RadioMaster TX16S Setting Up Trainer Mode

[@Kifter1983]

Almost fell off my chair backwards at the start of the video! That aside, very helpful, very clear instructions. Thank you very much.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

🤣I had not realised how loud the audio was sorry about that! It is always nice to hear that my videos are of use. Thanks, Bill.

[@Ard1400]

Thanks Bill! I will try it this weekend.

[@DionysiosKontakis]

Very well explained. Could you post a video on setting up a head tracker which connects to the trainer port please ? Great work Bill, keep it up my friend.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Thank you. I need to get hold of a headtracker unit to test, will do my best.

[@DionysiosKontakis]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer Thank you, that would be great.

[@RollnHeavyKevy]

Premade Headtracker units are hard to come up with right now. I built an arduino based HT and an currently looking for a radio to use with it.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@RollnHeavyKevy I have just finished a Headtracker video which will be released soon. It came about because I bought the Skyzone Cobra X goggles which have a built in headtracker. Kudos for making your own headtracker unit.

[@RollnHeavyKevy]

Awsome! I look forward to seeing it. 😎

[@SteadfastRC]

So does this only work between open tx radios or could I plug my flysky fsi6x into my radiomaster tx16s?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You should be able to just try it.

[@raffman4266]

Great vlog!!!

[@liellthomas2894]

Thanks Bill for the enormous work that you have put on line, guys like you are invaluable to our hobby. I am considering switching to a Tx16. Can you tell me if it will "talk" to a Spektrum telemetry receiver. Once again thanks for all your help

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Thank you. Yes you can bind DSM receivers to the Multi Protocol Module in the TX16S with the 4 in 1 module. I am very happy with my RadioMaster TX16S and would recommend it. Keeping mind there is a learning curve with OpenTX but it is worth learning to use it. Please see link below where you can check the DSM protocols. github.com/pascallanger/DIY-Multiprotocol-TX-Module/blob/master/Protocols_Details.md#DSM---6

[@Andy588tt]

Dear Mr Clark my I instructor has expensive radio gear that dont have as he says connections for a buddy box connection so my Radio masters tx16s would be loned to him so you say a tx12 would do this I structor is doing this for free so I have to be grateful

[@maskystudio9193]

Hi..can I using radio master as main control. Futaba 8j as a trainer control

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

It should work if the Futaba radio has a DSC 3.5mm jack socket. You may need to map the channels in the master radio.

[@maskystudio9193]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer tq

[@Andy588tt]

Hi M8 All seems good but Ive missed somthing Im learning to fly I have a Radio masters sx16s but my instructor dont have one so one simple question what other cheap radio will talk to the tx16s I will lone my tx16s to the instructor what should I be looking for not another tx16s please.I think a tx spektrum 9 or another 2.4 gHz its down to cost! what do you recomend please Regards Andy

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Hi Andy, I would suggest a RadioMaster TX12 to use as the student radio. If you instructors radio has a 3.5mm DSC socket you should be able to use it as the student radio. Just set up a basic model and check the channel mapping.

[@fraggsta]

Will this work between a tx16s mk2 bought this year and a Spektrum, which is what my club's trainer has? He has a trainer cable but im not sure whether it will work. Obviously i want to keep the tx16 as seillng it and getting a Spektrum would be very expensive. I can't find anything online saying these two radios can work in a training setup though.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

I do not have a Spektrum radio to test for you but I would assume if the radio has a DSC Trainer Port it should work. Please check with your club training pilot.

[@ODGuitars]

Just what I've looked for... I'll try it tomorrow, hopefully it is still the same 3 years after haha

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Yes it will be but if you have a different radio or EdgeTX radio please search my playlists.

[@ODGuitars]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer What should be the model on the master remote? just a copy of the student model?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

The Master radio needs to be programmed for the model you are flying so if the model has flaps you will need to be able to fly the model. The student radio is just a basic model.

[@ODGuitars]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer got it, thanks, so far, I managed to connect one to the other wireless acting as a receiver/transmitter, but for some reason the jack cable doesn't work

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@ODGuitars sometimes you need to make a spacer for the jack plug. Just try pulling the plug out slightly and see if it connects.

[@johnsamuel10]

i just simply cant bind it.I tried it with Radiomaster TX16S and Jumper T-lite.Any suggestions?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

John, are you having problems with setting up the trainer mode between the two radios or binding a receiver to your radio? It you are having problems linking the two radios together with a 3.5 mm Jack cable this is a problem because the socket in the radios are not standard. To solve this you can get the wireless trainer dongle RadioMaster make the WT01 please check their website. It can be used with the TX16s, Zorro & TX12 radios.

