Multi protocol Module and Range

[GaryStofer]

Has anyone else had difficulties with these? I had multiple dropouts/ range issues with these the last weekend at Sunset when using it in the DSM/DSMx 22ms mode in a Tarranis X9D box.
I subsequently tested the range on the ground with different receivers and got as far as from the back fence at Sunset down to the parking lot. When I tested the same receivers with
an DM9 type module all was fine again, so clearly the multi module. I then tested with a friends module and the same crappy performance with that one too. I have an older version of the same module and it seems to be short in range as well. -- FW versions are all different from old to latest -- doesn't seem to make a diff. Air frames tested are balsa or foam and antennas are outside and oriented differently.

I'd like to hear from others if they successfully used this on the spectrum protocols without getting RSSI warnings and loss of link at every turn. -- GS

 

[Wayne]

The quality of these units is piss poor. It is a commodity market and a race to see who can sell them cheaper. Cheaper components are used in their construction than what an OEM would use, and this really starts to add up. Add this poor build quality on top of the Questionable Spektrum RF system and a crowded air space and yes, they will have very poor range. This is the typical story at all larger events where many radios are in use at once. The Spektrum based stuff is the run into issues, the multi modules and clones coming down first.

Futaba and FrSky being the most reliable.

This might sound harsh, but:
Friends don't let friends fly clones.
CAFC- Clones Are For Clowns

 

[GaryStofer]

Thanks Wayne for the nice words. I bring a clown suit next year !!

 

[Wayne]

Sorry, not meant as an attack. I know a lot of folks use these things. I just get a bit frustrated by them when people blame the RF system they are using (Spektrum, FrSky or whatever) when it is in fact the multi protocol module that is letting them down.

they say something like:
"I always have issues with such and such gear."

What they should say is:
"I always have issues with my multi-protocol module trying to use such and such's RF gear."

You are always best off using the OEM gear. Regardless of who the OEM is. The copies are never better than the original.

 

[GaryStofer]

I don't disagree with you ...
What I found on these 4in1 modules is that they have a horribly poor receiver as evident in the RSSI readings displayed compared for example to the readings you get from the built in FRsky or on an other Spectrum box. It probably stems from the need to switch the RF signal to one of the 4 chips internally. I would not be surprised if that's the cause for the poor performance when operating in a crowded field, as the system might be duped into thinking that certain frequencies are quiet when they are in fact not. Transmit power looks like is on par with the native Spectrum system and plain range, in a quiet setting, is the same as well. So either the RX sensitivity or some other SW snafu .

GS

 

[Wayne]

Might be contributing, but I'd bet if you looked at the frequency it is transmitting, it is probably off a fair amount. Since most receivers do not adjust to this issue (we do with UNI-RX) performance will suffer. This is a result of the low tolerance components used to maximize the small profits they make from them.