Hi, I keep reading that the ELRS protocol allows for significantly higher range compared to FrSky. 

However, I don't understand how one protocol can enable a much higher range than another. 

Do more data get lost along the way with the FrSky protocol than with ELRS, or is it because ELRS typically transmits at higher power?

It uses a more modern system (LoRa) AND can run at a faster update rate.

I fly from a club field that has a history of radio drop outs, bad with Spektrum, and still present with FrSky. We fly legally to UK law so no long range. Since converting my FrSky X12S to ELRS with a Namimno Flash 2.4GHz module I have had NO incidents, while others around me continue to have drop-outs. Nuff Said?

Frsky also created a lot of “issues” when they updated their protocol, it wasn’t “back compatible”, no more support of d8.. and in order to update older (rxsr/xm+) RXs .. you had to hard wire them to the controller.. then re install in the quad.. if u didn’t update ur controller and ordered a new rx.. obtains what version was on the rx wasn’t the easiest… it was a soup sandwich to say the least…
I’m phasing out all my d8/Frsky RXs.. going to crossfire..
It’s not just range, it’s penetration.. and less chance of failsafe.
Just my personal experience ..

(16-Jun-2023, 06:41 PM)Rob Axel Wrote: Frsky also created a lot of “issues” when they updated their protocol, it wasn’t “back compatible”, no more support of d8.. and in order to update older (rxsr/xm+) RXs .. you had to hard wire them to the controller.. then re install in the quad..  if u didn’t update ur controller and ordered a new rx.. obtains what version was on the rx wasn’t the easiest… it was a soup sandwich to say the least…
 Just my personal experience ..

While I have no particular sympathy for FrSky...............

1. D8 being dropped was forced on them by EU "listen before transmit" legislation, in exactly the same way as Spektrum DSM2, Futaba FASST, and others had to end production into Tx's.  FrSky were by no means unique or negligent. There were makes that just gave up on compliance with Euro legislation and even today a wide range of product leeching into the EU is not compliant and users are breaking the law. (and yes, possibly the law is an ass, but its still there)

2. You do not HAVE to hard wire RXSR/XM+ to the Tx, unless you mean by plugging in a lead. (inc a option connector lead from a PC USB, not using the Tx at all).  Micro Wi-Fi was not around when most of FrSky's hardware was designed. Calling them on it is a bit like moaning your car has no fuel injection when it was designed and built before it existed.


3. What they were NOT good at was explaining in decent English the reasoning or implications of their changes.  For example a lot of people struggled to get firmware update to work on some Rx as they did not know that the earlier Rx had smaller memory and could not take the later (and larger) firmware issues. (they worked fine as was)  But then that could be said about many if not most Chinese manufacturers.

That’s the fist time I heard WHY Frsky did what they did .. makes perfect sense. Honesty, when all that hit the market, I was having failsafe issues 50 feet in front of me, either rx failure or from damage.. either way I wasn’t gonna buy another Frsky rx so I got the crossfire module for my taranis.. and didn’t look back.. unfortunately all my 1s builds have built in d8

I wouldn't worry about it for smaller stuff. I still fly D8's. None of my gear is LBT. I still fly it.