Support/FAQ for RC-Soar templates
This page is for support of the RC-Soar templates. Please scan through the page before configuring your template.
Supported operating systems
The RC-Soar templates are compatible with OpenTX and EdgeTX:
EdgeTX
- Recommended versions: 2.7.1+
- To minimise the risk of accidental errors on colour screen radios, consider disabling touch: create a special function with action = 'No touch' and switch = 'ON'
- For more info visit EdgeTX
OpenTX
- Mature and stable, but no longer supported
- Recommended version: 2.3.15
- For more info visit OpenTX
Current issues affecting the templates
| Date | Problem description |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-17 | EdgeTX hangs or stutters during startup, when using E-Soar Plus |
| 2024-10-06 | DLG templates sound 'telemetry connected' when pressing Launch button |
| 2024-10-06 | Custom sounds not playing in EdgeTX 2.10 |
Altering control layouts
All the F3x and F5x templates have been updated for easier configuration:
- Control assignments (switches, sticks etc.) are easily altered to your taste.
- Setup guides don't assume any particular make/model of transmitter
- .ETX files included
Please use the latest versions for your next install!
Using EdgeTX Companion
File formats and version matching
All the templates now include both .OTX (OpenTX) and .ETX (EdgeTX) files. Please see the README file supplied with each template - this indicates which file you should be using depending on your version of Companion.
Note that Companion version should always match the operating system + version on your transmitter. Otherwise, your model setup may be corrupted even though it appears to open without errors.
Converting OpenTX setups to EdgeTX format
Starting with EdgeTX Companion 2.11, .OTX files can no longer be read in Companion. This has implications if you want to convert OpenTX setups to run in recent versions of EdgeTX. Basically it has to be done in two stages.
- Using OpenTX Companion 2.3.15, read models from the OpenTX transmitter
- Save as .OTX file.
- Using EdgeTX Companion 2.10, read the .OTX file, then save as .ETX file
You can now use the .ETX file in EdgeTX Companion 2.10 or above.
Note that OpenTX Companion 2.3.15, EdgeTX Companion 2.10 and EdgeTX Companion 2.11 can all co-exist on your computer.
How to deal with conversion errors
The RC-Soar templates originally target the FrSky X9D. If you're using a profile other than the X9D, then Companion will convert the setup for the new target. If there are differences in the hardware configuration, then Companion will display conversion warnings, and these should be reviewed and fixed. I recommend different procedures depending on the operating system:
- EdgeTX Companion 2.11. If a model contains conversion errors then two things happen: first, the model will be marked in red. Secondly, the '"Write Models and Settings" menu will be greyed out. The errors must be fixed before the model file can be transferred to the transmitter. To view the errors, right click on the model and choose 'Show model errors'.
- EdgeTX Companion 2.10. After opening the file, Companion will display various conversion warnings. Fix these after uploading to the tx.
- OpenTX Companion. Companion will display a list of warnings. Fix these in Companion before transfer to the tx.
Note 1: After opening a file in Companion, it's a good idea to check the switch and control assignments, as these may be incorrect after opening a file created for a different transmitter. This should be done in Companion, before fixing conversion warnings or transferring your setup to the transmitter. To check switch assignments, go to the Radio Settings>Hardware menu. Note that momentary switches are rather confusingly labelled as 'toggle' type.
Note 2: Some warnings, for example RF configuration, are advisory and do not require any corrective action.
Note 3: Errors are much easier to identify and fix with the latest versions of the templates (any issues will be localised to the Inputs menu).
Tranferring a template to your transmitter
Below is the recommended method to load a template into your transmitter. It merges the template into your existing model list without disturbing your gimbal calibration and radio settings.
- Start Companion and select the profile for your transmitter.
- Open the template file.
- You may now see a list of conversion errors, and/or the model will be marked in red. If so, see previous section on how to fix these issues.
- Connect your transmitter by USB and choose "read models and settings from radio". This will open a second window.
- Drag one or more models from the template window to the tx window.
- Close the template window (and optionally save the file). There should now be a single window open showing the modified model list.
- Choose 'write models and settings' to update the transmitter.
- Copy all model-specific sound files to the target's SD card.
- Disconnect the target transmitter.
Copy trims to subtrims - not!
