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Android as an RC Transmitter operating system-Will it last?

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Preface Around 2010,  someone could have  plugged a laptop into a set of transmitter gimbals and caught a fleeting glimpse of the future: a powerful computer directly integrated with RC controls. It was just a glimpse — but it hinted at something big. Today, we’re seeing new transmitter options that pair high-quality gimbals with a tablet. On paper, they look promising. Android, as a full operating system, can technically drive an RC transmitter — but like that early laptop experiment, it doesn’t feel like a sustainable long-term solution. Many in the community sensed something was off with the Android approach, even if we couldn’t quite articulate why. After a deep dive into current computer technology and its trajectory, the problems have come into sharp focus. Android is essentially a rapidly aging Linux distribution optimized for smartphones and tablets. It’s costly to maintain in a custom environment, cumbersome to adapt, and far from ideal as the foundation for a profess...
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How will FrSky keep up with innovation?

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The thing about buying into a radio brand is that you’re both buying into for right now and into the future.  We’ve picked up a number of new FrSky customers simply because their previous preferred radio brand wasn’t keeping up with innovation. FrSky is certainly the king of innovation in RC and yet, next year will be the third year in a row we’ll go to Joe Nall with the X20RS.   The current line of transmitters will be sticking around for quite a few years.  The innovation will be in the updates to Ethos making your current transmitter even better over time.   Still, what is FrSky doing to keep up with innovation? Yesterday I had a management meeting. We were shown renderings of projects, some coming out this year, some next year, some in 2027. I cannot step on the future announcements. Also, timeframes tend to get thrown off by a few months due to one reason or another. People get quite annoyed when they expect something that doesn't come out until months later. ...
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RotorFlight Setup

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Want to take on RotorFlight but don't know how.? Here's a suggestion from FrSky's Australian dealer.  If you ever get asked about setting up the RF007 here is the recommended list of videos to watch by the team here who have now started using RF exclusively Step one - Initial setup  FrSky Vantac RF007 - Preliminary Setup and Getting Connected Here's FrSky's Keith Williams guide to getting started with the Vantac RF007 and Rotor Flight. Links: github.com/rotorflightethos.frsky-rc.comfrsky-rc.com 00... Step 2 - Rotorflight software and specifics RotorFlight Complete Setup with the Nexus from beginning to end (#4) This is a continuation of my "Open Source" series, in this video I explain how to configure RotorFlight from the very beginning to a fully ready to fly setup... Step 3 - Tail specific setup Rotorflight - Yaw Mixer Calibration the Right Way
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Ethos 1.6.1 Update Advisory

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Summary-  The Ethos 1.6.1 update offers new keyboard functionality to the X14 and X14S transmitters.  This is important because these radios do not have a keyboard.   There is one enhancement having to do how image files change width and height parameters based on image rotation.   The rest of the new items are bug fixes.  Two issues worth pointing out, one pertains to a bug for models that have associated DSM sensors, this required a complete rewrite of the DSM sensor telemetry in Ethos, and one fixes a bug with XAct servos working with telemetry.  Note, please click on the case number for more information. X14/X14S Keys modified in the Logs Viewer to be compatible with non touch radio X14(S)    Wheel controls the cursor (right / left)    [Page] + Wheel controls the zoom (unchanged)    DISP goes to the first button in the right column This is a very useful update that will make working with X14 and X14S radios easier...
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My computer can't see my transmitter!

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 Now that Ethos 1.6 is starting to get some positive reviews as people learn the dance steps to  get Ethos 1.6  installed , people who haven't updated Ethos since the 1.4 era are interested in updating.  This is great.  The problem is that they sometimes can't see their transmitter when the they plug in their USB C cable.  And this is of course frustrating.  So lets go over what it's most likely not and what the problems most likely are. What the problem most likely isn't. The USB port on your transmitter most likely didn't die .  Yes, people often like to start here as the most likely cause.  Over the past few years we've seen some dead USB ports on transmitters, far less often than you expect. But this is usually caused by some overtly careless handling of the transmitter.   And these repairs can be very costly.   Yet, I've heard from people numerous times who feel that they need to send their transmitter in because "the...
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  FrSky X14 Hands on Review X14 is the optional green upgraded paint We’ve all gone through this in the hobby, we help someone else get started.  All the knowledge and wisdom you share is half-listened to.  You tell them to buy a good transmitter so they don’t have to keep rebuying it.   Yet, they have planes on their mind.     The next thing you know, it’s a few years down the road and they have more than 20 planes, the wrong transmitter, the wrong receivers and now they want to listen to your advice on transmitters?   How do we break the cycle? Thankfully we now offer the FrSky  Twin X14.  Though it’s a budget friendly radio, it’s a bit demeaning to think of it as a trainer radio or a beginner transmitter. The X14 stands on its own as a very good transmitter.  Though it’s affordable, it offers the full Monty, unadulterated Ethos experience for the up and coming RC flying junkies.   X14 pilots won’t need to buy a more expensive t...
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