From geneb at deltasoft.com  Fri Jul  1 06:50:30 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 06:50:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <20110701013451.P2MX3.752872.imail@fed1rmwml4201>
References: <20110701013451.P2MX3.752872.imail@fed1rmwml4201>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107010647030.32005@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Thu, 30 Jun 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

> Great stuff Gene, it's looking great! Question: what are you doing about 
> screen warping to handle the pin-cushion effect? Forgive me if this was 
> discussed in an earlier post, up until now my main interest has been in 
> the geometry and basic theory behind your rig. I'm just now getting into 
> this myself, planning a somewhat simpler setup using a flat-white 
> spherical projection screen with three projectors pointing at it 
> directly (saw it last week in an AS350 heli sim at FlightSafety, which 
> renewed my interest in this simple and somewhat more forgiving 
> approach). I believe you would have the same kind of correction since 
> you are rear-projecting onto that curved "little" screen.
>
Thanks Matt.  The pre-warp is done via NThusim+.  It handles everything 
except the spherical distortion correction which is only handled by their 
Sol7 product.

Also, I'm not rear-projecting.  The projectors fire out at a fold mirror 
which in turn puts the image on the screen right below the projector.

> How's your performance in X-Plane at such large resolutions required to 
> drive the TH2Go on three displays?

I haven't tried XPlane on it - I may not.  It has stretching issues with 
large displays unless you go to multiple computers/copies.

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From dabigboy at cox.net  Fri Jul  1 13:33:16 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 13:33:16 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107010647030.32005@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <20110701163316.RFC9X.1060698.imail@fed1rmwml4101>


---- Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote: 
> On Thu, 30 Jun 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
> 
> Thanks Matt.  The pre-warp is done via NThusim+.  It handles everything 
> except the spherical distortion correction which is only handled by their 
> Sol7 product.

Ahhhh, ok. I've actually been emailing with a guy at Immersaview on this very subject. Enlighten me, what's the difference between pre-warping and spherical distortion correction? I thought you could just reverse-pin-cushion the whole image and get the correct shape.

> 
> Also, I'm not rear-projecting.  The projectors fire out at a fold mirror 
> which in turn puts the image on the screen right below the projector.

I need to look closer!

> > How's your performance in X-Plane at such large resolutions required to 
> > drive the TH2Go on three displays?
> 
> I haven't tried XPlane on it - I may not.  It has stretching issues with 
> large displays unless you go to multiple computers/copies.

I didn't know about the stretching issue. The TH2Go is still a tempting option, but I don't think I want to pile all my rendering onto a single PC, even if X-Plane didn't have stretching issues. The huge advantage I see to the TH2Go is that it allows the use of pretty much any game or sim, even those that do not directly support multiple displays. I'm pretty much going to be using nothing but X-Plane....although driving an F1 racer from the front of a Learjet cockpit would be rather amusing. :)

Actually the AS350 sim I flew last week has 8 projectors, and they are using a dedicated PC for *every single one*. Frame rate is just so critical in these applications, and our sims can bring just about any computer to its knees with high resolutions and detail settings. Granted that sim is 2009 technology, but I don't think our hardware has advanced enough to overwhelm the demands of a flight simulator. I figure I need all the processing power I can get, so I might as well use one PC per screen.

Matt

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Fri Jul  1 15:32:44 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 15:32:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <20110701163316.RFC9X.1060698.imail@fed1rmwml4101>
References: <20110701163316.RFC9X.1060698.imail@fed1rmwml4101>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107011528330.17154@grumble.deltasoft.com>

>> Thanks Matt.  The pre-warp is done via NThusim+.  It handles everything
>> except the spherical distortion correction which is only handled by their
>> Sol7 product.
>
> Ahhhh, ok. I've actually been emailing with a guy at Immersaview on this 
> very subject. Enlighten me, what's the difference between pre-warping 
> and spherical distortion correction? I thought you could just 
> reverse-pin-cushion the whole image and get the correct shape.
>
NThusim+ will handle the warp to match a curved projection surface. 
However, Sol7 will do that AND warp to a spherical surface as well.  At 
lesat that's my understanding.  Wayne has studied this far more than I 
have.

>>> How's your performance in X-Plane at such large resolutions required to
>>> drive the TH2Go on three displays?
>>
>> I haven't tried XPlane on it - I may not.  It has stretching issues with
>> large displays unless you go to multiple computers/copies.
>
> I didn't know about the stretching issue. The TH2Go is still a tempting 
> option, but I don't think I want to pile all my rendering onto a single 
> PC, even if X-Plane didn't have stretching issues. The huge advantage I 
> see to the TH2Go is that it allows the use of pretty much any game or 
> sim, even those that do not directly support multiple displays. I'm 
> pretty much going to be using nothing but X-Plane....although driving an 
> F1 racer from the front of a Learjet cockpit would be rather amusing. :)
>
> Actually the AS350 sim I flew last week has 8 projectors, and they are 
> using a dedicated PC for *every single one*. Frame rate is just so 
> critical in these applications, and our sims can bring just about any 
> computer to its knees with high resolutions and detail settings. Granted 
> that sim is 2009 technology, but I don't think our hardware has advanced 
> enough to overwhelm the demands of a flight simulator. I figure I need 
> all the processing power I can get, so I might as well use one PC per 
> screen.
>
The TH2G gives me maximum flexibility with the system.  When I was using 
three 1024x768 projectors with both Need for Speed: Shift and FSX, I was 
getting good frame rates with no stuttering.  Then again, I'm using an 
Intel i7 960 with essentially 8 cores on board. :)

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From phoenixcomm at gmail.com  Fri Jul  1 21:00:09 2011
From: phoenixcomm at gmail.com (Cris Harrison)
Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:09 -0500
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107011528330.17154@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <20110701163316.RFC9X.1060698.imail@fed1rmwml4101>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107011528330.17154@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <4E0E97C9.7040003@gmail.com>

