Invalid lines in OpenTX Telemetry log files

This message is very irritating when you're wanting to view a telemetry log file in OpenTX Companion.

Fortunately the fix is not too difficult.

The problem most likely is that the log file contains a column of values that are not relevant for your chosen radio.

For example, with my Taranis X9 Lite and Archer M+ receiver connected to a Matek F405 Wing board and all telemetry being logged, the file includes a column of nonsense values for SF. However there is no switch F on the X9-Lite.

OpenTX log files are in csv format, or comma separated values, and can be opened in any spreadsheet

program such as Excel in Windows or Numbers in Mac OS.

Open the log file in a spreadsheet program and look for the offending column and delete it. 

Then resave or export the file as CSV again.

Then the log file should open correctly using OpenTX Companion, and you should be able to display the GPS track in Google Earth.

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Full House Glider OpenTX

Here is a full house setup for my Phoenix 2000, Taranis QX7, OpenTX 2.2.4 2019-07-12

Full span and normal ailerons
Crow braking with Elevator compensation
Full span camber adjustment

Connections
Ch1 Aileron Left
Ch2 Aileron Right
Ch3 Throttle
Ch4 Elelvator
Ch5 Rudder
Ch6 Flap Left
Ch7 Flap Right

Note that I have modded my Taranis QX7 to use the S1 knob as a left side slider, and swapped the momentary switch to the left side.

Mixes
> S1 operates Flaps down to the middle indent, then Crow braking from the middle to full down.
> Elevator compensation is set at zero weight and should be adjusted as required (My P2K pitches up with Crow activated so I needed -15% weight)
> SC up gives normal ailerons, then "not up" activates full span ailerons (and increased adverse yaw)
> SB adds full span camber in two steps
> SF up is the throttle cut

OTX model file here - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QASpvvFY4mXdxKkhcV9NFY3wM9fXfIWo

Aomway Commander V1 Head tracker module

The Aomway Commander V1 FPV goggles have the option of adding a head tracker module. This means you can pan and tilt an FPV camera by moving your head around.  The head tracker module sends the head movement signals to the Taranis radio via a cable connecting the goggles to the Taranis trainer port. Then the Taranis transmits the signals to the reciever on channels 7 and 8 as TR7 and TR8, trainer inputs.
The Commander V1 Advanced version comes with the head tracker installed. I have the non advanced version so needed to buy and install the module myself.

I purchased it direct from Aomway www.aomway.com and it came with the trainer cable, ribbon cable, mounting screws and spare push buttons. They don't actually have an online shop but send an email to "Sales" to enquire about purchasing.
I also bought a replacement DVR ribbon cable to replace the cable I had previously damaged. They are quite delicate and you must be very careful not to jam the cables when reassembling the case.

Fitting the headtracker module

One screw in the nose area allows the face plate to be unclipped. Two screw underneath hold the case together. 

Open carefully and don't over stress the ribbon cables.

There is only one spare port for the headtracker to plug in - right side, middle port, and only one way it will fit on to the mounting posts. 

I removed the top cable for better access while fitting the module. 

DVR ribbon cable replacement

Here is my damaged DVR cable. 

It was jammed between components during reassembly after I opened the goggles for a peak inside.

Push the grey clamping bar to the left to release the cable

VERY carefully reassemble the goggles making sure no cables are caught between components. The DVR cable can get in the way of the SD card slot.

Video version with the head tracker working

OpenTX eepe and bin model files

Here are all my current models with downloadable OpenTX version 2.16 eepe files.
I use the Taranis plus for powered planes and thermal gliders where telemetry is useful,
and the Turnigy 9XR Pro for slope soarers at salty, sandy coastal sites.
I use spoken flight duration minutes on all models (not a global function)

Taranis Plus models (eepe files)

Global functions (apply to all models)

Volume adjust - RS (Right slider)

Save logs to SD card - SE switch not up

Fokker Dr1 triplane

A crowd favourite but very draggy and struggles in any wind. A slow flying spectacle.

Stig's head turns with the rudder and also full L or R with a switch.

