Summary of Arduino open source long-range RC transmitter
James Bruton created a video showing how he built an open-source, long-range DSM2 RC transmitter using Arduino, sharing code and CAD files on GitHub. He explores alternatives like HC-05 Bluetooth, NRF24L01 (including long-range variants), and WiFi/Raspberry Pi remotes, discussing reliability, range, and connection issues. His project aims for a low-latency, dependable radio solution for custom remotes.
Parts used in theDSM2 RC transmitter:
- Arduino (unspecified model)
- DSM2 compatible radio module
- NRF24L01 modules (standard and long-range variants)
- HC-05 Bluetooth module
- Raspberry Pi (for WiFi remote reference)
- Joysticks and buttons (custom control inputs)
- Receiver module compatible with chosen transmitter
- Code and CAD files from GitHub (software and enclosures)
If you are interested in building your very own open source long-range remote control transmitter for your next project. You might be interested in a new video created by YouTube creator, electronics and robotics expert James Bruton this month. Showing his journey in building a DSM2 RC transmitter using the Arduino platform and hardware. Check out the video below to learn more about the process and how you can build your very own using the code and can drawings provided kindly by Bruton via the official GitHub page via the link at the bottom of this article.
I’ve built quite a lot of remote controls for projects in the past, and this is because I want to have custom controls for whatever I build. There are mostly quite a few joysticks and buttons on them for various functions of the machine I want to control. It’s been really useful to send a custom data set for all the controls, but I’ve still not found a radio device that’s super reliable.”
Long-range RC transmitter
“I started using Bluetooth devices like the HC-05 modules, but I found that these sometimes randomly disconnected. Since then I’ve been using the NRF24L01 modules which is what’s in my openDog remotes. These are ok but range is limited and sometimes they drop data. There is a long range version of these which I used when I worked with Mark Rober on his Autostrike Bowling Ball project. I found that we could get the radio to reach the length of a 60ft bowling alley, but it worked best with one long range version as the receiver, and a standard module for transmitting. That was pretty random though and I ended up swapping a few modules out before it worked.”
I also built a WiFi remote with a Raspberry Pi in it to control ROS based robots. That involves either having some sort of WiFi base unit nearby for both the remote and robot to connect to, or making an ad-hoc network between the two. Then we’re also at the mercy of an TCP or UDP connection. I can’t find any other specific modules that would work reliably with an Arduino so I can build a custom remote or that I can shove arbitrary into. Having a reliable low-latency connection is really important. But when was the last time you heard that someone crashed their drone because the remote disconnected? Hardly every or never right!? Surely there’s a reliable radio solution here.”
Source: Arduino open source long-range RC transmitter
- What did James Bruton build?
He built an open-source long-range DSM2 RC transmitter using the Arduino platform and shared code and CAD files on GitHub. - Can I get the code and drawings for the project?
Yes, Bruton provided the code and can drawings on the official GitHub page linked in the article. - What radio modules did he compare?
He discussed HC-05 Bluetooth, NRF24L01 (standard and long-range), and WiFi via Raspberry Pi. - Why did he move away from HC-05 Bluetooth?
He found HC-05 modules sometimes randomly disconnected and were unreliable. - How reliable were NRF24L01 modules?
They were okay but had limited range and sometimes dropped data; long-range variants improved distance but could be inconsistent. - Did he use WiFi remotes?
He built a WiFi remote with a Raspberry Pi for ROS robots but noted it requires a WiFi base unit or ad-hoc network and relies on TCP or UDP. - What range did the long-range NRF24L01 achieve in a past project?
Working with Mark Rober, he achieved reach across a 60 ft bowling alley using a long-range receiver and a standard transmitter. - What is important for a custom remote according to the article?
A reliable low-latency connection is very important for custom remotes.