On 7/1/2011 5:32 PM, Gene Buckle wrote:
>>> Thanks Matt.  The pre-warp is done via NThusim+.  It handles everything
>>> except the spherical distortion correction which is only handled by their
>>> Sol7 product.
>> Ahhhh, ok. I've actually been emailing with a guy at Immersaview on this
>> very subject. Enlighten me, what's the difference between pre-warping
>> and spherical distortion correction? I thought you could just
>> reverse-pin-cushion the whole image and get the correct shape.
>>
> NThusim+ will handle the warp to match a curved projection surface.
> However, Sol7 will do that AND warp to a spherical surface as well.  At
> lesat that's my understanding.  Wayne has studied this far more than I
> have.
>
>>>> How's your performance in X-Plane at such large resolutions required to
>>>> drive the TH2Go on three displays?
>>> I haven't tried XPlane on it - I may not.  It has stretching issues with
>>> large displays unless you go to multiple computers/copies.
>> I didn't know about the stretching issue. The TH2Go is still a tempting
>> option, but I don't think I want to pile all my rendering onto a single
>> PC, even if X-Plane didn't have stretching issues. The huge advantage I
>> see to the TH2Go is that it allows the use of pretty much any game or
>> sim, even those that do not directly support multiple displays. I'm
>> pretty much going to be using nothing but X-Plane....although driving an
>> F1 racer from the front of a Learjet cockpit would be rather amusing. :)
>>
>> Actually the AS350 sim I flew last week has 8 projectors, and they are
>> using a dedicated PC for *every single one*. Frame rate is just so
>> critical in these applications, and our sims can bring just about any
>> computer to its knees with high resolutions and detail settings. Granted
>> that sim is 2009 technology, but I don't think our hardware has advanced
>> enough to overwhelm the demands of a flight simulator. I figure I need
>> all the processing power I can get, so I might as well use one PC per
>> screen.
>>
Hi Folks, I will through the baby under the bus....
Its not the sim itself (thats my 3D math model you can do 100fps all day 
long using almost anything)
mine is on a 750mhz UltraSPARC, running UNIX, and a AMD Phenom II with 4 
cores, and a 2 graphics cards with a total of 4 screens, but you get 
crushed with the out the window crap. you just need bigger and badder 
video cards but they COST $$$$$$.
Enjoy - Have a good 4th
Cris H.
ps .. It also realy helps not to be running MS Sim - but ill leave that 
for another day.
> The TH2G gives me maximum flexibility with the system.  When I was using
> three 1024x768 projectors with both Need for Speed: Shift and FSX, I was
> getting good frame rates with no stuttering.  Then again, I'm using an
> Intel i7 960 with essentially 8 cores on board. :)
>
> g.
>
>


From dabigboy at cox.net  Sat Jul  2 11:37:53 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2011 11:37:53 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107011528330.17154@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <20110702143753.E7GTH.1067990.imail@fed1rmwml46>


---- Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote: 
> >
> NThusim+ will handle the warp to match a curved projection surface. 
> However, Sol7 will do that AND warp to a spherical surface as well.  At 
> lesat that's my understanding.  Wayne has studied this far more than I 
> have.

Oh REALLY......how interesting. Alex led me to believe NThusim+ would handle all my needs for a 3-projector setup. What you're saying is it handles vertical pin-cushion (for cylindrical/horizontally curved screens) but not horizontal pin-cushion issues that would pop up once you curved the screen top-to-bottom. That is a huge bummer, I think Sol7 starts around $1900 or so............................per copy...........................oh well, a cylindrical screen would at least be far easier to build, and probably still provide some pretty amazing visuals.

> The TH2G gives me maximum flexibility with the system.  When I was using 
> three 1024x768 projectors with both Need for Speed: Shift and FSX, I was 
> getting good frame rates with no stuttering.  Then again, I'm using an 
> Intel i7 960 with essentially 8 cores on board. :)

You dog! And here I am with my donated Core 2 Duo and an ebay-special 9500GT! :P Oh well, I know I will need to invest in some monstrous systems eventually.

The stuttering I don't think will be an issue (assuming I have enough RAM and video RAM) so much as the actual frame rate.....after many sims, many video tests, and many computers, I have concluded that I need to be able to push 60fps MINIMUM all the time. One of the things that drove frame rate home for me is when I fired up a DirectX test (you know, the little spinning cube) one time on a new video card, and was getting some ridiculous frame rate.....even though it was just a small CRT monitor and there were no 3D glasses or anything going on, I swear that cube looked like I could just reach into the monitor and grab it, the animation was so smooth.

Thanks for sharing your progress and findings, Gene, it's hugely helpful to the rest of us!!!

Matt


From geneb at deltasoft.com  Sat Jul  2 21:11:49 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2011 21:11:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] project update...
In-Reply-To: <20110702143753.E7GTH.1067990.imail@fed1rmwml46>
References: <20110702143753.E7GTH.1067990.imail@fed1rmwml46>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107022108560.5552@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sat, 2 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

>
> ---- Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>> NThusim+ will handle the warp to match a curved projection surface.
>> However, Sol7 will do that AND warp to a spherical surface as well.  At
>> lesat that's my understanding.  Wayne has studied this far more than I
>> have.
>
> Oh REALLY......how interesting. Alex led me to believe NThusim+ would 
> handle all my needs for a 3-projector setup. What you're saying is it 
> handles vertical pin-cushion (for cylindrical/horizontally curved 
> screens) but not horizontal pin-cushion issues that would pop up once 
> you curved the screen top-to-bottom. That is a huge bummer, I think Sol7 
> starts around $1900 or so............................per 
> copy...........................oh well, a cylindrical screen would at 
> least be far easier to build, and probably still provide some pretty 
> amazing visuals.
>
Don't get me wrong, NThusim+ WILL do the job - we've done it with our test 
rig.  However, Sol7 provides an extra bit of configuration.  Wayne 
understands what's going on a lot better than I - I'll let him explain the 
details. :)

I think Sol7 is that PER CHANNEL.

> The stuttering I don't think will be an issue (assuming I have enough 
> RAM and video RAM) so much as the actual frame rate.....after many sims, 
> many video tests, and many computers, I have concluded that I need to be 
> able to push 60fps MINIMUM all the time. One of the things that drove 
> frame rate home for me is when I fired up a DirectX test (you know, the 
> little spinning cube) one time on a new video card, and was getting some 
> ridiculous frame rate.....even though it was just a small CRT monitor 
> and there were no 3D glasses or anything going on, I swear that cube 
> looked like I could just reach into the monitor and grab it, the 
> animation was so smooth.
>
60FPS in current flight simulators isn't really doable unless you're going 
to throw money at it until it works.

> Thanks for sharing your progress and findings, Gene, it's hugely helpful 
> to the rest of us!!!

You're quite welcome!

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Wed Jul  6 18:59:10 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 18:59:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] first flight video...
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107061854590.19102@grumble.deltasoft.com>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5eb5yTDQw

Lots of adjusting in software left to do, but no more construction left to 
do on the mirror! :)

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From dabigboy at cox.net  Wed Jul  6 23:55:54 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 23:55:54 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Gene is everywhere!
Message-ID: <20110707025554.OZT90.1114796.imail@fed1rmwml36>

Gene, I would almost swear you have found every aviation flight simulation, F-15, simulator hardware, and even commercial simulator/training forum known to the civilized world and gone there in your thirst for simulator knowledge! Tonight I was poking around the web looking for info on simulator technician jobs as a possible distant-future career path if I ever get tired of PC repair, and I found this neat little forum for professional sim techs. "Neat!", methinks, "mayhaps I shall post yon site to ye olde simpits list and we may all gather knowledge from the pros!" Not 5 minutes into my survey of the site, sure enough, I scroll down and see a topic started by a "geneb" regarding the Mylar used in the big sims. It was indeed our undaunted collimated-display-and-F-15-builder, stopping by the side of the road to knowledge for a chat with the guys who work on the big sims.

This was after I stumbled upon a FighterOps forum post on my lunch break today while researching NThusim, where I encountered Gene discussing visual systems with the F-84 guy, the FO team, and some other folks...................

Gene, I'm getting the impression that no matter what avenue of the sim builders road I go down, your big F-15 lovin', ShopBot-pushin' footprints will be there, thoroughly imprinted in the dirt. :)

Matt

From dabigboy at cox.net  Thu Jul  7 00:34:45 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 0:34:45 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
Message-ID: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>

Not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but during a visit to see my dad 2 weeks ago in AZ, I went through the AMARC boneyard tour, and it seems that all those F-111s they have are now officially being junked for scrap metal. Entirely. The guy said literally the week before they had a ramp full of probably hundreds of them, and by the time I was there that entire ramp was practically clean.

It occurred to me that a willing simpit builder might be able to purchase the fuselage/nose of one for a song at this point, basically for the price of the scrap metal perhaps? I really don't know how it works, but I do believe there is an office on-base for selling government property (ergo, the planes, in this case) to organizations and private individuals.

If I had room I would totally buy 3 or 4 shells just to save them for future simpitters. My pit will be based off a Learjet 30-series shell, but I am kinda partial to the F-111 and wouldn't mind doing a sim of one some day.....I sure hate to see all those great planes trashed and gone forever...........

Matt

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Thu Jul  7 06:14:39 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 06:14:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Gene is everywhere!
In-Reply-To: <20110707025554.OZT90.1114796.imail@fed1rmwml36>
References: <20110707025554.OZT90.1114796.imail@fed1rmwml36>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070606580.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Wed, 6 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

> Gene, I would almost swear you have found every aviation flight 
> simulation, F-15, simulator hardware, and even commercial 
> simulator/training forum known to the civilized world and gone there in 
> your thirst for simulator knowledge! Tonight I was poking around the web 
> looking for info on simulator technician jobs as a possible 
> distant-future career path if I ever get tired of PC repair, and I found 
> this neat little forum for professional sim techs. "Neat!", methinks, 
> "mayhaps I shall post yon site to ye olde simpits list and we may all 
> gather knowledge from the pros!" Not 5 minutes into my survey of the 
> site, sure enough, I scroll down and see a topic started by a "geneb" 
> regarding the Mylar used in the big sims. It was indeed our undaunted 
> collimated-display-and-F-15-builder, stopping by the side of the road to 
> knowledge for a chat with the guys who work on the big sims.
>
*looks up, whistles innocently*

I'm like a bad penny.  I turn up *everywhere*. :)

> This was after I stumbled upon a FighterOps forum post on my lunch break 
> today while researching NThusim, where I encountered Gene discussing 
> visual systems with the F-84 guy, the FO team, and some other 
> folks...................
>
Heh.  The guys with real flight decks are pretty rare, but not nearly as 
rare as the real fighter collectors.  I know of only 5, but there may be 
others lurking out there.

> Gene, I'm getting the impression that no matter what avenue of the sim 
> builders road I go down, your big F-15 lovin', ShopBot-pushin' 
> footprints will be there, thoroughly imprinted in the dirt. :)

Well you figure I've been at this since about 1996 and I've run the 
Simpits list since 2000. :)

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Thu Jul  7 06:17:51 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 06:17:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>
References: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070615390.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Thu, 7 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

> Not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but during a visit to see my 
> dad 2 weeks ago in AZ, I went through the AMARC boneyard tour, and it 
> seems that all those F-111s they have are now officially being junked 
> for scrap metal. Entirely. The guy said literally the week before they 
> had a ramp full of probably hundreds of them, and by the time I was 
> there that entire ramp was practically clean.
>
> It occurred to me that a willing simpit builder might be able to 
> purchase the fuselage/nose of one for a song at this point, basically 
> for the price of the scrap metal perhaps? I really don't know how it 
> works, but I do believe there is an office on-base for selling 
> government property (ergo, the planes, in this case) to organizations 
> and private individuals.

I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required to 
certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A 
models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the 
purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their 
"conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you were 
allowed to take them off the AMARC property.

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Thu Jul  7 06:51:40 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 14:51:40 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070615390.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070615390.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297bEKcmvu60hgRo8GtuH_kCEODTt73e7=nDuktBOTBUhvw@mail.gmail.com>

On 7 July 2011 14:17, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

>
> I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required to
> certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A
> models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the
> purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their
> "conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you were
> allowed to take them off the AMARC property.
>

Sure I've heard that before.

A shame, since doesn't the 1-11 cockpit break away as a complete 'pod' which
would make it super-ideal for a simpit ?

