How can I make an external radio/autopilot panel?

[FS4]

Can anyone tell me how to make a simple external setup to display and control FS2004's radio and autopilot functions? What software and hardware do I need? I'm interested in functionality vs. appearance. Thanks in advance.

[Guest MikePowell]

Dave,There isn't really a "simple" approach to making this. Generally the tradeoff is simplicity vs money. If you want to make the gear yourself, a good approach is to use the FSBUS design www.fsbus.de There is a growing builder community and ongoing development, so there are people who can offer help as you pursue it.If you want to develop your own design, you might want to start by looking at software called FSUIPC. www.schiratti.com/dowson.html Available for a modest license, it provides the function calls to gain access to MSFS internal variables.There are so many potential approaches that it's difficult to list them. Your own skill level and budget are large factors in the decision. You might spend some time scanning the past several months of postings in this forum and the similar cockpit forum on www.flightsimnetwork.com There are numerous builder websites that showcase various approaches, and they are worth the time to review as well. My website has a list fo these sites, as well as, information in general that may be of interest.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

[rickalty]

>Can anyone tell me how to make a simple external setup to>display and control FS2004's radio and autopilot functions? >What software and hardware do I need? I'm interested in>functionality vs. appearance. Thanks in advance.As a simple starter, read thne recent thread on here regarding displaying on an LCD for how to get the radio info displayed. To get the inputs, try Leo's "Simfactory" site for easy to make and use boards to connect switched or rotaries to FS via keyboard emulation or FSUIPC.Richard

[PeterR]

Dave,EDIT: Oops, Richard and I think alike but he hit Post before I did. Anyway, hope the links are helpful.For a relatively simple output device, check out the thread about small LCD panels connected to the parallel port:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...2&topic_id=5214As for input, Leo has a new interface board he's designing:http://www.vif.com/users/leolacava/usb/plasma.htmlhttp://www.vif.com/users/leolacava/Peter http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/PeterR.gifBFU Forums ModeratorRenegade/Seawolf Design Group (RSDG)[table border=2 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=1][tr][td][table border=0 cellpadding=8 cellspacing=0][tr][td bgcolor=#6f0000]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

[Guest LeoL]

Dave, look here for a DIY autopilot module. Its not simple, but it may be of interest to you: http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/dcforum/DCForumID12/266.htmlPeter, actually, the "Plasma" board you linked to is not suitable for radios / autopilot. That one is for analog input stuff like Joysticks, Yokes, Throttles etc.I think you may have gotten confused (due to the new silly nomenclature I'm using :-hah ) with the "GammaRay-256" input board.I'm currently finishing up a USB 256 output module to drive 7-seg displays, LEDs, DAC's, stepper motors, etc. Meanwhile, Scott just informed me he's ordered prototype PCB's for his LPT version so he should have a low cost input / output design ready soon. It should work with the CSI display boards. http://www.em.ca/~cockpits/products/wiring/displays.htmCheers,-Leo

[jmig]

Dave, if you want to go the "buy it and it works" route, check out Go-Flight, Inc.; http://www.goflightinc.com/ . Their products are easy to use and work. You can puchase them through AVSIM' store.John

[PeterR]

Thanks Leo. That output board sounds cool.Peter http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/PeterR.gifBFU Forums ModeratorRenegade/Seawolf Design Group (RSDG)