S6R and S8R configuration questions and concerns

[stephen66]

One additional question. Now that I am clear about SxR and SRx. (Dam u FrSky) I recall seeing/reading that SxR RXs must be placed in the plane with the servo plugs facing forward. Is this true for the SR series? Also, other than plug orientation....it seems I can install the RX rightside up, upside down, or on either edge. Correct?

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Congrats, now the real fun starts! You may want to check that video again.

No, the pins must face the tail, other than that you can orient it however you like. It is the same for both the SxR and the SRx series. In the product manual, on the page with the big QR code, it shows the setup screens for the "FrSky RX STAB" Lua script for setting the wing type, orientation, etc. That "Pins toward tail" is a statement, not a variable...

Note that the SR6 and/or S6R had a problem with the label backward or upside down, causing great confusion. On Aloft's site it is only mentioned on the S6R page. It is pretty well documented on RCG, you may want to check there - search on 'SR6' 'label' and a bunch of stuff comes up.

BTW, you may want to start a new thread for the SRx models, in order to help others avoid the SRx vs. SxR naming confusion.

 

[gnichola]

I had one of the "original" S6R receivers and had some difficulty with the initial setup due to the orientation step. I finally saw a video that showed how you had to wait at each different orientation to get a flashing light or something, indicating the receiver knew it's position. Now I am trying to setup an Archer SR6 which seems different. I notice when using the calibration script, you get a constant xyz readout, and I assume rather than the rx waiting for a stable average like the older one seemed to do, this one just takes the values when you hit the "next" button. So in any case, I have gone through that step, and I did the self check, and finally went to the lua setup script. Both the setup and the calibration script are fresh off the FrSky website. I set the receiver to quick mode and set channel 10 to a 3 pos switch. The receiver will just not go into stabilization mode, it is in auto-level for one position of channel 10 and nothing for the other two.

 

[bob_stan]

Is your receiver set in Quick Mode?

 

[gnichola]

Yes, receiver in Quick mode, rx firmware is latest 2.1.7. Running the latest Lua scripts for setup. I am at a loss.

 

[bob_stan]

When you did the self check, did the receiver LED turn blue and the controls do their little "dance"?

 

[gnichola]

yep

 

[Cpl Agarne]

Hello
I have tried to setup and calibrate the stabilization my SR6 receiver using the freelink app (both PC and android) and I can't get past step 3/8, the write stage (with the android app, no joy at all with the PC app). In Freelink when I hit the next button it tries to write to the receiver but after a few seconds it returns "Write failed".
The RX is registered to the TX and bound to the model. All normal functions (controls) work as advertised.
I have painstakingly followed the instructions a couple dozen times and still get the same result (the definition of insanity I know).
I have uninstalled, unbound, then re'd everything and tried every thing I could think of to get it to write to the receiver but nothing works. I even tried it with a second SR6. No joy.
I've seen people refer to setting different modes in the receiver before this process but there is nothing in the manuals of either my Horus X10s Express, the SR6 or online for these that I can find.
The stabilization appears to be working, meaning that I can pick the model up and move it and the controls surfaces will move to counter my movements appropriate to the mode (Stabilized/Lvl Flt).
Ideas?
PS: I've tried to use the lua script. It connects and seems to see the data from the Rx. I've watched the video for the SxR version but although this version looks the same it doesn't seem to work the same. The calibration lua won't move past the main screen. Without the right directions for this version the lua it's useless.
Thanks

 

[Zipper1949 Wally]

Sometimes, all you write can't describe and and all of the details needed to get this stuff working. At that point I think Zoom technology is mandated. I went through update hell o the 2.1 software and I got my S8R working. Yet even now, I'd have to re-learn all to repeat the entire process.

I assume you used the S8R_ACCST_2.1.0_FCC.frk file as the US version for the receiver.
I assume you have the file FrSky SxR_R9S.lua and SxR_R9S_Calibrate.lua in the proper place on the radio along with the bmp directory and all the image files.

