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NX How To Update your BNF Folder
How To Update your BNF Folder
The NX radio’s internal SD card includes a folder of BNF model files, allowing you to install a model file for many Horizon Hobby models. This saves you the effort of having to create each model by entering the settings shown in the aircraft’s manual.
As new models are added to the list, it becomes necessary to update the BNF folder in your radio. The NX WiFi “Check for Updates” option now allows you to update the BNF folder directly, without needing to access a shared drive with your PC.
Update Method for NX6, NX8/8+, NX10/10+, NX20
Brief:
The basic process is to download the update file using the radio’s WiFi and install it. Finally, you will use the SD menu to activate it.
Items required:
a) WiFi access for your NX radio
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Before you begin, set the correct date and time on your radio. You will need the correct date/time for the filename selection process (step 17).
Power up your NX radio while holding down the roller. This will put you on the System menu.
Scroll down to WiFi Utilities
If required, select Connect to Network.
If required, enter the credentials for your router.
On the Spektrum Menu, select “Check for Updates”
Look for the update name you wish to install. The names are:
a) BLADE – full set of model files for Blade
b) E-FLITE – full set of model files for E-flite
c) OTHER – full set of model files for all other brands
d) NEWxxxx – models from all brands that have been added in the past quarter
Note that “Check for Updates” does not include a date for the full sets, but for the NEWxxxx the xxxx will be a date code such as 25Q4, indicating fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December 2025). For more detailed information you need to log into your My Spektrum account and check the download page manually. This will provide you with the details on what is included in each update.
Wait for the file to download. It will take several minutes, during which time you will see the progress bar move and the horizontal “barber pole” rotate.
When the download completes the radio will verify it. When verification succeeds it will ask if you want to install it or not. Select INSTALL.
When the installation finishes you will be on the main screen again.
10. Click the roller to get to the Function List.
11. Scroll down to System Setup and click. Confirm the “RF turned off” when prompted.
12. Scroll down to “Transfer SD Card”
13. Make sure the SD Card says “Internal.” If it says “External” then click on it to toggle it.
14. Change the Category to “Special Functions”
15. Change the Option to “untar (unpack)” and click.
16. You are now viewing the contents of the DOWNLOAD folder.
17. Select the file you just downloaded. The file is named DL_<date>_9999.TAR where <date> is the radio’s current date (2025-11-01 for example) and the 9999 is actually the number of downloads today. It will likely be 0001. Note that if your radio’s clock is not set properly, you will have a bogus date shown in the filename.
18. Once you click on the file it will automatically begin the update process, showing a file-by-file progress bar and a list of updated files beneath it. How long it takes will depend on the number of files in the update package. Most take about 5-10 minutes.
19. When this completes it will return you to the SD menu. Press BACK twice to return to the main screen.
Your NX radio is now updated and the new BNF models will be available next time you select <Add New BNF> from the Model Select list.
Update Method for NX7e/+ or alternate for all NX
Brief:
The basic process is to download the update file using your computer, then install the downloaded file into the radio using the USB or an external Micro SD card.
Items required:
a) A computer with Internet access
b) A “My Spektrum” account
c) A registered NX radio on that account
d) Either a Micro SD card or USB cable
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Before you begin, set the correct date and time on your radio. You will need the correct date/time for the filename selection process (step 26 or 47).
On your computer, log into your My Spektrum account by clicking on “My Spektrum” in the top right corner at http://www.SpektrumRC.com (if you have not yet created one, do so now. Then register your radio so that updates are available to you via the web).
On the right side of the screen, next to your radio, are several options. One of these is “Download Updates” – click that link.
On the list of updates available for the radio will be a list of model updates. These are grouped by aircraft brand (Blade, E-flite, and Other) and by level (Full or New). Select the file that suits your intent by clicking on the big orange DOWNLOAD button.
Wait for the download to complete. This will give you a file name SPMTX.SAX, or some variant of that if multiple downloads have been made on your computer.
