FrSky X8R receiver, update to work with Tandem/Twin

 Todays question comes from Howard H, who asks if his old X8R receivers can work with his Tandem transmitter.    The short answer is yes, but it will take some work.

The FrSky X8R  receiver is an 8 channel receiver that has S.Port and SBUS out.  People could pair these receivers up with another X8R and get a full 16 channel receiver.  It was a receiver that  was ahead of it's time.  It's also one of our older  receivers and  is still in production.  This receiver is now known as the Archer R8 Plus and now included FBUS, better RF interference, protection and has both ACCST V2 and ACCESS built into the receiver.    It also has an improve spark arresting technology than the previous Archer R8 Pro.

Still, many people either have a nice stash of the X8Rs laying around, or are gifted some.  What do you do with them?   These are great foamy receivers!   But, they most likely won't bind up to your Tandem transmitter.  Chances are that they have ACCST V1 firmware on them.   If you are a stickler for using this old firmware, you can purchase  an XJT Lite module that will fit on the back of your Tandem or Twin transmitter.  The module isn't horribly expensive.  Still, it's something you got to put on whenever you want to fly with this receiver.

A better solution, which is also a free solution is to update the receiver to ACCST V2.   With ACCST v2 you will not need to use external modules, and you'll be running the latest and greatest firmware for your receiver.  

Workflow

1.  Since this receiver is older, we don't know exactly which firmware is on it  Even if it's fairly new there may be some more updated firmware releases.  When working with receivers, no matter what receiver, even if it's one shipped direct from HQ to my faithfully loving hands, I check for firmware updates.  If you're dwelling in the FrSky universe, this is a best practice.   At the time of writing this document, the most current firmware is from back in 2020.   It's ACCST 2.1.0

This is the download link to ACCST 2.1.0


2.  Now that you have the zip file, you'll need to unzip it and put it somewhere that you can find  it. If you have never nipped a file before you will need to  search "How to unzip a file" on YouTube.  Let's just assume you've unzipped the file and you can locate it on your computer.

3.  We need to move the file from your computer to your transmitter.  If you are in North America you'll want the FCC version, if you're in  Europe you'll want the LBT version.  You will need to do a few things to get your radio ready for this file.

    A. Put the radio in Bootloader-  There is a school wheel at the bottom right of your transmitter, in the middle is a large round button, push it in and hold it.  Then briefly push the power button in. This will put the radio into Bootloader mode.  Your first hint will be the large words that say "Bootloader."

    B.  You will need to plug your transmitter into your PC.  You will need a USB data cable. If you plug your radio in and don't hear the familiar tones you are most likely working with a USB C charging cable. These often come with cell phones. You may need to search for and buy a USB C data cable.  


   C.  When things are working right, you'll hear the familiar tones that inform you that you plugged in  a USB device.  You will see a couple of drives pop up on your computer.  Find the drive that has "Audio" as its first folder.

   D.  We're going to make a  new folder (NOT INSIDE OF THE AUDIO FOLDER)  in the root directory. We will call it "Firmware"  Then inside the Firmware folder, make 4 more folders  TX,RX, RB, Sensor

   E.  Inside of the RX folder, make yet another new folder known as "X8R" Open that folder and move the correct firmware  (FCC or LBT) from your PC to this folder.  It's a very small file.  You can usually drag and drop.  Unplug the transmitter from your PC, the hard part is done.

4. Your transmitter has something that looks like you can plug a servo into it. This is a SmartPort.  Your X8R has one that looks nearly identical. 








The Smartport is next to the antennas.  



To connect the X8R to your transmitter, you'll need a JR male to male cable.  Chances are if you've been in RC for a while, you have more than a few laying around. The black pin (ground goes to the inside of your transmitter.. Note: Please DO NOT use a servo extension cable.  This causes the receiver to not be seen, and the update will fail.  You can use a single cable like shown below around 6 inches (150mm) or less. 





5.  Now that you have everything hooked up and ready to go, its time to fire up your transmitter,  Once you get to the main menu, either  press the gear icon or presss "SYS" on the bottom left of your transmitter.  This will take you to the system menu.   The first thing on the top left will say "File Manager."  Select that.

6.  Navigate to the Firmware/TX//X8R folder  find the ACCST 2.1 file and long press on it.  A menu will pop up and give you a few different options.  Select the one that says 

FLASH EXTERNAL MODULE


It's going to give you  if you really want to do it. If you have any modules like a MultiProtocol Module plugged into your radio unplug it.  There should be only one option for you, and that's the receiver. Say yes and watch the lights. If it fails, turn the cable around on the top of your transmitter and try again. When you see the lights go from red to green and back to red,  and the hour glass starts to move on the bottom of the screen, you're doing great.   When it's over it will let you know.  

Now, rebind the receiver before use and go fly!

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