Open TX

OpenTX Getting Started

2.2 Getting Started

Introduction Page 2

The Main OpenTX Companion Screen Page 3

The Model Wizard Page 5

The Editing Screen Page 7

The Simulator Page 8

The Inputs Window Page 9

The Mixes Window Page 10

Editing a Model Page 11

The Setup Window Page 14

Going Beyond Basics Page 19

Creating Elevons Page 20

Playing Sounds Page 22

Logical Switches Page 23

The Outputs Screen Page 25

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OpenTX Getting Started

There are two ways of programming OpenTX. Either the transmitter can be used working through
the various screens, or OpenTX Companion can be downloaded to a Mac or PC and a model
programmed on the computer screen and then transferred to the transmitter using a USB cable.
Neither method is mutually exclusive, both can be mixed and matched. Programmed model setups
can be transferred back to the computer to be used in OpenTX Companion. Which method is the
easiest? Using the transmitter there is only one system to learn, but that system is undoubtedly
complex with many different pages of menus, some with 30-40 lines of features. The programming
is basically done by using the 6 buttons on the transmitter and combinations of short and long
presses. Using the computer more of the features can be seen at once, and by using a mouse,
editing is far simpler, as is switching between screens. The Companion also allows much copying
and pasting, and undoubtedly is far easier for entering text for model names, etc.

A very useful feature of OpenTX Companion is the simulator which is an integral part of the
program. The simulator allows a model setup to be tested and see just what effect there is on the
servo outputs. An interesting feature of the simulator is the ability to also show the transmitter
screen, and use the mouse to press the appropriate transmitter buttons. Using this, the transmitter
menu pages can be quickly related to the OpenTX Companion in order to make changes on the
transmitter.

To start using OpenTX Companion, go to this website http://www.open-tx.org/downloads, and

select the latest version of OpenTX 2.2 version 2.2.x down at the bottom of the screen. Ignore
earlier versions of OpenTX. Download the latest 2.2 Companion version, and install it. OpenTX
versions are delivered as sets of major and minor releases. Major releases represent big steps with
lots of feature changes and new functionality, which require changes in the way model data is
stored and thus breaks compatibility with the previous one. Minor releases will fix bugs, correct
functionality that needs changes, add new functionality that doesn’t require breaking
compatibility, or remove features that are deemed no longer necessary or useful. There is a simple
numbering system for the various software releases. For instance, with version 2.2.1, 2.2 is the
latest major release, where important changes have been made to the software, and the “1”
following is the latest minor update.

The first thing to learn with OpenTX is that it differs from the majority of mainstream radios by its
programming philosophy. Owners of Multiplex radios will however feel at home very quickly, as
the principles are very similar. Most common radios offer a choice between a limited set of
predefined usage scenarios (airplane, glider, helicopter), a number of functions that are commonly
used with such models (delta, flaperon, camber, butterfly, etc.), and have fixed assignations (i.e.
sticks always control their respective channels), OpenTX offers a blank canvas on which you will
build your setup: the Mixes window. This approach ensures maximum flexibility because whatever
you do you will never have to work around what the radio expects you to do. For some model

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types, the usual predefined functions can allow setting up a model in seconds (just enable a
function), but for others you'll spend hours trying to get around its limitations. With OpenTX it
might take a little longer at the beginning to set up a seemingly simple model, but a complicated
one won't take much more time. As there is no existing function you can just turn on, it will
require basic understanding of how your model is supposed to work, and what you want each
control surface to do.

There are two golden rules for OpenTX:

 We have all become used to the setting conventions provided by our preferred transmitter
manufacturer, and because this is what we are used to, we take this as the norm, and
assume this is the way it must be done. OpenTX allows one to discard these preconceived
views and adopt a much more flexible approach to settings and switch assignments to
meet individual requirements.
 There is no single right way of doing anything on OpenTX, the same effect can often be
achieved in a variety of ways. At times though, some ways are definitely better.

Once OpenTX is installed and run you will get a screen which looks like the screenshot below.

Holding the mouse pointer over each icon will show what each icon does. Please note there are
different themes available for this screen. Here we will leave it as the “classical” theme as it
provides the clearest icons for these screen shots.

