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Ethos Radio Setup

Setting up an Ethos model for a Rotorflight helicopter. Start from a new model (any type), or from the template below.

Template model

rotorflight-generic.bin is a ready-made Ethos model with the channels and switches described here, for an SBUS / F.Port / F.Bus receiver. Copy it to the radio's models folder and adapt it.

Receiver and binding

  1. Bind the receiver to the model, following FrSky's instructions.
  2. For an FrSky receiver, open Model → RF System → (receiver) → Options and set the telemetry port to F.Bus -- the preferred connection: one wire carrying both control and telemetry. Connect it to the flight controller's receiver port and set the protocol to FrSky FBUS on the Receiver tab.
  3. For ExpressLRS, set the external module to ELRS, and set the packet rate and telemetry ratio to match the flight controller -- see ELRS Custom Telemetry.

Once bound, the receiver's telemetry sensors appear under Model → Telemetry.

Channels

For F.Bus, F.Port and SBUS, use the FrSky order:

Channel Function Example control
1 Aileron (roll) Right stick
2 Elevator (pitch) Right stick
3 Throttle Throttle hold switch + flight mode switch
4 Rudder (yaw) Left stick
5 Collective Left stick, through a pitch curve
6 AUX 1 -- Arm SB, up = armed
7 AUX 2 -- Profile switch SE, 3 positions
8 AUX 3 -- Rescue SH, momentary
9 AUX 4 -- Blackbox SA
10 AUX 5 -- spare SC

For ExpressLRS, use the ELRS order instead: 1 roll, 2 pitch, 3 collective, 4 yaw, 5 arm, 6 throttle. Pick the matching preset on the Receiver tab.

Leave the throttle at 100% in the flight modes you fly with the governor, and send a value below 0% on throttle hold.

Telemetry sensors

RFSuite needs certain telemetry sensors from the flight controller. The easiest way to select them is from the suite itself: Setup → Telemetry, press Save -- see Troubleshooting.

After changing sensors, delete all telemetry sensors on the radio and discover them again.

Flight controller side

Then on the flight controller: