Stop Ruining Your Afternoon: A Self-Aware Guide to TX16S MK3 Mode Conversion

Switching your TX16S MK3 from Mode 2 to Mode 1 isn't as simple as tapping a menu option. If you attempt that shortcuts-only approach, you’ll end up with a radio where the software thinks the stick is the throttle, but the gimbal still springs back to the centre like a confused bungee jumper. The proper process, which we’ve outlined, demands both mechanical adjustment of the gimbals and a software mode update. Doing only one is a fantastic recipe for aerial confusion, and likely, an undignified crash.

You’ll need an actual 1.5 mm hex wrench—not whatever you found at the bottom of your toolbox—to adjust the sticks. The left stick needs to regain its centring, and the right stick must lose its centring and gain appropriate throttle damping. There’s even a finer adjustment inside the shoulder module if the default damping feels wrong, because sometimes the standard settings aren’t quite right for everyone.

Only after you've successfully attacked the hardware with tools should you venture into the Radio Settings menu to change the software to Mode 1. Skipping either step is foolish. Receiver calibration in Betaflight is also recommended once the radio conversion is complete, just to be sure. Do it properly, or don't do it at all.