RadioMaster Ranger ExpressLRS module - the best module yet!! Supplied by RadioMaster

[@bulufish8208]

Preorder already . Thank u for your informative years.

[@CurryKitten]

No worries - glad it was useful

[@dustinpugh8222]

This is my first module. I just received my micro, so excited. Now have to figure out the firmware and updating business side of things. 🤞🤞

[@CurryKitten]

Good luck - it's always a bit weird on using the configurator for the first time, but once you've done it once it becomes all very second nature

[@timlong7289]

I think a more useful test might be to enable dynamic power then see how far you can get before it moves off 25mW. I've been over 3km.

[@timlong7289]

You can edit your model to add a Special Function to vocally read out the transmit power, so you will know whenever it changes.

[@CurryKitten]

Last time I look dynamic power was still seen as experimental. Is it a core function now? In which case it would be fun to test. I probably can't go far enough in a quad for it to jump from 25 before I have to come back for the lipo getting tired :D

[@TechnicallyTom]

Radiomaster sells a 21700 pack with a lead to power the module directly if you choose to do that. Pack capacity is 5000mah.

[@CurryKitten]

oh yeah - I hadn't noticed that. For some reason it only mentions the TX16's, but the TX12 mk2 should take it. As mentioned though, it's down to my crappy choice of 18650's i should just bite the bullet and buy some more decent ones

[@TechnicallyTom]

@@CurryKitten That would solve the problem but I would get the measurements of both battery bays and if it will fit, get the larger batteries. I did that and am considering making a battery just for the module out of the 18650s I have left over.

[@Flo-Rida-FPV]

i love that you used the tx12, but noticed you use the ELRS Version. Will anything be different for the users that own the MUTLI TX12?? I would love to get this, but would like to know what the set up process would be like for us MULTI owners.

[@CurryKitten]

It would pretty much be an identical setup. For the model you'd want to use the module with you'd just set the internal TX to none, and then external TX to CRSF and away you go

[@Flo-Rida-FPV]

do i need to download the luascript on my tx12 multi if i get the the one with the screen

[@CurryKitten]

You don't need to - be it's always very useful to have

[@gingefpv]

I've been flying ELRS for about a year with an internal module, I wanted to get a backpack for it and I have a nano on route right now.

[@ReggieRailSystems]

Funny thing when I saw it offered a 1000 I thought "what about the powers draw on the transmitter battery?" This module is very impressive. Excellent review.

[@CurryKitten]

Most definitely more than 100mw.. although I did have a similar issue when using another ELRS system on equally crappy 18650's on another radio.... seems I repeated the buy cheapo several times (and to be fair they are fine unless you need to draw more power) Not the worst module for this, I had a 433Mhz system called the R-Link, that would destroy a fully charged Taranis within 20 minutes of flight!

[@bestfield372]

I do like your content I'm learning a lot from u. Its so hard to get into analog I fly DJI.

[@CurryKitten]

Hey if you are happy flying DJI (I'm assuming the goggles and air unit stuff) then carry on. Everything else I talk about (aside form VTX's cameras) you can use with DJI

[@KIKI55cro]

Tnx for all the extensive tests CK. For me the only question is do I go via module+my old taranis qx7 or do I get new radiomaster radio with ELRS build in ?! that way I can fly my old quads that have frsky tx still in them.

[@CurryKitten]

Well there's nothing wrong with the QX7 (I still have one as well) and getting a module is pretty easy as long as you are on a decent version of OpenTX or EdgeTX that supports it. The only extra hassle with a QX7 is the possible need to do the inverter mod to run at higher speeds.. equally true if you want to run crossfire. I would say that you'd notice how much more accurate the gimbals are in a modern radio vs the old FrSky gear.. and you can get a multi protocol module to handle your FrSky models... I've slowly been ripping XM+'s out in favour of ELRS rx's where I can though (although still a lot of models I can't do that with... concentrating on my favorites that I like to fly the most)

[@KIKI55cro]

@@CurryKitten I`m willing to invest in new gear, and new tehnology, is you recently reviewed radiomaster 12s similar in size to QX7 or smaller? I also like the idea of new power supply in new radios 2x 16850s are much better than 5x AA that I have in my QX7 now.

[@CurryKitten]

The TX12 is a smaller form factor radio. Where the QX7 is particularly wide, the TX12 is much more narrow. If you like the larger form factor, something along the lines of the TX16S Mk2 would feel more familiar

[@audiogek]

Thanks, great review!

[@CurryKitten]

Glad it was helpful!

[@StarcraftGT500]

I’m looking at the T16 max with the 4n1 built in, I have a few bind in fly, and real sim which is why I want this. With this module am I able to switch between 4n1 and ERLS on the fly? Or does it take time to change software? Any other issues I could have with swapping at the field depending on what I’m flying ?

