Here are some steps to help you troubleshoot R9M module and receiver for poor performance and range issues. If you followed my R9M Setup guide previously, you probably would have avoided many issues, but in case you didn’t I hope this guide is useful too.
Table of Content
- Firmware Updates
- Frequency
- Get Better Antennas
- Antenna Mounting
- Turning Off Internal Module
- Check Receiver
- No Softserial for FPort
- Increase Power
- RF Noisy Environment
Firmware Updates
Update your R9M module and R9MM receiver to the latest version for bug fixes and reliability improvement.
Using the Correct Frequency
The R9M is advertised as a 900MHz long range RC system, but in fact it operates on two nearby frequencies. To be specific, they are 868MHz and 915MHz.
For EU countries, you should be using 868MHz, anyone else should be using 915MHz. Anyway don’t take my words for it, double check which frequency you should be using in your region to avoid interference.
Why is this a problem? Well, if you use 868MHz in the US, or if you use 915MHz in the EU, will leave you open to all sorts of interference from other radio systems like cell networks.
With the “Flex” firmware (requires OpenTX 2.2.3 or newer), you can easily switch frequency in the model setup menu. With the normal firmware, you would have to flash both your R9M module and R9MM receiver to either the EU-LBT firmware or FCC firmware in order to use different frequencies.
Get Better Antennas
If you are using a stock antennas, try get something better. It’s known that the stock antennas are out of tuned. Also make sure the RX antennas are made for the frequency you use.
- TX Antenna, Super 8 (868-915MHz): Banggood | HorusRC | Amazon
- TX Antenna, Diamond (868-915MHz): RMRC | GetFPV| Amazon
- RX Antenna, 915MHz: Banggood | HorusRC
RX Antenna, 868MHz: Banggood
Mounting Antenna Correctly
Consider the position and orientation of your TX and RX antennas, try re-positioning to optimize reception. Check if the SMA connector is snug on the R9M module, make sure Antenna is not damaged or deformed.
Turning Off Internal TX Module
Make sure you have turned off the internal 2.4GHz TX module, as it can interfere with the 900MHz system and use up your battery.
Check Receiver
Your receiver can get damaged easily in a crash if it wasn’t protected well inside the quad.
Check all solder joints and connectors, re-do your soldering if necessary.
Check if the IPEX connector of the RX antennas are loose, which can cause intermittent signal loss. Make sure the coax cable has no sign of physical damage, damaged shield can affect your range. Inspect carefully the exposed core of a coax cable, and make sure it’s not been cut by accident, as a change in length can reduce performance. (effectively changing the antenna tune)
The active element will need to be the same length as the passive element, which for the Crossfire at 915Mhz is 78mm. For those of you operating at 868Mhz the length is 82mm.
Check receiver PCB closely for damage, for example, missing surface mount components, damaged copper traces etc.
Using FPort?
You should not use SoftSerial for F.Port RC control link because Softserial is too slow. Try using a normal UART for FPort, or flash non-F.Port to use SBUS and see if you can fix the problem.
Increasing Power
Have you tried increasing the output power of your R9M module? You can do this in the model setup menu, scroll down to External Module. But in theory, 100mW should give you a couple of miles easily.
RF Noisy Environment?
Check with other flyers with 900MHz system in that spot, see if they have the same problem. Or simply try to fly in a different location. There could be transmission towers or other RF emitting equipment nearby that you are unaware of, and these can affect your range.
Make sure there is no obstacles between you and your aircraft during flight.
See this post for other tips on flying long range FPV.
15 comments
Salut je m’appelle Tom , et je me lance dans le fpv , et j’aimerais que vous me donniez un petit coup de pouce, malgré le nombre de tutos suivi et demande d’aide sur dfr,Sp,waf etc… personne n’a su me répondre, je m’explique j’ai un sector 5v3 une taranis qx7 et ev800d Tout ça d’occasion cela fonctionne hyper bien , mais le soucis et la j’ai un module R9M fcc ( antenne bleu ) bind en Flex Un RX R9MM antenne bleu bind en flex aussi Et le soucis et que je n’ai que 2 bâtons de réception que je dois à 10cm du drone ou un peux plus , et j’ai juste réussi à voler à 50m à peine après j’ai perte de signal et le message RF faible/ critique , et comme sur ma qx7 je suis en access je bind donc en access et je peux donc pas choisir entre 868mhz ou 915 , donc je sais pas comment faire ni pourquoi j’ai aussi peu de portée avec du matos LR , et pourtant j’ai tous bien régler, visser etc Merci j’espère avoir une réponse avec de l’aide :)
Hi, can I remove factory antenna if Internal rf is off and just run antenna on r9module only…. And all my models are setup that way to external module only…. Taranis xdplus pre 2019,,,dont want to fry anything so checking and many thanks for all your superb info
Hi Oscar, Is it possible to convert the module from EU LBT to FCC by flashing to the desired firmware or do you have to stick to the original version you got?
Yes you can change FCC/LBT by flashing firmware.
Hi Oscar, I am experiencing poor video range (1.3ghz) when I am flying with the r9m, i dont figured yet if its due to the r9m tx (which is close to the 1.3ghz receiver and antenna) or due to the transmitting power comes out of the receiver (r9m slim) for telemetry (make less sense because in this case its fox 800) .. do you have any idea? Maybe a LPF on the r9m antenna?
Thank you!
900MHz radio system does interfere with 1.3Ghz fpv system. Please see this post for solutions: https://oscarliang.com/1-2ghz-fpv-guide/
Hi oscar, i have an issue on my rx. With or without antenna, the gain still the same but i dont know if it comes from the rx connector or the antenna connector.
I have a r9mm receiver.
Thanks you
Hola Óscar
Tengo una emisora flysky fsth9x funcionando en 2,4 y con software original de fábrica.
Así he llegado hasta los 1400mts pero quiero ir cada vez más lejos.
En vídeo ya he pasado a 1.2fhz y me gustaría actualizar mi transmisión a 868 ya que estoy en Europa.
Este módulo r9m y su correspondiente receptor son compatibles con mi emisora ??
Desde ya muchas gracias por tu ayuda.
Un saludo
Fendrich
HI Oscar you are a refference with trouble schooting.
About the R9m antenas for the module or the receiver, could it work in bouth bands? (900mhz and 868mhz). Many thanks in advance.
You need to get antenna designed for the particular frequency for optimal performance.
S Bus will not be possible if you flash an F.Port firmware on a FrSky receiver.
This is true for R9MM but also for others like R-XSR.
On the download pages of FrSky you can see that you first have to select FLEX or “normal” firmware.
Suppose you select the normal firmware then after downloading you have to choose EU or FCC folder.
And then you can select the firmware with or without Fport.
If you want to use SBUS then you HAVE to use firmware WITHOUT Fport.
How are people suggesting to upgrade the R9MM once they are soldered?
Unlike the R-XSR, you have to create your own connector beforehand to be able to upgrade then inside your quad?
…or get Crossfire and avoid all the nonsense altogether.
Sorry, had to say it ?.
The same user errors happen very frequently to Crossfire :D
Hi Oscar, first of all thanks for tutorial. I have problem with range using Flysky nirvana + R9M. I’m using S-Bus protokol without flex FW (since flex fw does not work due to missing lua on my TX). I do not understand what does mean ” flash non F-port to use S-Bus” Does that means not to use F-port protokol if you are using S-Bus protokol? Thanks man!