OpenTx Companion Tutorial • How-to Upgrade Firmware on Radiomaster TX16s • [Beginners]

This OpenTx tutorial from rcvideoreviews.com shows how-to upgrade the firmware on your Radiomaster TX16s using OpenTx Companion. While I used the TX16s for this video, the procedures will likely be the same for Taranis, Jumper, and other OpenTx radios. I also cover backing up your model and radio settings and upgrading your SD Card contents.
UPDATE: If you elect to erase your SD card and extract the firmware matching SD Card contents you may get an SD CARD error in Companion and a "Bad Radio Data" message when you start the radio. Just run the hardware calibration, then restore your models from Companion.
OpenTx 2.3.9 Download: www.open-tx.or...
TX16S SD Card Contents: downloads.open...
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[@rickharms1]

I have been using OpenTX for a couple of years with a simple understanding. These tutorials have been great. I have an issue with my latest Windows machine. When OpenTX was installed the USB driver was not installed. I have spent hours trying to correct this, to no avail. My solution was to take a MacBook Pro, blow away OSX and install LinuxMint. This works for me. Again, thank you for the tutorials.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Hmmmm....On Windows 10 I didn't need to install anything. It just reads the TX16s as a USB drive when I connect. Anyway, have fun with Linux and glad you got up and running. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@DavidReynolds-kr6yh]

Great material again. I’m not going to upgrade mine just yet, it already works with the firmware in it. I’ll wait till the update to allow the touchscreen comes out, and wait a few weeks to make sure that no one has any problems with it, before I update.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Good call. One thing I should have said in the video is to not upgrade the firmware unless it gets you something you specifically want. Never ever a bad plan to wait on firmware if you can.

[@brianhellstrom7114]

without this bloke I would be lost LOL, cheers

[@EldarKinSlayer]

You are doing a great job making the vTX16S understandable. THANK YOU, Sir!

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're welcome. Glad they're helping. Always appreciate the comments. J

[@MEZENchannel]

im doing the same - copy latest content for sd card on my card. and then plug into my radiomaster. but it says - bad data - error.

[@antoniojosesanchezbotella9924]

Hi, great video. But I think I have made a mistake and the station is left with a black screen and does not enter bootloader mode. In the update it was updated badly. Can you help me with a video in that case of error or what solution would there be?

[@finnleithomczyk5292]

@@RCVideoReviews does the touch screen work after this update?

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@finnleithomczyk5292 No, it'll be available in 2.4

[@ChickenHawk841]

Thank you for this. Not only do I now have a little bit better understanding of OpenTX Companion, with the latest firmware installed I can now configure S1 as a rheostat for the backlight. :)

[@RCVideoReviews]

You are welcome!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi John, You're doing a great job with all the visuals. Best way to learn is to see how it's done. Stay safe.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks Don. Appreciate the comment and support. J

[@alexanderkis9041]

man, you are jesus. Thanks very much. I like how you go step by step without jumping around. Very strategic logical approach!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you. Glad to help.

[@guuskoelman8254]

This updating the SD card can easily be done in Compagnion: Choose in Compagnion: file and then down Synchronize SD. Than the new SD card content will be synchronize with your SD in your radio. To speed it up I took the SD card out, otherwise wait a little while.

[@jimjasper9851]

Once again a “proper job” mate, thanks from Oz.

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re welcome. Thank you for the kind comment.

[@North49RC]

Had to use this vid again. I like how you can always reference back. Top shelf John

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks Chris. Glad it continues to help.

[@cavicster]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It was very helpful.

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for the kind words.

[@bradleypowell8228]

Thank you so much for the great videos. As a beginner they are really helpful....got my new drone up and running.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Great to hear! I'm always happy to know when my material helps people along. Thanks for the comment.

[@LORY0021]

Very simple guide, very well done, everything was clear and worked at the first time with my Mac :-) Thanks!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad it helped!

[@MattDavoudi]

Great video! Loved that lil bonus at the end, haha. Thanks.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I have easter eggs like that in a handful of videos.

[@lukeiam0]

Thanks for posting. Helped me upgrade my tx16s! I did notice that my radio came with a custom widget (SHOWALL) which is not avail on sd contents, so had to move it back. And the voice packs. :)

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad I could help

[@LucaIacono]

thank you !!! great content, great delivery ... you're the best !!

[@RCVideoReviews]

That's a very kind endorsement--thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@LucaIacono]

@@RCVideoReviews I did ... right now, nobody delivers as you do ... i wish you all the best

[@vancebiro7378]

this info is great i watch before i do every time its like measure twice program once lol

[@RCVideoReviews]

Good idea.

[@tala23ful]

Like it, great stuff, thanks for the great tutorials

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad you like them. Thanks for commenting.

