I just got started with this cockpit building stuff, and I bought an IOCARDS master card to play with. So far I have it connected to the PC, I can use the controller software that comes with it to read inputs and toggle outputs. When I fire up FS2004/FSUIPC I can't see any updates on the software. Is this maybe because FSUIPC is unregistered? Also, what is an easy function I could test for an LED output?? Something like pitot heat switch or NAV1/NAV2 select......What else....... let's see......Oh yeah, anyone building in the Tampa, Fl area???? Where do you get parts??? I am VERY experienced in electronics and programming, and I have a great source for getting PCBs made cheaply...Thnx in advance for any help..

I am not using IOcards, but chose another route for the interface, FSBUS. I am in the Leesburg, Fl. area and I send away to MOUSER ELECTRONICS for most of my components. I am new here from Cassville, NY and have no idea where to get things locally, so everything is done on the internet, as I said, mostly through MOUSER. Milt

Sorry, likewise not using IOcards, nor am I in Florida, but you might want to look at the following places:allelectronics.combgmicro.comjameco.comgoldmine-elec.comI've ordered from each of them with no problems. I have no financial interest in any of them - just trying to share some options.Happy siming.

>I just got started with this cockpit building stuff, and I>bought an IOCARDS master card to play with. So far I have it>connected to the PC, I can use the controller software that>comes with it to read inputs and toggle outputs. When I fire>up FS2004/FSUIPC I can't see any updates on the software. Is>this maybe because FSUIPC is unregistered? Also, what is an>easy function I could test for an LED output?? Something like>pitot heat switch or NAV1/NAV2 select......IOCards has different programs - one is used to test the interface (controlador or something, my spanish is not very (at all) good :))There is another program to make the configuration - the one with lots of notebook tabs on the top and where you set up your configuration. This is then saved to disk.Then there is iocard.exe which is the thing that reads the configuration and talks with FS.For testing you could make a small diagram of an airplane viewed from top and put there leds for navi and landing lights.. then you can use those for testing..? And it would look cool too. IOCards has the SIOC programming interface where you might even be able to create something that does the strobe blinking - I am not very familiar with it though, but it seems to be pretty powerful, much like FSBUS' CCC facility.Someone who knows more needs to answer the FSUIPC registration part. However, it is useful in general to have a registered FSUIPC on home cockpit building, there's lots of useful stuff in FSUIPC as well, like button mapping from your joysticks etc.//Tuomas

OK, this was on the iocards forum (www.opencockpits.com - probably the best forum for iocards questions)This is one thing to check too:"

I am in the Jacksonville/St Augustine area. We should get together and talk!See www.freewebs.com/flightlevel180I too use mouser. Just cant find the stuff we need even in Jacksonville, or at least not so far!Eric T