Alternately for instructions, see http://rcdiy.ca/sxr-setup-s6r-s8r/

I found this website useful as a guide noting that there might be subtle 2.1 software changes. Namely, the blue LED receiver light telling you that you are in Quick Mode is gone. The press of the F/S button on the receiver will NOT initiate self check. (I got this info on Git-Hub because it was driving me crazy by nor working as expected from years earlier.) Only an assigned switch at the proper throw will activate self-check.

If you can't get the lua script to work I assume you tried to calibrate using the FreeLink program, run as an administrator (or it won't run at all) and have verified your COM1 port is connected and your Freelink device or STK can communicate to the receiver i.e. the switch on the STK tool is not set to update of the tool, but to writing to the receiver making sure you have the latest software. There is no way to read it on the receiver and know for sure.

And barring all that, Zoom might be the only way have someone double check your work and using the "share screen" features to check file versions and file locations.

 

[MikeB]

I wrote a simple PC program to handle SxR configuration and calibration called "SportSet". You may find it here: https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9291&hilit=sportset#p120022

You will need a STK tool, or the older FUC1 with SPC adapter (although the SPC is really just a diode).

If you run erskyTx on your radio, there is full support for configuring and calibrating a SxR in a dedicated menu.

Mike

 

[Zipper1949 Wally]

MikeB,
FYI, I downloaded and tried to run your SportSet(9).zip and .exe file and it won't run. Tried from zip file or after extracting. I get many system error messages.

 

[MikeB]

As shown in the notes under the .zip file you downloaded:
"Only the .exe in this .zip, install from SportSet.zip first, then copy this .exe to the same directory"

Mike

 

[axlindst]

My problem: I have setup four S8Rs using the TX16S Radiomaster OpenTX transmitter. Quick and advanced mode. KE and HO modes. 3 and 6 pos switches. All according to manuals. About a week ago, performed a selfcheck successfully, my Sbach 120 flew great. Then a week later, no changes, repeat no changes, right after takeoff, the plane porpoised to the degree it became uncontrolled and crashed. I tried to switch the auto level off without change. This is not the first time I have problems with the auto level. Now I don't trust the autolevel and I am using the S8Rs in dummy mode with HobbyEagle doing the autolevel. Do I need to perform a selfcheck EVERY flight with the S8Rs?

 

[Zipper1949 Wally]

I don't know if FrSky overtly tries to copy all details of Spektrum's SAFE, but I do know (Owning some BNF's) that an AR636 receiver in a BNF, will do a self check every time it is turned on. I also believe that the S8R satisfies a direct marketing competitors answer to the AR636 in being capable of Auto leveling, heading hold, and off as an option by switch assignment.

I've got an S8R set up in a nitro .50 size biplane experimenting, in order to confirm that S8R's can resist vibration enough to work. Some guys are using them in gassers. I only fly it in Quick Mode. So far I have made 4 flights, the last two turning on QM auto leveling. I have not experienced any issue so far. The flight seems solid and i had only a slight sense that my turns were wider, but not really sure. I only did a self check initially when I change to the 2.1 RF software. That was about 2 months ago. I'm still experimenting.

Would it be a bad thing to run self check again? Probably. I know of no FrSky reason to do it every flight other than to copy Spektrum which is likely done for a some good technical reason that I know nothing about.

I would research and check your Rx attachment methods to the plane so you are positive that vibration or looseness to the plane is not excessive and swamping the accelerometer. These technologies are fraught with vibration issues. like a Goldilocks syndrome. Too much? Too little? It has to be just right.

Lastly, since you don't say what version of RF software you are using, and If you upgraded to the new XJT 2.1.0 software in your radio and in your S8R. You'll find that the manuals are not updated, the software is flyable, but doesn't match the manuals. i.e. NO BLUE LED to tell you you are in QM. Also, no FS button press on the Rx to cause self check. Only switch toggle will force self check. So either the manual or current software is wrong on the 2.1 version. (FrSky SxR_R9S) I installed 4/30/2021. Therefore I assume you saw the "dance" when you successfully self checked.

If you didn't upgrade to the XJT 2.1.0 software, (I don't know if your Radiomaster Tx can be updated) you could be having the issues related to that problem which has nothing to do with the normal performance of the intended SxR software. Therefore this could be the source of your problem, older software with locking servos which is why FrSky went to the new RF XJT 2.1 software.