 

Fokker Dr1 eepe file

Motor - Hextronic DT750
Prop - 11 x 5.5"
ESC - 40A
Battery - 4S 3000mAH
Sensor - 40A current

Receiver - X8R
1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - throttle
4 - elevator
5 - rudder
6 - Stig

Expo Ail Ele Rud - 30
Differential - 50
Rudder Aileron mix - 50
Throttle override - SE up
Stig on rudder and SA
Spoken CNSP and VFAS - SD up
Spoken current - SD middle

DH82 Tigermoth biplane

A very smooth and satisfying flyer capable of mild aerobatics.  Steady and reliable, great camera and FPV platform.

Tigermoth eepe file

Motor - Hextronic DT750
Prop - 11 x 5.5"
ESC - 40A
Battery - 3S 3000mAH
Sensor - 40A current

Receiver - X6R
1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - throttle
4 - elevator
5 - rudder

Expo Ail Ele Rud - 30
Differential - 50
Snapflaps - 20 (only for inverted flight or Ele stick forward)
Rudder Aileron mix - variable via S1 knob
Throttle override - SE up
Spoken CNSP and VFAS - SD up
Spoken current - SD middle

DH53 Hummingbird

A wonderful smooth flyer. Faster and more agile than the Tigermoth but still looks very retro.

Hummingbird eepe file

Motor - Sunnysky X2212 980kV
Prop - 11 x 5.5"
ESC - 40A
Battery - 3S 2650mAH
Sensor - 40A current

Receiver - X6R
1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - throttle
4 - elevator
5 - rudder

Expo Ail Ele Rud - 30
Snapflaps - 40 only for forward Ele stick (inverted flight)
Rudder Aileron mix - variable via S1 knob
Throttle override - SE up
Spoken CNSP and VFAS - SD up
Spoken current and RSSI - SD middle

Bixler 2

Classic motor glider, great camera platform and longer range FPV plane. Also a very smooth sloper.

Flap servos removed, flaps and ailerons taped together for full span flaperons.

Bixler 2 eepe file

Motor - Turnigy 2826 2200kV
Prop - 6 x 4"
ESC - 40A
Battery - 3S 2200 - 3000mAH
Sensor - GPS and 40A current

Receiver - X8R
1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - throttle
4 - elevator
5 - rudder
8 - beeper

Expo Ail Ele Rud - 20
Spoilerons - SF (momentary) down
Rudder Aileron mix - 30
Throttle override - SE up
Lost model beeper - SH down
Spoken CNSP and VFAS - SD up
Spoken altitude - SD middle
Spoken distance and RSSI - SD down
Spoken RSSI every 4 sec if RSSI less than 50 - always ON

Bixler 2 with Bigaole RTH Flight Controller

Bixler 2 RTH eepe file

Normal flight - SG up
Stabilised flight - SG middle
Return to Home - SG down
Failsafe sets throttle at 40% and activates SG down (RTH)

Receiver - X8R
1 - R and L aileron
2 -
3 - throttle
4 - elevator
5 - rudder
8 - lost model alarm

Sipkill Wing

Mad little wing for close in, ripping around on FPV

Sipkill Wing eepe

Motor - Turnigy 2822 1450kV
Prop - 7 x 4"
ESC - 30A
Battery - 3S 2200mAH

Receiver - DIY 801
1 - R elevon
2 - L elevon
3 - throttle

INPUTS
Ail
Rate 50% and Expo 50% - SC up
Rate 75% and Expo 50% - SC middle
Rate 100% and Expo 90% - SC down
Ele
Rate 60% and Expo 40%

MIXES
Ch1 -90 Ail -100 Ele
Ch2 90 AIl -100 Ele

Throttle override - SE up

Acrobat
Mad acrobatic plane with oversized control surfaces

Acrobat eepe file

Motor - Turnigy 2836 1000kV 

Prop - 10 x 4"

ESC - 40A

Battery - 3S 2200mAH

Receiver - X8R

1 - R aileron

2 - L aileron

3 - throttle

4 - elevator

5 - rudder

INPUTS

100 - 75 - 50 rates - SC

Expo Ail Ele  - 70, Rud - 60

MIX

Snapflaps - 20 

Throttle override - SE up

 

