How to Setup Radiomaster T8L for FPV Drones and Simulators

The Radiomaster T8L doesn’t have a built-in screen — but don’t let that fool you. You can still access almost all the same settings you’d expect from higher-end radios. You just configure it through the WebUI (Web Configuator) instead. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to connect to the webUI, setup switches and channels, ExpressLRS settings, receiver binding, and firmware updating.

New to FPV? Check out my buyer’s guide on radio transmitters: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/

For only $35, the T8L radio is arguably the cheapest worth having radio in 2026, get it here:

Connect to Web Configurator

Before plugging in the USB cable, you need to boot the radio into VCP mode first. Here’s how:

1. Hold down the “M” button and power button for 3 seconds to turn it on
2. You can now release the buttons.
3. Connect the USB-C cable
4. Open the Radiomaster Web UI: https://radiomaster-rc.github.io/RM-Web-Page/Connection.html (I made a shortened URL, easier to remember: https://bit.ly/t8l-config)
5. Select the COM port and click Connect

Once connected, you’ll see the full configuration interface.

Overview of the Web Configurator Settings

Now let’s go through the important sections you will need.

Switch Configuration (Device)

Under the Device page, you can change how switches behave.

For example, you can turn a momentary switch into a 2-position switch. I normally arm my drones using a switch on the top-right corner, but the T8L doesn’t have a latching switch there. Instead, it only has a momentary button—so I reconfigured it to behave like a 2-position switch.

Here’s how it works:

• Press the button once → HIGH
• Press it again → LOW

There’s no physical indication of the switch position, but the radio provides audio cues when you press it:

• 1 beep = LOW
• 2 beeps = HIGH

To set this up, go to the Device tab and change the Key Mode Setting for SA or SD from “Click” to “Single”. This makes the momentary switch behave like a standard toggle switch.

Instead of “Single”, you can also set it to “Double”, which turns the button into a 3-position switch.

This gives you flexibility even though the physical switches are simple.

Channel Setup

Inside the Channels tab, you can:

• Remap channels (AETR or other layouts)
• Reverse channels
• Add deadband
• Adjust trims
• Set under trim
• Confirm radio mode (Mode 1 / Mode 2)

For example, if you’re flying Mode 2, you’ll see:

All clearly mapped (in Channel Mapping).

Normally, you don’t need to change anything here. But you can allocate switches to different channels here if you want. Or if the sticks moves the wrong direction — you can reverse it here.

Betaflight Modes Setup

Once you setup the switches in the radio, you can go to Betaflight Configurator’s Modes tab, to assign these switches to the modes you want to use. For instance, to arm the quad, activate Angle mode and beeper, etc.

I have a guide on how to to do in a bit more detail: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/

ExpressLRS Settings (Power & Packet Rates)

Inside the RF Setting tab, you will find the same settings in ExpressLRS LUA script:

• TX Power: Set your max power (e.g., 100mW, or if you are flying tiny whoop in the house, 10mW or 25mW is usually enough, lower power saves battery).
• Dynamic Power: When enabled, the radio automatically adjusts power based on signal strength to save battery. Not required, but can be useful.
• Packet Rate: Set your packet rate depending on your needs:
  • Higher packet rate = lower latency
  • Lower packet rate = better range
  • Choose what fits your flying style, 250Hz is a good middle ground and that’s what I personally use on most of my quads.
• Telem Ratio: this is how often telemetry data is sent, just leave it at “STD” (standard).
• Switch Mode: Set it to Wide.
• Link Mode: Set it to Normal.
• Model Match: Prevents accidentally binding to the wrong model. Unless you know what you are doing, just leave it OFF.
• Bind: You can put radio in Bind mode.
• WiFi Connectivity: You can enable WiFi mode here,

If you want to learn more about what these settings mean in more details, check out my ExpressLRS guide: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/#ELRS-LUA-Script-Settings

How to Bind to ELRS Receiver

Method 1: Using Bind Phrase

You can use bind phrase for binding:

• Enable Wi-Fi under the RF Settings tab
• Connect to the radio’s Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone, or laptop
• Open 10.0.0.1 in your browser
• Enter your binding phrase in the web UI, and click Save

Now repeat this and enter the same bind phrase in the receiver. That’s it.

Method 2: Using the Bind Button

If for some reason you cannot put a bind phrase in the drone’s receiver, you can use the bind button.

The T8L has a dedicated bind button, it puts the radio in Bind mode. (or you can do this in the Web configurator).

To put the receiver in bind mode, you simply plug and unplug the battery 3 times.

WiFi Mode (For Firmware Updates)

If you enable WiFi, you can update ExpressLRS firmware through:

• ELRS Configurator
• Browser-based update

This makes firmware updates easy — no need to open the radio.

Gimbal Tension Adjustment

You can adjust how tight or loose the gimbals feel following this diagram.

If they are still not loose enough, you can replace the gimbal springs that come with the radio. Check out how I did it in my T8L review: https://oscarliang.com/radiomaster-t8l/

Gimbal Calibration

When using the radio for the first time, you should calibrate the gimbals. You should also repeat it if your sticks don’t center properly (when the sticks are in center position, they should read 0):

• Go into the Calibration tab in the Web Configurator
• Follow the on-screen instructions
• Center all sticks first, click Confirm Center Point
• Now move sticks fully in all directions (do this very gently, do not push the sticks hard or it will ruin the calibration), stay in the corners for at least 0.5 to 1 second.
• Click Complete

FPV Simulators

The T8L was plug and play for me.

Simply power on the radio, connect it to your PC with a USB-C cable, and launch your simulator (Liftoff, Uncrashed, TrypFPV, Velocidrone, etc.). It should be immediately recognized as “Radiomaster SIM” controller, without installing any drivers.

You should calibrate the controller inside the sim when using it for the first time.

Firmware Upgrade

There’s also a firmware update section in WebUI.

You have to download the firmware file from RadioMaster’s website first (if there is a new firmware).

Here you can:

• Update radio firmware
• Update Internal ELRS module
• Update sensor

If you accidentally enter firmware update mode and cannot get out of it (When powered on, two blue LED flashing and the radio is stuck), you need to go back to the Web Configurator, and click “Exit Firmware Update”.

Setting Backup and Restore

There is no way to backup or restore settings automatically. You have to rely on the good old “screenshots” method.

Manual

Final Thoughts

The Radiomaster T8L is one of the most affordable ELRS radios out there, and despite not having a screen, it’s surprisingly capable. If you’re a beginner, this setup method is actually easier than navigating complex radio menus. If you’re experienced, you’ll appreciate how clean and direct the WebUI approach is.