[@johnsamuel10]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer I am using WT01.I have Radiomaster TX16S and Jumper T-lite. I cannot bind WT01 to any of these radios.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@johnsamuel10 Which protocol are you selecting on the student radio?

[@johnsamuel10]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer I tried Frsky D8, D16 and Futaba S-FHSS on the student radio.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@johnsamuel10 I would check the binding procedure and suggest trying again.

[@billmorris1670]

That's fine, how do you connect them wireless

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Bill, you need one of these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/parHnZ6nbNSKos0 RadioMaster WT01

[@guuskoelman8254]

Hi Bill, 3,5 mm mono or stereo plug the two radiomasters buddy box won"t work. Bill could you gave me a link to the connector diagram of the 3,5 mm connector on top of the Radiomaster. Wen giving flying support a solid connection is needed. Thanks for your support and greetings from thr Netherlands

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Here we go: radiomasterrc.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/64000256682-trainer-port-pin-out

[@mathewwebb522]

Hiya. My tx16s came new out the box with this connection issue with the trainer port. I found someone online saying they had this issue and resolved it by opening the radio and on the port itself there are spaces where you can push a very small flat screwdriver onto the connection tabs as to bend them in a little more. I did this and now have a perfect uninterrupted signal using a mono 3.5mm cable.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@mathewwebb522 I did open my radio to try this but I was a little concerned with the amount of pressure I was having to apply so decided not to recommend the process. I am pleased the process worked for you and thanks for sharing.

[@mathewwebb522]

Hi Bill. It does take quite a bit of pressure to make it work. First attempt a gave the tabs a little push and it didn't work. I then gave them a quite bit harder push and bingo. Problem completely sorted. The guy that I found online said that radiomaster tech support reccomended this. Seems they know what the issue is. Let me know if you give it another go. Worked great for me.

[@didi_rc]

Which cable should be used? Monophonic or stereo?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You need a stereo 3.5mm Jack plug.

[@darrinanddonna]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer hi Bill , so a generic 3.5 mm cable was found to be problematic and RadioMaster put out their own version ?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@darrinanddonna basically yes, the socket in the radio is not standard.

[@daverose8772]

iHi Bill, My trainer port on my Brand new TX16S, works only if I pull the cable plug end, out a click. I have tried mono and stereo cables including a Spectrum trainer cord. When the plug is fully inserted on the "Master TX16S, it works intermittent or just doesnt work at all. This radio also doesnt work with my Chinese flight sim dongle. My buddy box is an old Futaba FM with Din plug to mini phone plug adapter. The buddy box is solid, as i re flowed all aspects of the trainer circuitry. Any ideas? Thank You.....

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Hi Dave, I had the same problem when filming the video for the RadioMaster TX12. I contacted RM and they said a stereo jack will not work and you need a mono one. I have not been able to get hold of one to test. You can see in my video with the TX16S and T16 I used a stereo jack? Let me give you the link to RadioMaster page which shows you the cable they recommend. radiomasterrc.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/64000256682-trainer-port-pin-out Please compare it to the mono cable you used to see if it is the same specifications. Please let me know and I will contact RadioMaster. As for the dongle I cannot advise as I have never tried one I have always used a cable.

[@daverose8772]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer Dear Bill: I ran a pair of servo lead wires to a standard threaded mini phono plug. I mounted the plug on the lower back corner of the transmitter case. I added a standard servo male and female plug so i can separate the cable for ease of service. I used the "A" lead and the "C' lead from the TX16S trainer plug diagram. "A" is the main shield, and "C" is the plug tip. I also used a TX12 and created this same exact simple mod. It works perfectly, but you also need to power up the slave radio. I used a standard "Spectrum" trainer cord, and tried several simple double ended mini phone jack cables. They all work perfect with this mod. Remember to set one Radio as Master and the other one as slave. This trainer input works with all my Futaba radios, if used as a buddy box.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@daverose8772 That is a great job but should not be necessary. I will try and get hold of a mono jack and test my radios. I please you sorted it out.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@daverose8772 The genuine plug/cable is available Dave, but your mod is the best idea! :-)

[@meakins355]

Thanks for the video, Bill. Could you link me the mono cable I need. Wanna make sure I buy/use the correct cable/jack type.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You need a 3.5 mm Audio Jack male to male. Like this: m.banggood.com/Bakeey-3_5-mm-Audio-Jack-Aux-Cable-Male-to-Male-Cable-For-Laptop-Speaker-Car-MP3-Media-CD-Players-PC-p-1543969.html?rmmds=search&act_poa=POA5531400&cur_warehouse=CN

[@meakins355]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer Thanks Bill.

[@skychaser996]

Quick question. How can I connect a Trinity external head tracker using the buddy box plug ? The trinity comes with a Futaba type plug.. Very helpful video by the way

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You are going to need the correct cable which has a 3.5mm jack to plug in your radio because the head tracker uses the trainer port. You could make your own cable taking a 3.5mm jacked cable cut one end off and solder your head trackers connector to it. The pin out diagram is on the RadioMaster support site. I do not have knowledge of the head tracker you are using so sorry for the vague answer. Just for your reference I have an OpenTX Head Tracker video coming out on Wednesday next week.

[@jeffjorczak]

Is it possible to do this with Bluetooth rather than a cable?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

No the TX16S does not have Bluetooth.

[@jaimespkr]

Hi Bill, do you know why when I enable the trainer mode, both of my throttle sticks only get 50% of the full power, obviously without the multiplier increased from 1.0

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Andres I think you need to change in the SYS menu under Trainer your option from += to := and the student radio will have full throttle control.

[@DAFBungo]

Thanks Bill for all your work! Can u slave a Zorro with ELRS and Edgetx to a TX16s MK1 with Opentx safely?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You are very welcome David. Yes you should have no problems just check all the control surfaces are reacting correctly.

[@DAFBungo]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer Thanks Bill! Awesome

[@meakins355]

Maybe you can help me Bill, can I set up trainer mode to allow access to channels 5 and 6?. Trying to set up a head tracker.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Not that I am aware of the Student can only control the gimbals Channels 1 to 4.

[@meakins355]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer I think I've found a way to add more channels in trainer mode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnfYcmqViM5koq8 starts around the 7:30 mark.

[@tbonesixtynine]

Why does one prefer throttle + aileron on same stick ? real planes/helis have ail and pitch on the same stick/yoke, rudder = feet. So very counter intuitive? I fly rc planes too but more often helis and fpv racingdrones. pitch & rudder on one stick would never make sense in my head. Where does that come from ?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Hi Jean, normally you fly the mode of your instructor when learning to fly back in the day when only fixed wing planes. My instructor used Mode 1 so that’s the mode I learned. Some RC pilots say only fly Mode 2 etc me personally I do not care what mode you fly just go out there and do it and not talk about it 😊 I would have thought the first 2 channel radios would have been on 2 different sticks so that was Mode 1 rudder/ailerons one stick the other Elevator? But please do not quote me 🤔

[@tbonesixtynine]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer mm well now that you mention it, my first trainer airplane (bravo 20) didnt have ailerons so I had rudder and pitch on the same stick. but it had a self leveing v wing (I guess that was the point back then :) ) so the rudder kind of acted as an aileron as well, except no rolls possible.. Im a mode 3 flyer myself so Im also a bit awkward haha. happy landings thanks for your time!

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@tbonesixtynine you are very welcome.

[@synlergeider]

Hello and thanks for the good job! Do I have to copy the model files from master to the trainer TX or are the all settings ( rates/mixers/etc) applied from master?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Hi, all the model settings are as per the Master radio. Student radio just needs a basic set up.

[@nemo2865]

Hi bill, I’m using TX16s and I want setting a trainer mod My master controller is TX16s and slave controller either TX16s, but It dosen’t work I’m using 3.5mm stereo cable Should I any update firmware software?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Nemo no you do not need to update your firmware. It appears there is a non standard socket in the TX16s. I over come this by lifting the plug slightly with a washer has a spacer. This is not ideal and sometimes disconnects. There is a answer to this but it means purchasing a wireless module which RadioMaster have just released. My review video was released yesterday. kzbin.info/www/bejne/parHnZ6nbNSKos0

[@nemo2865]

Thank you bill! And I have another question My master controller Internal RF is trun on and External RF is trun off now And slave controller both turn off, Is it any problem to setting a traning mod?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@nemo2865 Your Instructors radio must be set up in the normal way and bound to the model being flown so internal module on and set to Master/Jack. The student radio Slave/Jack and the internal and external module options off.

[@k_berm9deddy93]

What is the cable for trainer port?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You need to get a MONO 3.5mm plug cable.