Good Luck and let us know if you find a fix or assignable cause for your problems. Sorry I can't help any better. I can only relate to what I learned this year. Maybe a real expert will chime in. I'm just a "normal" user too.

 

[axlindst]

Thank you for your response, Zipper. I use the latest software on the Tx and Rx side. Electric plane-no vibrations. The selfcheck does the dance and I move the sticks as instructed (although not the day of the crash but the week before). Very familiar with AR636 with and witout SAFE and I shold have spent the money on AR636 all versions. Although I'm sure there are RCers with the opposite oppinion LOL).

 

[Dunback]

...struggling somewhat with setting up SR6 and SR8 but getting there. At one point I screwed something up badly and lost settings so I'm starting again from the PC program. What are the recommended initial settings for gain in the PC gain screen? At one point I noticed from the LUA script that the Aileron Rudder and Elevator had different gain settings (50%, 80% ...?) but they are gone now. Does the SR default the gain settings and these are outside of the Channel 9 adjustable gain?

 

[Pilotpete]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding the differences between SxR and Archer SRx in regard to how changing the stabilization direction in the setup also reverses the output from your radio in SRx receivers. In my S6R receivers, changing the output direction in SxR config only changes the receivers servo outputs from the stabilization system, not from the transmitter.

I can't think of a logical reason they would do this? On the one SR6 I have setup now, if I were to for some reason, go into config and turn off stabilization in SxR config and not check my control surfaces before flight, I'd wind up crashing due to incorrect servo direction.

I'm flying with an X20s, running the latest RC4 candidate and the SR6 receivers are at the latest firmware.

I should also mention that I only run basic stabilization, no advanced modes!
Another question on the requirment that the antennae be facing the direction of flight. If you're only using simple mode, does it actually matter? The reason I ask, is I've been flying one aerobatic model with an S6R for 2 seasons with the servo pins forward and stabilization and auto level work fine. I'm guessing that hover mode might be problematic with that receiver orientation?
Thanks in advance for any input, and if I'm missing anything really stoopid, you can let me have it!
Pete

 

[Dunback]

...struggling somewhat with setting up SR6 and SR8 but getting there. At one point I screwed something up badly and lost settings so I'm starting again from the PC program. What are the recommended initial settings for gain in the PC gain screen? At one point I noticed from the LUA script that the Aileron Rudder and Elevator had different gain settings (50%, 80% ...?) but they are gone now. Does the SR default the gain settings and these are outside of the Channel 9 adjustable gain?

Never mind.... I forgot to set the COM1 (I have COM1 on my PC) to something else in Freelinkm - duh. Then the defaults show up and I can configure.

 

[fr888]

I had one of the "original" S6R receivers and had some difficulty with the initial setup due to the orientation step. I finally saw a video that showed how you had to wait at each different orientation to get a flashing light or something, indicating the receiver knew it's position. Now I am trying to setup an Archer SR6 which seems different. I notice when using the calibration script, you get a constant xyz readout, and I assume rather than the rx waiting for a stable average like the older one seemed to do, this one just takes the values when you hit the "next" button. So in any case, I have gone through that step, and I did the self check, and finally went to the lua setup script. Both the setup and the calibration script are fresh off the FrSky website. I set the receiver to quick mode and set channel 10 to a 3 pos switch. The receiver will just not go into stabilization mode, it is in auto-level for one position of channel 10 and nothing for the other two.

Is this problem solved? I’ve got the same issue with SR6, running latest 2.1.8 firmware, only auto level but no stabilisation, transmitter X20

 

[gnichola]

Is this problem solved? I’ve got the same issue with SR6, running latest 2.1.8 firmware, only auto level but no stabilisation, transmitter X20

At this point I cannot explain what was going on as I cannot for sure tell you what was happening and how my switches were setup. What I can tell you is this. When you do the self check and you are using channel 12 on a 3 pos switch, you need to make sure that switch is either disabled or in correct position so as not to be in "urgent" mode. Second, channel 9 needs to have a value in it that is not 0 as zero makes it "off".