Make note of the correct file from your download folder, as you will be working with it later.
Jump to either step 6 if using a USB cable, or step 29 if using a Micro SD card.
UPDATING USING A USB CABLE
Power off the radio if it is on, then power it back on. We want to start with a “clean slate.”
Connect the USB cable between the PC and radio. The charge indicator on the transmitter will turn on.
Using the roller, select the USB Settings screen.
10. Select Access Internal Storage. The first time you do this it might take a minute or two, but eventually the PC will give you a USB drive of the radio.
11. Drag/drop the file from Step 5 above onto the radio.
12. Using your PC, rename the file to something like "E-flite.SAX" - it must NOT be SPMTX.SAX
13. On the radio, press BACK until you are back on the System menu.
14. Scroll down to "Transfer SD Card" option.
15. Change the category to Special Functions.
16. Change the Option to Update Firmware.
17. Select the file from Step 11 to install and click the roller.
18. When the installation finishes you will be on the main screen again. This step created a file in the DOWNLOAD folder on the radio’s internal SD card. Now we need to activate that file.
19. Click the roller to get to the Function List.
20. Scroll down to System Setup and click. Confirm the “RF turned off” when prompted.
21. Scroll down to “Transfer SD Card”
22. Make sure the SD Card says “Internal.” If it says “External” then click on it to toggle it.
23. Change the Category to “Special Functions”
24. Change the Option to “untar (unpack)” and click.
25. You are now viewing the contents of the DOWNLOAD folder.
26. Select the file you just downloaded and installed. The file is named DL_<date>_9999.TAR where <date> is the radio’s current date (2025-11-01 for example) and the 9999 is actually the number of downloads today. It will likely be 0001. Note that if your radio’s clock is not set properly, you will have a bogus date shown in the filename.
27. Once you click on the file it will automatically begin the update process, showing a file-by-file progress bar and a list of updated files beneath it. How long it takes will depend on the number of files in the update package. Most take about 5-10 minutes.
28. When this completes it will return you to the SD menu. Press BACK twice to return to the main screen.
Your NX radio is now updated and the new BNF models will be available next time you select <Add New BNF> from the Model Select list.
UPDATING USING A MICRO SD CARD
29. Insert the Micro SD card into your PC
30. Drag/drop the file from Step 5 above onto the card.
31. Rename the file to something like "E-flite.SAX" - it must NOT be SPMTX.SAX
32. Power on the radio while holding down the roller. This powers on into the System menu.
33. Insert the card into the radio.
34. Scroll down to "Transfer SD Card" option.
35. Make sure the SD Card says “External.” If it says “Internal” then click on it to toggle it.
36. Change the category to Special Functions.
37. Change the Option to Update Firmware.
38. Select the file from Step 31 to install and click the roller.
39. When the installation finishes you will be on the main screen again. This step created a file in the DOWNLOAD folder on the radio’s internal SD card. Now we need to activate that file.
40. Click the roller to get to the Function List.
41. Scroll down to System Setup and click. Confirm the “RF turned off” when prompted.
42. Scroll down to “Transfer SD Card”
43. Make sure the SD Card says “Internal.” If it says “External” then click on it to toggle it.
44. Change the Category to “Special Functions”
45. Change the Option to “untar (unpack)” and click.
46. You are now viewing the contents of the DOWNLOAD folder.
47. Select the file you just downloaded and installed. The file is named DL_<date>_9999.TAR where <date> is the radio’s current date (2025-11-01 for example) and the 9999 is actually the number of downloads today. It will likely be 0001. Note that if your radio’s clock is not set properly, you will have a bogus date shown in the filename.
48. Once you click on the file it will automatically begin the update process, showing a file-by-file progress bar and a list of updated files beneath it. How long it takes will depend on the number of files in the update package. Most take about 5-10 minutes.
49. When this completes it will return you to the SD menu. Press BACK twice to return to the main screen.
Your NX radio is now updated and the new BNF models will be available next time you select <Add New BNF> from the Model Select list.