Now that the Go-Flight Hardware is supported (via FSUIPC), I've been wanting to get some of their modules.But the bank balance is a little low at the moment (in spite of the generosity of the 42 folks who've donated for the tutorial), so it's just been a wish.To experiment with the FSUIPC capabilities without spending much money, I went out and spent $40 on a Belkin Nostromo 52 game controller. It has an 8-way hat, 16 buttons, and a scroll wheel.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/64964.jpgAt the moment, I've got the buttons set as shown, with the red button being a cancel for TOGA. The hat switch is set for four of the 7 views (Main, Zoom, OH, and the FMC).I'm pretty happy with it, and next I'm going to try and get the scroll wheel to modify the V/S window.If anyone wants more details, let me know.

Tim,I don't know if you got my e-mail. But, yes, I'd like more details on this Belkin project.John R. Franklin

Hi guysHere's another of those "poor man's" MCPs. This one was done using FSBUS, and was my very first HW equipment I did with FSBUS.(before anyone starts asking why the layout is not 1:1 with NG MCP: It's for the 757!)http://www.ee.oulu.fi/~partanen/MCPuus.jpgcheers,Tero

>Tim,>>I don't know if you got my e-mail. But, yes, I'd like more>details on this Belkin project.>>>John R. FranklinIt turned out to be very simple. I just bought the belkin controller, and installed the driver and the profile manager. In the profile manager I set every button to be a direct input button (instead of assigning a macro or keystroke in the profile). Then, in FSUIPC, I set the buttons to generate keystrokes that map to the FS and/or PMDG functions.Finally, I used some avery labels and scissors to label every key.I have NOT gotten the wheel to work the way I want - it just doesn't generate pulses the way I figured it would.Still, I'm happy, at least until I build/buy different hardware.Should you decide to buy one - I can send you the profile file.

Hi Timothy,as ever your tips and tricks are highly appreciated. I could buy a BELKIN Nostromo 52 here for 35

Hi Tero,i was checking the FSBUS site and it was WAY to technical.As far as i can see your MCP is very nicel rigged, is there any schematic available in regards to the needed components, wiring and setup so one (ME!) could build such a hardware??Where did you get this nice labelling from??Best regardsHolger

I've got to say, thats a bloody great idea!

>Hi Timothy,>>as ever your tips and tricks are highly appreciated. I could>buy a BELKIN Nostromo 52 here for 35

OK, this sounds definitely very promising, now the next challenge...We are looking at the so called PM-MCP (where PM stands for poor man...:))Now what we really want is not only to select different features within the autopilot, what IMHO is even more a thrill is being able to change VALUES, like hdg, speed and so forth....if out there is anyone smarter than me able to give me any advisories about how to build or set up such a device this would definitely be a gogo...best regardsHolger

Hi Holger,Everything you need to know is found at www.fsbus.de. Sorry can't make it "easier" than that for you, because in order to construct FSBUS hardware you need to construct a couple of PCBs and do some wiring. It just needs to be done. All the information is on FSBUS home site.The labelling I did myself. I designed the layout with Designer and then printed the layout on paper, which was simply laminated. that's all.Tero

How do you interface that with PMDG737??? Why don't you put some 7-segment displays over there??ThanksPaulo

Hi Tero,Thanks for the mention of FSBUS, I might give it a go as like so many I cannot justify the cost of Go-Flight etc.I note from the web site that FSBUS was designed for FS2k2 and that development seems to have stopped in 2002, do you know if FSBUS will work with FS9?Thanks

Vulcan,FSBUS is not FS-version dependant.It merely delivers the interface to send and read commands via FSUIPC and/or send keyboard or mouse commands to anywhere, even to notepad.So yes, it works with FS9.Tero

>So yes, it works with FS9.

Hello TimI don