Solved Pocket Won't Bind to R84

[toryander]

I've read all the other posts, but haven't seen my symptoms described.
Here is what happens:
I set up my Pocket as shown in the Mighty Mini video where it's waiting to bind (pictures attached)
I press the bind button on the R84 while powering it up.
I wait for two flashes and then press the button on my Pocket.
I hear the "trying to bind beeps" and that continues (forever), so no bind (I guess). The R84 just keeps flashing the 1, then the 2, then the 3 flashes.

I assume something is no right in my Pocket. I notice that in the video he is in the "Internal RF" section when he binds. My "Internal RF" section does not look like his and can't look like it (I've tried to change the settings). However, my "External RF" section looks just like his. That's where I've tried to bind. Apparently that's the wrong place.

I'm attaching a picture of my settings.

Thanks for your patience.

 

[LitterBug]

Two Questions.

1) Did you get the ELRS or the CC2500 version of the pocket? Looks like an ELRS radio since your internal module is set to CRSF.

2) I see you configured the "External Module" to MulTI and are trying to bind with that.. Do you have an external module connected to your pocket?

 

[toryander]

Your observation in #1 appears correct. As for #2, no I do not have an external module (suddenly "External RF" makes more sense to me). So, I guess the question is, why doesn't my "Internal RF" have a "bind" option?

 

[LitterBug]

If you have the ELRS pocket the R84 will NOT bind to it without an external module. You would need an ER4 RX to bind to an ELRS TX without an additional module.

If you bought the CC2500Multiprotocol radio, then you need to configure the INTERNAL RF, and leave the External RF set to none.

 

[LitterBug]

ELRS binding is done differently than Multiprotocol. It can be done at least 4 different ways, but not from the radio setup page.
1) ELRS Lua script
2) ELRS Firware Update
3) WIFI configuration
4) multi power on sequence while holding the RX binding button.

 

[toryander]

I appreciate your response. It looks like I bought the wrong transmitter for my skill level. I'll just have to buy the other pocket transmitter, I guess. Again, I appreciate your response.

 

[LitterBug]

I appreciate your response. It looks like I bought the wrong transmitter for my skill level. I'll just have to buy the other pocket transmitter, I guess. Again, I appreciate your response.

I intentionally bought the ELRS Pocket when they first came out and added an external 4-in-1 module. Almost everything new I build is on ELRS now, and I have been converting my older flyers that I still fly a bunch. The ELRS pocket with a 4-in1 is more flexible than having the CC2500 model because while CC2500 is a multiprotocol module, it only has one chip for emulating other protocols. The 4-in-1 backpack has the cc2500 and three others so it can connect to quite a few more protocols like Spektrum DSMX which quite a few Bind-n-Fly models use.

Nothing wrong with what you have, but you will need to get ELRS receivers to bind to it. ELRS is open source and one of the best, most flexible protocols to use.

 

[toryander]

I intentionally bought the ELRS Pocket when they first came out and added an external 4-in-1 module. Almost everything new I build is on ELRS now, and I have been converting my older flyers that I still fly a bunch. The ELRS pocket with a 4-in1 is more flexible than having the CC2500 model because while CC2500 is a multiprotocol module, it only has one chip for emulating other protocols. The 4-in-1 backpack has the cc2500 and three others so it can connect to quite a few more protocols like Spektrum DSMX which quite a few Bind-n-Fly models use.

Nothing wrong with what you have, but you will need to get ELRS receivers to bind to it. ELRS is open source and one of the best, most flexible protocols to use.

As you can tell, I'm new to all this. My brother bought the Mighty Mini package from FliteTest. It came with the non-ELRS Pocket which they had pre-bound for him. He was up and flying in no time. I didn't see the package deal and bought the parts separately. It looks like I ended up with the ELRS Pocket and the R84. So today I had the crash course in all this and my brain is like pudding, now. I ordered an ER4 RX so hopefully I can bind and get the plane up and flying soon. I would use the External RF to bind with that? I also ordered the Radiomax 2.4 Nano external module for the future. I hope I can figure it out. Thanks for your help

 

[LitterBug]

As you can tell, I'm new to all this. My brother bought the Mighty Mini package from FliteTest. It came with the non-ELRS Pocket which they had pre-bound for him. He was up and flying in no time. I didn't see the package deal and bought the parts separately. It looks like I ended up with the ELRS Pocket and the R84. So today I had the crash course in all this and my brain is like pudding, now. I ordered an ER4 RX so hopefully I can bind and get the plane up and flying soon. I would use the External RF to bind with that? I also ordered the Radiomax 2.4 Nano external module for the future. I hope I can figure it out. Thanks for your help

Welcome to the forum, and feel free to keep us updated on your progress. We all have been there at some point.