Roy.
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From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Thu Jul  7 06:56:33 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 14:56:33 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] first flight video...
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107061854590.19102@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107061854590.19102@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297Y=W=atjft4=1OxoN6ib2L+GPix8WPdyeR5LWhrV=88+A@mail.gmail.com>

On 7 July 2011 02:59, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5eb5yTDQw
>
> Lots of adjusting in software left to do, but no more construction left to
> do on the mirror! :)
>


Freakin' Awesome !
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From bjones at pipecomp.com.au  Thu Jul  7 06:56:51 2011
From: bjones at pipecomp.com.au (bjones at pipecomp.com.au)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 21:56:51 +0800 (WST)
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297bEKcmvu60hgRo8GtuH_kCEODTt73e7=nDuktBOTBUhvw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070615390.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<CAPe297bEKcmvu60hgRo8GtuH_kCEODTt73e7=nDuktBOTBUhvw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <021001cc3cad$b0d7c040$128740c0$@com.au>

Yep it sure does..

 

 

From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Roy Coates
Sent: Thursday, 7 July 2011 9:52 PM
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC

 

On 7 July 2011 14:17, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:


I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required to
certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A
models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the
purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their
"conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you were
allowed to take them off the AMARC property.


Sure I've heard that before.

A shame, since doesn't the 1-11 cockpit break away as a complete 'pod'
which would make it super-ideal for a simpit ?

Roy.

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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Thu Jul  7 07:07:20 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 07:07:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297bEKcmvu60hgRo8GtuH_kCEODTt73e7=nDuktBOTBUhvw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20110707033445.L4CED.1114884.imail@fed1rmwml36>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070615390.6889@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<CAPe297bEKcmvu60hgRo8GtuH_kCEODTt73e7=nDuktBOTBUhvw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107070706400.9179@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Thu, 7 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> On 7 July 2011 14:17, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required to
>> certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A
>> models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the
>> purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their
>> "conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you were
>> allowed to take them off the AMARC property.
>>
>
> Sure I've heard that before.
>
> A shame, since doesn't the 1-11 cockpit break away as a complete 'pod' which
> would make it super-ideal for a simpit ?
>
Yep.  There's been a couple of Simpits guys that have done that very 
thing.  Francis Picornell(sp?) and Chris Woodul.

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Thu Jul  7 11:54:55 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 11:54:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <20110707143601.44SU9.1119966.imail@fed1rmwml36>
References: <20110707143601.44SU9.1119966.imail@fed1rmwml36>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107071153110.18114@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Thu, 7 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

>>
>> I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required to
>> certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A
>> models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the
>> purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their
>> "conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you were
>> allowed to take them off the AMARC property.
>>
>> g.
>
> Drat, you are probably right. Sounds like something the gub'ment would 
> do. But are you saying the planes must be pureed *before* being removed, 
> or that a third party must certify that they will be pureed *after* they 
> are removed? If the latter, well, does it matter how LONG it takes for 
> you to get the plane to scrap? ;)
>
Ah, no.  There are contractors at AMARC that handle this. :)

> This reminds me of the horror stories I heard about the post-WWII days 
> where they would take a fleet of P-38s and literally bulldoze them into 
> a pit and bury them, or smelt them all down for metal. Wonder how long 
> before the F-111 and similar planes become expensive collectors items 
> and a short-sighted system is slapping itself for trashing thousands of 
> planes that would then have been worth orders of magnitude more than 
> their scrap value..........

Those F-14s that we pulled from service a few years ago?  Wings chopped 
off with a drop blade and the fuselages shoved whole, engines and 
everything into an industrial shredder.

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From echotech1452 at gmail.com  Thu Jul  7 16:53:17 2011
From: echotech1452 at gmail.com (delor lauchang)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 16:53:17 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] F-111 cockpit shells/Tucson AMARC
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107071153110.18114@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <20110707143601.44SU9.1119966.imail@fed1rmwml36>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107071153110.18114@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <CAPChkcB-uhoubyNwzJj37-apazOKbY6tTkPxX_JwZ6=VbFQyPQ@mail.gmail.com>

I'll be the devils advocate, they might have sent it to China to pay part of
our debt, hehehe.
Dont think they will let it out of the boneyard without being a scrap parts,
none usable state, that is.

Delor

On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 11:54 AM, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

> On Thu, 7 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
>
> >>
> >> I suspect that if you buy it at scrap metal prices, you'll be required
> to
> >> certify that it's actually turned into scrap metal.  A couple of F-15A
> >> models went up for scrap auction a few years ago.  As part of the
> >> purchase, you were required to have a 3rd party validate their
> >> "conversion" to scrap metal (ie. ground up into tiny bits) before you
> were
> >> allowed to take them off the AMARC property.
> >>
> >> g.
> >
> > Drat, you are probably right. Sounds like something the gub'ment would
> > do. But are you saying the planes must be pureed *before* being removed,
> > or that a third party must certify that they will be pureed *after* they
> > are removed? If the latter, well, does it matter how LONG it takes for
> > you to get the plane to scrap? ;)
> >
> Ah, no.  There are contractors at AMARC that handle this. :)
>
> > This reminds me of the horror stories I heard about the post-WWII days
> > where they would take a fleet of P-38s and literally bulldoze them into
> > a pit and bury them, or smelt them all down for metal. Wonder how long
> > before the F-111 and similar planes become expensive collectors items
> > and a short-sighted system is slapping itself for trashing thousands of
> > planes that would then have been worth orders of magnitude more than
> > their scrap value..........
>
> Those F-14s that we pulled from service a few years ago?  Wings chopped
> off with a drop blade and the fuselages shoved whole, engines and
> everything into an industrial shredder.
>
> g.
>
>
> --
> Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
> http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
> http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
> Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.
>
> ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
> A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
> http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!
>
> Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
> minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
> holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
> by the clean end.
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!
>
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From dabigboy at cox.net  Wed Jul 13 22:26:39 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:26:39 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
Message-ID: <20110714012639.QDLVE.1198076.imail@fed1rmwml4101>

Hey there, I was just wondering if anyone happens to have any Phidgets boards they're not using and would like to sell (reasonably) cheap? I've got some ideas I want to try out, but I'm having trouble justifying several hundred dollars for boards to "experiment" with.........I know a number of folks have jumped the Phidgets ship for Arduino, I'm a little torn between the two at this point.

