Hey all,I'm not sure if i'm even describing it right but i'm trying to find out where i can get the knob/rotary switches that are used in GA COM/NAV radios. Ya know, the kind that have an outer ring which tunes the upper frequency and the inner ring which tunes the lower end of the frequency? Some of them even have the inner knob pull outward to change add an extra 25kHz to the frequency.Anyone know the proper name for these things? A vendor? A distributor?Thanks,Chris

Grayhill has them. But they are about 80 - 90 euro each.I made them myself according to a description found elsewere. I have a link to them on my site. You can see my results on my site too.regardsNorberthttp://home.wanadoo.nl/norbert.bosch

Thank you for the reply. I've checked Grayhill but unless i'm looking for the wrong thing, i don't seem them. Would you happen to have a link to them?thanks,chris

Chris,You're looking for "dual, concentric rotary encoders" such as the series 62C units. http://embrace.grayhill.com/embrace/Item/A...e%2C+ConcentricMikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

I saw just the thing you describe on GoFlights website just the other day. http://www.goflightinc.com/hangar.shtmlTowards the bottom of the page is a duel rotary on a curcuit board complete with knobs for $29.95. They are designed for connection to their own hardware. I do not know if they can be connected to IOCards, FSBus etc, maybe someone else can give a yes or no on that. If they can be connected to other equipment they would be a cheaper alternative to the Greyhil ones Mike Powell suggested. I do not have the equipment like a press drill needed to make a duel concentric rotary from 2 twelve position rotary switches myself.Simon

>I do not have the equipment like a press>drill needed to make a duel concentric rotary from 2 twelve>position rotary switches myself.A drill press costs less than one Grayhill rotary though :)Here's a good tutorial about how a lot of us do them:http://www.opencockpits.com/modules.php?na...=showpage&pid=9But dont forget a lot of general aviation planes have radios with simply two knobs. Those are a very valid alternative - functionally they have zero difference to the pilot, they work just as well. It's the easiest way to do something to enhance your sim experience and to eliminate the mouse and keyboard.A good tip for the drill press people btw: Fasten a block of wood firmly on the drillpress, and drill a 6mm hole on it. Then put the switch shaft upside down *into the hole* - and you have a perfectly centered, straightly aligned holder for it to drill into.. Just need something to keep it from turning along wiht the drill..//Tuomas

Thank you Tuomas,a good tip.I was talking about this with a friend tomight and he has given me free reign to use his workshop, including a press drill. :)I will be buying some rotary switches this weekend.Simonwww.desktopflying.co.uk

Just letting you know the method described on Opencockpits site mentioned above works very well with the cheap black and white rotary switches. I've attached photos of my NAV/OBS radio for my 767 sim done in this way....I used small blocks of wood and ply to mount the switches. Drilling is more accurate on a lathe but my first lot were done with a drill press by eye and they work fine. I have since made triple concentrics using rotary encoders with similar success.By the way mine are connected to FSbus (fskey) and work well. You can see the FSbus display board in the photo.

Have I ever said your COCKPIT RULES!! Really amazing piece of work buddy!! Roberto

>I have since made triple>concentrics using rotary encoders with similar success.Got pics of those?//Tuomas

Hi TuomasBelow is a photo of the triple concentric rotary encoder assy I mentioned....these were drilled on a lathe for better accuracy. There is a brass tube for the centre encoder through which a piece of music wire passes for the rear one. Eac encoder has has a slightly different size drill hole to allow smooth operation of each shaft.I'll be using the same mounting method....small wooden blocks and 1.5 mm ply. Have included some shots of my radio "production line". My panels are made of 5mm MDF with a 3mm MDF backing panel on which the switches are mounted (with the penalty of no backlighting....just another compromise....getting accustomed to them now!!;)CheersIan

Cool, thanks!What type of rotaries are those btw? Encoders or N-position switches?You could get "backlight" btw, if you have white letters on the panels, if you put in a "black light tube" on the roof of your simulator.. You know the "makes your teeth and white shirt glow" -type of "party light".. That might work surprisingly well.//Tuomas

TuomasThey are rotary encoders....Bourns ECW15-B24-BC0006...1/4 cycle gray type. By chance more than reason if set up as a knitter or Alps in FSbus (connected to two key position) on FSkey they work faultlessly.Brad Heller has some for sale if you are interested....he's moved to IO cards and needs full cycle type.If you send me your email address I'll send you a spec sheet.Thanks for the tip re black light...have been considering that but wasn't sure how successful it might be. A signwriter told me there is some sort of clear coating that makes white lettering glow under black light but from what you say this may not be necessary?Best RegardsIan

Well, I havent tried blacklight myself, but I would guess it might work nicely - I mean, everything that is white does glow under it. Even your teeth :)I'm building GA stuff so a simple red dome light will do.. ;)I think one could do that also with 12-position rotaries, although those have the nasty thing that you need to cut the spring in two and need to catch the flying ball bearings.. :)//Tuomas

Absolutely wonderful Ian. Can I ask how you done the lettering on your Nav/OBS panel? Could not seem to see it on your website.By the way my wife came into the room when I was looking at your site, all she said was.....'don't go getting any F^&%$!&G ideas." :(The Porcupineaka Simon Webbwww.desktopflying.co.ukVery slowely putting together a generic twin desktop unit.