The Radiomaster T8L doesn’t have a built-in display screen — however don’t let that idiot you. You’ll be able to nonetheless entry nearly all the identical settings you’d anticipate from higher-end radios. You simply configure it by the WebUI (Internet Configuator) as a substitute. On this tutorial, I’ll stroll you thru how to connect with the webUI, setup switches and channels, ExpressLRS settings, receiver binding, and firmware updating.
New to FPV? Try my purchaser’s information on radio transmitters: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
For less than $35, the T8L radio is arguably the most affordable price having radio in 2026, get it right here:
Connect with Internet Configurator
Earlier than plugging within the USB cable, you want to boot the radio into VCP mode first. Right here’s how:
- Maintain down the “M” button and energy button for 3 seconds to show it on
- Now you can launch the buttons.
- Join the USB-C cable
- Open the Radiomaster Internet UI: https://radiomaster-rc.github.io/RM-Internet-Web page/Connection.html (I made a shortened URL, simpler to recollect: https://bit.ly/t8l-config)
- Choose the COM port and click on Join
As soon as linked, you’ll see the complete configuration interface.
Overview of the Internet Configurator Settings
Now let’s undergo the vital sections you will have.
Change Configuration (Machine)
Underneath the Machine web page, you possibly can change how switches behave.
For instance, you possibly can flip a momentary swap right into a 2-position swap. I usually arm my drones utilizing a swap on the top-right nook, however the T8L doesn’t have a latching swap there. As an alternative, it solely has a momentary button—so I reconfigured it to behave like a 2-position swap.
Right here’s the way it works:
- Press the button as soon as → HIGH
- Press it once more → LOW
There’s no bodily indication of the swap place, however the radio offers audio cues if you press it:
- 1 beep = LOW
- 2 beeps = HIGH
To set this up, go to the Machine tab and alter the Key Mode Setting for SA or SD from “Click on” to “Single”. This makes the momentary swap behave like an ordinary toggle swap.
As an alternative of “Single”, you too can set it to “Double”, which turns the button right into a 3-position swap.
This offers you flexibility despite the fact that the bodily switches are easy.
Channel Setup
Contained in the Channels tab, you possibly can:
- Remap channels (AETR or different layouts)
- Reverse channels
- Add deadband
- Regulate trims
- Set subtrim
- Affirm radio mode (Mode 1 / Mode 2)
For instance, in case you’re flying Mode 2, you’ll see:
All clearly mapped (in Channel Mapping).
Usually, you don’t want to alter something right here. However you possibly can allocate switches to completely different channels right here in order for you. Or if the sticks strikes the improper path — you possibly can reverse it right here.
Betaflight Modes Setup
When you setup the switches within the radio, you possibly can go to Betaflight Configurator’s Modes tab, to assign these switches to the modes you need to use. As an illustration, to arm the quad, activate Angle mode and beeper, and many others.
I’ve a information on to do in a bit extra element: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/
ExpressLRS Settings (Energy & Packet Charges)
Contained in the RF Setting tab, you’ll discover the identical settings in ExpressLRS LUA script:
- TX Energy: Set your max energy (e.g., 100mW, or if you’re flying tiny whoop in the home, 10mW or 25mW is normally sufficient, decrease energy saves battery).
- Dynamic Energy: When enabled, the radio routinely adjusts energy based mostly on sign power to save lots of battery. Not required, however may be helpful.
- Packet Price: Set your packet fee relying in your wants:
- Increased packet fee = decrease latency
- Decrease packet fee = higher vary
- Select what suits your flying model, 250Hz is an effective center floor and that’s what I personally use on most of my quads.
- Telem Ratio: that is how typically telemetry knowledge is shipped, simply go away it at “STD” (commonplace).
- Change Mode: Set it to Large.
- Hyperlink Mode: Set it to Regular.
- Mannequin Match: Prevents by chance binding to the improper mannequin. Except you understand what you’re doing, simply go away it OFF.
- Bind: You’ll be able to put radio in Bind mode.
- WiFi Connectivity: You’ll be able to allow WiFi mode right here,
If you wish to be taught extra about what these settings imply in additional particulars, take a look at my ExpressLRS information: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/#ELRS-LUA-Script-Settings
The way to Bind to ELRS Receiver
Technique 1: Utilizing Bind Phrase
You need to use bind phrase for binding:
- Allow Wi-Fi underneath the RF Settings tab
- Connect with the radio’s Wi-Fi hotspot in your cellphone, or laptop computer
- Open 10.0.0.1 in your browser
- Enter your binding phrase within the internet UI, and click on Save
Now repeat this and enter the identical bind phrase within the receiver. That’s it.
Technique 2: Utilizing the Bind Button
If for some cause you can not put a bind phrase within the drone’s receiver, you should use the bind button.
The T8L has a devoted bind button, it places the radio in Bind mode. (or you are able to do this within the Internet configurator).
To place the receiver in bind mode, you merely plug and unplug the battery 3 instances.
WiFi Mode (For Firmware Updates)
Should you allow WiFi, you possibly can replace ExpressLRS firmware by:
- ELRS Configurator
- Browser-based replace
This makes firmware updates simple — no have to open the radio.
Gimbal Rigidity Adjustment
You’ll be able to alter how tight or unfastened the gimbals really feel following this diagram.
If they’re nonetheless not unfastened sufficient, you possibly can change the gimbal springs that include the radio. Try how I did it in my T8L evaluate: https://oscarliang.com/radiomaster-t8l/
Gimbal Calibration
When utilizing the radio for the primary time, you must calibrate the gimbals. You must also repeat it in case your sticks don’t heart correctly (when the sticks are in heart place, they need to learn 0):
- Go into the Calibration tab within the Internet Configurator
- Comply with the on-screen directions
- Heart all sticks first, click on Affirm Heart Level
- Now transfer sticks totally in all instructions (do that very gently, don’t push the sticks onerous or it’s going to wreck the calibration), keep within the corners for at the least 0.5 to 1 second.
- Click on Full
FPV Simulators
The T8L was plug and play for me.
Merely energy on the radio, join it to your PC with a USB-C cable, and launch your simulator (Liftoff, Uncrashed, TrypFPV, Velocidrone, and many others.). It must be instantly acknowledged as “Radiomaster SIM” controller, with out putting in any drivers.
You must calibrate the controller contained in the sim when utilizing it for the primary time.
Firmware Improve
There’s additionally a firmware replace part in WebUI.
You must obtain the firmware file from RadioMaster’s web site first (if there’s a new firmware).
Right here you possibly can:
- Replace radio firmware
- Replace Inner ELRS module
- Replace sensor
Should you by chance enter firmware replace mode and can’t get out of it (When powered on, two blue LED flashing and the radio is caught), you want to return to the Internet Configurator, and click on “Exit Firmware Replace”.
Setting Backup and Restore
There is no such thing as a technique to backup or restore settings routinely. You must depend on the nice previous “screenshots” technique.
Handbook
Last Ideas
The Radiomaster T8L is among the most inexpensive ELRS radios on the market, and regardless of not having a display screen, it’s surprisingly succesful. Should you’re a newbie, this setup technique is definitely simpler than navigating advanced radio menus. Should you’re skilled, you’ll admire how clear and direct the WebUI method is.