Thanks!

Matt

From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Thu Jul 14 09:31:19 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:31:19 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <20110714012639.QDLVE.1198076.imail@fed1rmwml4101>
References: <20110714012639.QDLVE.1198076.imail@fed1rmwml4101>
Message-ID: <CAPe297YkR=HdrnxSE3c--5bSNvk_NSf7N_2etEr8vj_q3b6L2A@mail.gmail.com>

Heh. funnily enough I've bought about 6 Phidgets in the last month and
ordered another two today !

The Arduino is (I think) the smart way to go, but if you're in a hurry - the
phidgets are a godsend.

Sorry, I've got nothing spare here right now - suspect others will have
stuff though.


On 14 July 2011 06:26, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:

> Hey there, I was just wondering if anyone happens to have any Phidgets
> boards they're not using and would like to sell (reasonably) cheap? I've got
> some ideas I want to try out, but I'm having trouble justifying several
> hundred dollars for boards to "experiment" with.........I know a number of
> folks have jumped the Phidgets ship for Arduino, I'm a little torn between
> the two at this point.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Matt
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
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From dabigboy at cox.net  Thu Jul 14 11:31:32 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:31:32 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297YkR=HdrnxSE3c--5bSNvk_NSf7N_2etEr8vj_q3b6L2A@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20110714143132.XMLVJ.1193420.imail@fed1rmwml41>

Wow, now I don't feel like such a Phidgets junky. :) What are you doing these days that requires so much Phidget-ing? Haven't seen an update from you for a while

Yep, I can get a servo controller in the mail, write the needed code from scratch (including an X-Plane plugin) in Python, and have a functional instrument in the same afternoon. The Arduino's main advantages seem to be the price and the versatility. It appears that even if I buy a ready-made board (which would probably be the route I go, unless I can find a good Arduino kit supplier that supplies the PCB and all parts), I can get the board, a couple of their "shields", connect and program a character LCD screen, AND have the capability to drive up to 48 (!!!) servos (ok, a little less if I'm using 6 data pins for the LCD, but still.....) for less than the cost of a single 8-servo Phidget board. But, I don't have a lot of time to devote to learning entirely new material right now. And honestly, I love just tinkering with Phidgets in Python....it's like all the fun of programming and physical interface design, without all the headache.

Plus, once my "serious" simulator project gets started, I think most of my sim efforts will be devoted to structure and instrument construction, and acquiring/converting real parts......I am fortunate enough to have an aircraft salvage outfit right here in town, and they just happen to specialize in the type of plane I want to model: Learjets!!!! Soon as my wife and I buy a house, we are going over there for some cockpit-hunting. :)

Matt


---- Roy Coates <roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk> wrote: 
> Heh. funnily enough I've bought about 6 Phidgets in the last month and
> ordered another two today !
> 
> The Arduino is (I think) the smart way to go, but if you're in a hurry - the
> phidgets are a godsend.
> 
> Sorry, I've got nothing spare here right now - suspect others will have
> stuff though.
> 
> 
> On 14 July 2011 06:26, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hey there, I was just wondering if anyone happens to have any Phidgets
> > boards they're not using and would like to sell (reasonably) cheap? I've got
> > some ideas I want to try out, but I'm having trouble justifying several
> > hundred dollars for boards to "experiment" with.........I know a number of
> > folks have jumped the Phidgets ship for Arduino, I'm a little torn between
> > the two at this point.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Matt
> > _______________________________________________
> > Simpits-tech mailing list
> > Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> > http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> > To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> > page.  Thanks!
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> > For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >


From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Fri Jul 15 01:28:59 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:28:59 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <20110714143132.XMLVJ.1193420.imail@fed1rmwml41>
References: <CAPe297YkR=HdrnxSE3c--5bSNvk_NSf7N_2etEr8vj_q3b6L2A@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110714143132.XMLVJ.1193420.imail@fed1rmwml41>
Message-ID: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>

On 14 July 2011 19:31, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:

> Wow, now I don't feel like such a Phidgets junky. :) What are you doing
> these days that requires so much Phidget-ing? Haven't seen an update from
> you for a while
>

Currently working primarily on a PA38 sim using the cockpit from one that
did a "bang and go" instead of a "touch and go"  :)

The instruments are mostly (old) simkits driven by phidget servo boards with
the positions read back via a pair of Bodnar boards. Some instruments are
being made in-house (we've got rapid prototyping gear here) using stereo
lithography. Some of the original stuff like fuel gauges are being driven
directly by phidget analogue boards.  It's all coming together rather nicely
and I'll post pic's soon enough.


> But, I don't have a lot of time to devote to learning entirely new material
> right now. And honestly, I love just tinkering with Phidgets in
> Python....it's like all the fun of programming and physical interface
> design, without all the headache.
>

Same here - time is always at a serious premium :(


>
> Plus, once my "serious" simulator project gets started, I think most of my
> sim efforts will be devoted to structure and instrument construction, and
> acquiring/converting real parts......I am fortunate enough to have an
> aircraft salvage outfit right here in town, and they just happen to
> specialize in the type of plane I want to model: Learjets!!!! Soon as my
> wife and I buy a house, we are going over there for some cockpit-hunting. :)
>

Oooh.. got the wife involved....  lucky !
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From dabigboy at cox.net  Fri Jul 15 10:50:06 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:50:06 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>


---- Roy Coates <roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk> wrote: 
> On 14 July 2011 19:31, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:
> 
> > Wow, now I don't feel like such a Phidgets junky. :) What are you doing
> > these days that requires so much Phidget-ing? Haven't seen an update from
> > you for a while
> >
> 
> Currently working primarily on a PA38 sim using the cockpit from one that
> did a "bang and go" instead of a "touch and go"  :)

Ahh yes, a Traumahawk. From your instrument description, I'm guessing you are using "hacked" servos and potentiometers to measure the position of needles that need more than the meager 180* or so that servos usually provide? I'm facing the same situation, but I recently found out about winch servos that do 2, 4, or even 8 full turns before stopping. The main problem is acquiring them, the only small ones I found are Chinese specials (ostensibly GWS) on ebay for around $30. If/when I can get some, this will probably be my route. Of course for non-limited instruments like the HSI and (sorta) the altimeter, I'll need to use geared steppers, or just stick with my current glass-cockpit setup for these instruments. My only "real" instruments at the moment are the airspeed indicator and the turn coordinator, the latter being from a real plane.

