Can You Use a Cheap PWM Receiver with ExpressLRS on a Wing?

Question: Can I run ExpressLRS with a cheap PWM receiver on a wing?

Answer: ExpressLRS is designed primarily for high-speed digital communication using protocols like CRSF (Crossfire) or ELRS itself, which rely on serial connections rather than traditional PWM. While technically you can connect a cheap PWM receiver to your flight controller, it won't be running ExpressLRS directly. Instead, you’d be using the PWM receiver as a separate radio link, losing the benefits of ExpressLRS’s low latency and long range.

If you want to use ExpressLRS on a wing, the best approach is to get an ExpressLRS-compatible receiver, which outputs CRSF or ELRS protocol signals. These receivers connect to your flight controller via UART and provide much better performance. To set this up, flash your radio TX and RX with ExpressLRS firmware, bind your TX to the ELRS receiver, and connect the receiver to your flight controller using the correct UART pins.

In summary, for a wing setup, avoid cheap PWM receivers if you want ExpressLRS. Invest in a proper ELRS receiver for the best experience.