[@CurryKitten]

No, it's very easy to swap between, and when you'd define each of your models you simply tell it if it's using the internal module - in your case the 4-in-1, and which protocol it would be using - or you'd tell it to use the external module, with some options there. Once you set up your models it takes literally seconds to switch between them

[@LuFpv]

questo modulo è un mostro, super potente

[@CurryKitten]

si, es fantastico!

[@theworldinmyhand2457]

What antenna do you recommend for a longer range analog google ?

[@CurryKitten]

Depends what you define as "longer range" and what you are flying. For analog I fly with a MenaceRC Periscope omni and a Pico Patch

[@timlong7289]

The sag might be due to over driving the 5v regulator in the handset. According to wez varty, a lot of handsets struggle to deliver 1W.

[@rctrix9063]

Transmitter battery gets a caning from these modules. However 25mW gives me tons of range over the old FrSky.

[@CurryKitten]

Yeah, although I generally set mine on 100mw, I've never outflown it. 1W is crazy power

[@typxxilps]

as good as it can be I have already bought a Radiomaster which had not mentioned that in the ELRS edition just 4 channels were supported, later I got behind to get the PWM 5 channel version and now I am wondering. How many channel is this biggest Radiomaster ELRS transmitter supporting ? I do not wanna spend money in another 4 or 5 channel radio which has dozens of switches and what not but only a few of them supported by elrs. I still miss the ability to fly a plane and use a gimbal with 2 axis or 2 channels more at least, I mean 6 channels minimum. Therefore the question if that more channels can be supported by such transmitter or would that require a new transmitter ? Otherwise I would have to avoid the whole ELRS story cause too many planes in my hangar are 5 or more channel planes and therefore I would stay with frsky I had been using before. Thanks a lot.

[@CurryKitten]

ELRS supports 16 channels - but there's a difference here in what is supported via CRSF and PWM. However (as I may have mentioned before) stay tuned to my channel on Thursday for some new RX's, and in the release notes of the 3.3 RC1 you'll see that it will be possible to run 16 channels on PWM and that SBUS will be supported as well

[@trevorbartels1730]

Great info. Thanks

[@CurryKitten]

Cheers

[@BoondockStryker]

I’m still a little confused 🫤 about the difference between nano and the micro. Is the only difference between them what transmitters they fit on. Or do you need the micro to fly micro drones?

[@CurryKitten]

It's purely about the Radios they fit onto, other than that, they are identical. Nano is for "nano bay" radios and the Micro is for JR style bays

[@BoondockStryker]

Cool thanks for the fast reply. Awesome podcast BTW!

[@SergyFPV]

It would be interesting to know if elrs 2.4ghz system will interfere with the 1.3 GHz video 🤔

[@CurryKitten]

I used to fly with people using 1.3 video on 2.4 without any issues to his video... that wasn't ELRS but 2.4 all the same. I've not personally tested it out though, but would appear to be on different harmonics

[@SergyFPV]

@@CurryKitten 👌

[@jamessong5838]

Hey~ ELRS already built in TX12 and why you want Ranger ELRS?

[@CurryKitten]

Generally you wouldn't, if you already had a good internal module. The TX12 is just what I was using on the day

[@heliharris69]

Nice bit of kit... Great review may well give it a go

[@CurryKitten]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic flying and review, Wayne! 😃 This module is a beast! It can go to almost 2W with just a simple mod! I hope they make a 900Mhz module as well! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@adilsongoliveira]

A BIG +1 for 900Mhz. I already have a Happymodel but I would like something like that.

[@CurryKitten]

Yeah - I saw that post. I don't really think I need to go anywhere near 1W, let alone 2W for where I fly. But again, nice to know it'll do it. The 900MHz modules seem to be getting less and less now - that's what I'm tending to notice anyway

[@timlong7289]

@@CurryKitten dynamic power works really well for me. 99% of the time it's on 25mW and then you fly behind a tree or something and it gives you a temporary boost right when you need it

[@SeeFPv-qm6ie]

can you update your receivers with this new module like crossfire

[@CurryKitten]

No - with ELRS you always update your RX's from the configurator on a desktop. I think Crossfire is a bit unique in the TX module having all the RX code on it

[@catspyjamass]

How does this compare to the BetaFPV 1W ELRS micro TX module? thanks.

[@CurryKitten]

The BetaFPV one was/is pretty good (once the ELRS group wrote some proper firmware for it) I'd generally trust RadioMaster on the quality stakes over BetaFPV

[@paulmillard1130]

Check you've switched the internal rf off and remove the unused antenna .

[@Top-Jimmy]

?