[@jerryhall4494]

Thanks for leading me through this. Just got my TX16 and it had 2.3.9 so I updated to 2.3.14. Everything went well except for the SD card update. I deleted original content on the card (after making a copy of it) then copied the new content to it. At that point I got a warning about no SD card in the radio. Powered up the TX16 and no models were found. So I popped the SD card out and put the original content back on it. Then the models were back but radio gave a warning on powerup about expecting a different version on SD. Upper left button on companion "write models and settings to radio" is now greyed out but "synchronize SD" button works so I did that and selected only write to destination and only update files that have newer versions. Now all is good I think. The "write models....." button is still grey but assume that is because I haven't created any new ones. Oh by the way, be careful putting the SD card back in. It is possible to miss the socket and lose it inside radio. Then you have to open up the case and find it again. 😰

[@RCVideoReviews]

Make sure your new card is 32gb or smaller, formatted FAT32.

[@sunpulsekk]

I have exactly this problem. 2.3.9 --> 2.3.15. Now I cannot turn on the radio. Is there an additional step to get the radio to actually turn on now?

[@rcplayday7937]

I get a "Your radio does not seem connected to USB or the driver is not initialized" when I try to flash

[@toys5355]

Excellent video. Thanks again.

[@RCVideoReviews]

My pleasure! Thanks for the comment.

[@stellezweieins]

there is no better way to explain it... thx

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you and thanks for the comment.

[@santiyutanan117]

A very clear explanation ,thank you.

[@RCVideoReviews]

You are welcome!

[@pierstaylor3333]

brilliant video thank you so much, watched it a few times and im updating as i type, kinda got a bit lost towards the end as im not overly tech confident, just wondered: what do we do at the end? turn the radio off then on?

[@RCVideoReviews]

After the flash is complete, you should be able to press the return button to go back to the bootloader. In any case, once the firmware update is complete, it should be safe to turn off the radio.

[@charleslemon9840]

what if I get a (Cant extract RADIO/radio.bin) when i try to read models?

[@flooftoes]

I just got my TX16S Mk II and I'm walking through your video. When I get to the "Read Models and Settings from Radio" it immediately reports an ERROR: "Can't extract RADIO/radio.bin". I'm not sure what I need to do to get past that... your radio just did a bunch of stuff and mine didn't do that. 😕

[@RCVideoReviews]

Are you using OpenTX Companion or EdgeTX Companion? What version of Companion? You need to be on 2.6 or later. Download the latest here: github.com/EdgeTX/edgetx/releases/tag/v2.7.1

[@flooftoes]

@@RCVideoReviews I realized that the radio came with EdgeTX so I got rid of OpenTx Companion and downloaded EdgeTX Companion. Now when I hit that same button it says: "Can't load MODELS/model8.yml: yaml-cpp: error at line 302, column 12: end of map not found". I'll search around for a solution to this... I'm running EdgeTX Companion 2.7.1 "BlackPearl" released on May 9th.

[@flooftoes]

it was corruption in the file, apparently you can't have yaml dictionary like this: 4: swtch: SG2 func: PLAY_TRACK def: ,1x 5: swtch: SG1 func: PLAY_TRACK def: ,1x which is the default for model8. The "def" key's value has a comma as the first character. I changed those two values and now it works. :P

[@ryankdeboer]

@@flooftoes You saved me with this! Thank you for sharing!

[@FLY_WD_RAGHIL]

Mine radio is not getting connected to pc i know its due to driver but can't get proper information on net about this!!! Using windows 7 32bit

[@robertwioch3691]

Hi! Very good Information on the radio. This is Robert Wioch. I will give you always a Thumps up. you are the best out there. AAAAAAAAAA++++++++++ :))

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks again!

[@JEMTAC]

top notch

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you...

[@EagleEyePilot]

Went trying to copy SD card contents to the TX16S.. its says I dont have enough space. Please advise

[@guuskoelman8254]

Hi John, during this procedure when write the new SD card content to the SD card in the radio the computer told me that the space is to small. The SD card is only 256 MB. Delete of the old content before was necessary. A little bit nerving just handling the new radio. I can imagine that some model airplane pilots frighten a little bit because they didn’t expect this.

[@RCVideoReviews]

How did it work out? I know it can be daunting, but it is not hard to recover from a completely new sd card.

[@gonima]

Thank you for this excellent video.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brucerumrey8894]

I found it a little hard to tell what you were clicking on and had to run the video a bunch of time to figure it out other that that it was a great video

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks for the feedback. As I continued in this series I looked for opportunities to improve the graphics and presentation. I think I have it in pretty good shape now. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johanopperman8039]

Hi John. I have downloaded the TX companion. As soon as I switch the the radio on in bootloader and plug in the radio nothing comes up on the screen. When I click on read models and settings. The computer says can't find SD card of radio. Help please Johan

[@666duveltje]

i could not download any radios from my transmitter open tx companion use radio.bin file to read and write and my transmitter radiomaster tx16s mark 2 use radio.yml files is there a solution for this

[@SteveJohnstoneNG3D]

Another great video, thank you!!

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re very welcome. Appreciate the comment.

[@pofotiouzois]

Nice tutorial! Thank you

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're welcome!

[@kveecock]

Hi, I’ve just got to the final stage of the process, deleted all the existing files in the e drive , tried to copy over the new address file contents and got the message “ file extraction failed. The archive may be corrupted, not readable or in an incompatible format”. I’ve tried copying multiple times with same message and I can’t go back as I’ve already deleted all the original files. Help!!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Please ask on discord.

[@jimworley7385]

Hey John, Just upgraded my firmware and so to the new .14 version and noticed the forward programming feature! Sadly does not work with the new Spektrum receivers but hopefully in the next version. CA Jim

[@RCVideoReviews]

Does it work with the older Rxs?

[@jimworley7385]

@@RCVideoReviews I just tried it with an AR630. Haven’t tried it with an AR636b I have. Will let you know. Jim

[@WalkingTomatoman]

Thanks a lot mate you safed my day

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad I could help

[@moejammin]

In following those steps when trying to write the saved information from opentx companion im getting an Unable to find sd card error. So i restarted the radio and a warning on the radio screen came up saying i have bad radio storage and took me to a calibration screen. Pretty sure i messed it up any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Run the calibration and restore your models.

[@rfusiontomorrowstechnology6622]

Thank you very helpful

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@lajoskis5512]

The bootloader mode does not appear on the display, the radio just turns on. I need an idea

[@RCVideoReviews]

You have to press the T1 and T4 trim switches inboard before powering on to enter the bootloader.

[@jlauby7777]

Got all the way to step 8. My new I7 pavalion wouldnt let me drag and drop all the files from sD 480 x272-2.3V to usb d so i dragged them individually and it locked up at 72%. Been 8 hours today trying to get thru these 8 steps. Almost made it. Now where do i go from here. J. Day 2 on TX 16 S. Smh.

[@RCVideoReviews]

John, I'd stop and take a breath. It sounds like you're hitting a wall. 1) There's 100% no reason you can't copy the SD card contents from the zip to your card. You need to figure that out first. There's also 100% no reason to copy individual files one-by-one. So I would suggest going back to that step and sorting it out. 2) I just did an SD Card video for OpenTx here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIKqkpSpg62WocU Maybe that will help. 3) Make sure you've unzipped the archive before copying. There are about a dozen different ways to handle zip files. I'm not sure which one you're using. With the windows archive handler you don't have to necessarily unzip first, but just to eliminate possible issues, make sure to unzip the archive before doing anything else.

[@johanopperman8039]

Hi John. First thanks for your time in making all these helpful videos. Want to ask you a questions. Can I put a new SD card in the radio master tx16 and just download the new software on it or should I copy the contence of old card on the new card first. My radio is new I don't have any models on it yet. Sorry if you already explained it. Kind regards Johan

[@RCVideoReviews]

Either way works. It depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If you're just trying to increase the size of your SD card there's no reason not to copy your current contents to new card. If you want to start fresh, you can always just download the sd card contents for your firmware revision and install.

[@johanopperman8039]

Thanks John for advice. Your videos are very professional. Have 'n great weekend Johan

[@dondupuis4007]

Thanks!

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're welcome. Thanks for hitting the tip jar. Appreciate it.

[@kevincarbajal1220]

Mine says unable to find radio sd card at the end. Is it because I have absolutely no settings to begin with ? It’s brand new and this is my first reciever. No previous models

[@RCVideoReviews]

Do you see the SD card in your file explorer? Are you using Windows?

[@singularity8943]

Ive been having issues with running the ELRS Lua Script with a happy model external elrs module for my multi protocol radio... I don't know what to do (writing this before watching the video) EDIT: I cant save a copy of the models and whatnot that I have saved, it says "Cant extract Radio/radio.bin" and when I try to write new firmware, it says "New firmware is not compatible with the one currently installed". What do I do now??

[@RCVideoReviews]

kzbin.infoLItyAkJlcdU

[@stevealoia]

So I have a question . When I go into model setup . Under the Internal RF Module status it show no Multl Telemetry detected. New to this radio Not sure about it in the module compartment it ELRS . Thank you

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sounds like you haven't turned on the internal module in your model setup.

[@maldjab6248]

can you help me to come back to 2.3.9 as the upgrade 2.3.10 don't worl well with me

[@RCVideoReviews]

Did you try flashing 2.3.9 to the radio and changing the SD card contents back to 2.3.9?

