TBS Unify Nano: How to unlock and change channels without smart audio

[@lorkyfpv1695]

So couple things, first your over complicating the button, its just the 2 side pads bridged, you can even lick your finger and touch it. To unlock power mode and have both lights on you hold for 3 secs to enter band, 3 secs to enter channel, then hold for like 5-10 secs until only amber (it will first go to both lights, then only amber). When you release you will be in the 3rd option which is power, after that you will have both lights on. Holding during power up puts you in pit mode or out of pit mode, that doesn't unlock it. I know all this because the thing is a piece of junk and smartaudio doesn't work on most of my FC's, may not be resolved until 3.4 for some targets.

[@bishopvick6373]

I'm having issues with mine too, SA not working with my mini omnibus f4 :( But good to know the button trick so thanks for that info :)

[@Steppi_]

So i just have to solder the button to the two outside pads of the unify?

[@bishopvick6373]

Dude, don't hold any electronics with metal tweezers when powered on, you are so close to shorting the vtx out!

[@Justinsmashh]

Good advice lol

[@TeamBlindMouse]

Lol...i kept cringing

[@Julienrenauduk]

Looking at a powered VTX with no antenna just makes me cringe :)

[@faebu8601]

its ok for unifys

[@421mantis]

Thanks!! Glad he did not fry the thing poking around with the metal tweezers. Nice to see no antenna doesn’t burn it up either

[@_U_F_A]

I bow to you, my button on the nano 32 has broken, smartaudio was off, it was 25 mv, I thought the whole end of my nano 32, you saved me bro, be healthy!

[@piotrmalinowski6054]

Very cool walk around :) thanks a lot!

[@jackdaniels7913]

Never power a VTX or any other transmitter without the antenna or a dummy load I don't care what anyone seas your asking to at the very least shorten the life of the equipment...

[@JohnnytheBikeGuySLC]

Thank God somebody finally got the solution to unlocking the nano

[@rbmwiv]

Living dangerously. Running a VTX with no antenna they will burn out especially something so small with no heat sink. Thanks for showing the sequence to unlock it.

[@vincentholm326]

Nice! Does smartaudio work the same as the bigger unifys? (Unify pro hv race for example). Do you know if it has pitmode?

[@dronedoutrc5970]

This VTX sucks balls. The issue why SA does not work on several flight controllers is the fact it uses SA 2.0 Lite which requires 3.3v via software pull which many flight controllers do not support even still today. To get it working on a board where you have issues with SA and this VTX you need to add a 10K ohm resistor from the ground pad to the SA pad. You can do on the vtx or the FC. This VTX is a mess to work with because the boards it is working out of the box with are a crap shoot.

[@wareagleA5]

You just saved me from putting this in my latest Revolt OSD build, but I'm even having problems with the regular TBS race VTX saving my VTX changes through the OSD. I don't know if it's the VTX or if the revolt is to blame. What do you think about the immersion stuff?

[@Justinsmashh]

I have two tramps but haven’t tried them yet! So don’t know. I hear they are solid, I just don’t like the shape/size. Do you have your vtx settings set up on on the configuration tab? The smart audio to TX 3 setting.

[@wareagleA5]

Yeah, it will actually change it sometimes, then other times it acts like it's locked, and it goes to band A channel 1 if it doesn't save what I tried to put in. I can change the PIDs and Rates with no problems. It was doing this when I first put it in and then it worked perfect for 40 packs, now it's acting up again. I was thinking to get the immersion VTX with the wand and bypass the OSD. Taking apart a Merica to get to the VTX button is a pain in the ass.

[@marknaidoo6473]

Insightful video bud! Just to be clear, this is used only to unlock, to change band and channel, can one not touch the soldered wire to the other pad on the side?

[@christianprogrammer9131]

lol he clearly changed channels & Bands in the video

[@ignatiusjohn_]

Nice tip, summary and advice. Thanks!

[@jdd1777]

You just need the two pads on the side, also these and the new v3 are completely locked out of the red channels(illeagle in US) that are available after unlocking on older unifies. Even after unlocking you will not be able to use the channels in red on the instructions card.

[@TeamBlackSheepFPV]

Jeremiah Davis just the black ones. E4, E7, E8

[@Justinsmashh]

I couldn’t get just the two side pads to work.

[@jdd1777]

Team BlackSheep those must have been what I was assigned at my race and we tried a few and assumed it was all the red ones on the card. I guess the card needs updating for the newer vtxs. As for the pads on the side, all my nanos work just using those contacts with a wet finger or piece of wire.