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OpenTX Getting Started
First we need to tell the program which transmitter we will be using. Select the Settings
icon, the round yellow icon shown left. Select the transmitter you already have or are
planning to buy. Here I have selected the Horus 12S.

Next you will need to select a folder on the computer where a copy of the transmitter’s SD card files
are held. If you click on Select Folder, the program will allow you to search for where the folder is
located. If no folder exists, you will need to create one. Now go back to the OpenTX downloads
page, and right at the bottom download the SD card contents for OpenTX 2.2.x. It will ask you which
transmitter version you require. It needs to be the same as you have selected above. This download
will need extracting and putting into the folder you have selected.

Notice down at the bottom of the window the default channel order is set. Other radio
manufacturers have their own default order of channels. This is usually printed on the receiver.
Manufacturers all tend to do different things and have a different order. Here is the first occasion
when we begin to see how OpenTX is different, and why one needs to leave one’s pre-conceived
ideas behind. You have the choice of which order. In reality it matters little. However, for those of
us that like things neat and tidy, there may be good reason for a particular order. I normally fly

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OpenTX Getting Started
planes, and tend to use channel 1 for throttle, and channel 4 for aileron because I almost invariably
use individual aileron servos for each aileron and assign channel 5 for the second servo. Well, I
think it is logical! Again with the flexibility of OpenTX, it makes sense to use individual aileron
servos. The latest small servos are not only cheap but very powerful, and with the low cost of 8
channel receivers, we might as well use these channels. Individual aileron servos allow for all sorts
of extra functions to be added such as flaperons, or differential, or some fascinating mixes.
Everything else on the screen can be ignored for now, so click OK.

Back on the main OpenTX screen, click on File and then select New, and the models window will
open:

For the time being ignore the New Category box at the top which allows one to group models into
categories on the Companion and on some
transmitters. Incidentally OpenTX will store up
to 60 models; enough for most of us, and by
using the Companion, a copy of these can (and
should) be stored on the computer, just in case!
Right click on the New Category box and
another window will open up. Go to Add Model
and the Model Wizard will start which provides
a simple way of setting up a new model.

First enter a model name, and then you have the

option of selecting either a plane or a multirotor.
Sadly, the helicopter is greyed out because at
the time of writing nobody has developed a

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OpenTX Getting Started

model wizard for a helicopter, though OpenTX works well with helicopters. Try selecting Plane.
Then follow through the various steps to create your plane. At this stage select a basic wing, select
ailerons controlled by two channels, ignore such things as flaps and airbrakes, and go for a standard
tail configuration. These can be changed later by right clicking on the model name in the model
window and selecting model wizard again. You
might think it a bit odd that the program asks you
which channel to use for the controls. As
mentioned above, conventional radios assign
channels automatically. FrSky receivers do not,
and the receiver ports are not labelled throttle,
rudder etc., but simply 1 to 8. At this stage it
might appear an added complication, but in
reality it adds more versatility. Do be aware,
however, that the stabilised FrSky receivers do
have pre-assigned functions, which somewhat upsets my simple choice of channels explained
above!

Here you can see the final screen of

the model wizard set for a basic plane
with two servos controlling the
ailerons.

Once you have worked through the

model wizard, your new model is
programmed, and the program can be
transferred to your transmitter. How
to do this is covered later in this
documentation. Be assured, however,
it is a simple process, and almost
foolproof. It is perhaps worth
mentioning at this stage that when
building a new model, if one uses a
digital servo tester, one can set the
mid point of each servo accurately to
give a neutral control surface, and
then set the maximum throws before the receiver is ever connected. However, more of this later.

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OpenTX Getting Started

It is useful to first check the operation of your model setup before transfer. Double click on your
first model setup and a new, more complex window opens up. This is the main OpenTX editing
window – well you must have been thinking there is more to the program that that already
described! Clicking through the tabs at the top of this window reveal a plethora of options most of
which probably mean very little at this stage. You will see some settings entered in Inputs and
Mixes Later we will delve into each of these tabs in more detail showing how to add extra features
which will make OpenTX really come alive and show the full potential of the system.