[@maldjab6248]

@@RCVideoReviews Yes thank you its done now

[@mike_romeo_lima]

13:12 Do I have to delete the old folders on the left side or do I just have to copy the new ones from the right in? I recently switched from Futaba

[@RCVideoReviews]

Personally, I prefer to start with a clean SD card. The stock card does not come with models or radio directories, so you need to make those. If you don't, the radio will make them for you.

[@JDubsPub]

Thank you very much for the informative video. I watched in a different video that the first time we go through this updating process (new radio) that we should update the Bootloader as well. Do you recommend that?

[@RCVideoReviews]

In my entire time flashing radios with OpenTX/EdgeTX I've only found a "need" to upgrade the bootloader once, and that was to use the bootloader to flash EdgeTX over OpenTX. That said, it's a fairly simple process, so no harm in doing it. I cover flashing the bootloader in some detail here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnrXqnShf9GWmrc

[@JDubsPub]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank you very much for the response. I'll check out the video.

[@greatgandalf5233]

Thanks a lot, great Gouge!

[@RCVideoReviews]

My pleasure!

[@poopscoop2000]

Thanks for this tutorial. I've just completed the update but unfortunately the write models and settings to radio" button is greyed out. I'm at a total loss as to how to write my settings back to the radio now after the update. Any ideas? Thanks. EDIT: Solved it by pure luck. Dragged the back up file into the OPEN TX window and it updated without having to press the greyed out button! Phew.

[@guuskoelman8254]

After all done is save disconnect of the two drives in Windows on the right bottom corner (Hardware save removal and media) in your view important. Radiomaster manual gives no answere.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Not on Windows 10. That is a dated practice and no longer necessary.

[@RCThis]

Does this still apply in 2024(???)

[@vasobg12]

I make my firmware update exactly as you show with exactly the same radio and my channel order is always mod 1 no metter what I choose in the profile tab ....

[@RCVideoReviews]

It sounds like your radio may have mode 1 selected on the system settings page. Change it there and in Companion at the same time.

[@vasobg12]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks very much. Really helped me! Keep up with the great videos and happy flying :)

[@bobkeul7682]

Write to tx that works fine, but if i want to set the backup of models back it says; unable to find radio SD card... and now what?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Make sure you have both RADIO and MODELS directories on your SD card.

[@stillededge]

Man, FREAKY AF...you have the SAME RADIO, SAME COMPUTER sitting the SAME WAY as MINE! I was looking for SPY CAMS..."how does that guy have video of MY STUFF!?🤣

[@RCVideoReviews]

Weird! No spy cams though--promise.

[@Graeme758]

Brand new radio. no models or anything added, when I try to copy SD contents across it says there is not enough space.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Are you sure you unzipped the contents and didn't just try to copy the zip itself over?

[@Graeme758]

@@RCVideoReviews I did, thanks. I formatted the SD card and tried again and it worked perfectly. Thank you, very useful series.

[@tvz857]

So after doing all of that what do I do next?? Do I disconnect the radio from my computer? How do I confirm the radio received the correct firmware? after doing the SD contents you pretty much said thats it. Am I supposed to shut down the radio and restart it?? I think some steps (towards the end) were missed...

[@RCVideoReviews]

If there are no more instructions, you've reached the end of the process. I can't give step after step ad infinitum. At some point you have to put one foot in front of the other.

[@kzconsulting8345]

Followed your video man and now my unit is bricked...... something went wrong in the SD card file update. I deleted the files in the sd but it said i couldn't delete two of them. I put the new downloaded files into the SD (drag and drop) and it asked me if i wanted to replace some files, I pressed yes. Everything looked good. Disconnected the USB. hit exit. Nothing. the light above the 1 stays on. But it will not go off if i press power or anything..... Any ideas?

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's probably not bricked. I don't think it's possible to brick an opentx radio because I believe the software required to enable communications between the radio and PC is burned into a chip. In any case, I could remove the cables, remove the battery, remove the SD card and start over. 1) Do not change ANYTHING in the USB Drive that comes up as FIRMWARE. That is a radio specific folder and we don't change things in there. 2) If the SD Card shows nothing when you plug it in, format it, copy the firmware you downloaded from OpenTx to it, then disconnect the radio. Simultaneously press T1 and T4 inward and hold them there. Turn the power on. You should see a bootloader. From there, select WRITE FIRMWARE and navigate on your SD card to the firmware you put on the card. That should get you running again. After that, copy the appropriate SD Card contents to your card and you should be good to go.