The ER4 will bind to the Internal RF. You cold bind the nano external module with the R84 you already have. There are a bunch of Bind and fly "BNF" planes out there, along with some simple kits that come with a basic radio that you could substitute the pocket instead of having to carry around a bunch of radios. Some examples:

FT EZ Mario Complete Starter Bundle

The Flite Test store is the perfect place to find RC plane kits, DIY quadcopters and Flite Test apparel.

store.flitetest.com

HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 615mm BNF Basic - Ready to Fly - RMRC

Learn to fly with the HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 615mm BNF Basic. With SAFE® technology, aerobatic capabilities, and multiple flight modes for every skill level.

www.readymaderc.com

DIATONE 1:76 Q33 karting 60mins RTR Car

Introducing the DIATONE 1:76 Q33 karting RTR car with a maximum battery life of 60 minutes. This car features an off-road style with a high chassis for good trafficability on almost all kinds of roads. The Q2 remote controller comes with controllable braking function and professional steering...

www.buddyrc.com

 

[toryander]

Welcome to the forum, and feel free to keep us updated on your progress. We all have been there at some point.

The ER4 will bind to the Internal RF. You cold bind the nano external module with the R84 you already have. There are a bunch of Bind and fly "BNF" planes out there, along with some simple kits that come with a basic radio that you could substitute the pocket instead of having to carry around a bunch of radios. Some examples:

FT EZ Mario Complete Starter Bundle

The Flite Test store is the perfect place to find RC plane kits, DIY quadcopters and Flite Test apparel.

store.flitetest.com

HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 615mm BNF Basic - Ready to Fly - RMRC

Learn to fly with the HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 615mm BNF Basic. With SAFE® technology, aerobatic capabilities, and multiple flight modes for every skill level.

www.readymaderc.com

DIATONE 1:76 Q33 karting 60mins RTR Car

Introducing the DIATONE 1:76 Q33 karting RTR car with a maximum battery life of 60 minutes. This car features an off-road style with a high chassis for good trafficability on almost all kinds of roads. The Q2 remote controller comes with controllable braking function and professional steering...

www.buddyrc.com

Okay, I'm making progress in my understanding thanks to the info you are giving me. I've been able to access all the menus in my Pocket. I've downloaded the Expresslrs Configurater for when I might need it. My ER4 rx will be here tomorrow and we'll see if I can connect all the dots. The Nano external module will be here in a couple of weeks, then I can get after learning that.

Now I'm going to go out and build the Sport Wing for the FT Mighty Mini as I dream about getting it up in the sky.

You've been so helpful. Thank you.

 

[Merv]

...I had the crash course in all this and my brain is like pudding, now....

I'm in the same boat. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose, so much information coming at you. It's been a year or so for me & I'm just now beginning to feel comfortable, starting to put the pieces together.

Keep in mind, with ELRS, the bind button does nothing. You need to use the configurator OR the web interphase to make a bind phrase, which is like a password between your Tx & Rx.

 

[toryander]

I'm in the same boat. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose, so much information coming at you. It's been a year or so for me & I'm just now beginning to feel comfortable, starting to put the pieces together.

Keep in mind, with ELRS, the bind button does nothing. You need to use the configurator OR the web interphase to make a bind phrase, which is like a password between your Tx & Rx.

I really appreciate your encouraging words.

The second part of your message has me worried. My ELRS rx comes tomorrow and I'm already anxious about the frustration I'm going to have as I try to bind it. I've been watching videos about the configurator and bind phrases, but the process to do this still unclear in my head. I read something about powering on the rx three times. I'm hoping the following is correct:
BIND INSTRUCTIONS
1. TURN OFF the transmitter.
2. Cycle power to the receiver 3 times, the receiver
LED will flash twice - indicating bind mode.
3. TURN ON the transmitter, long press the SYS
button and choose ExpressLRS LUA under the
TOOLS menu. Scroll to [Bind] and press enter.
4. The LED on the receiver should now be solid,
indicating a successful bind.