Radian

Motorised 3 channel thermal glider

Radian eepe file

Motor - stock
Prop - stock
ESC - Plush 40A
Battery - 1300 - 2200mAH
Sensor - Vario

Receiver - X4R
1 - rudder
2 - elevator
3 - throttle

Throttle override - SE up
Vario beeps - SD middle
Spoken altitude - SD down

V2 Discus Launch Glider

Entry level 1.5m composite DLG. The purest form of RC flight and great exercise.
I moved the momentary switch to SF (top left)

V2 DLG eepe file

BEC - Turnigy 3A
Battery - 2S 300mAH
Sensor - Vario

Receiver - X4R
1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - elevator
4 - rudder and BEC

Expo - none
Differential - R 70 and L -62 required for 15º up and down aileron range
Camber 0% - SA up
Camber 4% - SA middle
Camber 6% - SA down
Rudder Aileron 50% mix - SG up
Launch mode (Ele 18% up) - SF momentary down
Flap brakes with Ele compensation - Throttle stick full down

Turnigy 9XR Pro models with Turnigy 9X module (bin files)

Global function (applies to all models)
Volume adjust - P3

Speedy sloper
Strong wind fast sloper with no rudder. Flap or spoiler brakes on Thr stick.

Speedy sloper bin file
(For some unknown reason these save as bin rather than eepe. Same thing, they both work)

BEC - Turnigy 3A
Battery - 3S 1300 or 2200mAH (for weight)
Receiver - HobbyKing 3ch

1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - elevator and BEC

STICKS
Expo Ail - 30

MIXER
Flaperons and Spoilerons on Thr stick
Snapflaps - 30 for inverted flight only
Differential - 65 and -51

Fusion mad flipping sloper
Very agile light wind sloper with full flying mad elevator (90º up and 40º down).
Spring - Pull elevator and rudder.

Fusion bin file

BEC - Turnigy 3A
Battery - 3S 500
Receiver - HobbyKing 6ch

1 - R aileron
2 - L aileron
3 - BEC
4 - elevator
5 - rudder

STICKS
Expo Ail - 60
Expo Ele - 80

MIXER
Flaperons and Spoilerons via Thr stick - ELE switch down
Snapflaps - 20
Ele 100% - ID0
Ele 50% - ID1
Ele 20% - ID2

Le Fish mid weight
Very acrobatic VTPR sloper with full flying mad elevator
(VTPR - French for acrobatics close to the ground)

Le Fish bin file

BEC - Hobby King 5A
Battery - 3S 500mAH
Receiver - HobbyKing 6ch

1 - R aileron
2 - L alieron
3 - BEC
4 - elevator
5 - rudder

MIXER
Ail and Rud rates 50 to 100 variable via P3 knob
Ele rates same as above - ELE up
Ele rate 100* - ELE down (for mad flips)
* via an expo curve


Le Fish ultralight
Very acrobatic VTPR sloper for light winds

Le Fish ultralight bin file

BEC - Hobby King 5A
Battery - 3S 500mAH
Receiver - HobbyKing 6ch

1 - R aileron
2 - L alieron
3 - BEC
4 - elevator
5 - rudder

STICKS
AIL switch up
Ail - rate 100 expo 80
Ele - rate 100 expo 80
Rud  - rate 100 expo 80

AIL switch down
Ail - rate 50 expo 50
Ele - rate 60 expo 60
Rud  - rate 50 expo 40

MIXER
Snapflaps 30

Phoenix 2000 sloper
Big fast sloper for all conditions (no motor) Full house setup with flaps and ailerons.

Phoenix sloper bin file

BEC - HobbyKing 5A
Battery - 3S 1500 LiFE
Receiver - Turnigy 9X 8ch

1 - R aileron
2 - L alieron
3 - BEC
4 - elevator
5 - rudder
6 - R flap
7 - L flap

STICKS
Ail - expo 60
Ele - expo 40
Rud - expo 40

MIXER
Ailerons and flaps working as full span ailerons. Ail 100 Flaps 50
Snapflaps - Ail 50, Flaps - 16 and 12 for inverted flight

Full span Spoilerons on Throttle stick up
Wide central deadband
Crow brakes (Ailerons up Flaps down) on Throttle stick down

FrSKY Lipo voltage sensor

This sensor (cost about A$22) enables telemetry for the total battery voltage and individual cell voltages. Also called the FLVSS sensor.