[@user-gw2ms7kx1n]

If possible, can you please do the up Great right from the beginning how to do that Ferber on the TX on the radio master TX 16 S I know you did it before but lots of stuff change. There’s some way easier I’m looking at them, but sometimes they confuse you, can you please do one new one up to like 2024 going into I’d appreciate thank you also happy new year

[@jlauby7777]

Watched u r sD card vid. I think my big problem is ive been a mac user 20 years and bought a MS computer to run beta flight, open tx, liftoff,etc. the basic steps like making a file, and drag and drop are stumbling blocks i need to get down before using open tx. Ty for your help. J

[@RCVideoReviews]

You can do all of the SD card content manipulation on a Mac. The rules apply: Extract and copy. Mac does leave detritus on SD cards but OpenTx ignores it.

[@pofotiouzois]

I enter bootlader mode, plug in my radio and i can see my sd card contents. But when i select Read Models in Companion the following message does appear: 'No radio found'. I have installed sucessfully Zadig drivers and Im running windows 10

[@RCVideoReviews]

1) Make sure your version of companion matches the version of OpenTx or EdgeTx you're running. 2) If nothing else works, you can remove the SD card and put it directly in your computer and try that way. Unfortunately, I can't get into the business of troubleshooting SD card/USB issues. When everything is working correctly and you can see SD card contents with your PC file explorer including folders like \MODELS \RADIO \IMAGES \FIRMWARE companion will be able to read and write settings.

[@pofotiouzois]

@@RCVideoReviews companion was in version 2.5 and the radio firmware in 2.7. Thank you for the help!

[@petersutton1609]

This works fine and fairly easy to follow but I lost access to s1 and s2 in global functions! They are not listed to be able to assign them, any ideas?

[@RCVideoReviews]

S1 and S2 aren't available as the source in Global Functions, but they should be available for example if you use ON VOLUME or ON BACKLIGHT.

[@stealthy8206]

So when i was erasing my SD card contents, widonws told me that by erasing a file it might not work properly. Thats normal right?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Uhhh...not sure. I'd have to see it.

[@joeg986]

I have a flashing module update recommended, can you help? Thanks.

[@RCVideoReviews]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXuvc4aXgKaIh68

[@alumahomeinspections7009]

Hi RC, I am just a new starter doing these things, apparently something I did wrong and I did not get the expected results. Certainly, I am lost and I would like to come back to factory data. Please let me know how to reset the radio. Thank you.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Don't make too much of it. Did you backup your SD Card? You can copy new contents over old contents without issue. If you want to "reset" the radio, just delete any files in the RADIO directory and the MODELS directory.

[@fidelgrillo4808]

Just tried to follow your great instructions to update my new Jumper T12 Pro which came with Opentx 2.3.4. When I clicked to download the firmware nothing seemed to happen. So I searched the download folder, which I setup on desktop and found the file as VLC Media Player file. This seemed so strange to me that I did not continue. Also I got no automatic option to download the SDCard contents. Any ideas? Can I delete the firmware somehow and try again? Maybe not on a desktop folder? Or can I just use it like that? I am really lost. Any help would be much appreciated

[@RCVideoReviews]

If you download Companion, select the T12 Pro for your radio profile, Companion should offer you the correct binary. I wouldn't place stock in the file type windows uses to identify the file. It should be something along the line of opentx-tx16s-lua-noheli-en-2.3.4-otx.bin and it should be about 1,000KB. Here is the Companion link for 2.3.11: downloads.open-tx.org/2.3/release/companion/windows/companion-windows-2.3.11.exe Here is the link for 2.3.11 SD Card for T12: downloads.open-tx.org/2.3/release/sdcard/opentx-t12/sdcard-128x64-2.3V0035.zip

[@RCThis]

Niiiiiice!!!!!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Can you upgrade your firmware now?

[@RCThis]

@@RCVideoReviews it looks like this should do it

[@RCVideoReviews]

Good.

[@FPVDiverBomber]

You went too fast at the end and now I'm getting an SD card warning,,,, the firmware updated, but I don't know where you were telling me to drop those extracted files,,, where am I saposed to put them?

[@RCVideoReviews]

What warning are you getting? The SD Card contents zip file goes in the root of the SD card.

[@adamtheis1318]

RCVR - Do you have to update the SD card content to the latest version along with the firmware, or can you leave the SD card content alone? I have images, Amber...etc on my SD and don't want that messed up by updating to the newest SD content. But now I'm getting "warnings" from my radio that it's looking for the newest SD content version. Is that a problem?

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's possible you may encounter weird behaviors like icons being out of place if they changed the icons. Or a script not working if they changed a dependency within the script, but generally no, it shouldn't cause you any real operating issues. You can always edit the opentx.sdcard.version file in the root of the card and change it to the revision the radio wants if you're willing to risk not having the correct contents installed.

[@nq1980]

Hi Sir, can you answer my question please. My radiomaster has installed it the firmware update 2.3.11, and I'm missing a lot of protocols for example RadioLink products. The newest firmware update right now is up to 2.3.14, but which companion update version number should I be using to communicate with my RadioMaster, or the companion version number doesn't matter and it should be the same number 2.3.14 as the firmware update 2.3.14 that I trying to install, even if the radio came with a old firmware update 2.3.11 ? Please and thank you Sir.

[@RCVideoReviews]

There are a lot of questions here. The multiprotocol module provides protocol support, not OpenTX firmware. So if you're missing something, update your multi-protocol firmware. You should always match Companion to your OpenTX firmware. So if you have 2.3.11, you should use Companion 2.3.11. If you update 2.3.14 on the radio, you should update Companion to 2.3.14.

[@nq1980]

OK, thank you Sir.

[@calmetosis]

At the last step for me, I get an Error: Unable to find SD card!

[@calmetosis]

OK, I restarted, got an error message on the Storage error. But then managed to Write Model and Setting and after rebooting again it seems to be working fine. Thanks!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Good job.

[@kglas]

Newbie here guys. Seems my SD card is corrupted, wont get recognised in the TX16S or my computer. Now when I switch on my radio i'm just getting 'EMERGENCY MODE' showing before it switches off. Anyone know how I might fix please .

[@RCVideoReviews]

If it won't show on your PC, then it definitely sounds like a problem. Do other SD cards show on your PC? If so, I'd put a new SD card in with new SD card contents and see what happens.

[@lilmeister44]

Hi, I’m hoping you can help….I originally set up my TX16S from new on a windows pc, I now have a Mac, can I just plug my transmitter in the Mac (with the latest companion installed), and then save models and settings, and then update the transmitter firmware without loosing all my models and settings? ….thanks.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Should work ok.

[@lilmeister44]

@@RCVideoReviews thanks….yes, it all worked fine. Made the change to edgetx with help from your videos.

[@captaindronieversefpv]

And i checked my firmware on radio, it says 2.3.11 - otx , but i when i try to check update, it says no update available, and on Companion it says my firmware is 2.3.14 . I try to download just like in the video, but i Got a message when i try to write new firmware , it says Unknown Error cannot write the firmware . Please help. And my memory card is only 256Mb. it's almost full. Is because of that so i cannot write the new firmware ? or somethings else ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

You have a lot going on here: 1) The only thing that matters in terms of what firmware rev you have is your radio. It doesn't matter what companion thinks. The information page on your radio shows the firmware you have--full stop. 2) Clean up your SD card. I've got 60+ models on mine with full Amber and Emily soundpacks and I'm using about 30MB of space. Unless you dumped a music library on your SD card, I cannot fathom what would be taking up all that space. I even have log files for 40+ craft, images for about every model and multiple EdgeTX themes. Still < 30MB. 3) Firmware is written to the radio not the sd card. SD cards can be removed/replaced/formatted and the radio firmware remains. 4) I have no idea why when you press check for firmware Companion doesn't offer the latest. What I would suggest is completely uninstalling Companion AND YOUR SETTINGS. Downloading the latest Companion and starting over. If you need any more help on this, I would encourage you to join my discord. You should also give serious consideration to EdgeTX.

[@captaindronieversefpv]

@@RCVideoReviews may i have your discord link ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

It’s literally in the description of every video I post.

[@raffman4266]

Is there anyway to download old opentx firmware versions?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Yes

[@chriscottell6854]

Which video do u explain all the different build options, eg no heli and lua?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I don't think I have a standalone video for the build options. Do you have a specific question?

[@hbl_channel]

Awesome! I have a question though. Say I want to change the SD Card that comes with the RadioMaster TX16S to another (Sandisk Extreme). Do you recommend it and if yes what format (EXFAT, FAT32…) will it take and what is the capacity limit. Thanks

[@RCVideoReviews]

I'm going to do a video on this because this question comes up so often: It has to be 32GB or less. It has to be formatted Fat32, and the allocation size has to be 4k (do not use 8k or higher). The problem is standard tools do not like formatting big cards with small allocation sizes. Honestly, a 2GB card is the most you'll ever need for this radio and the 256MB card should last a very long time unless you add a lot of music or do a metric ton of logging.

[@hbl_channel]

@@RCVideoReviews That would be fantastic! Thank you for shedding light on this.

[@oldguyfpv]

I updated the radio firmware successfully and I downloaded and installed the new SD card contents as well. However, when booted up the radio the first time, I got a warning of "Bad Radio Data" and the radio went to the stick calibration page which was frozen. I tried deleting the SD card contents again and copying the new card contents again as well. This time I just got the warning and once I pressed a button, it went to Model 1. I ended up reinstalling my original card contents and then all was well again except for the notice of "Expected SD Card Version" which I fixed by changing the version number in the card's text file. What did I do wrong or overlook? Thanks!

