How to install and configure Trainer over Bluetooth..

[jhsa]

As you might have read on the forum Mike just developed trainer over Bluetooth for Ersky9x radios.

A BIG "THANK YOU" TO MIKE FOR MAKING OUR HOBBY BETTER AND BETTER..

Here is a little tutorial with pictures (Some of the pictures were found on internet as I forgot to take pictures when building my antenna )
It explains how to connect and configure the Bluetooth modules as well as how to increase the range a little for more reliability..
Please note that the pictures show MY module and some other modules might be different. Also, you might want to do things differently. Do this mod at your own risk. Be very careful with polarity and not to short anything as it could release some of the magic smoke electronic parts have inside them
Please feel free to share your own installation. I would also like to read some opinions about whether or not the Bluetooth RF signal (which operates on the same frequency as our main RF modules) could have negative effects on the main RF system, even if both antennas are at right angles to each other.. So, comments on this are very welcome.. Of course, testing will follow as soon as the weather allows

AT THE MOMENT THIS IS ONLY SUPPORTED BY ERSKY9X

ATTENTION, YOU MUST INSTALL THE LATEST ERSKY9X TEST VERSION FOR NOW AS THIS FEATURE WAS NOT RELEASED YET..
Please get it here.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4676

The pictures show a HC-05 bluetooth module that you can buy cheap on ebay. If you can, I think you should go with the HC-05 as it can be configured as MASTER or SLAVE.
No need to say, that you will need two radios with a BT module and Ersky9x installed

I'm not referring to any radio in particular because as far as I know it can be installed in all platforms that run Ersky9x, except probably the Taranis radio. Not sure. Mike, please correct me if I'm wrong here

Ersky9x expects the BT module connected to COM3 for the trainer setup.

So lets start with the BT connections:

Now, how to configure your radio for Trainer over Bluetooth:

Model Setup/Bluetooth menu:

This video also explains how to configure the Trainer over BT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3EGm-IZghI

Also when configuring the Trainer in "Radio Setup/Trainer, there is now an option to select the Trainer source. When using Bluetooth as trainer please select "BT" on both radios. This stops the radio looking for PPM on the input Jack.

How to modify the BT module to increase the RF range:

I had the Bluetooth modules installed inside the radio. the problem is that the signal from these modules is already quite weak, and when inside the radio there are lots of things blocking the signal.. Battery, wires, our hands, etc. This leads to a very short range.. I did try flying it like that while teaching my son, and it worked. But he had to stay next to me. I tested at home and I was getting only a couple of meters of reliable signal. it will work if both radios are close to each other but it is not ideal..
So, Mike sent me a link where someone had soldered a wire to the BT module replacing the original antenna. Hmmm, i didn't really like the idea as in my opinion it would be quite easy to knock the antenna and destroy the module.. So, I thought I could use some flysky and frsky antennas I had here at home.. Well, the flysky antennas had the wrong size (25mm, I wonder why the range is not that great with the flysky modules ) while the frsky antennas are well built. I did modify a flysky TX dipole antenna to the correct size and installed it in my 9XR-PRO radio. It is working great. But anyway, for this tutorial I will be using a Frsky Receiver antenna to build a dipole antenna for my Bluetooth module.. And here is how:

Secure the antenna to the board with some hot glue..

I hope this tutorial is easy to follow. Enjoy it..

A zip file with all pictures is attached to this post..

João

[KAL]

Hi João,

many thanks for that tutorial especially for the antenna thing.
As bluetooth also works with 2,4Ghz what do you think about using standard WIFI antennas?
The idea is to use an old router as a donor ...

Klaus

[jhsa]

I'm not an expert in RF, far from it.. I have just tried this and it did work.. Still have to check if there are any negative effects on the main RF system.. Some people on this forum have a lot of knowledge on this subject, so I'm also waiting for some comments

As the router also works on the same frequency I can't see why it wouldn't work

João

[MikeB]

I've just taken the antenna from a Turnigy module, removed from a 9X, and soldered this to my HC-06. I haven't bothered with the dipole mod, just made sure the exposed end was 30mm long (it was only 27mm as supplied).
Using this as the slave, I have definitely got increased range, probably 1-2 metres. I'll find another antenna and do both my HC-05 modules.

Mike.

[jhsa]

I'm at the field and don't have very good news.. i have a dipole inside one of the sides of the handle on my pro radio. It's a flysky dipole also corrected to 30mm. I keep getting "telemetry lost" when I'm flying. One of the models with a D4R-II s really bad. The other is better. I think the telemetry signal is being swamped by the BT signal? maybe I should use a normal receiver antena instead of the dipole? And move it to the bottom of the radio again? I will move the dipole to where I had the BT before and see what happens.

[jhsa]

I normally use my DJT antenna horizintal. After I pointed it to the ground I had much less "Telemetry lost" alarms. I think I need to place the BT antenna somewhere else

João

EDIT: I have just moved the dipole antenna to the bottom of the radio where the original PCB antenna was before. Lets hope there is no more "telemetry lost" alarms

[MikeB]

Due to one of my BT modules apparantly "losing" data, I've just done a change to include a checksum on the SBUS data sent. Because of the lost data I 'm getting, I had jitter and jumping. Adding this checksum has fixed that problem, so makes the BT link more reliable. It will mean that when I post a new test version it will need to be flashed on any radio that uses the BT trainer function.

I hope to post a new test version later today. The main BT screen includes a 'List' option. This calls up a new menu which shows up to 4 stored BT addresses. When you do a scan, the first address found (often the only one) is added to the list if there is space, and the address is not already present.

