diff --git a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC.h b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC.h
index 296c5be710..48ac4c4721 100644
--- a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC.h
+++ b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 
 
 #define NUM_CHANNELS 8
+#define MIN_CHANNELS 5      // for ppm sum we allow less than 8 channels to make up a valid packet
 
 
 
diff --git a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM1.cpp b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM1.cpp
index 73c4626d56..d47ad8df5f 100644
--- a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM1.cpp
+++ b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM1.cpp
@@ -55,16 +55,16 @@ void APM_RC_APM1::_timer4_capt_cb(void)
     }
 
     if (Pulse_Width>8000) {                   // SYNC pulse?
+        // pass through values if at least a minimum number of channels received
+        if( PPM_Counter >= MIN_CHANNELS ) {
+            _radio_status = 1;
+            _last_update = millis();
+        }
         PPM_Counter=0;
     }
     else {
         if (PPM_Counter < NUM_CHANNELS) {     // Valid pulse channel?
             _PWM_RAW[PPM_Counter++]=Pulse_Width;   // Saving pulse.
-
-            if (PPM_Counter >= NUM_CHANNELS) {
-                _radio_status = 1;
-                _last_update = millis();
-            }
         }
     }
     ICR4_old = Pulse;
diff --git a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM2.cpp b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM2.cpp
index 389d10d07e..a9023e2332 100644
--- a/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM2.cpp
+++ b/libraries/APM_RC/APM_RC_APM2.cpp
@@ -55,16 +55,16 @@ void APM_RC_APM2::_timer5_capt_cb(void)
 
     // Was it a sync pulse? If so, reset frame.
     if ( pwidth > 8000 ) {
+        // pass through values if at least a minimum number of channels received
+        if( frame_idx >= MIN_CHANNELS ) {
+            _radio_status = 1;
+            _last_update = millis();
+        }
         frame_idx=0;
     } else {
         // Save pulse into _PWM_RAW array.
         if ( frame_idx < NUM_CHANNELS ) {
             _PWM_RAW[ frame_idx++ ] = pwidth;
-            // If this is the last pulse in a frame, set _radio_status.
-            if (frame_idx >= NUM_CHANNELS) {
-                _radio_status = 1;
-                _last_update = millis();
-            }
         }
     }
     // Save icr for next call.