[@DivisionRc]

Grabbing it for shits and giggles and gonna immediately enable 2w on it and also slap it on my tx16s AND zorro 😂😂😂 currently running the amazing quality namimno tx. Literally attempted elrs 3.0 and it didn’t work out a few weeks ago. Tried again tonight as I learned the ranger is only 3.0 and everything upgraded and works ( and I also manage to slightly fry my toothpick 😅😢)

[@CurryKitten]

Interesting. I had an early Namimno module, but I haven't used it for quite a while. I'll have to try it on v3

[@josephp1592]

The downside is the devs refuse to enable encryption. Another dev has forked it and added encryption with 0 range or preformance hit, and for some reason they wont merge it. PrivacyLRS

[@CurryKitten]

I do struggle to see why encryption is necessary in an RC control link that could easily be wiped out with the right rf jammer. I didn't see an actual pull request from sensei-hacker - just a discussion item about improving security. I guess use his fork for now if its something you really care about

[@josephp1592]

@@CurryKitten Not making your GPS location, other telemetry or control link a target for anyone within a 10 mile radius is fairly important to me. Id think some privacy is important to most americans - even crossfire is encrypted. ELRS devs have made it clear they dont want encryption, at first they claimed it would cause a performance hit, which is far from the truth

[@shaneintegra]

Its strange the thing is so big compared to the other modules and it doesn't even have more than 1W power

[@CurryKitten]

2W via a little bit of messing - check out Wez's video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHawk3p7oq5om8U&ab_channel=WezleyVarty

[@shaneintegra]

@@CurryKitten wow!!! Ty so much! Just ordered :D

[@Top-Jimmy]

@@shaneintegra How are you likin' it mate??, Ive just ordered all my kit too... cant wait to have no dropout anxiety attacks lol

[@shaneintegra]

@@Top-Jimmy I love it :D I've flow a few miles out and wasnt even close to failsafing. I absolutely love ELRS! Make sure to get BetaFPV`s SuperD receiver! It makes it that much better

[@Top-Jimmy]

@@shaneintegra That's great news, Glad you're happy. I'm hoping for a bright future with LRS taking over Oculus one day, Its going to happen and at about 1% of the price! Happy flyin!! Take care 🙂

[@adilsongoliveira]

It can actually go up to 2W. It's a beast!

[@OzgurJohn]

how?

[@MCsCreations]

@@OzgurJohn Search for Wezley Varty.

[@CurryKitten]

I don't think I'll ever need it, but it's nice to know it can

[@davidbinnington9221]

It’s only really good if you know how and what it does ….. there are a lot of people out there have no clue, you might as well be talking French We got left behind years ago. Anyway all the best

[@CurryKitten]

I have to make videos based on a certain level of base understanding, else I'd be talking for hours about every small detail. I go into much more detail when I first get hold of a new thing, so there's lots more info about ELRS in my first video about it, there's videos I've done about how to setup a model in OpenTX... so the info is out there.

[@Top-Jimmy]

@David Binn - This is the best place to learn mate, Go and check out some of his earlier introductory video's. Easy to understand and I've got early onset Alzheimer's at 54yrs old. Don't give up mate, just take your time. Take care.

[@fpvtrucker129]

What frequency does it run on the FCC may be give you a visit with the power it has on it. This is the reason rc is running into trouble with the federal agencies. That is why I got my ham license to fly in 900 mhz also there are a lot of repeaters that run on some of these frequencies that my just shoot you down.

[@CurryKitten]

This is a 2.4Ghz module. As with most things in the hobby, it's always a case of understanding your local laws and requirements. I don't live in the US, so the FCC are unlikely to get too worried, it's OfCom that run the airwaves in the UK. The good news is that the power will go up very very high, but there's almost never a reason to use it

[@Top-Jimmy]

@@CurryKitten 💯💥👍👍

[@rcwck]

Lying about li-ion is very popular

[@CurryKitten]

Yep - aside from lying about the capacities and C ratings, I also understand there are lots of fakes out there as well

[@kermets]

sounds like you need to update your gear to do some better tests....

[@CurryKitten]

Easier to stick an ELRS rx on a fixed wing so I can stay in the air longer and go further

[@kermets]

@@CurryKitten yes I was thinking of a small wing or trainer style fpv as the longer range could introduce other factors like interference we may like to know about in the gear in test cheers....

[@jerrypatterson55]

ok im sick of this every tuber has one of these yet public cant get it but preeee order um no.. proof the company is pushing this thing hard and that scares me why you say because shows its incomplete and i saw a vid where you cant use joystick so yea nope

[@CurryKitten]

It's not too unusual for a company to launch something and embargo reviews until a certain date, so you suddenly get a load of coverage all on the same day. GoPro & DJI do the same thing. I checked the BLE joystick mode and it works ok on my Mac. BLE joystick has never worked on Android... something I raised myself as an issue in the ELRS github. Truth is I've no idea why this isn't coming out until December... I assume it's the case of things taking longer to manufacture these days, and just having some pre-release units to release to reviewers. I don't like pre-orders either, I'd wait until it was released.. and you have the luxury of seeing if any reports of anything bad happening appear. I've flown with it though, and it feels dolis to me and I've looked at a lot of ELRS modules.