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In the meantime, simply click on the Simulate box at the bottom of the editing window shown
on the previous page. In version 2.2 of OpenTX, the Simulator has been greatly enhanced:

The simulator looks complicated with the switches at the top, the joysticks, sliders and trims in
the middle, and a graphic of the transmitter display at the bottom. The yellow dots are the
joysticks which can be moved by clicking the mouse on the yellow dot and then with the mouse
button still pressed moving the yellow dot. Above are the various switches available. These will
change depending on the model of transmitter selected.

At the top left of the simulator screen is a column of icons. Click on the top one, and
another window will appear. This shows the radio outputs. At this stage it is better to
reduce the size of the simulator so that both windows can be seen on the screen at
once. Now by moving the joysticks the channel outputs can be seen moving. As we assigned two
channels to the ailerons, on the simulator you will see channels 4 and 5 moving in opposite
directions. Later we will be able to see how adding exponential, limits or reversing servos will
alter the amount or direction the servos can travel for a given joystick movement.

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Next we can look in detail how the wizard set our plane up. With the model editing window open,
click on the Inputs tab:

On the left we have 4 inputs. These relate to the transmitter sticks and appear in the order set on
the General Settings window where we entered the transmitter type. The inputs are labelled [I1] to
[I4] and this screen links them to the four main joystick controls, throttle, elevator, rudder and
aileron. It is possible to have up to 32 inputs using either pots, switches, trims and even timers.

We have this peculiar feature of “weights”. Essentially this is how far the servo will travel for a given

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OpenTX Getting Started

maximum stick position, and is key to the whole operation of OpenTX. All your transmitter is ever
doing is reading the joystick and switch positions, manipulating those values in a defined way and
then telling each servo how far to move and in which direction. If the weight was set at 50% then

the servo arm would rotate only half as far compared to a weight of 100%. A minus sign in front
reverses the servo travel. At this point it is worth pointing out that different makes of transmitter
will move a servo a different amount for a full stick movement, and some have a slightly different
centre point. The Inputs screen assigns individual sticks to actual inputs.

The keen-eyed will have spotted that there is just one aileron programmed, yet we asked for two.
It could have been included here, though it is handled in the next window, the Mixes window for
reasons you will better understand later. Selecting now the Mixes tab, this screen links the inputs
to outputs and handles all the mixing of the various functions. It is the programming heart of
OpenTX.

Channels 1-4 are straightforward but channel 5 now takes [I4] again and links it to channel 5 also.
This gives us the dual aileron servo function. However, this time it inverts the servo travel using a
minus weight -100%. Thus when you use the simulator, you will see the servo travel for channels 4

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and 5 going in opposite directions. Often 2 wing servos actually reverse the final movement to
the aileron by linking to opposite sides of the servo arm. In this situation one would keep both
channel 4 and channel 5 weights positive; in much the same manner as using a servo “Y” lead.
OpenTX gives you the flexibility.

How do the weights on the Mixes window compare to

the weights on the Inputs window? OpenTX combines
the two, so if both weights are set at 100%, then the
servo travel will be 100%, if either weight is set at 80%
then the overall servo travel will be 80%. However, if
both weights are set at 80% then the resulting servo
travel will be just 64% (80% of 80%). The beauty of
OpenTX Companion is that you can experiment on
screen, and try the simulator to see the effect. To
change the weighting value simply double click on the
appropriate line and a new small window will open up.
Try it with the rudder on the Inputs window first. This is
a particularly powerful window which allows all sorts of
useful functions to be added and changed. Most are not
needed at this stage. All we need to do is change the
weight line to 80 and close the box. Now check on the
simulator what happens to the rudder.

Next move back to the Mixes window and similarly open up the rudder window. This window is
slightly more complex, but again we simply change the weight to 80 and test on the simulator
again. Now the servo should only travel between -64 and +64. Similarly, you can change the -
100% weight in channel 5 to +100% and see the effect on the servo travel so both aileron servos
move in the same direction.

Having got this far, adding new functions is straightforward. With our 8 channel receiver, it is
often also better to use a separate servo to drive a nose wheel. Having a separate servo gives us
the flexibility to reverse direction if needed and alter the travel. This also keeps linkages simpler
but then there is the complication of mixing back at the transmitter. Use channel 6 for a nose
wheel servo. In this example we will set our servo to reduce the travel to 75%, and in the
opposite direction, -75%. Right click on channel 6 in the Mixes window to open up a new options
window, and select Edit (an alternative to double clicking as we did above) and then add the line
shown in the Mixes window on the next page.