Matt

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Fri Jul 15 11:06:25 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:06:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
References: <20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151105500.17182@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Fri, 15 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

>
> ---- Roy Coates <roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk> wrote:
>> On 14 July 2011 19:31, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Wow, now I don't feel like such a Phidgets junky. :) What are you doing
>>> these days that requires so much Phidget-ing? Haven't seen an update from
>>> you for a while
>>>
>>
>> Currently working primarily on a PA38 sim using the cockpit from one that
>> did a "bang and go" instead of a "touch and go"  :)
>
> Ahh yes, a Traumahawk. From your instrument description, I'm guessing 
> you are using "hacked" servos and potentiometers to measure the position 
> of needles that need more than the meager 180* or so that servos usually 
> provide? I'm facing the same situation, but I recently found out about 
> winch servos that do 2, 4, or even 8 full turns before stopping. The 
> main problem is acquiring them, the only small ones I found are Chinese 
> specials (ostensibly GWS) on ebay for around $30. If/when I can get 
> some, this will probably be my route. Of course for non-limited 
> instruments like the HSI and (sorta) the altimeter, I'll need to use 
> geared steppers, or just stick with my current glass-cockpit setup for 
> these instruments. My only "real" instruments at the moment are the 
> airspeed indicator and the turn coordinator, the latter being from a 
> real plane.

You should check out Building Simulated Aircraft Instruments - it covers 
the Big Six very well.  The Altimeter is pretty easy to build as well.

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Fri Jul 15 16:03:38 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:03:38 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
Message-ID: <CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>

On 15 July 2011 18:50, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:


> Ahh yes, a Traumahawk. From your instrument description, I'm guessing you
> are using "hacked" servos and potentiometers to measure the position of
> needles that need more than the meager 180* or so that servos usually
> provide?
>

Correct!  I'm using Phidget servo drivers to make em move, and Bodnar boards
to read the positions.



> I'm facing the same situation, but I recently found out about winch servos
> that do 2, 4, or even 8 full turns before stopping. The main problem is
> acquiring them, the only small ones I found are Chinese specials (ostensibly
> GWS) on ebay for around $30. If/when I can get some, this will probably be
> my route. Of course for non-limited instruments like the HSI and (sorta) the
> altimeter, I'll need to use geared steppers, or just stick with my current
> glass-cockpit setup for these instruments. My only "real" instruments at the
> moment are the airspeed indicator and the turn coordinator, the latter being
> from a real plane.
>

Winch servo's are fairly cheap over here if memory serves but talking to my
local RC shop guru, something he said put me off using them. Damned if I can
remember what it was though :(

With free access to rapid prototyping gear though, it's relatively painless
for us to make custom stuff and the simpler gauges like RPM, Turn/Slip,
Vacuum et al will be made in-house in ABS.  I'll post pic's as they
progress.

Just ordered a Butt-Kicker too for some subtle 'feeling' in the cockpit.
This is in addition to a powerful sub-woofer bolted under the seat ;-)

The list so far...

2 Bodnar boards  (pitch/roll/yaw/throttle/trim/carb heat/mixture/flaps/read
servo pos/switches)
2 Phidget servo boards  (to drive instrument servos)
2 Phidget Analogue-4 boards (to drive real gauges such as fuel qty, oil temp
etc)
1 Phidget Interface Kit  (starter engaged light/tpndr ident light/etc)
3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)
1 Bendix King KT96 (dead, gutted, lights up and Ident button/light works)

Roy.
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From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Fri Jul 15 17:09:46 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:09:46 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com>

I just came across this... might be of interest.

http://tech.yostengineering.com/servoFolder/?gclid=CInK0PzIhKoCFYpB4Qody0INzw

Roy.
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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Fri Jul 15 17:20:08 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:20:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151719170.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> 3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)

For Plug-n-Go, you might want to take a peek at the Saitek gear.  I saw 
some at the local Fry's today and it appears to be really well built 
stuff.

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Fri Jul 15 17:23:32 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:23:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
	<CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151723210.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> I just came across this... might be of interest.
>
> http://tech.yostengineering.com/servoFolder/?gclid=CInK0PzIhKoCFYpB4Qody0INzw
>

That's a neat little gadget!

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From jimsturs at xs4all.nl  Sat Jul 16 00:55:55 2011
From: jimsturs at xs4all.nl (Jim Sturcbecher)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:55:55 +0200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151723210.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com><20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35><CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com><CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151723210.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <9634F5AD57F842489E65467F5164649D@ritasiemensnb>

Looks like the old ASC16 from 10 years ago. Still available:

http://www.medonis.com/asc16.html

Jim.

-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Gene Buckle
Sent: 16 July 2011 02:24
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?

On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> I just came across this... might be of interest.
>
>
http://tech.yostengineering.com/servoFolder/?gclid=CInK0PzIhKoCFYpB4Qody0INz
w
>

That's a neat little gadget!

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech at simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
Thanks!


From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Sat Jul 16 03:58:32 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:58:32 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151719170.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151719170.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297aLOLsNbSESXk-AaLzqdF6ym=hYLcfMeF6BP6zQWhydMw@mail.gmail.com>

On 16 July 2011 01:20, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:
>
> > 3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)
>
> For Plug-n-Go, you might want to take a peek at the Saitek gear.  I saw
> some at the local Fry's today and it appears to be really well built
> stuff.
>

Ick... no gene. They're butt-ugly.
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From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Sat Jul 16 03:59:22 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:59:22 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <9634F5AD57F842489E65467F5164649D@ritasiemensnb>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
	<CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151723210.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<9634F5AD57F842489E65467F5164649D@ritasiemensnb>
Message-ID: <CAPe297a0xi1edCv_BOrqy4tmkQyQAvqGKvsq2ARj39D4fzc8Cw@mail.gmail.com>

