How to Calibrate Rapidfire Module

by Oscar

You should calibrate the Rapidfire module after each firmware update. Actually it’s best to do this regularly to ensure the best possible performance. Here I will show you how.

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Here is my review of the Rapidfire. See this post to learn more about FPV goggles.

Module calibration is actually covered in the documentation, but I thought I’d still list the steps here so it’s easier to look up.

Environment

Try to go somewhere with minimum RF interfere, with that said, you should also turn off your smartphone (or put it in airplane mode) during calibration. Try to stay away from WiFi routers as well.

I find it’s best to do this in the flying field so you are also taking into account the surrounding RF condition. Avoid doing calibration in your house as most people have WiFi.

Rapidfire Calibration Steps

Part 1

  1. On your Rapidfire, select RaceBand Channel 5 (R5) or Fatshark channel 4 (F4). These channels are the closest to 5800MHz
  2. Select Calibration from the Tools menu
  3. Remove antennas on the Rapidfire, and make sure there is no VTX powered on around you
  4. Press the joystick center button when ready
  5. Wait for the progress bar to complete. This gives the Rapidfire the zero reference point (when there is no signal)

Part 2

  1. Now turn on your VTX transmitter, set it to 25mW, and the same channel as your Rapidfire (R5 or F4)
  2. Keep the VTX about 2 meters (6 feet) away from your Rapidfire, with no antenna attached
  3. Press the joystick center button when ready
  4. While the progress bar is moving, move the goggles around a bit
  5. Once calibration is complete, a summary screen will show the calibration status and tell you whether the calibration was successful or not

And that’s done!

Calibration Fails?

Three possible causes for failed calibration:

  • Rapidfire is in low power mode – There are two modules in the Rapidfire, in low power mode, only 1 module is operating; You need both modules powered up to calibrate
  • In the first part of the calibration, Rapidfire detected signal at the selected channel, where it shouldn’t. Make sure your VTX is switched off (and there is no other quads around you), if the problem persists, go somewhere else with less RF interference
  • Rapidfire couldn’t detect the selected frequency in the second part of the calibration. Make sure your VTX is switched on and you are getting signal on your Rapidfire

Calibration for Different Quads?

Calibration DOES NOT need to be repeated for each quad used with the rapidFIRE. That’s because Rapidfire Calibration only corrects for the RSSI differences between the two receiver modules, and has nothing to do with the VTX, antenna or FPV Camera.

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12 comments

Mike 20th November 2023 - 11:12 pm

Thanks for the USB Cable tip

Reply
Greg 18th August 2023 - 3:47 am

So I don’t think my module is working correctly though my goggles. I have skyzone03o and I have the module plugged into AV in. And when I go to change the channel and or band on the module I still have video and would still need to change my goggles to the correct channel to get video. I’m confused please help

Reply
Oscar 21st August 2023 - 4:25 pm

Doesn’t sound like you are actually using the Rapidfire module, but still using the internal receiver.
You need to set the goggles source to AV In to bypass the internal receiver.

Reply
Michael 3rd July 2021 - 9:26 pm

Hi there,
i did that step by step.
But it fails each and every time!
– low power : no
– well i was far away from civilizations and mobile phone on flightmode
– i see a the camerafeed on 5800, VTX is on 4,4,1.

–> RSSI is “0” on the OSD and is blinking!

Please help!

Reply
BOTKILLER FPV 1st April 2021 - 10:47 pm

Regarding the screen rolling, it could be due to cameras that are “not as” compatible with the module. But with the latest firmwares, ImmersionRC has accounted for that by switching the rf mode to RF Mode 2 within the module settings.

Reply
ItsDarts 2nd August 2020 - 12:24 pm

It’s a bit unclear to me on part two… when powering up the VTX, should I remove the VTX antenna and use the module antennas or should no antennas be used in the process of calibration?

Reply
Oscar 17th August 2020 - 5:57 pm

Never remove VTX antenna when powered on, it will burn the VTX.

Reply
Greg 18th August 2023 - 1:38 am

Never power your quad without an antenna connected to your vtx. It’ll burn it out. He means no antenna on the rapidfire module

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Brendan M. Zaebst 12th June 2020 - 5:15 am

Differwnt antennas will also have different levels of brightness. My axii 2 omni is far brighter than my vas extreme patch
Not sure why. But ive noticed it with any set of antennas unless theyre all matched

Reply
Ce Harn Lau 31st March 2020 - 9:07 pm

Hi Oscar,

I just purchased Rapidfire Modul in my Fatshark HDO goggle and get the modul upgraded to the latest version (1.30) no beta.

I have a screen scrolling problem when I flight my happymodel UK65 micro drone.

I can’t imagine if I fly it with my 5 inch quad, how scary if the problem occurs during the flight.

Would you please kindly help me out regarding this problem?

Many thanks,

CeHarn Lau

Reply
sebastian 14th July 2019 - 2:00 pm

Oscar, I noticed that my video feed is overexposed using rapidFire compared to my old trueD, have you noticed something similar?

Reply
Oscar 23rd July 2019 - 12:15 am

Yea the brightness level is different. Just adjust it on your goggles.

Reply