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The following explains how to simplify setting up Modes on a HobbyEagle A3 Super 4 utilising all 6 modes using VARS on a FrSky X14 Tx running ETHOS. The same logic can be adapted for any flight controller or Ethos Transmitter.

Three switches are needed. One 2 position switch, and two 3 position switches.

Step 1: The Toggle Logic (Bank A vs. Bank B)

The first step is to choose a 2 position switch which will control the two 3 position switches. Here, a momentary toggle switch is being used. Switch E.

This sets up the momentary switch SWE to act as a latching toggle between the two physical 3 position switch banks (SWA and SWB). Setup the logic as follows:-

Go to Model > Logical Switches.

Because we are using a momentary switch (SWE) to hop between SWA and SWB, it can be helpful to have a sound play to confirm the switch banks have changed, regardless of what position the physical switches A and B are currently in.

Go to Model > Special Functions:

1. Add a Special Function:
   • SF1 - Action: Play Track
   • Active Condition: L1 (BankA switch)
   • File: Select a file like "Bank A" or a short beep.
2. Add another Special Function:
   • SF2 - Action: Play Track
   • Active Condition: L2 (BankB switch)
   • File: Select a file like "Bank B" or a different beep.

Now, whenever you tap SWE, you will immediately hear which bank is active, closely followed by the specific flight mode announcement determined by the physical switch position on that bank (see later). Because these call outs are higher up the list of Special Functions they will play first, immediately followed by the call out setup in Step 5 below.

Step 2: The 6 Flight Mode Triggers

This combines the active Bank (L1 or L2) with the 3 physical positions of SWA and SWB to create 6 distinct states.

• Stay in Model > Logical Switches and create L3 through L8:
• L3 (Mode 1): AND | Source 1: L1 (BankA) | Source 2: SWA↑ (Up)
• L4 (Mode 2): AND | Source 1: L1 (BankA) | Source 2: SWA– (Mid)
• L5 (Mode 3): AND | Source 1: L1 (BankA) | Source 2: SWA↓ (Down)
• L6 (Mode 4): AND | Source 1: L2 (BankB) | Source 2: SWB↑ (Up)
• L7 (Mode 5): AND | Source 1: L2 (BankB) | Source 2: SWB– (Mid)
• L8 (Mode 6): AND | Source 1: L2 (BankB) | Source 2: SWB↓ (Down)

Step 3: The Variable (VARS) Setup

The VAR acts as the "brain" that translates the active Logical Switch into a clean output value.

• Go to Model > VARS and select Add.
• Name: GyroOut
• Type: Weights
• Add 6 lines matching your active states to the desired output values:

Step 4: The 1-Line Mixer Menu

Because the VAR is doing all the heavy lifting, the mixer menu shrinks down into a single, clean line.

• Go to Model > Mixes and add a Free Mix:
  • Name: GyroMode
  • Source: Select VARS > GyroOut
  • Weight: 100%
  • Output: The receiver channel assigned to your Hobby Eagle "MODE" slot (e.g., CH5).

Step 5: Audio Voice Playback

Setup voice callouts for the respective Mode conditions. 

Go to Model > Special Functions and create 6 rules:

• SF3: Active Condition = L3 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 1 audio | Repeat = No
• SF4: Active Condition = L4 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 2 audio | Repeat = No
• SF5: Active Condition = L5 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 3 audio | Repeat = No
• SF6: Active Condition = L6 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 4 audio | Repeat = No
• SF7: Active Condition = L7 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 5 audio | Repeat = No
• SF8: Active Condition = L8 | Action = Play Track | File = Mode 6 audio | Repeat = No

How to test it:

Go to the Tx’s Outputs monitor page. 

Flip SWE to activate Switch Bank A.

Move SWA through its 3 positions and watch the screen move the channel through -100%, -60%, and -20% while playing your audio files. 

Flip SWE. The radio will stop listening to SWA. SWB is now the active switch and will step through 20%, 60%, and 100% with the respective callouts.

TIP: If you need to move Logical switches etc. to another slot they can be reordered, and your references to them will update automatically across all other menus:-

Unlike some radio systems  where moving things can break assignments, FrSky ETHOS uses object-oriented tracking. When you reference a Logical Switch (e.g.L1 through L8 etc.) or a Special Function anywhere else in your radio - such as in Mixes, Curves, or Audio Playbacks - ETHOS links directly to that specific entity, not just its numerical position in the list.

How to move them:

If you tap on an existing Logical Switch or Special Function, a popup menu will appear with the option to Move. Selecting Move gives you up/down arrow indicators allowing you to shift that item anywhere you like in the list. 

What happens behind the scenes:

If you move your current L1 down to the L2 slot so you can insert a brand new L1 at the top:

1. The old L1 becomes L2.
2. ETHOS will automatically background-update your Mixes and Special Functions to point to the new L2 designation.
3. Your toggles, weights, and audio cues from our previous steps will continue to work perfectly without you having to manually reassign a single thing.

This makes it incredibly safe to reorganize, clean up, or label your setup as your model programming grows.

Author: Mark Bennett

Date: October 2026