The list has a popup which gives the options of:
Set Default - Model specific, and means use this address as the address to link to when doing "Auto Connect".
Edit Name - This lets you edit a name for each address, up to 6 characters.
Link - Currently not implemented.
Delete - Removes the selected entry.

This is still a work in progress, but is slowly improving.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Thanks Mike.. Looking forward to test it.
If something makes the link more reliable it is really welcome, thank you. I will try to go to the field in a little while and do another training session with my Son. It's getting windy here though

Thanks

João

[ShowMaster]

I see pin 34 highlighted but no reference to what to do with it. Maybe I'm missing that in the posts?

[MikeB]

On the SKY and AR9X boards, it goes to the ERASE signal, on the 9Xtreme it goes to the pad labelled PA5 near the processor.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Sorry Showmaster, when I posted the link to this thread on the other forum, I also meant to post what Mike wrote above. But then I just forgot about it..

SDA on the 9Xtreme connects to TX on the bluetooth module
SCL on the 9Xtreme connects to RX on the bluetooth module
The modified "EN" pin as explained on the first post connects to PA5 on the 9Xtreme board, as Mike explained above.

For configuration, please have a look at this post:

viewtopic.php?f=126&t=7718&start=390#p107071

João

[mmilan]

jhsa, did you experience a quick reboot (with drop in voltage) when connected via bluetooth? I have two 9xtremes with your bluetooth mod and have succesfully connected and controlled the Master. The slave is a new 9x with just the 9xtreme added. The Master is a previous 9x with a new mother board (128). It also has a "joystick" (switchable) on the back, taking the place of P1 and P2, and two ext 3 position switches connected via ext 3 and 4. Also P3 has been converted to a 3 position switch previously. The newer 9x (with 9xtreme) does not reboot either as slave or master. The older 9x reboots very frequently as master and only occasionally as slave. Neither reboots at all if a bluetooth connection is not active. I have inspected all solder joints. I have flashed both with the latest test version for bluetooth allowing com 3.
Help
Mike

[jhsa]

Yeah, let me guess.. When you turn your radio On with the other one already ON it starts rebooting, right?
Yes I've seen it, but my radio would not only reboot but just freeze and I had to remove the battery But the problem is supposed to be fixed.. Please go here and download the latest test version.

viewtopic.php?f=126&t=7751#p103194

Let us know if it fixed it for you..

João

[jhsa]

It also has a "joystick" (switchable) on the back, taking the place of P1 and P2,

Mike, with the 9xtreme you don't need to replace any pots..
The latest test versions of ersky9x for the 9Xtreme allow 2 extra pots( P4 and P5) by using the analog inputs from the 9x mainboard that were previously connected to the sticks.. The sticks now connect directly to the 9xtreme, so the other 4 inputs became available..

João

[mmilan]

Thanks jhsa. Should I use the latest by date (for multi) or the latest Bt (fix for com2)?

[jhsa]

I think you can use the latest from today.. see if it works..
When you say you did my mod, was this one here or the one from here?

viewtopic.php?f=126&t=7987

In other words, what com port did you use?

João

[mmilan]

jhsa,
That did the trick. Neither radio reboots after 10 min! I used the version labeled for the multi. I misunderstood what each version is for. So all is good.
My two extra 3 position switches are the "extra" switches from the main board. The P3 3 position is from last years mod to convert P3. I now will convert p3 back to a pot, as 3 3 position switches is enough for me right now. I can easily add more when needed. By the way your tutorial on the bluetooth mod is excellent and your english is excellent on all your videos. Dont apologize as I can understand you bette than most of the "city" folks here in the U.S.

[mmilan]

Actually I read both and they are almost identical. I had already taken the button off and cut the trace on the opposite side before I saw your post that it is not necessary. Oh well, practice makes perfect! I just soldered to pin 34 of the BT module. Also I removed the pins and direct soldered to the board as it looks better. I am a plastic surgeon so it is imperative that it looks great, not just funtional.

[mmilan]

Oh, I used com 3.

[jhsa]

Good that you got it all working.. My radio would reboot when configured as slave and was turned ON after the Master.. If ON before, it wouldn't reboot/freeze.
Thanks to Mike for fixing it.

João

[jhsa]

...it is imperative that it looks great, not just funtional.

That is called perfection. Not easy to achieve and certainly not for everyone You have my respect Sir..

João

[mmilan]

Yes, Mike and you both are amazing. I am ecstatic that it is working as I bought my grandson a foamy for Christmas and I wanted to have the bluetooth trainer functional by Dec. 25. Thank you again!
Mike

[jhsa]

All credits to Mike I only do what I do best... Nagging

João

[planger]

Hi,
Trainer is working over bluetooth between the 2 x 9XR Pro
I've used the bear HC-05 without the PCB since all the stuff provided by the PCB is uneeded anyway and it takes less space in the TX.
I'm wondering if I can add a voice alert on bluetooth link connection lost?
Thanks, Pascal

[jhsa]

It has already, it is hardcoded..
The Master TX will report it when link is lost.. At least mine does.
You probably don't have the needed voice file?

João

EDIT: there should be a file called "BT_LOST.wav" in the voice/system folder..

[planger]

I've got your latest voice pack installed and I'm not getting anything when I switch one or the other TX...

[jhsa]

There should be a file called "BT_LOST.wav" in the voice/system folder..

What are your BT configurations?

João

[jhsa]

Pascal, I just tried with 2 of my radios, and the master tx reported when I turned the other tx OFF..

João

[planger]

Ok my friend's TX was not using the latest voice pack so this is why...
Only the Master TX is giving the warning which is ok.
Sorry for the trouble.
Thanks, Pascal

[jhsa]

Glad it is working now..

João