9Xtreme Upgrade Board for 9x Radios

[bob195558]

See here for more info: (viewtopic.php?f=35&t=9034&p=116984#p116982).

Bob B.

[thinepa]

You may need to install the voice pack from here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7715.

Mike.

I believe that's where I got the voice pack I'm using.
Here's the file I downloaded and unzipped to my card.

download/file.php?id=12719
I'm thinking I'll just try reformatting the card and unzipping it again - just to be sure.

Thanks again Mike. Your customer service has been second to NONE, and I LOVE the 9xtreme.

[MikeB]

The SD card should be in FAT32 format, and use the largest cluster size possible.
One check you can do is to press UP LONG from the main display, then LEFT a few times and get to the "SD CARD STAT" display.
Check this shows "Present" as Yes, and the word "Ready". The number on the right is the cluster size.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Use this utility to format your SD Card..

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

João

[thinepa]

The SD card should be in FAT32 format, and use the largest cluster size possible.
One check you can do is to press UP LONG from the main display, then LEFT a few times and get to the "SD CARD STAT" display.
Check this shows "Present" as Yes, and the word "Ready". The number on the right is the cluster size.

Mike.

I did check the SD Card stat display and it did say present and ready. That's why I'm a little confused as to why the voice files aren't showing up when I attempt to "attach" them to an action.
Should the welcome file play by default when I turn the 9x on? If not, is there something I need to do to "activate" the voice files? I've tried to search this on the ER9X manual, but have come up with nothing.

[MikeB]

It will play unless you have turned the SPLASH screen off.
Check you have a file called "WELCOME.wav" in the \voice\system directory and it is a 16kHz file (256kbits/second).

Do you hear any beeps when you press, for example, a trim switch?

Mike.

[thinepa]

It will play unless you have turned the SPLASH screen off.
Check you have a file called "WELCOME.wav" in the \voice\system directory and it is a 16kHz file (256kbits/second).

Do you hear any beeps when you press, for example, a trim switch?

Mike.

I do have the Welcome file. The splash screen is not turned off.
I do hear beeps when pressing trim switches, and there is a beep when I turn the 9x on - along with the warning screen to push any button.

[MikeB]

Please try the following:
Start in bootloader mode and connect to the PC.
Create, if not present, a directory called "Firmware" in the root of the SD card, then copy the file ersky9x9XT_rom.bin to the Firmware directory.
Disconnect the USB cable and the bootloader screen should show this file. Does this happen?

Mike.

[thinepa]

Please try the following:
Start in bootloader mode and connect to the PC.
Create, if not present, a directory called "Firmware" in the root of the SD card, then copy the file ersky9x9XT_rom.bin to the Firmware directory.
Disconnect the USB cable and the bootloader screen should show this file. Does this happen?

Mike.

When I unplug the cable, I get "No Firmware"
Still no voice files when I go to attach to a switch

[MikeB]

It seems the radio cannot find any files on the SD card.
Is it definitely formatted FAT32?
Otherwise, currently, I can only think of two possibilities:
1. The MAC is not writing the files as expected.
2. There is a problem handling a 32Gb card, I've only ever used cards up to 8Gb.

Mike.

[thinepa]

I used the mac to format to FAT (not EX FAT), as it's a32gb card.
I'm gonna try reformatting on a PC and if that doesn't work, I'll get a smaller card.

I was really hoping to save room on the card for that video feature that's in the works...

[jhsa]

You don't have a video feature, but you can play music.. Loads of it.. An entire album for example

João

[thinepa]

I ended up using a PC to re-format the SD card (making sure it's FAT32, and it worked! Sweet sweet welcoming voice when I turned it on. Voice files are now viewable.

Thanks Mike and João! Much appreciated.

[wirgi]

Hello. I buy 9xtreme mod. February 2016 (spent so much time). now I want to install. what steps I should follow? My radio has some mod, I read the first post but I'm afraid of making a mistake. you can give me advice?
This my 9x.
Please forgive my bad English thanks

[jhsa]

I can't see the pictures..

