Hi, good work Bro 😉

[@muteFPV]

Thank you!

[@NicksMind21]

What length does the pigtail need to be for the antenna mod? Does anyone know of a good "RG-316 ufl to RP-SMA" options?

[@kwadkrazy6078]

Question: where do you get your music? I've been looking for a good website, and you've always got good music in your videos :)

[@muteFPV]

You can always find the music track I have used at the end of the video description in each and every video. In the beginning I was using any royalty-free music I could find but it was a pain and after a while the music track was flagged anyway in some cases. I have been using epidemic sounds and it has been going well - it is subscription based though, I don't know if you want to pay. You will probably not find the exact track you listen in my videos - they don't have many nice "long" music tracks so I end up mixing them myself and making extended versions of my own...

[@RookieRotors]

hey muteFPV, got an idea. how about to replace the sliders at all with some (latching) buttons (like the Tango 2 has)? nobody (in fpv) uses the sliders anyway. i would like to see a fitting button which would be way more useful. already searched for suitable buttons...but didnt find anything yet. maybe the guru of radios aka muteFPV got a solution/source? :) greetings

[@muteFPV]

Hey mate! Are you sure pushbuttons at that spot would be convenient? In Part 3 I will be showing how to add extra buttons to the radio ;) But not replacing the sliders, just extra (at the back). I agree, there is no need for 4x potentiometers (2 at the top and 2 sliders at the sides) for most people. They come in handy though for stuff like volume adjustment, FOV / camera angle adjustments in the simulator, changing GoPro angle with a gimbal or servo mount or even adjusting rates on-the-fly. With OpenTx you can even make them act as maintained (latched) buttons, one end "on" and the other end "off" for example.

[@RookieRotors]

@@muteFPV dont know if the position is the best, but the sliders are useless anyway and any other button would be a benefit. but i also would prefer pusbuttons instead of some of the regular switches. are there any suitable pushbuttons? and additional buttons at the back are very interesting, too.

[@muteFPV]

I am not sure I have seen something that would fit in the slider slots. Maybe it could be a 3D printed lever that pushes the button, or a spdt limit switch... I will think about it but no promises :)

[@muteFPV]

Hey mate. I have 2 notifications for replies from you that contain links but I cannot see the messages and they are not in the "held for review" section either. Can you please send them to my email instead (mutefpv at gmail dot com)? I cannot find any other way to see the messages.

[@RookieRotors]

@@muteFPV youtube seems to constantly delete links. had lost your email for direct contact. thx for letting me know again. email sent...

[@siebenhens]

Why the voice? Also, awesome video

[@muteFPV]

Thank you very much. I am experimenting with a bit of voiceover because it is something a lot of people have asked for in the past. Only the necessary stuff - no useless talk. Was it bad or OK?

[@siebenhens]

@@muteFPV Just wasn't expecting it. Nothing wrong with it IMO.

[@muteFPV]

@@siebenhens thank you for the feedback!

[@siebenhens]

@@muteFPV You're welcome! This channel is a really amazing source of information - and like the name says - sometimes its nice to get just the facts and not all of the chatty nonsense ;P

[@muteFPV]

@@siebenhens thank you very much!

[@tweekFPV]

👍👍

[@muteFPV]

😀

[@turboomni848]

Nice but the music drives me nuts.......

[@muteFPV]

Can't satisfy everyone :) But I hope you at least find the information useful!

[@pilotimodele4598]

👏👏👏...👌😎

[@muteFPV]

😁😁😁

[@choppergirl]

Radiomaster really screwed up in several areas inside when it comes to removing or replacing components, when it comes to clearance. A well designed piece of kit does not require you to remove half a dozen unrelated things just to get to the part you want to remove. The more I work inside of it the more I get irked by these kind of things, because you know they had to have designed it all in a CAD program somewhere with an exploded view... and could see all these problems clearly.

[@muteFPV]

Honestly, the parts that may need to be adjusted or repaired are fairly easily accessible. It doesn't have to be easy to reach components like the screen, the front speaker or the on/off button, so I definitely don't consider this a problem. Stacking components like this makes hardware smaller, which I am sure is of higher priority. The main downside in terms of design on the TX16S has been the lack of holes at the back to fully adjust the gimbals without opening the back, like you can do on the Jumper T16.

[@professorvoluck9311]

You think it’s any different on an Frsky or Futaba radio that are double or triple the price?

[@muteFPV]

I have not owned Futaba or Spektrum radios so I can only speak for FrSky. In terms of build quality I liked the X9D+ more. But on the flipside, the TX16S is a great radio for its price.

