Using ExpressLRS with a Basic PWM Receiver on a Wing

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

Answer: ExpressLRS is designed primarily for digital serial communication (CRSF protocol), so it doesn’t natively support basic PWM receivers. However, if you have a cheap PWM receiver that outputs standard PWM signals, you can still use ExpressLRS by connecting its output channels to your flight controller’s PWM inputs. Here’s how:
1. Bind your ExpressLRS transmitter and receiver to ensure proper radio link.
2. Connect the ExpressLRS receiver’s PWM output pins to the corresponding PWM input pins on your flight controller.
3. In your flight controller’s configuration software (e.g., Betaflight or INAV), configure the receiver input type to PWM.
4. Calibrate and test the controls before flying.
Note that using PWM adds some latency compared to CRSF, and you lose telemetry and advanced features. For wings where weight and latency matter, it’s better to use a native ExpressLRS receiver with CRSF output. But for simple setups or cost-saving, a cheap PWM receiver can work with ExpressLRS as long as your flight controller supports PWM inputs.