Note
The timeline for the first offical release of this plugin is currently dependent on the stability of the following items:
- this plugin
- a new timer backpack
- the backpack for the HDZero goggles
This is a plugin being developed for the RotorHazard timing system with the following features:
- Send OSD messages to pilots using compatible equipment (such as the HDZero goggles)
- Allows for the race manager to start the race from their transmitter
- Automatically switching pilot's video channels and output power
- RotorHazard v4.0.0+ is required to run the plugin
- A connected device that can run the ExpressLRS Backpack
- Connections over USB or UART will both work
To install, follow the instructions on the latest release of the plugin.
To install, follow the instructions on the latest release of the plugin.
There is a feature to control the race from the Race Director's transmitter by tracking the position of the DVR Rec
switch setup within the ransmitter's backpack. Currently only starting and stopping the race are supported.
Important
This feature requires the Race Director to have the ELRS Backpack setup on their transmitter. Please ensure this is setup before completing the following instructions.
- Setup the
DVR Rec
switch in the ELRS backpack- Open the ExpressLRS Lua script (v3 is recommended) on the transmitter
- Open up the Backpack settings
- Set the AUX channel for
DVR Rec
Note
Note: This will not not stop the ability to start recording DVR through this switch. It is just a state that the race timer's backpack listens for.
Caution
It is recommended to not use the same AUX channel as your ARM switch.
- Bind the Race Timer backpack to the Transmitter
- Start the RotorHazard server with the ESP32 connected.
- Navigate to the
ELRS Backpack General Settings
panel. - Click the
Start Backpack Bind
button. - Within the ExpressLRS Lua script on the transmitter, click
Bind
To test to see if the backpack was bound sucessfully, navigate the the Race
tab within RotorHazard, and use the DVR Rec
switch to start the race. Race Control from Transmitter
will need to be enabled under ELRS Backpack General Settings
Tip
Anytime the backpack needs to be bound to a new transmitter, it will be easiest to reflash the ESP32 with the firmware in the latest release, and then rebind. Attempting to rebind after the
Select the type of hardware that the pilot is using. To turn off OSD messages for a pilot, leave this option blank or set to NONE
. In the graphic showing the pilot settings at the start of this section, Pilot 1 and Pilot 2 have OSD messages enabled - all other pilots have the option disabled
Tip
Less pilots with OSD messages turned on means less delay is present for pilots with OSD messages turned on.
The pilot's individual bindphrase for their backpack. If a bindphrase is not set, the pilot's callsign will be used as the bindphrase instead.
Toggles the ability for the bound transmitter to start a race. Please navigate to here for binding the backpack.
A setting to help with dropped packets. This setting determines the number of times a message should be repeated every time it is sent.
Important
It is advised that the Race Director should try to find the values that work best for their group. Inceasing the number may help with dropped packets, but will decrease ideal peformance. This setting will likely be removed in the first full release of the plugin.
Tip
this setting should be tuned to be as low as possible.
A setting to help with dropped packets. This setting determines the speed at which the backpack sends messages.
Important
It is advised that the Race Director should try to find the values that work best for their group. Inceasing the number may help with dropped packets, but will decrease ideal peformance. This setting will likely be removed in the first full release of the plugin.
Tip
this setting should be tuned to be as low as possible.
Puts the timer's backpack into a binding mode for pairing with the race director's transmitter.
Tip
After sucessfully completing this process, the timer's backpack will inherit the race director's bindphrase from the transmitter.
Will display OSD messages on HDZero goggles with a matching bindphrase. Used for testing if the timer's backpack sucessfully inherited the transmitter's bindphrase.
Starts the backpack's WiFi mode. Used for over-the-air firmware updates.
Shows the race name on start.
Note
Requires the race's class and heat names to be set
- TOGGLED ON: Only shows current lap
- TOGGLED OFF: Shows current position and current lap when multiple pilots are in a race
- TOGGLED ON: Shows lap result time
- TOGGLED OFF: Shows the gap time to next pilot
The pilot will be shown results when they finish the race. It is recommeded to turn off Post Flight Results
in Betaflight so the results won't be overridden when the pilot lands.
Note
Rows 10-14 in the HDZero goggle's OSD are used by this feature
The message shown to pilots when the timer is staging the race
The message shown to pilots when the race first starts
The message shown to pilots when the pilot finishes
The message shown to pilots when the time runs runs out
The message shown to pilots when the the race is stopped
The message shown to pilots when Show Gap Time
is enabled and the pilot is leading the race
The length of time Race Start Message
is shown to pilots
The length of time Pilot Done Message
and Race Finish Message
is shown to pilots
Length of time the pilot's lap or gap time is shown after completing a lap.
Length of time to show announcements to pilots. (e.g. When a race is scheduled)
Row to show race status messages.
Note
Rows 10-14 are used by Show Post-Race Results
when it is enabled. You can use these rows if the feature is disabled.
Row to show current lap and position
Note
Rows 10-14 are used by Show Post-Race Results
when it is enabled. You can use these rows if the feature is disabled.
Row to show lap or gap time
Note
Rows 10-14 are used by Show Post-Race Results
when it is enabled. You can use these rows if the feature is disabled.
Row to show announcements such as when a race is scheduled. This row is also used by Show Race Name on Stage
Note
Rows 10-14 are used by Show Post-Race Results
when it is enabled. You can use these rows if the feature is disabled.
Available on Printables https://www.printables.com/model/762529-esp32-wroom-32u-casing