I would like to build a DC-3 yoke for my sim. I've pretty much figured out how I 'll make it, BUT I need to know how to wire the connectors to joystick port and then use a USB adapter. Can someone tell me what pins I would need to connect the pots to. A wiring diagram would be so nice.also weither sliding or rotory pots work best.

Hi,You can find the game port pin connection here: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/gameport_1.htm The page also has some links to other sites with gameport or joystick information.I personally think you will get the longest lifetime from a sealed rotary pot. Whether or not that is an issue will depend on your usage and if the pot is exposed to dust or (my favorite) spilled coffee. More info on pots here: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/potentiometers.htmIf you are planning on going USB, you might want to consider buying a reasonable USB game controller and hacking it. There have been mixed reports about using gameport to USB converters. Some apparently don't give you the resolution you might want. Perhaps someone more up to date on USB converters could add some comments about specific models.If you do hack a USB joystick, check the pot resistance values before you buy pots for your yoke. While gameport interfaced pots are generally 100K ohm units, USB devices are free to use whatever value the designer chooses.You might also take a look at Leo Lacava's USB interfacing work. http://www.vif.com/users/leolacava/Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Without re-inventing the wheel for you, you might like to check out http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/diy/index.htmRoland's got a lot of good stuff which might be what you need:-)

I had horrible results using a CH gameport yoke through a USB adapter. I ended up using the yoke through the computers gameport, and using one of Leo's USB adapters to wire up the other controlsRichard

Unfortunately, the Cypress USB chip I used for that design has been discontinued and is no longer being produced. I can still get some if anyone needs them but I have no plans to make any more PCBs for them.Besides, it was a simple enough circuit that it can be wired up on a "protoboard" (no idea what they're really called) without much difficulty like I did for my first prototype.-Leo

Thanks for the info. now I can start downloading plans from head to hardcopy.