[@k_berm9deddy93]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer is it possible to use a stereo cable?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@k_berm9deddy93 it depends which radios you are using. In my video I used a stereo cable which worked but RadioMaster advise using a mono cable. Which when I did my video for the TX12 being used for training it would not work correctly with a stereo cable.

[@k_berm9deddy93]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer ok

[@k_berm9deddy93]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer by using a usb dongle? or without a usb dongle?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

​ @Bill Clark The Trainer Socket on the RadioMaster TX16S is NOT a standard Audio/AV type 3.5mm socket. While you can use a standard 3.5mm mono (or stereo) audio cable for trainer connections, it is not a very reliable connection because the contactor for the tip contact is actually designed to be touching the full barrel diameter not the reduced bullet tip diameter. The only source for the matching cable (a half cable actually - 1 plug and 2m of 3-wire plus earthing shield cable to solder to a matching plug/cable to suit your other Tx,) seems to be here www.cliffuk.co.uk/ They seem to have sellers in other countries. You need the FC68122C plug and cable to suit the FC68128 socket used on the TX16S. Or, better still, do as Dave Rose suggests below and add a more reliable standard second socket on your TX16S!

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

I had the same problem with the T8 Pro I think RadioMaster are going to use a different socket in the future. I solved the problem with T8 Problem by supergluing washers to the plugs! Not ideal but it worked I thought I had a substandard cable. Thank you for the useful feedback.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer An update Bill. We bought the "correct" plug/cable but it also was less than rock solid! So we just added a cheap FS-A8S receiver to the module bay of our Mode 1 Expert Pilot's TX16S and soldered a flying lead to the 3rd contact of the Trainer Socket on top of the radio to plug into the receiver's PPM output. Suits our Noobs' TX16S and Flysky FS-i6/S radios and can be substituted for any other combos of Tx/Rx later. And no cables for us Old Foggies to trip over! ;-)

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@theoztreecrasher2647 That's great, excellent!

[@Mefistophel_KZ]

Скажите, пожалуйста! Я могу к мастеру с аппаратурой TX16S подключить ученика с аппаратурой FS-i6?

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

Yes you should be able to.

[@Mefistophel_KZ]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer , спасибо! А где можно почитать о методах подключения? Мне стыдно, но я не нашел... Или может вы снимете видео, как это сделать 😉

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@Mefistophel_KZ you need a stereo 3.5 mm jack on each end of the cable.

[@Mefistophel_KZ]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer на каждом конце - никак не получится... Потому, что у FlySky FS-i6 тренерский порт в виде S-Video разъёма.... Почему я и ищу информацию, как соединить эти два пульта... Хочу себе Radiomaster купить, а детям передать FlySky. У аппаратур разные порты, но обучать-то как-то надо...

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@Mefistophel_KZ sorry about that I thought it had a 3.5mm jack. This may help you from searching I found this adapter. Flysky FS SM100 RC USB Flight Simulator With FMS Cable For I6 I10 I6X T6 CT6B TH9X RC FPV Drone

[@guuskoelman8254]

Thanks Bill

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

You are very welcome Guus.

[@andrewafrican]

Under model setup you have to activate master under the training mode option otherwise you will only see "slave" under trainer function.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

As per my video you will need to set up the Trainer options in the Special Functions of the model set up. So the instructor radio can select when the trainee can have control of the model.

[@ror-ys3qp]

The trainer port is defective...no cable will be reliable in that trainer port. It is bad by design.Radiomaster needs to replace the trainer port assembly with a trainer port that works. This is an insult for us RC flyers to sell this defective product. Please do the right thing and replace defective part.

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

There is a work around on this by adding a spacer (washer) to the plug not idea I know. I have an early TX16S so not sure if the socket has been changed on the newer radios.

[@ror-ys3qp]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer spacer can not fix it. I am disgusted with Radiomaster.Radiomaster step up and fix this defective design .

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@ror-ys3qp I have had success with using a spacer in practice but again it is not ideal but a work around to a problem. I would suggest you contact RadioMaster support and let them know your feelings if you have not already done so. Please let me know what they say.

[@ror-ys3qp]

@@the-happy-RC-flyer I put in a ticket. I do not see how a spacer can fix it. Have you seen trainer pinout on there website under support? They show the problem in their own picture !!

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

@@ror-ys3qp yes I have it appears a different socket has been used a subscriber did give me the code number. I must say I thought the were standard for all 3.5mm stereo jacks. I would be interested in your feed back if you tried adding a small washer between the radio and the stereo plug and if it reliably connects.