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Notice CH06 uses the Rud source, not the [I3]Rud

source which is also available. This means that the
source is the actual rudder joystick, not input 3 defined
on the Inputs window. Why do this? It just means that
if you change the weight of the rudder input on the
Inputs window it will not affect the nosewheel as we
did previously. You can test this out using the
simulator. As has already been said, there are many
ways of doing things on OpenTX. Much is down to
personal preference.

It is useful to also give your function a clear name. After

programming several models, and returning to edit this
one some months later, you will be glad you made the
function of each line very clear. The Include Trim
feature is a way of linking or unlinking the rudder trim
to this control. It is debatable whether we would need
trim for a nosewheel. The trim is more relevant to
rudder operation in the air. However, you have the
choice.

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OpenTX Getting Started
One common requirement is to add aileron and elevator rates, and perhaps add some expo too.
Switches on the Frsky transmitter range are labelled SA to SH, and basically any switch can be
assigned to any task. To show how it works we will assign switch G to the aileron rates, and seeing
as we have a three position switch we might as well add triple rates. We could add rates using
either the Mixes window or the Inputs window, but it is easier to do this on the Inputs window as
we only have to enter everything once. Otherwise on the Mixes window we would have to enter
the same things for each aileron line. Down at the flying field where one wants to use the
transmitter screen to, say, edit the rates, this becomes far easier and there is less risk of
accidentally setting each aileron differently. Right click on the line [I4] Ail and select Add to add a
new line or Edit to change the existing one. The flexibility is there to copy an existing line and just
change the relevant parts.

With the line editing window open, when one clicks on the
switch box, a drop-down box with a number of options
come up. Some of these are switch options, other options
will be covered later in this section, or in later sections. The
switches are designated with a symbol after them. SG↑
means switch G is in the up position, SG− means switch G is
in the mid position and SG↓ means switch G is in the
down position. An exclamation mark before the switch
inverts the operation. This is one to watch, it is easy to
accidentally select this and wonder why things don’t work
as they should! Also OpenTX works down the list of
commands in order. As set out above the rates and expo
work as expected on the simulator. You will find the three
positions for SG at the top of the simulator window with a
blue button. As with the joystick it is moved by clicking and
holding on the blue button and dragging it down.

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However, try editing I4:Ail so that the first line reads:

Ail Weight (+100%) Expo (30%) [Hi Rate]

The rates no longer work, because this altered line now states that in all conditions make weight
100% and expo 30%. OpenTX thus ignores the other two lines. Try altering the aileron input lines
to now read the following so that you just have 2 rate settings and check the operation using the
simulator.

Can you see what has happened? If SG is in the down position, both the lines for the aileron are
ignored, and effectively there is no aileron control. OpenTX does need to be used with some
care, and this is why the Companion is so useful, it is very easy to check for mistakes using the
simulator. However, it quickly becomes second nature to program in a way that avoids these
errors.

Hopefully by now, the OpenTX approach is beginning to make some sense. Do remember that
further detail on some functions can be found in the later sections. Next we will look at how to
set up a new basic model using the OpenTX Companion, and prepare it for its maiden flight. The
example will be a fairly basic model with a motor, a single aileron servo, and a traditional rudder
and elevator. We will add a throttle timer. This basic plane can be set up using the OpenTX
Companion Wizard, and the Editing Window opened:

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This is the basic Setup window created once the Wizard has finished. You need to either right
click on the model in the model window and select edit, or double click on the model to open
this window up. I’ve called the plane “New Plane”, sorry if it’s not very imaginative! One can add
a small picture of one’s plane. OpenTX provides a whole file of them, with more being added all
the time, and, of course, you can create your own. These pictures, and the sounds, will only show
if you have downloaded the contents of the SD card to your computer.