EdgeTX and OpenTX both offer a Copy Trims to Subtrims feature. Please do not use this with any RC-Soar template or any setup which has multiple flight modes. Not only will it confuse your trims, it will also trash your CAL settings.
Using the RC-Soar templates with ELRS
ELRS requires a little more planning that traditional protocols like FrSky ACCST. In particular, ELRS employs an 'arming indicator' which affects the way dynamic RF works. It must be managed even if the model has no motor or flight controller.
In legacy ELRS versions, CH5 had to be reserved as the arming indicator. ELRS v4.0 adds the option to use a switch, thus avoiding the need to reserve CH5. Here's a summary of the recommended strategies:
ELRS v4.0
If using ELRS v4 with a fresh setup, then use the 'Switch' arming method (Model Setup > Internal/external RF). This way, you don't need to reserve CH5. Intstead, you must assign an arming switch or you can specify the system 'ON' switch (= 'permanently armed').
For legacy setups which already reserve CH5, select the 'CH5' arming method.
ELRS v3.6 or below
If using ELRS v3.6 or below, CH5 must be used as an ELRS arming indicator. If CH5 is already used, then it should be swapped with the next empty channel. Use my Channel Changer script for this. Then create a mix for CH5, with source= switch or the system 'ON' switch (=permanently armed).
ELRS configuration
The following configuration is recommended for sailplanes/electric. This provides 10-bit output on 8 channels with excellent range, while minimising current draw:
- Packet rate: 100 Hz
- Max RF power: 100 mW
- Dynamic RF: enabled
- Switch mode: 8CH/Full-res
- Telemetry Ratio (TLM): affects telemetry data rate - use the default value. Exception: for DLG setups with launch height callout, a lower ratio like 1:8 or 1:4 is needed to capture launch height with sufficient precision.
ELRS introduction
For a deep dive into ELRS, see my blog post Introduction to ELRS.
FAQ
This section has some tips and answers not covered in the list of issues:
- Write Models and Settings is greyed out
- Starting with EdgeTX 2.11, 'Write Models and Settings' is greyed out if the setup contains conversion errors. See above how to identify and fix these.
- How do I re-order the servo channels?
- Servo channels in your EdgeTX/OpenTX setup can be re-ordered using Channel Changer script. Also, if you're using an ELRS receiver, the channel order of the pins can be altered in the ELRS configuration script.
- Alt sensor is not resetting
- On the DLG and DLG6S templates, the ALT sensor is reset on launch via a 'Reset' special function. If the sensor fails to reset, go into the Telemetry menu, locate the ALT sensor and set AutoOffset to 'enabled'.
- Motor control (CH7) is not working on G-RX8 receiver
- Make sure that CH7 is configured for PWM output (and not S.BUS out). See receiver instructions.
- Sounds not playing in EdgeTX
- First, make sure that the sound (.wav) files are in the correct location. If that doesn't fix it, then go to the Special Functions menu, and make sure that Enabled is ticked on each line.
- A switch is missing from the dropdown list
- Sometimes, a switch which exists on the transmitter may be missing in the drop-down menus of the radio and/or Companion. To fix this, go to the System>Hardware menu. The chances are that the switch has not been defined. Once corrected, the switch should appear in the dropdown menus.
- Where's the GVARs menu?!
- There's no dedicated GVARS menu on tx's with small mono screens like Q X7, X-Lite, and X-Lite Pro. For these transmitters, the GVARS are set in the Flight Modes menu.
For all other transmitters, the most likely cause is incorrect settings when downloading the OpenTX firmware. Re-flash OpenTx ensuring that the NOGVARS option is unchecked in Companion Settings -> Build options.
- My global functions have disappeared.
- If you have some global functions defined but can't see them in your model setup, then go to the Model Setup menu and make sure that 'Global functions' is ticked.
- I think I've pressed the wrong key - help!
- If you suspect you made a data entry error, then there's no need to start again. In Companion, open a known working version of the template in a second window, and use Companion's 'Compare models' tool to identify any differences.
Historical issues
Queries/feedback
Comments and queries are always welcome, I can be contacted by email.
If you've found an issue with one of the templates, please include following info:
- Template name and version
- Transmitter type
- Operating system and version
- Enough info to reproduce the problem
If there's insufficient info to reproduce the problem, I'll just pass it back, so please take the time to document the steps carefully.