Issues with ACCST range with ACCESS upgraded X10s?

[ululi1970]

There are several reports that radios with ACCESS enabled modules have significantly reduced ranges in ACCST mode (see, e.g., https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=43514033&postcount=14919 and related thread). I will need to purchase a radio for a new drone in our laboratory. Initially, I was thinking about getting a new X10 Express, but after reading this, I am thinking about getting a good used X10S and stay
with ACCST. It would be nice if Wayne could comment on this.

 

[HENNY]

There are several reports that radios with ACCESS enabled modules have significantly reduced ranges in ACCST mode (see, e.g., https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=43514033&postcount=14919 and related thread). I will need to purchase a radio for a new drone in our laboratory. Initially, I was thinking about getting a new X10 Express, but after reading this, I am thinking about getting a good used X10S and stay
with ACCST. It would be nice if Wayne could comment on this.

I have installed the ACCESS upgrade kit on my X10S and found the range using ACCST D16 protocols less than half of the IXJT module it replaced. I am working with FRsky to try to resolve this issue. Not sure if the same range issue exists with the X10S full Express radio, this would be easy to check. All my tests are using ACCST D16 mode as many of my receivers are old types. A switch to ACCESS protocols will happen when it's fully stabile. Just keep in mind even installing the ACCESS upgrade kit into an older X10S does not result in the same outcome as purchasing the Express radio which has a new high speed bus amongst other improvements. I love my X10S it's the best radio money can buy.

 

[Hank]

So this issue is only on the X10S? Not on other FrSky radios wilth ACCESS, like the X9 Lite or similar?

 

[Dennis]

I have ordered the upgrade boards but after reading this is it worth doing getting only half the RSSI is not good
Dennis

 

[HENNY]

I have ordered the upgrade boards but after reading this is it worth doing getting only half the RSSI is not good
Dennis

I look forward to your results as my board may have an issue. Still have not heard back from FRsky.
Here is the install procedure, it's easy to go back to your current version if the upgrade is not ideal.

The Para install is optional and still works with the old Bluetooth module at reduced speed, many may jump this step. Installing the ISRM module is quite simple but requires the following firmware upgrades. Opentx 2.3.4 final release version. ISRM firmware for (Internal flashing) requires (https://www.frsky-rc.com/access-upgrade-module-kit-x10-x10s/) this appears to be for FRos only but is needed for opentx as well. So down load Opentx 2.3.4 release version. An important step here is to tick the internalaccess box in companion then download the firmware for HORUS X10s. (Not the ACCESS version) The ACCESS radio has a new high speed bus and this firmware won’t run on the old Horus. Copy any models etc and the 2.3.4 contents onto a new SD card. Remove your current SD and plug in the new one into Horus, keep your old Horus SD card separate in case you need to go back. In bootloader mode install the opentx 2.3.4 with Internalaccess in the radio. This should now run on Horus. You will have to rebind all models as the UID comes from the new access module. I also had to re detect telemetry sensors and reset the widgets. In my case in the model menu activate the Internal RF module and I selected D16. The radio may prompt you to upgrade the internal access module so flash the internal module with the firmware down loaded from the FRsky site select the ISRM-X10 191113.frsk file and hit flash. Once flashing is complete In the model set turn on the internal RF module and select D16. In the system menu under tools you will now see the Int spectrum function. It works but I think its a bit slow but at least it works. I hope this is useful Henny

 

[Dennis]

Thanks Henny for the information i am waiting for the boards to be shipped from Horus rc .com they have not even left hong kong yet i was wondering about the blue tooth module will the orignal work with the new archer receivers or is this why you have to install the new blue tooth module as well as the board my Horus is not even a full year old. the new Horus X10 radios have a faster processor on the main board if so then in theory in the future one could change out the main board as well and have the faster radio.

Dennis

 

[HENNY]

Thanks Henny for the information i am waiting for the boards to be shipped from Horus rc .com they have not even left hong kong yet i was wondering about the blue tooth module will the orignal work with the new archer receivers or is this why you have to install the new blue tooth module as well as the board my Horus is not even a full year old. the new Horus X10 radios have a faster processor on the main board if so then in theory in the future one could change out the main board as well and have the faster radio.

Dennis

Hi Dennis. I have replaced the old bluetooth module with the new Para board. If you have not worked with surface mount components or don't have surface mount soldering gear I would not recommend the change as damage to the main board will occur. You need 400deg C to remove it. I have not come across the archer receivers, why do they need bluetooth, for setup? So if you want to revert back to your current IXJT RF board after testing the ISRM board ensure you have both versions of the radio firmware in the Firmware folder on your SD card. So all you would need to do if the new card is not satisfactory is remove and replace the RF card and reflash the firmware to the previous older (Non Access) firmware version in Bootloader mode. I recommend when you are performing range checks with the new RF card just do this with a spare receiver so if you do have to revert back to the older RF card none of your models or binding will be affected. I look forward to your results as it will help me diagnose my range issues. Cheers from smoky Melbourne Australia.

 

[Dennis]

Henny
Thanks for the reply really sorry to see all those fires on the news down under especially all the wild life being effected, from what i have read the new archer receivers will be set up via blue tooth no wire connections to the receiver so i guess the blue tooth module is necessary for the future, i think the first thing i will do is to just replace the ISRM board and see how that goes the boards are now on there way i have back ups for the present radio setup for my horus on my PC i do need to purchase new receivers as i was up grading my fleet with my new Horus X10 and then frsky changed to this new protocol. When the new board is installed will the radio loose all the plane setups or just the binding to the receiver kind of a pain so now i don't know how to proceed going forward purchasing new receiver's should i wait for the new archer or are the present X series ok ? i have worked with surface mounted components but looking at the close proxcemity of the other boards this maybe a problem again thanks for the info.

