Hey everyone, Thanks for all the previous help and suggestions... After reading many articles, it seems to me like the Hagstrom Keyboard Encoder is probably the easiest way to do this setup (Engine starts, mags, alternators, lights). I starting pricing the toggle switch setup out , and I was starting to get about $12 per circuit... plus all the time, possible screw ups etc... figured theres gotta be an easier and better way!!Now for the questions:1) It sounds like I can still use my typing keyboard the same time this emulator is being used... Is this correct?? I'd like to be use VATSIM at the same time.2) How does the emulator communicate with flight sim 2002?? I see from what Hagstrom says I hook up my toggle/rocker switch and assign commands to it. Up can do one command, down another..am I correct saying this? So how do I make say the nav lights turn on in flightsim now... via FSUIPC Keys commands?? 3) Can I send multiple keystrokes to start the magnetos on piston engines?? Sending one key to mag start doesn't do the trick, it takes more like 3-4 I've found by just experimenting with the keyboard myself.Thats a few questions for now... if anyone can help its appreciated!Chris

I haven't used the emulator before but for question #3, have you tried sending a key down message when you have the switch on start and then a key up when start is released? That would emulate holding down the key for as long as you keep the starter engaged.Peter http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/PeterR.gifBFU Forums Moderator[table border=2 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=1][tr][td][table border=0 cellpadding=8 cellspacing=0][tr][td bgcolor=#540000]http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/logo75t.gif[/td][td align="center" bgcolor=#FFFFF6]Bush Flying Unlimited"At home in the wild"Looking for adventure? Come join us! * [link:bfu.avsim.net|Web Site] * [link:www.cafepress.com/bfu,bfu2,bfu3,bfu4|BFU Store] * [link:bfu.avsim.net/join.htm]Join!][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table

>>1) It sounds like I can still use my typing keyboard the >same time this emulator is being used... Is this correct?? >I'd like to be use VATSIM at the same time. >Yes, the encoder is plugged into your PC's keyboard port and then your keyboard plugs into the encoder so your keyboard works as normal.>2) How does the emulator communicate with flight sim 2002?? >I see from what Hagstrom says I hook up my toggle/rocker >switch and assign commands to it. Up can do one command, >down another..am I correct saying this? So how do I make say >the nav lights turn on in flightsim now... via FSUIPC Keys >commands?? >The encoder looks to the PC like a keyboard and it sends keystrokes to the PC exactly as if you had typed them on a keyboard. So, if you want, for example, to program a switch for the landing gear, you would connect a switch to the encoder and program that input to send the letter 'g' on switch closing and switch opening. The one disadvantage with the encoder approach is that you have to assign keystrokes to every flight sim function that you want to control from the encoder. That can involve considerable editing of the config file.>3) Can I send multiple keystrokes to start the magnetos on >piston engines?? Sending one key to mag start doesn't do the >trick, it takes more like 3-4 I've found by just >experimenting with the keyboard myself. >You didn't say which Hagstrom encoder you are considering. I would strongly recommend the KE72, it's much the best suited. With the KE72, you can program a string of 32 keystrokes to a switch closure and 16 to a switch opening.>Thats a few questions for now... if anyone can help its >appreciated! >>ChrisHope that clears some things for you,Peter