João

[jhsa]

You can also have a look here:

viewtopic.php?f=126&t=7987

João

[wirgi]

I will read. thanks
I hope not to make mistakes
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz_5p ... 0h2WTJlbG8
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz_5p ... nJiUnNxamM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz_5p ... jlYcENxcEk
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz_5p ... TFBazl4cTQ

[bob195558]

Hi Wirgi,
In your photo, to list what I can see what you may have for hardware mods:
1) looks like you have a 6 position switch at P3.
Which will need to be wired to the new 9Xtreme board.
2) FrSky DHT internal transmitter.
Will need to be wired to the new 9Xtreme board.
3) Hard-wiring for the external Programmer to the old 9x main-board.
This wiring and 8-pin plug need to be removed from your old 9x main-board and radio (will not need those anymore).

I think you will need to remove all the mods on your old 9x main-board and move the 6 position switch and DHT
wire connects to your new 9Xtreme board.
I have never used the DHT, but I have installed the Taranis 6 position switch which you can find on the first page
of this post titled "Optional 9Xtreme Radio Mods: / 9Xtreme Radio 6-Position Switch Upgrade Mod:".
You may want to, also consider doing some of the other Optional 9Xtreme Radio Mods too.

João is much better in guiding what needs to be properly done, then I am able to guide you.

Bob B.

[wirgi]

Thanks Bob you are very kind.
what I can remember:
1) looks like you have a 6 position switch at P3.-- I removed only pot without touching the main board (?) I'm not sure
2) FrSky DHT internal transmitter.
Will need to be wired to the new 9Xtreme board.-- OK I look in the internet
3) Hard-wiring for the external Programmer to the old 9x main-board. --OK I will remove totally
4) backlight ---replace with new -- remove transistor for backlight (if I remember right!?)
5)I also remember ground correction trim -- I can let?
6) Firmware I have to keep?

Thanks . So I know where to start

[jhsa]

You don't need to wire the 6 position switch anymore. Just leave it connected as it is..
You need to enter the hardware menu and tell the radio that P3 is your 6 position switch. The you will need to calibrate it. Please watch the following video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981zcTd ... x=10&t=58s

João

[wirgi]

very well. thank you again

[bob195558]

6) Firmware I have to keep ?

When you power up the 9Xtreme the first time it will flash the older 9x main-board chip so it will be used as a support to the new 9Xtreme board.
You will be upgrading from er9x firmware to erSky9x firmware and be using eePSkye on your PC instead of eePe.
You may want to save the old eeprom model programs you now have on your 9x radio (er9x) to your PC before you start.
After your new 9Xtreme is up and running you will want to flash to the newest firmware (ersky9x for 9Xtreme),
find it here: (http://www.er9x.com/).

4) backlight ---replace with new -- remove transistor for backlight (if I remember right!?)

Yes, install the new backlight.

1) looks like you have a 6 position switch at P3.-- I removed only pot without touching the main board (?) I'm not sure

Sorry my error, no need to do change any wiring with your with the 6 position switch.
After you have your new 9Xtreme working and have flashed to the newest firmware (ersky9x for 9Xtreme)
then go here for how to make the setting changes for your 6 position switch: (viewtopic.php?f=126&t=8479&p=110840#p110824).

Bob B.

[wirgi]

thanks Bob 9xtreme installed.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz_5p ... lk1dVFoNTA

I now flash firmware...

[kiwihornplayer]

Hi Guys
Not sure if I am in the right place for this but this thread seems to be the most currently active for problem solving. Here goes:

I was one of the early converts to the 9Extreme upgrade and my TX appears to work just fine with full telemetry using an XJT external module together with a number of 8XR, 6XR, and 4XR receivers. My Frsky gear was purchased mid 2015 but my telemetry usage was put on hold for 12 months while moving house with everything packed away.