[@TeamBlackSheepFPV]

Jeremiah Davis yeah try to organize races outside of the illegal FCC frequencies, it causes the HAM and FCC guys to crack down on us hard. Just those 3 channels are blocked, and the Low band. the online manual is updated the offline cards will be on the next order

[@jdd1777]

Team BlackSheep This was actually a Multigp race but it was just as all the new vtxs were coming out and I don't think their system was up to date. It was assigning frequencies to everyone that were unusable on the nanos and v3s.

[@MadMarcWinnipeg]

i soldered on the button. no free uarts on my fc. Question: - Im using fatshark teleporters fav frequency 6860 mhz. How do I know if im stuck in pit mode and not just having issues ? - I dont have the blue light, just the orange. - I selected channel 7 band 4 ( supposed to be 6860 MHZ) - I also was able to change the power level to 50 mw Getting a messy signal as if it were not the correct channel or as if it isnt outputting the power like in pid mode. Thanx Marc :)

[@jtr918]

Where do you solder the button? I just check on the internet but no diagram showing it. I suppose it is on the pad under the antenna plug...???!

[@hungrysharkfpv1395]

I noticed you were on R4, are you able to switch to R2? I ask because R4 is not locked, its a channel you can switch too with out unlocking.

[@Justinsmashh]

I’m able to get all channels now that it’s unlocked. I didn’t check to see which were available before hand.

[@rumuru98]

Smartaudio works only after this vtx is unlocked? I am in trouble in using smartaudio.

[@faebu8601]

as im understanding you need to solder a resistor 1800ohm betwen smart audio and ground

[@jasonm2477]

[@hungrysharkfpv1395]

Thank you for sharing, i will try this when i get home :) Its been a serious issue for me. I could never get R2 to save.

[@jdd1777]

HungryShark FPV yeah they locked down this and the new v3

[@ADMDGLS69]

Maybe buy some ceramic tip tweezers

[@woopweep9605]

I legitimately smashed my first one with a 20lb weight cuz it was such a piece of shit with no info out on it. I got another one as it was the only choice for a small vtx at my local shop...and it like kiiiinda works. I soldered the button on and it responds but doesn't work well at all. I've only gotten either the blue light or the red, never both. Red is straight pit mode, I don't even know what blue is doing but I don't even think I'm getting 25mw. I think I'm finally gonna write TBS an email. I get mad just thinking about Unifys.

[@Justinsmashh]

Since you have the button, power it on while holding the button and continue holding till the blue and red light come on. Ast least I think that will work lol

[@woopweep9605]

I went and searched TBS site since one of their replies on here says that the manual is updated now (It wasn't at the time of original release, bad look TBS). I had to hold the button for 3 sec to get to first menu then hold 3 sec again to get to second menu then hold the button down for about 30 sec then I got both lights. With all the TBS sponsored pilots out there, you're the only one who has made any effort to clarify this. Thanks man, at least someone is doing their job!

[@Justinsmashh]

Haha I’m not sponsored. I just had an issue and couldn’t find an answer and thought others might also have the same issues so I made a video to help

[@woopweep9605]

psshhh, well you should be! I'm a fan, keep up the good work!

[@Nostrologyy]

Buddy powers up his vtx without antenna lol

[@ADMDGLS69]

Dang man I c as not watch this your touching that thing while its powered on with metal tweezers and a exact knife man lol your crazy. You said you didnt wanna solder because you would fry something but stabbing the vtx with metal objects while its powered on is going to fry something even faster.

[@Acestrex]

ADAMBOMB FPV that’s what I’m saying!! Some people!

[@MadMarcWinnipeg]

yes ! Subbed !

[@kumokraft]

Thanks Man!

[@hoveringrizzlyfpv9872]

race edition. i could some help

[@Chefmagnum88]

bruh this just happened to me after a crash haha I was pulling my hair out trying to unlock it

[@DuckyRC]

Bro you powered up without an antenna.. that’s how you burn a vtx up in seconds

[@christianprogrammer9131]

Bro vtx with no antennae on it WHAT ?!?!?!?

[@mrb2917]

Non-issue with TBS unify VTX

[@jurijsm.6391]

Thaaaank yooouuu

[@HomeGrownCanadianFPV]

🤙

[@jocasimoes2222]

Not connnecting the vtx without antenna can damage vtx, 😁👍