[@choppergirl]

Well, I loved my two TX-16s and did a lot of cosmetic and functional upgrades to them; and then one of my main boards blew out from plugging in the two USB charger cable. Still under warranty. Radiomaster gave me the cold shoulder (you know, have you tried rebooting it?) in their RMA support ticket system until I made a big stink about it on an RC Videos Review chanenl publicly and then they were like oh, we'll fireball this and get you an RMA! Instead of sending me a new one, or having me send it back to them for repair, they had me send it to a local Hobby Shop, which I was okay with.. less shipping cost for me maybe. Only all the Hobby Shop did was DFU flash it with a new firmware, twice... even though I included a long writeup on what had happened (usb port fried main board), what I had already tried to fix it (flashing, CMOS battery swap, reset), and what needed to be doen to fix it (new board) After they sent it back to me the second time, I was like, you know what, I'll do it myself, even though I'm blind and cant see those ribbon cables anymore. So I bought a new mainboard for $60 and a year later it's still sitting in the box with the radio waiting for me to get my eyesight fixed and swap it in. Ihad a second TX-16s I bought for a friend and I took it over and have been using it ever since. Only now I do a very careful orchestrated process of plugging in both USB cables using a hub with pwoer switches on it for each cable and sequence of powering up things. It's a real PITA because the TX-16s won't pwoer up if the data cable is connected to the comptuer (thinks it wants to be in DFU mode) or if the power cable is connected any time (makes no sense). So both have to be unpluged to power up the radio, only to avoid that wear and tear I use the hub with switches on it, or for a logn whie was unplugging and plugging in the USB-A ends in and out of a hub every tiem I wanted to fire up the TX-16s with mys imulators. So, that part about the TX-16s... really blows chunks. The USB-C plugs. They svck. There are other issues, I can list them out after 3,500 hours of use, but that's the biggest problem I have with it. So make what you will of it. I could try another radio but I'm not really into the gamepad style controlelrs... I spent about $900 on my two radios, and after two years, still only one of them works. Good deal? Not so much so... Considering the FX-8350 gamer PC I use every day to do all my video editing on only cost me $250... $900 for the radios is absurd ($170 radio, metal plates add $70 per radio, Crossfire Full JJRCmodule adds another $180 per radio, then add all the nicknacks tape lanyards stick ends new main board etc).... and is right up there with the $1000 I spent on DJI goggles and cameras, which I only used for 5 minutes. So yeah, bleh.... $900 I use for something mainly as a game controller 99.99% of the time, and it doesn't even do that job very good! So... the initial luster of the TX-16s kind of evaporates when I do the math. If they would of gotten with me instead of Eachine to come out with an upgraded version of the 16s, boy I could of really helped them out and done it for free...

[@yulo99]

Be carefull with antenna mod. I have lost the plane because of it :( There were some strange issues with signal range - it looks like broken wire inside or bad antenna mount/tread. I had to switch back to original one

[@muteFPV]

That's true, it can happen and it can be hard to spot before the problems occur. Was it a specific brand or just a random antenna?

[@yulo99]

@@muteFPV Found at Ali: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001627775750.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dvtJ00X

[@muteFPV]

Damn, thank you for the heads up

[@graemestevens4947]

Thank god for the text so I could mute that bloody awful 'music'.

[@muteFPV]

Can't always satisfy everyone's taste. Did you enjoy the info at least?

[@marc_frank]

i don't think i need the voiceover

[@muteFPV]

I am trying a few new things here and there. People have been complaining for a long time about my 100% muted style so I think this is a good middle-ground: having both captions and voiceover, only with the necessary information. A lot more work for me since I still do jump cuts and transitions to the music beat + match the captions and the caption timer bar to the music + now have the voiceover on top of all that + duck the music track(s) according to the voiceover... I take feedback seriously and am always experimenting but you can never satisfy everyone...

[@REDhlg]

I find the voiceover a big plus... I'm usually doing something else at the same time, and having someone read for me is huge!

[@muteFPV]

Thank you for the feedback @Adam Weston

[@RobertMehrer]

dont do any of this garbage

[@muteFPV]

why so?

[@RobertMehrer]

@@muteFPV The Speaker "mod" Is a V1 issue that has been updated with a Second Rear Speaker in the case. Just buy the new speaker. Painting the LEDs is kind if idiotic, the V1 didnt have a light leak guard the rest now do. You can buy Colored LED breakout boards from DailyDrones to swap colors, the antenna mod is janky from RM, Use a T16 top plate or buy the kit from Daily Drones. Most of the things you called out in this video are V1 flaws that have been fixed with the new radios.

[@muteFPV]

There are many people with V1 radios so the fact that some of the mods don't apply to your radio doesn't mean that noone else finds these useful. I own both a TX16S and a TX16S MAX and still did a lot of mods to them for myself, not just for the videos (I don't know if you watched all the mods videos or only this one). None of these are mandatory but calling them garbage is a stretch - the dislike button is there for you to click though. As for the LEDs, I didn't paint any of them. I painted the power button diffuser and it looks great without the blue illumination shining through. This is irrelevant to the light-leak guard you mentioned.