I am getting a lot of spurious RSSI level warnings such as "receiver signal low" or "receiver signal critical". I have searched the forums for solutions without success. There is some talk of improvements to the EU firmware versions but nothing regarding non-EU which is what I am using. I notice that most of the chatter re RSSI problems ended at around the end of 2015 so must assume that either Frsky have fixed the problem with new firmware or everyone has stopped using the X series modules and receivers. I suspect the former is the case but there is no clear direction anywhere, including Frsky site, as to which firmware is available for non-EU updates. The only comment I can find on the Frsky download site is that non-EU gear does not require upgrading. It all seems to relate to the EU stuff.

I note that MikeB was involved in those discussions up until the time they stopped. Hopefully he can point me in the right direction to fix my problem.

I am looking for the latest versions of Non-EU firmware. Thanks in advance.

[bob195558]

Hi kiwihornplayer,
There can be several reasons to why you are experiencing low RSSI levels.
You are not in the EU, so no need to deal with that over-regulated situation.
XJT modules and receivers are used a lot (2015, you should be good).

To start with:

Have you upgraded your 9Xtreme firmware ?
Find new radio firmware here: (http://www.er9x.com/).

Could there be a problem with your antenna.
What is the SWR reading you are getting ?
0 is the best reading.

You have been moving house.
Are you flying in a new area ?
If you are flying in a new area your signal could be canceled out or blocked.
See this youtube about the Fresnel Zone: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCVd3QGQhKU&t=1042s).

Bob B.

[kiwihornplayer]

Thanks for your prompt reply Bob. With interruptions to flying due to shift I am really only just getting to grips with the "feedback" nature of telemetry. All my previous flying was non-telemetry and being blissfully unaware of what was happening in the signal strength department. Proves the saying "ignorance is bliss". I have never lost a model to anything other than thumb/orientation problems.

All my flying is at a rural paddock club airstrip free of trees, buildings, and obstructions. Having my modified TX suddenly telling me that my "receiver signal is low" when flying at around half the distance I normally fly to, governed by 72 year old eyes and large model size, is a little disconcerting. I think that I am experiencing the Fresnel Zone. I experience it on a sports model which I fly reasonably low whereas I have not had a low RSSI message while flying a foam glider much higher.

My SWR readout on screen is very low - just enough to register the start of an indicator bar-line.

My X8Rs still have the original PCB plastic covered antennas attached and I take care to align them at 90 degrees to each other. No carbon fibre or nearby metal to worry about.

I will upgrade my 9Xtreme firmware and see how that goes.

If the problem persists for that model I might programme in a logical switch to delay the alert by a second or two - similar to the one for battery voltage. I tried one using the RSSI voice alert 0070 but it wouldn't work but it did work with a buzzer sound or "gear up" Name File and leaving just the "RX signal Critical" at 42 switched on in the Telemetry Menu. When standing in the flying box with 4 others one gets a lot of sideways glances when the TX starts squawking that Rx signal is low.

[jhsa]

I suggest not programming any delay on the RSSI alarm. If your radio is telling you that something is not right, take it seriously, try to find the problem, and fix it. That is what telemetry is for, to help you find problems before something bad happens. If you ignore the problem by applying a delay, you are asking for trouble. RSSI can go low pretty quickly in some situations, specially when something is not right..
Just my opinion..

João

Sent from my thor using Tapatalk

[MikeB]

Where is the antenna on the Tx pointing? For best range, it should be pointing "sideways", not directly at the model.

Mike.

[kiwihornplayer]

I generally try to maintain a sideways orientation. I just checked the SWR numbers. On range test it maintains a steady zero while the RSSI drops away with distance and reaches around 48-50 at 60 meters.

[jhsa]

That is really too low.. Could it be that the module is stuck in range test mode??

Did you ever turn your radio ON without the antenna connected to the RF module?

also, do you have other receiver you can test and compare the range with the first one??

João