Dennis

 

[HENNY]

Henny
Thanks for the reply really sorry to see all those fires on the news down under especially all the wild life being effected, from what i have read the new archer receivers will be set up via blue tooth no wire connections to the receiver so i guess the blue tooth module is necessary for the future, i think the first thing i will do is to just replace the ISRM board and see how that goes the boards are now on there way i have back ups for the present radio setup for my horus on my PC i do need to purchase new receivers as i was up grading my fleet with my new Horus X10 and then frsky changed to this new protocol. When the new board is installed will the radio loose all the plane setups or just the binding to the receiver kind of a pain so now i don't know how to proceed going forward purchasing new receiver's should i wait for the new archer or are the present X series ok ? i have worked with surface mounted components but looking at the close proxcemity of the other boards this maybe a problem again thanks for the info.

Dennis

Installing the ISRM RF board will result in the need to rebind your models. In the first page of your model setup for each model you will also need to select D16 mode on the internal RF module. This is the ACCST protocols currently being used in the IXJT module. None of my model setups were affected however I did need to rediscover sensors in the telemetry menu. X series receivers all appear to work fine, and I am continuing to use the D16 protocols. Leave the Para upgrade for now and get the ISRM fully functional first. With regards to model setups, there is a folder on the SD card called models. This is where the model setups are stored. You will need to have Opentx 2.3.4 SD contents on your new SD card if you copy the Models folder from your current (Old) SD card to your new SD card all model setups will be intact. You can also use companion to achieve the same result. Once you know what to do for the upgrades it's pretty easy, I am surprised that there is so little info out there on the firmware upgrades required. Go forward and get it done. Henny

 

[Dennis]

Henny
Thanks for the quick reply, i am using the frsky FROS operating system i was advised by the CA support team that if i were to go with the open TX my warranty would null and void i wonder how that is when i see that open TX is advertised on the frysky web site i wanted to start out with the original system anyway to get acquainted with my new radio.
Okay so i won't worry about purchasing X series receivers thanks again for the info and help.

Dennis

 

[HENNY]

Thanks Henny for the information i am waiting for the boards to be shipped from Horus rc .com they have not even left hong kong yet i was wondering about the blue tooth module will the orignal work with the new archer receivers or is this why you have to install the new blue tooth module as well as the board my Horus is not even a full year old. the new Horus X10 radios have a faster processor on the main board if so then in theory in the future one could change out the main board as well and have the faster radio.

Dennis

Dennis the new archer receivers appear to only support ACCESS protocols so be warned. Henny

 

[Dennis]

Henny
I see and read that i am also thinking this maybe the reason for the upgrade para board not sure. i just received my new boards i am making a study of the replacement of the baords before attempting doing it one thing i noticed is one must make sure when reattaching the antenna's that they are connected correctly as in the inside antenna go on one set of connections and the external by itself on another would be easy to connect one internal antenna and one external antenna to the wrong connection,

 

[Dennis]

Just had a long chat with Horus support some interesting info came about upgrading a X10/S radio to the new access protocol has a problem with the external module bay data transmission so if you use a R9M access module it will not work with the X10/S bus speed problem but it will work with the exisiting ACCST protocol the new updated R9M modules come falshed with the ACCST protocol and would need to be upgraded to the new ACCESS protocol also the X8R receiver cannot be upgraded to the new ACCESS protocol but you can upgrade the X4R and X6R receivers to ACCESS protocol okay everybody thourghly confused now.
Also added no point in installing the para board unless you want to connect to cell phone APP or bluetooth to a trainer

Dennis

 

[HENNY]

Just had a long chat with Horus support some interesting info came about upgrading a X10/S radio to the new access protocol has a problem with the external module bay data transmission so if you use a R9M access module it will not work with the X10/S bus speed problem but it will work with the exisiting ACCST protocol the new updated R9M modules come falshed with the ACCST protocol and would need to be upgraded to the new ACCESS protocol also the X8R receiver cannot be upgraded to the new ACCESS protocol but you can upgrade the X4R and X6R receivers to ACCESS protocol okay everybody thourghly confused now.
Also added no point in installing the para board unless you want to connect to cell phone APP or bluetooth to a trainer

Dennis

Hi Dennis points noted. However you have some of the receiver numbers incorrect. The X4R and X6R are older model receivers and currently are not support with ACCESS protocols. The receiver you are referring to are the new RX4R and RX6R these can be re-flashed to ACCESS.

I would ignore the R9M 900mHz module system for the time being.
I would also stay with ACCST protocols until the whole ACCESS upgrade becomes really stabile.

Henny

 

[Dennis]

Henny
Thanks for pointing out the receivers i think that's what the tech from support gave me as i wrote it down. Anyway i have the boards in my hands and have not installed them yes the R9M module maybe a wate of tiem and money at this point anyway i am going to wait and see how this all shakes out.

Dennis

 

[Dennis]

just wanted to post some information i received from FRSKY tech support in an email i was tolled that in the older horus X10/S TX's the new R9M modules will not work this would be what Henny had a problem with the R9M module Wow.

Dennis

 

[HENNY]

Hi Dennis that is not correct my issue was with the X10s Access upgrade module, and nothing to do with the R9M module old or new.

 

[Dennis]

Henny
So you have the 2019 R9M module the orange one and it works because tech say's the new orange module won't work ? i have not installed the new upgrade ISRM module yet i trying to figure out what is going on before i do i have everything backed up so i can install the orignal ACCESS module if needed i have ordered an RX6R receiver for testing waiting for it to arrive.

 

[HENNY]

I have the R9M old version but I never use it as I am more than happy with 2.4G range.

 

[Dennis]

Henny
What kind of range issue are you getting with the upgrade IRSM board and is it only on ACCESS or D16 or both.

Dennis