garyzink

My procedure uses FSUIPC 6, KE-USB108 emulator and Spadext to bind a complete array of PMDG B-737-900 switches (both Saitek devices and independent toggle switches on my overhead panel) to many functions and virtual panel knobs on the aircraft. I hate using the mouse for anything. There is no mouse on the flight deck on a Southwest B-738. The KE-USB108 emulator sends a assigned key stroke whenever a switch grounds an input on one of the I/O boards. However, Spadnext will do that too. Below follows my procedure. It uses a rotary switch in my overhead panel to select the desired Autobrake selector setting, namely RTO. Editing comments and questions are welcome. If you have a shorter procedure to do all this, please let me know. Download the current file Offset Mapping for PMDG 737NGX and 737NGXu.pdf. from FSUIPC web site. You'll need it for step 2. This Procedure binds a keyboard keypress to a PMDG 737 NGXu aircraft function that is switchable by a independent switch (push button, toggle or rotary) that is not part of a Saitek device or a function not listed in P3D controls list. Needed addons: FSUIPC6 and Spadnext extended version, to be used by a flight simulator, P3D in my case. Gary Example --- Bind a keyboard keypress to a PMDG function so the keypress can be made via keyboard or any keyboard emulator such as Hagstrom KE-USB 108. Activate an emulator input, that is assigned the keypress CTRL+F5, by closing any switch. The keypress CTRL+F5 is assigned to the PMDG function Autobrake (Antiskid), parameter 0 (RTO), by FSUIPC6. 1. Check P3D Sim key assignments for any unused keypress, CTRL+F5 in this example. 2. Document your selection: CTRL+F5 with parameter 0, which on this aircraft is Autobrake=RTO. See offset 6562 in F:\Documents\Simulator Construction\Software Installations\FSUIPC6\Offset Mapping for PMDG 737NGX and 737NGXu.pdf. 3. 4. Open P3D with PMDG 737 NGXu aircraft selected and running. 5. Open FSUIPC6 and select the Key Presses tab. You will now bind the keypress CTRL+F5 to Autobrake (RTO) parameter. 6. Click the Profile-Specific box and the name B-738 assigned to this profile will appear at the top. 7. Click the SET button and enter CTRL+F5 into the PRESS KEY box. 8. In the "Control sent when key pressed" box, type Autobrake or just Autob and select Autobrake Set from the dropdown menu. 9. In the Parameter box, type a zero which corresponds to RTO, per reference in step 2 above. 10. Near bottom, check No Repeats box and select CONFIRM. This new assignment should now appear in the catalog in the right side. Click the OK to exit. 11. Minimize the Sim window and go to FSUIPC6 installation folder. 12. Find FSUIPC.ini file in folder, step 2 above, open it with Notepad and scroll to the bottom. Look in section [Keys] near the bottom of the list and find line 11=N116,10,1007,0 -{CTRL+F5: Press = Autobrake Set}- This is proof you bound the keypress Ctrl+F5 to the Autobrake RTO function. The 11 is a key ID number N means no repeat 116 means ?? 10 is the keyboard shift designator: 09 for Shift +, 10 for CTRL + and 11 for Shift + CTRL + 1007 is the code for the Autobrake function 0 is the function's parameter (RTO) 13. Close the FSUIPC6.ini file. Open Spadnext and select the Controls icon, the steering yoke. 14. Click on the KE-USB 108 joystick in the list of controls on the left. I have a device named KE-USB108 Joystick listed with 64 unused buttons. Select button 1. Any spare button on any other device listed would be suitable also. 15. Add a scripted event. Page title should be Button_x (Script). 16. Add an action in the "Actions to be executed " window: Send Simulation Event. 17. From the Provider list (upper left corner), select PMDG 737 NGXu. 18. In the "Configure Simulation Event" window, select PMDG 737:EVT_MPM_Autobrake Selector. It should be listed under FSUIPC. 19. Select special value "Set OFF (0)" and a Static value" of zero since it represents RTO. Click OK to close the event selection window. Note: For Autobrake selector OFF position, you would select "Set ON (1)" and a Static value" of one; For Autobrake selector LOW position, you would select "Set ON (2) and a Static value" of two; and so on for all 6 settings. 20. Add a condition to this action in the Define Condition panel, Source is Panel Autobrake Switch (FSUIPC:0000:2F80), Comparator is "equals" and static Value is 0. Note: Function offset in FSUIPC is hex 2F80, not decimal 1007, per Peter Dowsen's "FSUIPC Offsets - Quick Reference" table. This condition asks: If FSUIPC's Autobrake switch is set to parameter 0 (meaning RTO), then execute the following action. 22. Click OK to close the event. The action should now execute, pending the condition, and send a aircraft autobrake RTO event to the sim when the CRTL+F5 keyboard key is pressed or by a switch action via emulator. I use a KE-USB108 emulator and assign CTRL+F5 to an input number that is also wired to a 6-position rotary switch. Closing the switch grounds the input and issues the keypress. The same procedure may now be repeated by adding subsequent actions for the other 5 parameters. Simply select a different keypress (CTRL+F6, CTRL+F7, etc) for each of the remaining 5 parmeter and corresponding switch positions.