RC Transmitter Binding (Taranis + TBS Crossfire)

Applies to the RFD-supplied RC control link: Taranis X9D+ 2019 with TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 (radio module) and Micro RX V2 (aircraft). See the Ground Control Station chapter for how this fits the GCS.

Purpose: Update firmware on the radio and transmitter module, then bind the TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 (mounted on the Taranis radio) to the TBS Crossfire Micro RX V2 (mounted on the aircraft).

Estimated time: 60–90 minutes for a first-time operator, 20–30 minutes once familiar.

Prerequisite skill level: Comfortable with file management, USB device handling, and following a sequenced procedure. No prior RC binding experience required.

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Equipment required

Hardware

Item	Quantity	Notes
Taranis X9D+ 2019 radio	1
TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2	1	Module that plugs into the radio’s JR bay
TBS Crossfire Micro RX V2	1	Receiver mounted on the aircraft
MicroSD card	1	Any reliable card, ≥ 4 GB is plenty
MicroSD-to-USB-A adapter	1	For writing firmware files from host PC
USB-A to USB-Mini-B cable	1	For radio-to-PC connection
USB-A or USB-C to USB-C cable	1	For TBS Crossfire module-to-PC connection

Software (download before starting)

Application	Source	Purpose
TBS Agent	https://www.team-blacksheep.com/download/	Flashes Crossfire module firmware
OpenTX Companion 2.3.15 (or newer)	http://www.open-tx.org/2022/04/22/opentx-2.3.15	Flashes radio firmware
OpenTX 2.3.15 SDCard content	Same page → SDCard link → opentx-x9d+2019/	Sounds, fonts, themes for the radio

Account required

A free TBS account is needed to download Crossfire firmware via TBS Agent. Register at the TBS website before starting.

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Procedure overview

The full procedure runs in four phases. Do them in order:

1. Phase 1: Update the TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 firmware
2. Phase 2: Prepare the microSD card with radio firmware and content
3. Phase 3: Back up the radio and flash OpenTX firmware
4. Phase 4: Bind the TX and RX

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Phase 1: Update TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 firmware

1.1 Install TBS Agent

Download and install TBS Agent from the link above. Launch the application and log in with your TBS account.

1.2 Connect the Crossfire Micro TX V2

Plug the TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 into the host PC via USB-C. The module should light up solid yellow to indicate update mode.

The module should appear in TBS Agent’s device list.

1.3 Flash firmware

1. In TBS Agent, click the XF Micro TX tab.
2. Click the Firmware button at the bottom.
3. Select the latest public release (at time of writing, v6.19). Do not select beta releases — they may contain unpatched bugs.
4. Click to download and flash.

Caution

Do not disconnect the module during the flash. Disconnection mid-flash can brick the device.

1.4 Confirm and disconnect

Wait for the completion prompt. Disconnect the module from the PC and install it onto the back of the Taranis radio.

Caution

Do not click the Bind button in TBS Agent at this stage. The radio firmware is not yet compatible. The module will flash green and fail to find the RX.

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Phase 2: Prepare the microSD card

2.1 Format the microSD card

1. Insert the microSD card into the host PC via the USB adapter.
2. Format it as FAT32. On Windows: right-click Start → Disk Management → locate card → right-click → Format → FAT32.
3. Confirm. Formatting erases all existing content on the card.

2.2 Set up the staging folder structure

On the host PC desktop, create the following structure:

Transmitters/
└── X9D+2019_Version/
    ├── Backup/
    ├── CardContents/
    ├── FrSkyTX-FW/
    └── OpenTX-FW/
└── Transmitter Backup/

This is a staging area on the PC. The contents will be synced to the microSD card later.

2.3 Populate CardContents

1. Unzip the downloaded SDCard content (opentx-x9d+2019 folder).
2. Copy all contents into the CardContents folder.
3. Inside CardContents, open the SOUNDS folder and delete all language folders except en. This prevents the radio defaulting to another language after the flash.

2.4 Install OpenTX Companion and create a radio profile

1. Install OpenTX Companion 2.3.15 on the host PC.

2. Launch it and go to Settings → Radio Profiles → Add Radio Profile.

3. Configure as follows:

   Field	Value
   Profile Name	X9D+2019-TBS
   Radio Type	FrSky Taranis X9D+ 2019
   Build Options	noheli, lua, sqt5font
   SD Structure Path	Full path to CardContents/ folder
   Backup Folder	Full path to Backup/ folder
   Default Stick Mode	Mode 2 (RUD THR ELE AIL)
   Default Channel Order	T A E R

4. Click the Application Settings tab.

5. Set Automatic Backup Folder to the full path of Transmitter Backup/.

6. Click OK.

2.5 Download radio firmware via OpenTX Companion

1. From the OpenTX Companion main page, click the yellow down-arrow (Download).
2. Click Check for Updates. Accept the pending update.
3. Save the firmware to the OpenTX-FW/ folder.
4. If the downloaded file has a .otx extension, rename it to .bin. OpenTX Companion sometimes saves with the wrong extension; the radio expects .bin.

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Phase 3: Back up and flash the radio

3.1 Launch the radio into bootloader mode

Hold both left and right trim sticks toward the centre while turning on the radio. The bootloader screen should appear.