As far as bind phrase, I see the field in the configurator. You build the configuration and then flash the Pocket somehow? I just don't see how the bind phrase ends up on the Pocket and in the rx.

 

[LitterBug]

At some point, you will want to update the firmware on the ELRS TX and RX modules. I usually use the ELRS Configurator on all my new devices to make sure they are on the same stable release and that my bind phrase is set.

Another option to bind is to use the built in web interfaces of the TX/RXes. Go to the ELRS Lua Script --> WiFi Connectivity --> Enable WiFi This will turn the TX module into a wifi hotspot "ExpressLRS TX". wifi password is "expresslrs" all lower case. Should pull up the options tab of the TX and you can key in a binding phrase that you will use with all devices you want to bind to. Hit save. restart your radio. Now you are ready to do the same for your RXes.

To get into wifi mode on an RX, Simply plug it in and wait 60 seconds. The bind light will start blinking really fast to let you know it is in WiFi mode. Now connect to WiFi hotspot "ExpressLRS RX", password "expresslrs". Should pop up to the options tab on the RX hotspot where you can type in your binding phrase. Click SAVE, power the RX Off and Back on, should connect as soon as it powers up.

If at some point you connect to an ELRS WiFi and it doesn't connect to the web site, open a browser and go to address 10.0.0.1


Sample TX config page

 

[LitterBug]

The TX module can be flashed via TX passthrough by plugging your radio in to the computer running the ELRS Configurator and selecting the proper USB option on the radio. The Configurator can flash the module directly through the radio if the correct option is picked. RXes connected to a flight controller can be done in a similar mannor, but PWM RXes would need aditional config and wiring to make that work.


Due to my unique network setup, the configurator cannot connect via wifi directly to the modules. I save them as a local file then connect to the wifi hotspots and drag/drop the files. When you have a large amount of RXes to flash, it works better this way as well

Firmware flashing of the TX and RX can be done via the RX/TX WiFi hotspot method similar to the Bind Phrase but on the "update" tab.

FYI older versions than 4.0 of ExpressLRS WiFi config pages look like my previous post while version 4.0 and above look like this

 

[LitterBug]

ELRS v4.0 was just released. I like to wait a minor release or two before flashing all my stuff up. So 4.0.1 or higher
I have a RadioMaster MT12 "ground" radio which I am using very little to get used to things that have changed since 3.5.5 which I have on all my other radios.

 

[toryander]

ELRS v4.0 was just released. I like to wait a minor release or two before flashing all my stuff up. So 4.0.1 or higher
I have a RadioMaster MT12 "ground" radio which I am using very little to get used to things that have changed since 3.5.5 which I have on all my other radios.

The information you have supplied has been so helpful. I have had three late nights with .lua files, wifi mode, configurators, pass phrases, and firmware. You gave me lots of key info that brought it together. I was able to flash my pocket elrs from 3.3.1 to 4.0 this morning. What a feeling! I have the passphrase set. I believe I'm ready for the ER4 receiver when it comes. I built the sport wing. All that will be left if for me to go out and crash my plane . Thanks again for nursing me along. I'm greatly indebted. Of course, I will be back with the next problem.

 

[toryander]

For anyone else who is following this thread and new to the elrs binding process, this video (out of all I watched) was the most helpful in helping me put all the info together.

 

[toryander]

I'm in the same boat. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose, so much information coming at you. It's been a year or so for me & I'm just now beginning to feel comfortable, starting to put the pieces together.

Keep in mind, with ELRS, the bind button does nothing. You need to use the configurator OR the web interphase to make a bind phrase, which is like a password between your Tx & Rx.

Thanks, Merv. Your words were helpful and encouraging.

 

[LitterBug]

Getting in and playing with all this is a good sign you have already become an addict like the rest of us on here! Welcome to group therapy!

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[toryander]

Just to complete this thread:

1. My Pocket ELRS RC wouldn't bind to the ER4 simply because the ER4 is not an ERLS receiver. (I didn't know anything about this at the time)
2. I purchased an elrs rx (ER4) and learned how to bind in the elrs world. It works great.
3. I later purchased a Radiomaster 4 in 1 module that connects to the back of my Pocket ELRS TX. I can now connect to my R84 RX with the same Pocket ELRS TX (using the 4 in 1 module).
That's the short of it. Thanks to all those who guided me through this.