This next part of the screen shows various model settings, including the timer options. The timer
options are very flexible, Timer 1 will have been set to THt by the wizard, Timer 2 and Timer 3
are off. This means that Timer 1 will start first time the throttle is opened. Other options include
THs runs when the throttle is not at idle, TH% counts up as a percentage of the full stick range
and ABS counts up all the time. If value is set to 00.00, the timer will count up from 0, if not, the

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timer will count down from a preset value entered in minutes and seconds. Countdown will give
announcements several times during the last minute, whereas minute call will beep/say the time
every full minute. Persistent, if ticked, means the value is stored when the radio is powered off and
later switched on again. This is useful if one takes a number of short flights without refuelling or
changing the battery.

The trim step is a useful function. Here one can set how the trims behave for a new model.
Exponential is a useful option, together with a very novel feature which is covered later. For
electric models, the throttle warning is very useful as it warns if the joystick is not fully down when
switching on or changing models. Similarly, the reverse throttle may be of value to Futaba owners,
as those sets reverse the throttle, awkward for electric flyers. It is not advisable to use extended
limits to be able to move servos more than 100%. The normal servo travel with OpenTX is greater
than, say, Spektrum gear and is equivalent to their setup with 25% extended trims. Some modern
servos do very odd things when moved outside their normal operating range.

The next set of boxes are switch warnings.

Basically a warning will be given when the
transmitter is switched on if the ticked switches
are not in the positions selected. This is very
useful for some functions, say like a throttle
disable switch. However, it can simply be a
nuisance for non-critical or unused switches so
they do need to be set correctly.

The box below looks complicated. Essentially one first sets it for the type of FrSky receiver being
used. With the latest range, X8R, X6R and X4R, the XJT D(16) protocol is used. This relates to the
FrSky bit of the firmware which takes the OpenTX outputs, and transmits the signal to the plane.
Other protocols are available, however for most one needs a specific module to be inserted in the
bay at the back for this to work.

It is best for each receiver to have its own number. A very important feature of any radio today is

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the failsafe mode. Here the throttle is set to -100 which is off, and the other control surfaces to
neutral. Obviously one can set these to one’s preferred failsafe setting. If one does not set
failsafe, a warning will come up on the transmitter every time that model is selected. This is a
really simple and effective way to set the failsafe and can be done before or after one binds a
receiver. It should be noted that values set here are not affected by any weighting given later.
Failsafe can also be set in the more conventional way by pressing the F/S button on the receiver.

Next we shall move to an entirely new window, the Special Functions window. It is here we can
create some of the magical effects which really make OpenTX so special. As this is a new plane,
and we are somewhat worried about the maiden flight, we can either have a fellow flyer standing
beside the transmitter ready to move the trims in response to one’s frantic appeals for more left
aileron trim, or we can program a special function to very simply do the job.

Here SF1 sets switch B to instantly trim the model. Thus on the maiden flight you may well be
having to hold quite a lot of aileron and elevator in to get level flight. Keep the model flying level,
then flick switch B and this will set the trims to the current joystick positions. You still have the
option of using the normal trims as well. Switch B is perhaps the best switch for a mode 2 flyer,
however, any unused switch can be used. Once the maiden flight is over, the plane trimmed and
the hands have stopped shaking then it is just a matter of scrolling through the transmitter menu
to the Special Functions screen, and unchecking the ON box to disable this function so that it is
not accidentally activated again.

SF2 programs switch G in the up position to override whatever position channel 1, the throttle
joystick, is in and give it a value of -100. In this case -100 will turn the throttle completely off.
Here we have a simple switch setting to disable the throttle for electric flyers to prevent the
motor starting by accidentally knocking the joystick.

You can test both of these functions out using the simulator. To test the instant trim, you will
need to click the Hold X box and the Hold Y box to stop the joystick self-centring while you move
switch G. Later we will look at how we can add a sound warning when the throttle is enabled.

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OpenTX Getting Started

Now go back to the first editing window on the OpenTX Companion editing window, Setup, and
click on the simulator. Below the joystick representation we see a simulation of the Taranis
transmitter screen. (Different screens will come up depending on the transmitter selected earlier.)
There are six buttons, three each side, and clicking on them operates the screen in exactly the same
way as pressing the actual buttons on the transmitter. Basically the buttons all operate on a system
of short or long presses. EXIT leaves that particular element, and when you get to a particular
feature you want to edit, press ENT, (short for enter). The up and down buttons scroll up and down
a menu or change a value. Menus will scroll round, so when you get to the bottom of a menu
pressing down again will bring you back to the top. This is particularly useful when you know the
item you want is near the bottom of a menu.

