Using ExpressLRS with a Budget 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 protocols like CRSF, which offer low latency and high reliability. Cheap PWM receivers typically output a standard pulse width modulated signal, which is much slower and less precise. While you can physically connect a PWM receiver to your flight controller alongside ExpressLRS, you won’t get the benefits of ExpressLRS’s fast telemetry and response. If you want to run ExpressLRS properly, use a compatible ExpressLRS receiver that supports the digital CRSF protocol. For a wing, where space and weight matter, a small ExpressLRS receiver is ideal. If you already have a PWM receiver, you can use it temporarily, but upgrading to an ExpressLRS receiver will improve control, range, and response time. To set this up: 1) Bind your ExpressLRS transmitter module to an ExpressLRS receiver. 2) Connect the receiver’s CRSF output to your flight controller’s UART RX pin. 3) Configure your flight controller to use CRSF as the receiver protocol. This setup ensures you get the best performance from ExpressLRS on your wing.