On 16 July 2011 08:55, Jim Sturcbecher <jimsturs at xs4all.nl> wrote:

> Looks like the old ASC16 from 10 years ago. Still available:
>
> http://www.medonis.com/asc16.html
>
>
Nice find. There's a ton of stuff out there, finding it is the hard part!
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From phoenixcomm at gmail.com  Sat Jul 16 07:00:37 2011
From: phoenixcomm at gmail.com (Cris Harrison)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:00:37 -0500
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4E219985.7020303@gmail.com>

On 7/15/2011 6:03 PM, Roy Coates wrote:
> On 15 July 2011 18:50, <dabigboy at cox.net <mailto:dabigboy at cox.net>> wrote:
>
>     Ahh yes, a Traumahawk. From your instrument description, I'm
>     guessing you are using "hacked" servos and potentiometers to
>     measure the position of needles that need more than the meager
>     180* or so that servos usually provide?
>
>
> Correct!  I'm using Phidget servo drivers to make em move, and Bodnar 
> boards to read the positions.
>
>     I'm facing the same situation, but I recently found out about
>     winch servos that do 2, 4, or even 8 full turns before stopping.
>     The main problem is acquiring them, the only small ones I found
>     are Chinese specials (ostensibly GWS) on ebay for around $30.
>     If/when I can get some, this will probably be my route. Of course
>     for non-limited instruments like the HSI and (sorta) the
>     altimeter, I'll need to use geared steppers, or just stick with my
>     current glass-cockpit setup for these instruments. My only "real"
>     instruments at the moment are the airspeed indicator and the turn
>     coordinator, the latter being from a real plane.
>
>
> Winch servo's are fairly cheap over here if memory serves but talking 
> to my local RC shop guru, something he said put me off using them. 
> Damned if I can remember what it was though :(
>
> With free access to rapid prototyping gear though, it's relatively 
> painless for us to make custom stuff and the simpler gauges like RPM, 
> Turn/Slip, Vacuum et al will be made in-house in ABS.  I'll post pic's 
> as they progress.
>
> Just ordered a Butt-Kicker too for some subtle 'feeling' in the 
> cockpit.  This is in addition to a powerful sub-woofer bolted under 
> the seat ;-)
>
> The list so far...
>
> 2 Bodnar boards  (pitch/roll/yaw/throttle/trim/carb 
> heat/mixture/flaps/read servo pos/switches)
> 2 Phidget servo boards  (to drive instrument servos)
> 2 Phidget Analogue-4 boards (to drive real gauges such as fuel qty, 
> oil temp etc)
> 1 Phidget Interface Kit  (starter engaged light/tpndr ident light/etc)
> 3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)
Why dont you buy your radios from ebay?? most of them use ARINC410 2 of 
5 code..
(http://phoenixcomm.wordpress.com/projects/airinc-410/)
> 1 Bendix King KT96 (dead, gutted, lights up and Ident button/light works)
>
> Roy.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks

Regards
Cris H.
phoenixcomm.net/phnx2000/sim
phoenixcomm.wordpress.com
Enjoy

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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Sat Jul 16 07:19:05 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 07:19:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297aLOLsNbSESXk-AaLzqdF6ym=hYLcfMeF6BP6zQWhydMw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151719170.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<CAPe297aLOLsNbSESXk-AaLzqdF6ym=hYLcfMeF6BP6zQWhydMw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107160716070.20878@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> On 16 July 2011 01:20, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:
>>
>>> 3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)
>>
>> For Plug-n-Go, you might want to take a peek at the Saitek gear.  I saw
>> some at the local Fry's today and it appears to be really well built
>> stuff.
>>
>
> Ick... no gene. They're butt-ugly.
>
There's nothing saying you need to leave them in the stock enclosures.  I 
c'mon.  The FIRST step in building a cockpit is VOID THE WARRANTY. :)

They've got a really nice throttle quadrant that uses Cessna style vernier 
controls.  Their travel is about 3" or so.  It includes throttle, mixture 
and pitch as well as a pile of full sized toggle switches.  It's 
practically begging to be put into a different chassis. :)

g.



-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From dabigboy at cox.net  Sat Jul 16 10:26:56 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:26:56 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151105500.17182@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <20110716132656.WAO4R.1220785.imail@fed1rmwml31>


---- Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote: 
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
> > 
> You should check out Building Simulated Aircraft Instruments - it covers 
> the Big Six very well.  The Altimeter is pretty easy to build as well.
> 
> g.

That book never leaves my sim room. :) Now that I'm getting more interested in real instruments AND have some more experience under my belt, I will probably start digging into some of the more advanced projects that Mike covers.

Matt

From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Sat Jul 16 15:51:45 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:51:45 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <4E219985.7020303@gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>
	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>
	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>
	<4E219985.7020303@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297ZOB_0pyebUcsAfDqGPfZKkKOBrQmRkL+UaeXvJo1iNCg@mail.gmail.com>

On 16 July 2011 15:00, Cris Harrison <phoenixcomm at gmail.com> wrote:

> **
>
>  Why dont you buy your radios from ebay?? most of them use ARINC410 2 of 5
> code..
> (http://phoenixcomm.wordpress.com/projects/airinc-410/)
>

Two reasons.

1. Don't see many radio's for sale on Ebay in the UK, when you do - they
fetch silly prices.
2. ARINC interface cards look pretty expensive!  I've got two which I'll be
using for the CDU's in the Nimrod and they retail at about ?700 each.
Ouch.  In fact, OUCH!

Roy.
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From dabigboy at cox.net  Sat Jul 16 15:53:09 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:53:09 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] test
Message-ID: <20110716185309.E7FOO.875106.imail@fed1rmwml4201>

test...silly cox server got blacklisted....

From xplanematt at hotmail.com  Sat Jul 16 15:58:16 2011
From: xplanematt at hotmail.com (Matt Bailey)
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:58:16 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
Message-ID: <BLU119-W42188039F56779A5ABC26CD480@phx.gbl>


---- Roy Coates <roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk> wrote: 
> On 15 July 2011 18:50, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote: 
> 
> Correct!  I'm using Phidget servo drivers to make em move, and Bodnar boards 
> to read the positions. 
 