A long press on the MENU button takes one to the transmitter setup screens, nine in total. You get
the next page of the menu by a short press on the page button. A long press takes you back. This
sequence of menus equates to the menus seen in General Settings. Press the EXIT button to return
to the main screen of the simulator.

A short press on the MENU button brings up the first of 13 screens which allows one to change

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models. This is quick and easy to do in the field. Pressing PAGE brings up screen 2. The screen
number can be seen at the top right hand corner. Screen 2 corresponds to the Setup tab on the
Companion editor. One only has to scroll through this screen a few times to realise how much
easier it is to use the Companion than the transmitter for setting up. There are 2 features at the
bottom of this screen not found on the Companion:

They are Bind and Range. Bind is used to bind a new receiver, and Range performs the field range
test. The latter is great to use because you actually get to see (and hear) the signal strength seen
by the receiver, so no faffing about waggling sticks needed. In reality expect to walk a long way!
Incidentally, if you click on the failsafe mode Set tab, and then press ENT, another screen will pop
up showing the current failsafe settings. Remember we set just the throttle to be off earlier.

Let’s develop what we have learned

so far to show that once we have
begun to understand how OpenTX
works, it is very easily adaptable for
different models and for advanced
features. This is when OpenTX really
begins to challenge that nagging
feeling of, “What’s the point, this is
too complicated for me, bring back
my basic 35Mhz radio”. To start,
consider that new flying wing with an
electric motor and just two servos to
control elevons. Using the Wizard, we
can quickly program such a system
with no rudder. Channel 1 output is
set to throttle, and channels 2 and 3
outputs are set to elevons.

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The Inputs window looks like this. The order of the 4 inputs is how they were identified up on the
Setup page. Although we are not using the rudder it still shows here; not sure why. It’s not really
needed and could be deleted.

The Mixes window shows how

the elevons are created from
these inputs. Channel 2 output
adds the aileron input and the
elevator input both at 50% of
their weight, so the maximum
combined weight is 100%.
Channel 4 though is set with a
negative aileron weight to give
an opposite movement of the
servo. The more observant of you might realise that while the Wizard follows the normal channel
order on the Inputs page, the Mixes page puts the output order as specified in the Wizard. This
simple flying wing setup really demonstrates the power of OpenTX. Yes, there is a steep learning
curve to understand the logic of the system, but then that logic can be applied very easily to much
more complex models. In reality when one asked for elevons on any transmitter, this is exactly the
mixing that goes on, though we are probably not aware of what is happening.

The simulator shows the various servo movements. If, on its test flight our flying wing proved to
be a bit tame on the elevator, but very twitchy on ailerons, the weights can be adjusted to give
more elevator movement and less aileron movement but keeping the total possible throw the
same. Using the simulator, we can practice altering these weights on the transmitter. Sadly,
though it does not change the values in the model script, though it will show on the Outputs
window of the simulator. Once you leave the simulator these settings will be lost. It is useful to get
this experience to be fully familiar with changing settings down at the field. Try altering the aileron
weight to 40%. A short press of the MENU key brings up the Model Selection menu. Short presses
of the PAGE button will then move forward through the various pages. Remember that a long

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press of the PAGE button will move back a page. Page 6 brings up the Mixer window:

Then use the and buttons to move down to CH2, and after a long press of the ENT key, the
following menu will appear:

These are the same options as offered on the Companion. We want to edit the settings, so with
Edit highlighted, press ENT.

Again we get the same options that are available with the Companion. Scrolling down to the
weight line with the and and pressing Ent will allow the weight to be changed to 40%.
Repeated presses of the EXIT button will return to the main screen. By using the outputs screen,
the aileron action can be tested. Remember, we only changed one aileron, so both ailerons will
move differing amounts.

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On the Horus, the procedure is exactly the same, however the screen is slightly different. The sign
for the input is now shown as: and the page is now page 5.

One aspect of OpenTX coupled with the Taranis and Horus transmitters is its ability to play sounds.
While I know sound may annoy some flyers, the information and feedback provided by this system
is enormously useful. If there are major grumbles about the sound one can always use a single
earpiece plugged into the headphone socket. Earlier we saw how to add triple aileron rates:

With so many switches on the transmitter, it makes sense to have audible feedback. It is very
reassuring to know one has changed the right switch without having to look down at the
transmitter. Sound is added on the Special Functions screen. We can also program one of the four
sliders to act as a volume control.

