In Betaflight, you should load the appropriate RC Link Preset based on the packet rate you are using. Otherwise, it can cause feedforward issues that lead to vibrations and oscillations in your drone. In this article, we’ll explain why this matters and how to set it up correctly.
Why Do We Need RC Link Preset in Betaflight?
Every time an RC packet arrives, Betaflight updates the channel values. This means your raw RC command is not a perfectly smooth line — instead, it’s a stepwise signal that jumps from one value to the next at each packet update. This “stair-stepping” happens at all packet rates, just more frequently at higher rates.
The problem is that Betaflight’s Feedforward reacts to changes in RC commands. With a stepwise signal, it reacts strongly to each step, creating sudden spikes. As a result, the quad can oscillate during stick movements, producing unwanted noise and jitter.
In the blackbox log example below, you can see the spikes in the Feedforward (purple line) when moving the stick.
To prevent this, Betaflight applies smoothing (low-pass filtering) to the RC command before Feedforward is applied. This reduces harsh signal steps and makes control inputs behave more like a smooth signal, preventing Feedforward from overreacting.
How to Apply RC Link Preset
The correct amount of smoothing depends on your packet rate (for example: 50Hz, 150Hz, 250Hz, or 500Hz). If Feedforward and filtering are not matched to your packet rate, the PID loop may behave poorly and the quad may fly badly.
This is why the ExpressLRS presets make such a noticeable difference. The preset automatically adjusts:
- Feedforward settings
- RC smoothing
- Relevant filtering values
In Betaflight Configurator:
- Open the Presets tab
- Search for “expresslrs”
- Select the Link Preset that matches your packet rate
- If an exact match isn’t available, choose the closest preset below your packet rate
That’s it. When you change packet rates, don’t forget to apply the appropriate preset again.
10 comments
Anyone know if I can use the 2025 firmwares on 2026?
Seems the authors havent released 2026 versions of the ELRS presets on betaflight, but I could just be missing them.
Can I copy the commands and run then in the CLI, or even just enter them by hand somewhere if the preset isnt compatible?
Second on this!
it’s a surprisingly involved process, asks for a flight style and the number of the Receiver UART. i figured it out, but then it says it’s only for firmware 2025.12.2, while my Air65 II Racing has 2026.6.0-alpha BTFL 🤷♂️
it also asks if to check if i’ve got a compatible version of EdgeTX without saying what versions are compatible lol.
i think i’m gonna leave it at default settings for now
How will I know if this has already been applied to my drone? I bought it as a bind-and-fly drone. Thank you.
Just do it again if you are not sure, literally takes 10 seconds to do.
They worked – if’s a bit more stable now. Thx.
Thank you for the valuable information, but what if on the same drone I switch the ELRS packet rate depending on the type of flight I need to do? For example, 50Hz for long range and 250Hz for freestyle?
2 questions: a) does the amount of telemetry (1:8, 1:4, etc) also affect the filtering done with these presets? B) can Rotorflight also benefit of these presets? If so, how do you do it?
a) no. b) this is strictly for Betaflight. You’d have to check with the developers to see if RC smoothing is needed.
ideally you might want to update the preset whenever you switch packet rates, but who’s got energy for that right? Not ideal, but it should be okay to just fly with 250Hz preset when you are doing long range, you won’t be doing much big movements anyway so it might be okay.