Confirm the bottom-line firmware text reads the current installed version. If it does not show bootloader mode, power down and retry.

3.2 Connect to OpenTX Companion

Plug the radio into the PC using a USB-A to USB-Mini-B cable. OpenTX Companion should detect the radio. Switch the active profile to X9D+2019-TBS if it isn’t already.

3.3 Back up everything (three separate operations)

Use the left-hand toolbar in OpenTX Companion:

Action	Icon	Save as
Read Models and Settings from Radio	Paper + remote + yellow arrow	.otx file, safe location
Backup Radio to File	Remote + floppy disk + yellow arrow	.bin file, safe location
Read Firmware from Radio	Gear + remote + yellow arrow	.bin file, safe location

Caution

Do not skip the backups. Models usually survive a firmware flash, but a working backup is the only recovery path if the flash fails.

3.4 Stage models for restore (precaution)

Copy the .otx models file (from step 3.3) into CardContents/MODELS/. This makes the models available on the card after the flash if anything is lost from internal memory.

3.5 Sync the staging folder to the microSD card

1. With the microSD card plugged into the PC, click the Synchronize SD icon in OpenTX Companion (SD card in a folder).
2. Set:
   • Local folder: path to CardContents/
   • Radio folder: path to the mounted microSD card
3. Click Synchronize. Wait for completion.

The card is now ready. Do not install it yet — the radio firmware still needs flashing.

3.6 Flash the radio firmware

1. With the radio still in bootloader mode and connected to the PC, click the Write Firmware to Radio icon (gear + radio + red arrow).
2. Click Load… and select the .bin firmware file from OpenTX-FW/.
3. Click Write to TX. The flash takes a few minutes.
4. Do not close OpenTX Companion or disconnect during the flash.

3.7 Verify the flash

1. Power down the radio and disconnect from PC.
2. Power back into bootloader mode (left + right trims toward centre).
3. The bottom-line text should now read OpenTX 2.3.15 (or the version flashed).
4. Power off the radio.

3.8 Install the microSD card

1. Safely eject the microSD card from the PC.
2. Remove the radio’s battery cover and battery to access the microSD slot.
3. Insert the card until it clicks. Reinstall the battery and cover.
4. Power on the radio.

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Phase 4: Bind the TX and RX

4.1 Configure the model in OpenTX

1. On the radio, navigate to Models and select the drone model (or create a new one).
2. Hold the Menu button to access the Tools menu.
3. Open the Crossfire tool. This is the on-radio interface for TBS module settings.
4. Set the channel configuration on the receiver side:
   • Channel 1: SBUS
   • Channel 2: RCCI / IBUS

4.2 Power on the aircraft

Power up the aircraft so the TBS Crossfire Micro RX V2 is energised. Before binding, the RX LED will be solid red.

4.3 Initiate bind

On the back of the radio, press and hold the yellow LED button on the TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 for a few seconds.

The TX LED progression:

flashing yellow → flashing green → solid green

The RX LED progression on the aircraft:

solid red → solid green

4.4 Verify the bind

Indicator	Bound state	Unbound state
TX LED (on radio)	Solid green	Yellow / flashing
RX LED (on aircraft)	Solid green	Solid red

Power off the radio. The RX LED on the aircraft should return to solid red, confirming the link is the bound channel and not an unrelated signal.

Power the radio back on. RX LED should return to solid green within a few seconds.

Binding is complete.

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Optional: ISRM RF module firmware

The Taranis X9D+ 2019 contains an internal ISRM RF module with its own firmware. Updating it is not required for TBS Crossfire operation — the Crossfire module bypasses the internal RF entirely.

If a future fault requires it, ISRM v1.1.3 is a conservative, well-tested version. Source: FrSky-rc.com → Downloads → Transmitters → Taranis X9D Plus 2019. Newer ISRM firmware may conflict with TBS modules and requires trial-and-error testing — avoid unless a specific need arises.

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Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Action
TBS module light stays yellow, won’t flash	Module not recognised by TBS Agent	Try a different USB cable / port; ensure TBS Agent is logged in
TX flashes green but RX stays red after bind attempt	Radio firmware not flashed to OpenTX 2.3.15+	Complete Phase 3 before attempting bind
Radio defaults to non-English voice after flash	Other language folders not deleted from SOUNDS	Reformat card, delete all SOUNDS/* except en/, re-sync
OpenTX Companion saves firmware as .otx	Companion quirk	Rename file extension to .bin before flashing
Radio not detected by OpenTX Companion	Bootloader not active	Power off; hold both trims toward centre while powering on
RX LED never turns red on power-up	RX not powered, damaged, or wired incorrectly	Check 5V supply to RX; check signal wiring
Models missing after flash	Internal memory wiped during flash	Restore from the .otx file saved in step 3.3, via OpenTX Companion

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Reference material

• TBS Crossfire Manual: https://www.team-blacksheep.com/media/files/tbs-crossfire-manual.pdf
• TBS Crossfire setup walkthrough (Taranis QX7 / X9D): https://fpvfrenzy.com/tbs-crossfire-setup/
• Cyclone FPV video walkthrough (X9D+ 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgEPRcZi4s

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Last reviewed: May 2026