[@RCVideoReviews]

In the description I added and addendum: UPDATE: If you elect to erase your SD card and extract the firmware matching SD Card contents you may get an SD CARD error in Companion and a "Bad Radio Data" message when you start the radio. Just run the hardware calibration, then restore your models from Companion. You can also just remake the RADIO and MODELS folders by copying them from your original SD card to the new one. A fresh SD Card Content unzip doesn't add these two. It forces a calibration and fresh set of models.

[@graywoulf]

When I first tried to run the hardware calibration, the sticks on the screen were frozen so I did not go any further and backed out of the calibration. This was last night. This morning after reading your reply, I reformatted the SD card and extracted the new SD card directly to the SD card. On first radio boot up, I got the red power light and a blank screen for a few seconds then the calibration screen. The sticks were frozen as before but when I clicked on the centering part this time and moved the sticks just a bit, they started moving on the screen and I was able to complete the calibration. On the next radio boot up, I got a throttle warning. I re-calibrated and got another throttle warning. So I started OpenTX, connected the radio and did an SD card synchronization and then reinstalled my models setup. That took care of it all.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad you got it working. That set of steps seems circuitous, but as long as you got there, I guess all's well that ends well.

[@egtreadway4232]

I'm about to update my radiomaster tx16s for the first time its still on 2.3.9, what I'm worried about is loosening things like yaapu telemetry and maps and I finally have the sounds correct on all my switches, it also seems like alot of the sd contents would be duplicated,I understand everything will be backed up but would still be alot of work. but again I've never done this so maybe worried about nothing Thanks for the video.

[@RCVideoReviews]

How did it go?

[@egtreadway4232]

Following the video everything is working fine

[@creeek3]

I think I messed mine up. I thought I had it working, (maybe I did everything from "Companion") but I could be wrong. My problem is that the "mdl" button now fails and when pressed is EXACTLY the same as pressing the "sys" button. Things work for and simulate in the "companion" so appears to be a hardware fault. But since everything is configurable, maybe software/ firmware Just to confirm, I am in a model and press the 'mdl' button, I get the 'Sys' menu and therefore cannot change the inputs, mixes of the model. To fix this, or try I would like to restore to older firmware/ software but I am confused by all the different software. For example, Is the version of "companion" important?

[@creeek3]

actually, I think I will start here, under your video "How-to Upgrade to a New SD Card ".. maybe in 4 days, as I will be away :(

[@RCVideoReviews]

The firmware doesn't remap the hardware buttons. Something sounds fishy. What firmware did you install? How did you install it? What did you do with your sd card?

[@creeek3]

just to let you know, I got my radiomaster TX16s back and it was a hardware problem, apparently a bit of dirt between contacts on the ribbon cable (must have been conductive!!), just got it back, Radiomaster are very good, a bit slow, but that could be the covid times we live in!!

[@nigelcundey9710]

hi can you or anyone help radiomaster tx16s will not go into bootloader mode at all tryed 30 times

[@RCVideoReviews]

I only know of one way to do it. Turn Radio Off. Press T4 and T2 INBOARD simultaneously. Press power button and hold until the backlight comes on.

[@alumahomeinspections7009]

Hi RC, when trying to copy and paste SD card on the left , I got a pop window saying there is no space to paste on the Radiomaster folder, should I delete the previous folder to get space?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Something is wrong. If you unzip the SD card contents, you should be able to drop them on the SD card without a problem. If it's not working for some reason you can delete the existing SD card contents first, but you'll want to save a copy of the the files in both the RADIO and MODELS directories as those contain your model listing, radio settings, and model files.

[@verald9922]

my radio arrive yesterday and when i try to start bootloader mode the radio turned off by itself after entering bootloader mode a few second, do you know how to fix it?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I haven't encountered that one. I believe (but haven't tried it) if you leave the radio off but plug in the USB cable on the top port you can flash firmware.

[@verald9922]

@@RCVideoReviews i already did that before but not work idk why, but after you said that i'm doing it again and it works, thanks

[@k_berm9deddy93]

I will update the opentx 2.3.10 I want to ask What will be on the checklist? Edit settings-radio profile-buld options? Tx16s I used for the helicopter Can u help me? I'm a new tx16s user, still have a lot to learn

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're asking about build options? I only select LUA and NOHELI. If you're flying helicopters you may want to leave NOHELI unchecked.

[@emilgabl9069]

What do I do if I erase the SD card by mistake? In the end, after downloading I get an "unable to locate SD card"?!?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Add RADIO and MODELS directory to the root folder of the SD card. Or just put it in the radio and turn it on. When you say, "after downloading" are you saying you downloaded the SD Card contents for your radio and copied them to the SD Card?