It is small and lightweight and has a very clear OLED screen which means it can be used as a stand alone battery checker.

It plugs into the balance lead of the battery and connects to the X series receiver via the Smart Port.

This video covers connection and setup directly on the Taranis Plus transmitter. Spoken values and on-screen display of total voltage and the lowest individual cell voltage, with a little flight at the end.

FrSKY 40A current sensor

This sensor (cost about A$27) enables current, voltage and consumed mAh telemetry. This is one of the most useful modules for flying powered planes because it means you don't need to keep landing to check the battery level.

It plugs in-line between the battery and ESC and connects to the receiver via the Smart Port.

This video covers connection and setup using OpenTX companion, Taranis Plus transmitter and OpenTX 2.0. On-screen display and spoken voltage and mAh consumption values. Viewing of recorded logs in OpenTX companion.

FrSKY GPS sensor

This is the FrSKY GPS sensor which enables position, altitude, speed and distance data on the Taranis. Cost about A$49.

The UP side must face upwards with a clear view of the sky, under foam may be OK.

Once connected it takes a few minutes for the sensor to acquire satellites. 

When it is ready the red led will change from fast to slow flashing and Lat and Long will appear on the telemetry screen 3.

This video covers connection and setup, how to enable spoken altitude, speed and distance values, telemetry logging and displaying flight tracks in Google Earth.

FrSKY Variometer sensor

This is a barometric pressure sensor which provides telemetry for vertical speed changes and altitude. These values are very useful for RC glider pilots looking for thermal lift. Cost about A$33 (Feb 2015)

The telemetry can be presented in a few different ways.

1. As beeps of varying pitch to indicate whether the glider is rising or sinking. Higher pitch beeps for rising or lift and lower pitch beeps when it's sinking.

2. As spoken altitude values. My preferred method.

3. As on-screen numbers. Not so good because you have to look away from the glider to see the screen.

4. As an altitude graph in OpenTX companion on your computer. (If SD card logging is enabled on the Taranis)

This video explains how to connect and setup the vario with a Taranis Plus running OpenTX 2.0, and with OpenTX companion on an iMac.

FrSKY Telemetry sensors

One of the most exciting functions of the Taranis X9D is telemetry. 

As well transmitting signals to the onboard receiver, the Taranis can receive data sent back from sensors on the plane. That data can be recorded on the SD card for later viewing, or presented live on the screen or even as spoken values and audio prompts.

In the next series of posts I will explain the functions of each sensor and how to get them working.

Here are four of the FrSKY telemetry sensors with the X8R receiver. 40A current sensor. LiPo voltage sensor. Variometer sensor. GPS sensor.

Each sensor is supplied with a female to female servo lead to connect it to the S-Port on the receiver. A second set of S-Port pins allows more than one sensor to be connected to the receiver at a time. You simply connect one sensor to the next in line.

Once correctly connected to a powered receiver the red LED on the sensor will change from fast flashing to slow flashing. That may take a few more minutes with the GPS.

At this stage the sensor is transmitting telemetry data but you can't see it anywhere. You need to go to the Special Functions screen for the current model to activate telemetry recording and sounds, or the Telemetry setup page for on-screen displays.

Activating SD logs

In the Special Functions screen select a switch (e.g. SG-), select "SD Logs" from the list of available functions, select how often telemetry data points are recorded (e.g. every 1.0s) Now whenever the SG switch is in the middle position telemetry data is recording onto the SD card.

SD logs include all the available telemetry data. RSSI (signal strength) and the position of every stick, knob and switch on the Taranis are recorded without any sensors required. With the appropriate sensors connected data like speed, position, altitude, distance, current, power usage and voltage are recorded. It's a mass of fascinating information to look at after your flight using OpenTX companion. If you're in to graphs you will love SD logs. 

