My setup was lacking a few items. Owning several Goflight modules for my comm/nav radios, DME, ADF AP, Xpndr, Gear, Flaps, Trim and other miscellaneous functions, an extra keyboard that I labled to handle GPS funtions, and a Siatek yoke and two thottle quadrants I had almost acheived no mouse usage during game play. All I needed was control of the switches (i.e. lights, de-icing, fuel pumps, etc.)I needed about 18 - 20 switches which would require about $330 worth of go-flight modules plus a mounting box. Desktop aviator could accomplich the same functions for a few dollars less, but the would not match my other modules. What did I do?While browsing around desktopaviator.com I found their 20 button USB interface for around $30. It is an electronics interface to USB that can control up to 20 switches. I also found a wiring document on how to make toggle switches work like push buttons. Not an electical curcuit expert I was leary, but decided to take on the project of adding the 20 switches.After checking prices, I purchased most of the electronics online. With shipping it cost about $40 for the 20 button USB controller, $40 for the electronics, and $40 in Radio Shack supplies (I should have order the Radio Shack stuff online for half the price). I began laerning and trying some things on a breadboard, spent about $40 more on some design changes. With final design I soldered and configured my switches with excellent results. If I had to it again I could probably complete the project for around $100. Here is a (blurry) picture.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188154.txt

can you attach your picture again? It's showing up as a text file. I'm interested in seeing what it looks like.

Go ahead and click on either link. You'll see the .jpg picture. R-

I click the link and it asks if I want to save it to my disk or open it with notepad. If I open it with notepad it shows up with a bunch of weird symbols. Can you email to me? [email protected]

File downloaded, saved, renamed, and reuploaded...Anthony's Pic:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188174.jpg

Very nice dude.......... I had been thinking of something like that too....that my friend is very ingenious......

It was fairly easy, but time consuming. I had never done anything like this but I can follow direction and I know a little about electricity. I also have some knowledgable friends. The guy the wrote the wiring directions will help.The key points are:1. Test (prototype) your circuit on a breadboard.2. Duplicate that circuit over and over on the PC Board.3. Test over and over and check everthing twice before soldering.4. Use an IC breadboard to reduce jumper wires.5. Plan your circuits on the PC board well so you can get all the components on the same board.6. Mount the switches on the project box first the wire ground and power from switch to switch so that you will only have one power wire and one ground wire from the switches to the board. (you will also have 20 signal wires). I did not do this and I have a 60 wires running from the board to the switches (20 ground, 20 power, 20 signal).7. Solder carefully, using small amounts. It is not that hard just takes time. If you mess up you can remove the solder with wick.Supplies I used:1 - A project box from Radio Shack measuring 7"x5"x3" part# 270-1807 1 - Desktop Aviator USB to 20 button interface2 - Desktop Aviator Ribbon Cables2 - Desktop Aviator male headers2 - Radio Shack SPDT paddle switches 275-648. These are nice.2 - Electronic Goldmine G2239 Rocker Switch DPDT17 - Electronic Goldmine G1485 SPDT Miniature Toggle A10723 1 - Electronic Goldmine G444R 330 ohm 1/4 watt Resistor (Pkg of 100) 1 - Electronic Goldmine G9092 220uF 10V Radial Capacitor (Pkg of 20) (I would up this to 470uF or 1000uF)1 - Electronic Goldmine G13808 1N4148 Glass Diode (Pkg of 100) 20 - Jameco 320434 H11AA2 Opto-isolator IC20 - All Electronics 291-2.2K OHM 1/4 Watt Resistors1 - All Electronics Solderable Perfbord, IC Pattern.Buy extras and buy from the same place to save shipping. The Opto-isolator is not available everywhere so buy most compnents from whoever you get those from.

Ok....I can't do it for sure now...I use my breadboard to cut....Ummmmmm bread So what is it...A test box for testing that is big,and then duplicate circuits one by one to your smaller box?

A breadboard is a predifened circuit board for testing purposes. You basically have many rows of pin hole (places to plug compnent into i.e. resistors, integrated circuits, capacitors, etc) that are connected together. For example, you have a row of pin holes that you can plug your components into and by placing the next componenet in a different pin hole in that same row it is connected electrically to the previous component. This avoid sany soldering of components together for testing. You can put components in and remove them very easily.

So each row of pins is hot and ground...Like a fuse box> Thanks,,Very cool indeed...Hmmmm..perhaps I'll try.....

How can a guy with the obvious skill and talent to put this together manage to take such a crappy picture? :)TJ

two words, "Cell Phone". Here you gohttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188244.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188245.jpg

I would like to know how the GoFlight module is attached to the Saitek throttle quads. I'll be getting my GoFlight LGFT module soon and am investigating different means of setting it into my flight deck. You can see it here.http://www.flyaka.com/images/GPlotts-Cockpit.jpg