[@emilgabl9069]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank you very much! you have a great channel. I have another question what program do I use to open the Amber Pack with?

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@emilgabl9069 Anything that will open a RAR file. I use Metro from the Windows 10 store.

[@emilgabl9069]

@@RCVideoReviews ok, I will try. Did you make a video for this? Do you have videos on fpv setup wiring pc inav etc?

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@emilgabl9069 That's a lot of questions in one. I do have a video showing how to install Amber: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWW0iqKCe9GAnJI I have several iNav setup videos. I don't have any wiring PC videos.

[@moejammin]

Really appreciate this video! So im hesitant to erase everything that came up on the sd card in the tx16s. It looks like im erasing more files than I have downlaoded to upgrade the sd content. Just want to confirm i erase everything from the d drive and replace it with the file S.3V0029?

[@RCVideoReviews]

The SD Card Contents archive has everything in it. Just start the radio, run the calibration, and then restore your models.

[@JAKOB1977]

You dont have to erase the old, just drop the new SD folders on top of the old and merge the content.. then you will keep if there are widgets or stuff that are not included in the official rev. and if there aint enough size on the card just delete the foreign sound-language packs, if you want English, as it is mainly the language packs that take the room

[@jamiewidegren6690]

Im struggeling to create a model that can conect the tx16s to a flysky fs-gr3e reciver. Do you have any tips or mabey an madel to download?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Did you check to see if the GR3E is on the supported protocols list?

[@jamiewidegren6690]

​@@RCVideoReviews The "flysky model fs-gr3e reciver" should use protocol FLYSKY? but when i choose flysky in the tx16s model im edeting it says that its invalid and removes that option.

[@javierrflores]

Awesome

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks!

[@old-rcplane-phart]

How do u do custom sounds and/or add pictures?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Install the Amber sound pack kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWW0iqKCe9GAnJI and Images: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5LOe6J6iryVaJo

[@Shmancy_pants_69]

My TX16s has just stopped working with lift off randomly, so I am assuming I need to update firmware.

[@Shmancy_pants_69]

Mine said unable to find SD card, there is definitely an SD card in there though.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Try and reseat the card or maybe replace it?

[@RCVideoReviews]

If it used to work, but no longer works, changing the firmware is not required.

[@Shmancy_pants_69]

Thank you for the reply. Any idea on how to fix it? The sim / game is lift off. Been practicing before buying a drone.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@Shmancy_pants_69 My first reply suggested reseating the sd card or swapping it for another. Did you try either of those?

[@petebuttons210]

After I updated my radio firmware to 2.3.10 it has a very dark blue theme that is low contrast. How do I change it to the original theme please?

[@RCVideoReviews]

From the Home Screen press the tele button on the bottom left row of buttons. Press page left and select the 2nd theme from the left.

[@petebuttons210]

@@RCVideoReviews Wow what a quick response. Sorry for the newbie question. Thank you.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@petebuttons210 No worries. Did you find it?

[@petebuttons210]

@@RCVideoReviews Yes thanks. It is a real steep learning curve but I am enjoying the build.

[@aint_no_saint8782]

"Unable to find radio SD card!"

[@firdausjohari3692]

Hello,it keeps show sd card warning. what happen??

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sounds like you don't have the right sd card contents. What firmware did you install and what version of sd card contents did you install? What is the exact error message?

[@firdausjohari3692]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks for the reply. I already fix the sd card warning sign. But when i tried to copy the latest version of sd card content then try to "write models and setting to radio" the error " cant find radio sd card pop up. Then i install the back up version everything back to fine. So, is there miss step or something that i done wrong? Thank you in advance.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@firdausjohari3692 After you write the SD Card contents, make sure to reboot the radio twice. Then you should be able to read/write settings ok.

[@firdausjohari3692]

@@RCVideoReviews alright will do

[@minhbao7863]

Thank You 🙏 Sir

[@RCVideoReviews]

Most welcome

[@wantafastz28]

Flash drive isn't big enough, i found this out on the last step lol

[@RCVideoReviews]

doh!

[@lawrencebutler4528]

Really nice job ,I just got new tx16s it has aetr channel mapping all my models are tare any help will be greatly appreciated

[@RCVideoReviews]

The MIX tab is what connects your inputs to a channel. You can put your inputs on any channel you want by moving them around in the mixer. In Companion when you setup your radio profile, there is an option at the bottom called default channel order. Set it to TARE and any new model/wizard you use will set TARE as the order.

[@lawrencebutler4528]

@@RCVideoReviews Hey I appreciate the info can't tell you how much this helps thanks again !!

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re welcome. Did you get your channel mapping worked out?