Here are a few examples of what is available via OpenTX companion on your PC. 

I will go into more detail with each sensor in following posts.

Signal strength

Flight battery voltage

Current draw 

Telemetry display screens

To view the data in real time you need to go to the Telemetry setup page for your current model, scroll down to Screen 1 and select the values to be displayed. You can choose Bars for bar graphs or Nums for numbers on the screen.

In this example I have selected RSSI, Current and Timer 1 to be displayed on Screen1 of the telemetry screens. The 40A current sensor would be required in this case.

Here's how it looks on the live telemetry screen. Of course numbers greater than zero would appear if the plane was powered up and flying.

Spoken telemetry

The most useful way to present live telemetry is via sound or voice. Dependng on which sensors are connected the lovely lady in my Taranis can tell me such things as the altitude of my glider or how many mAH have been consumed, no need to look at the screen at all. 

To activate audio telemetry go to Special Functions, select a switch, select PlayValue, select which value to play and select how often to repeat.

In this example the Taranis will tell me the Consumed Power (Cnsp) in mAH every 10 seconds when the SC switch is down. (As long as the 40A current sensor is connected)

This is only scratching the surface of what is possible with the Taranis and OpenTX. 

There are logical switches to play with and LUA scripting as well. LUA scripts are like little programs that you can run on your transmitter. They can add functions like the Model Setup Wizard or extra graphical telemetry screens. There are hundreds of scripts available for download on the OpenTX forums. The possibilities are endless.

FrSKY X8R and X4R receiver connections

The latest receivers for the Taranis are the X series. They are  telemetry, S-Port and S-Bus capable.

I don't really understand S-Bus at this stage, it has something to do with connecting another receiver for more channels or many S-Bus servos into one plug.

However I do use the S-Port for connecting telemetry modules. On the X8R the S-Port is a servo style connector - easy. But on the X4R the S-Port is a different 4 pin socket. A 4 pin plug with 4 bare ended wires is supplied so you need to make up your own servo style plug.

This video shows what I'm talking about

Taranis X9D vs Turnigy 9X battery plugs

Many RC pilots will upgrade from a Turnigy 9X transmitter to a Taranis X9D. It's a logical progression especially if both are running OpenTX firmware.

It is tempting to take the 9X battery and plug it into the Taranis, but it won't work. The plugs are the same but the wiring is different.


This photo compares the two plugs and wiring.

FrSKY Taranis and OPENTX 2.0

This is the FrSKY X9D TARANIS plus

It's a 16 channel transmitter that uses OpenTX open-source firmware. It has telemetry, sound, haptic (vibration) feedback and lua scripting capability. Telemetry logs are recorded on a micro SD card when activated.

For about A$250 this is a stunning transmitter. It must be one of the most programmable and adaptable transmitters currently available.

All the parts are easily replaceable and readily available from places like Banggood, Hobby King International and BoltRC in Australia.

There are no in-depth manuals for the Taranis or openTX but there are lots of online resources like OpenTX University, YouTube, and RCGroups.

I thought it would be a good idea to record the tweaks, mods and programming revelations as I progress. Mostly so that I don't forget them but also to share with like minded RC pilots.

Replacing the LCD

I cracked the LCD screen by dropping the Taranis onto a hard floor. It was in a backpack at the time but not a padded one. The Taranis still worked fine but not the screen. This video shows how to replace the screen. Very easy, no soldering, plug and play. New LCD bought from BoltRC in Perth for A$33 plus postage. Note that this video is for the Taranis plus. The original Taranis uses a different LCD. Some websites say that fine soldering is required but that refers to the backlight not the LCD.

Switching the switches

For DLG launching I like a momentary switch on the top left of the transmitter. Launch mode requires a brief blip of "up elevator" to rotate the DLG skywards, but my right hand is launching the glider, hence the need for a momentary switch on the left. 

As supplied the Taranis has a momentary switch on the top right and a 2 position switch on the top left.  Swapping them could not be easier. Both switches have their leads plugged. So you just need to open the back of the transmitter, unplug the leads from the switches, undo the retaining nuts and swap the SF and SH switches. Plug back in, replace the back and it's done.