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This screen shows a number of special functions assigned.

One is allowed up to 64 special functions for each model. SF1 is programmed to use the rotary knob
S2 as a volume control. SF2, 3 and 4 are programmed to play the appropriate voice message for
each aileron rates switch position. If the file location of the SD card files on the computer is
correctly identified on the Setup screen, then the list of available phrases will scroll down in the
Parameters box. (This example uses the “Amber” sound file.) Each sound can be tested out. More
phrases can be added by recording one’s own using a microphone or using text-to-speech software
(See the “How To” section). Earlier we saw the simple function added to switch B to disable the
throttle. This is function SF5. We can add speech feedback to this switch too with “throttle
disabled”, or “throttle active”. If one would prefer, there are phrases to say “engine disabled” or
“engine off” or “engine on”.

A further use of the sound feature is linked to the extensive, but very inexpensive telemetry options
available. One can get OpenTX to automatically read out telemetry values when either certain
conditions are met, or when a switch is enabled, however more on this later in the series.

Next, a quick look at two of the more advanced options on OpenTX. The first is Logical Switches.
Essentially these logical switches allow us to develop our own rules, which, if the condition is met,
will have some outcome. Just to give a simple example, your favourite scale model has working
landing lights which you would like to use every time you come in to land. Easy with OpenTX, simply
assign a switch, say switch F, and link it to an output, say channel 5. On the mixes screen it would
look like this:

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This is a somewhat inelegant procedure. In the long list of sources is the value MAX, which sets the
weight to 100%. However, our electronic switch in the plane expects a minimum value to switch off
and a maximum value to switch on. Therefore, the two position switch is set to a weight of -100%
in the off position, and +100% in the on position. But we’re not satisfied with that. We also want
the switch to come on automatically just before we land. Here we could tap into the timer we are
using on the transmitter and when the countdown has reached one minute put the lights on for us.
This is where the logical switches come in.

Add the line above to program logical switch L1, and then in the Special Functions window add a
line to program Channel 5 output. Remember to tick the ON box. This makes the special function
operate immediately when logical switch is true.

Check in the Setup window, that a throttle timer has been set using THt, and the time set (1 minute
30 seconds is sensible for this demonstration), and open the simulator. As the throttle, by default,
opens at mid-point on the simulator, the timer will start straight away. After half a minute, channel
5 will suddenly switch fully on and the L1 box will show green. There are all sorts of applications for

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logical switches such as putting delays into bomb doors, or sequencing landing gear.

Going back to the Logical Switches screen, there are a list of functions in the scroll down box. The
basic ones are a=x or a~x, meaning in the first case, a, or V1 equals x or V2, so when V1 and V2 are
equal, the logical switch will go active. The ~ sign means “roughly equal”. It is sometimes better to
use this roughly equal as occasionally OpenTX might never see the exact value of x, especially when
looking at joystick values; computers are picky, precise machines. It should be noted however, that
the ~ can be very imprecise when used with such things as time. If you want something to happen
at an exact time, then use the =. We also have a<x, and a>x, a is less than x and a is greater than x.
|a| means that a is converted to a positive value. a=b compares two sources directly without
having to specify a value. Edge is quite interesting as it can be used to say get a momentary switch
to do different things depending on how long the switch is pressed. It takes some experimenting
though. The AND switch allows another condition to be added, Duration is the time the condition
remains active, and Delay sets the time before the condition starts. Going back to our throttle
disable system, we could enhance this and use the logical switches to ensure that the motor was
enabled only if both the throttle was off and switch SB is on.

Finally, a quick mention of the Outputs screen. Generally, this is only useful for a quick way of
reversing servos, or perhaps for setting servo travel limits and centres to suit other makes of radio
gear if changing a receiver over to the FrSky Taranis system. Even then it is far better to spend
some time to check and reset all the control surfaces to suit the new radio, and, if it is an electric
plane, then naturally with the propeller removed! See the later sections for a more in-depth
understanding of the Outputs screen.

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