Backup and Transfer Model Profiles in OpenTX Companion

by Oscar

In this tutorial I will show you how to use OpenTX Companion to backup and restore Model Profiles on your radio, and transfer them to a new radio from an old one.

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This tutorial works on any radio running OpenTX firmware.

Download OpenTX Companion

You can download the OpenTX Companion here. It’s a software program.

At the time of writing the latest version is 2.2.3. The process should be the same for future versions, if there are changes I will update this guide asap.

Open OpenTX Companion program.

Backup OpenTX Model Profiles

Connect your old radio to the computer via USB cable as “massstorage”. This allows you to access the SD card inside the radio.

Not sure what “massstorage” is? It’s a setting under Radio Setup tab, USB Mode. There are 3 options, Joystick, Massstorage and Ask. It’s best to leave this setting at “Ask” so you are prompted what to choose when connecting USB. If you have never installed STM32 drivers before: https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stsw-stm32102.html

Alternatively you can also access the SD card by going into bootloader mode (what’s “bootloader mode”? Search for “bootloader” in this article.

If this is the first time you are connecting your radio to the computer, you should create a new radio profile first, and select the correct radio type. If you’ve done this before you can ignore it.

In the OpenTX Companion menu, find and click “Read/Write” => “Read Model and Settings from Radio”.

You will get a list of models on your radio in a popup window.

Then under “File” in the menu, click “Save As” to save these models in a .otx file somewhere on your computer. Give it a name such as “RadioModel-Date.otx”, so it’s easier to manage.

You have now successfully backed up the models on the radio to your computer. You can unplug your radio from the computer.

Restore/Transfer Models in OpenTX Companion

Connect your new radio via USB as “massstorage”.

Again, if this is the first time you are connecting your radio to the computer, you should create a new radio profile first, and select the correct radio type.

For the Jumper T16, you should choose Horus X10 / X10S, because these radios use the same firmware.

Open the .otx file we saved earlier from the old radio. If these radios are different, you will get a compatibility warning, and that the models and settings need to be converted. Just click Yes.

You might get a warning about differences between the switches or sliders, which is normal, just click OK.

Select the model profiles you want to copy over, right click to select “Copy XX Models”. Go over to the new radio window, right click and select “Paste XX Models”.

Finally, write settings to the new radio: under “Read/Write”, click “Write Models and Settings to radio”. That’s it!

I’ve found this is the safest way to do it if you are migrating to a different radio. You should avoid loading everything from the old radio to the new one, because that would overwrite all settings such as battery voltage range etc.

If you are just restoring a backup from the same radio, you can simply open the backed up .otx file and write it directly to your radio, without copying and pasting.

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7 comments

Chuck R 8th January 2020 - 1:22 am

I recently bought a Taranis Plus SE 2019. I have updated to the latest version of the SD card, Companion and firmware, etc. when I copy from my old Taranis to the new all I get is the model listing, no configuration data. When I copy to the new Taranis I do not see any warning messages about different switches, etc. I have tried several times. Stumped

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maciek 21st November 2019 - 2:13 am

same issue here too with jumprt16 pro

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John 7th November 2019 - 3:41 pm

Oscar,
I just received the Jumper T16 Pro. I came with JumperTX2.3.0 from Aug. It easily connects to OpenTX companion, trasfers and reads but any setting change to the Jumper via Companion or model copy/paste from QX7 file, results in “Bad Storage” Emergency Mode. The radio then obviously resets to factory firmware, requires stick calibration and then works as out of the box. Seems it is not able to accept any settings or files from OpenTX companion (version 2.3.0 and 2.3.1). I did setup Companion as you indicated. Looks like for now all changes and settings have to be done in the radio.

Also JumperTX version 2.3.0 from Aug allows for using 8ch for a FrSky model when set to D16. When you have selected FrSky for the internal RF module, just highlight D16 and click to set D16, D16 with 8ch etc.

Just wish there was a way to use with OpenTX companion. Bummer.

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Martin Cloutier 26th October 2019 - 12:28 am

I’ve transfered all my models from my old broken Q X7 to my new one. Good.

Now, It looks like I need to rebind all my models. Is it the case or I’m doing something wrong ?

Thanks

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Ken Leedham 19th October 2019 - 11:54 pm

I have no experience of this myself, but from other forums I gather that this results from transferring models set to use internal radio module to the Jumper T16. This may be fixed in later firmware, but with the original T16, transferring in a model set to use internal radio module would result in the transmitter ceasing to function properly, and going into Emergency Mode.

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Villy 29th July 2019 - 7:45 am

Thanks for your tutorial, unfortunately it will not work for everyone. I have a Taranis 9x plus with OpenTX and try to transfer to T16 with the new firmware.
It end up in emergency mode! Even if I try only one at a time. I think it has something to do with models that has set special functions or logical Switches. The only one I successfully had transferred is one that was made with the wizard and not to any receiver.

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Oscar 12th September 2019 - 9:13 pm

I’ve managed to do it myself successfully, all models with different RF – R9M, D16, D8 and Crossfire. You must have done something wrong.

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