MFD Crossbow antenna tracker via ELRS ESPNOW? Here's how

Here's a quick guide on how to setup ESPNOW to integrate MFD Crossbow mini with ELRS. It will require some hardware that you may or may not have in your stash, just check out the details in the link below. But basically, you will need to have a backpack capable transmitter module and a backpack capable receiver (recommended is an esp32 based Rx) for this setup. This receiver will act as a backpack receiver on the antenna tracker that communicates directly with the backpack of the ELRS tx module. Note that this is a backpack to backpack communication, it does not mess up with the RC link but rather a separate communication. On my setup, my elrs tx communicates with the elrs on the aircraft via crsf. That's totally fine, as I said, only the backpacks will communicate with each other, and they have their own link, ESPNOW, which uses mavlink on this case. However, you will need to have a single binding phrase for all. Should the backpack rx fail to bind automatically with the tx backpack, you may try forcing it to bind mode, then manually select bind on the ELRS lua.
You may notice that I used the Right Port on the antenna tracker for the ELRS receiver, this is user preference, you can choose Left or Right port on your setup. Just make sure to configure the port's baudrate and protocol accordingly. Also, ELRS receiver tx pin should be connected to the crossbow's Rx line
Based on our testing, Mavlink yields better tracking on the Crossbow Mini compared with CRSF where the tracker goes on hunting when packets drop. Check the latter part (1min and 36 sec) of this video • Walksnail FPV Tracker ...
The system works with inav or ardu, as long as you can fetch telemetry data to the tx module it would work just fine. That's the first step, relaying the telemetry data to the backpack will come next.
Updating the MFD Crossbow Mini antenna tracker to 2.7A6
Based on our testing, it would give better results too if the tracker does not switch back to VLink when packets drop when not using analog fpv system. We suggest that the fw on the Crossbow Mini be updated to 2.7A6, you may download it here:
drive.google.c...
Let's give credits to Wezley Varty and all the other ELRS devs and MFD devs who worked hard to make this happen. Also, credits to my fellows Shannon Baker and Keith Luneau for all their valuable help in testing this stuff. Cheers to all of us!
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MFD Crossbow tracker integration:
www.expresslrs...
MFD Crossbow Mini manual:
myflydream.com...
MFD Crossbow manual:
myflydream.com...
MFD website:
myflydream.com/

[@RubyS.1]

Excellent info.

[@windfpv]

Thanks buddy

[@RzyO96]

Thanks for sharing...🎉

[@windfpv]

You're welcome

[@ezalku]

hi it will be awesome if that works with crossfire , thanks for the explanation

[@windfpv]

The tracker works with tbs crossfire several years back already, either via Mavlink Emulation or via CRSF mirroring, even before this ESPNOW

[@ezalku]

@@windfpv thanks a lot

[@srmatthe]

Great info. Do you know if this can be replicated over to mLRS?

[@windfpv]

Not sure if mlrs can do it at this stage.

[@aviationRCfly]

Great😮❤🎉

[@windfpv]

Hope this helps

[@dobosatti64]

Hello,
Can I use this system with the FRSKY Tandem X18 radio's own 900 Mhz or tandem system without installing a separate transmitter module?

[@windfpv]

Not using espnow. But natively the crossbow mini antenna tracker supports s.port

[@dobosatti64]

​@@windfpvI am a beginner in this topic. So far I've used the Crossbow Mini with a TeleFlyTiny.
Tried using it via S.port with RadioMaster TX16 a couple of years ago.
It didn't work out then. Then I bought 2 pcs. TeleFlyTiny.
I now have a Frsky Tandem X18 radio.
Can you help me with how I can solve the Crossbow Mini tracking with the Tandem X18 radio via s.port?
Can we talk by email?

[@RzyO96]

I have a questions About setup the tracker,. Because i'm just starting to build the tracker.
If i use ElRs backpack with ElRs receiver on tracker. Do i still need the MFD bluetooth module and Teleflufiny tracking module?

[@windfpv]

No need for the Bluetooth modules nor Telefly

[@RzyO96]

@@windfpv only need MFD tracker, GPS and ElRs receiver?

[@windfpv]

@@RzyO96 gps on tracker is optional.

[@RzyO96]

@@windfpv okay, thanks... Just buy a MFD tracker and ElRs receiver.

[@RobertBotnick]

This tx module fit in the X20s without any modification?

[@windfpv]

Yes

[@RobertBotnick]

Thanks!

[@RobertBotnick]

I am having trouble compiling the backpack firmware. I keep getting "you must choose regulatory domain for your devise". Thats not an option for backpack firmware. Any ideas?

[@windfpv]

which target?

[@RobertBotnick]

@@windfpv Happymodel Ep1 TXO RX. It does have the extra pack for use with the backpack

[@windfpv]

@@RobertBotnick I also used EP1 on mine, double check the video that I made, maybe something was missed

[@RobertBotnick]

@@windfpv I did double check. Went step by step. I do have the latest compiler which is probably newer than the one you used.I even went two updates back on it and the same problem. There is no option to even select regulatory domain. I have 10 other FPV airplanes using ELRS so I am failure with the system. Who knows

[@windfpv]

Hmmm looks like configurator issue I think. Let me get back to you

[@illuminatorix]

I have the Radiomaster Ranger, can this be done with that module? Thank you.

[@windfpv]

Yes the ranger series has backpack

[@illuminatorix]

@@windfpv Thank you for this video my friend. After watching it I made some reaserch and yes I found out it has. Yet my RX doesn't. I need to get an RX that supports it!

[@windfpv]

@illuminatorix right, you will need a backpack capable rx for this one