How are you interfacing to the Bodnar board, are you using pots and the analog 
inputs to measure instrument position (basically, re-creating the servo's 
functionality, which is the path I'm leaning towards if I don't use winch 
servos)?  
 
> Just ordered a Butt-Kicker too for some subtle 'feeling' in the cockpit. 
> This is in addition to a powerful sub-woofer bolted under the seat ;-) 
 
This is the first I've heard of this device....let us know how it goes, it looks 
promising (and cheap!). The Frasca heli sim I flew last month used some sort of 
vibration or butt-kicker-like device and it did add a lot to the experience, 
especially when descending into your own rotor-wash (which turned out to be not a particularly wonderful idea).
 
> The list so far... 
> 
> 2 Bodnar boards  (pitch/roll/yaw/throttle/trim/carb heat/mixture/flaps/read 
> servo pos/switches) 
> 2 Phidget servo boards  (to drive instrument servos) 
> 2 Phidget Analogue-4 boards (to drive real gauges such as fuel qty, oil temp 
> etc) 
 
Are you using variable voltage to drive air-core motors? I have just recently been 
doing some research on air-core movements and it looks like this would be 
possible, but I'm not sure yet.....people keep talking about H-bridges and other 
intermediary circuits. I think I can actually just use two digital outputs on my Phidget IO kit and pulse-width modulation to send the right "voltage" to the terminals of the flap gauge I got off ebay....I've determined that my gauge can be set by varying DC voltage, but I really don't know if it's an air-core motor....I'm pretty sure it is.
 
Matt 
 		 	   		  
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From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Sat Jul 16 16:48:55 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:48:55 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <9634F5AD57F842489E65467F5164649D@ritasiemensnb>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com><20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35><CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com><CAPe297ZH5Ni-OxwRdAqZ6YigK0xe=g1cA2hrpnJGETvzjSWE5g@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151723210.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<9634F5AD57F842489E65467F5164649D@ritasiemensnb>
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD0E3B5@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

We use these:  http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/12  at work,
similar gadget, and really easy to drive.  Been pretty reliable over the
past few years too.

SeanG
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org [mailto:simpits-tech-
> bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sturcbecher
> Sent: Saturday, 16 July 2011 7:56 p.m.
> To: 'Simulator Cockpit Builder's List'
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
> 
> Looks like the old ASC16 from 10 years ago. Still available:
> 
> http://www.medonis.com/asc16.html
> 
> Jim.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
> [mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Gene Buckle
> Sent: 16 July 2011 02:24
> To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
> 
> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:
> 
> > I just came across this... might be of interest.
> >
> >
>
http://tech.yostengineering.com/servoFolder/?gclid=CInK0PzIhKoCFYpB4Qody
0I
> Nz
> w
> >
> 
> That's a neat little gadget!
> 
> g.
> 
> --
> Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
> http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
> http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
> Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.
> 
> ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
> A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
> http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!
> 
> Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional,
illogical
> minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which
> holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a
turd
> by the clean end.
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.
> Thanks!
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!

From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Sat Jul 16 16:50:49 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:50:49 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297aLOLsNbSESXk-AaLzqdF6ym=hYLcfMeF6BP6zQWhydMw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com><20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35><CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107151719170.28421@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<CAPe297aLOLsNbSESXk-AaLzqdF6ym=hYLcfMeF6BP6zQWhydMw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD0E3B6@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

What about http://ruscool.co.nz/dual_rad.html ?

John does some nice stuff, primarily pointed at MSFS, but uses FTDI so
interfacing is easy enough (even for a muppet like me!)

SeanG

 

________________________________

From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Roy Coates
Sent: Saturday, 16 July 2011 10:59 p.m.
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?

 

On 16 July 2011 01:20, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

On Sat, 16 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> 3 GoFlight panels (most cost-effective solution I could find)

For Plug-n-Go, you might want to take a peek at the Saitek gear.  I saw
some at the local Fry's today and it appears to be really well built
stuff.


Ick... no gene. They're butt-ugly.

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From phoenixcomm at gmail.com  Sun Jul 17 09:15:03 2011
From: phoenixcomm at gmail.com (Cris Harrison)
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:15:03 -0500
Subject: [simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297ZOB_0pyebUcsAfDqGPfZKkKOBrQmRkL+UaeXvJo1iNCg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAPe297agPjV-DpSbQGSy8z=s3rYzwBrOH5KfYgM2mA4w++sp_Q@mail.gmail.com>	<20110715135006.L6XBB.1212012.imail@fed1rmwml35>	<CAPe297YU5aKJYS2-RhfarvFN0JDJtTR=vC9qCG8f8fp_Z0UC-w@mail.gmail.com>	<4E219985.7020303@gmail.com>
	<CAPe297ZOB_0pyebUcsAfDqGPfZKkKOBrQmRkL+UaeXvJo1iNCg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4E230A87.50805@gmail.com>

On 7/16/2011 5:51 PM, Roy Coates wrote:
>
>
> On 16 July 2011 15:00, Cris Harrison <phoenixcomm at gmail.com 
> <mailto:phoenixcomm at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>
>     Why dont you buy your radios from ebay?? most of them use ARINC410
>     2 of 5 code..
>     (http://phoenixcomm.wordpress.com/projects/airinc-410/)
>
>
> Two reasons.
>
> 1. Don't see many radio's for sale on Ebay in the UK, when you do - 
> they fetch silly prices.
> 2. ARINC interface cards look pretty expensive!  I've got two which 
> I'll be using for the CDU's in the Nimrod and they retail at about 
> ?700 each.  Ouch.  In fact, OUCH!
>
> Roy.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!
most of my radio heads were in $25 + ship $15 range. The only expense is 
the dam connectors
my wire wrap prototype cost me less that $40.00 in part & spares from 
Avnet.
The one card handles up to 5 heads, (could do lots more with expander) 
It has 2 8 bit ports one for input (select) the other for data (goes 
both ways, as you have to read switches, power, and write (turn on) dial 
lights, etc., volume controls 3 wires each head goes to my amps for 
simulated radios, and simulated NAV morse code depending on the slant 
range to the radio. plus the NAV radios have to out put signals to drive 
your LSI, HSI, and ADI. (see more
http://phoenixcomm.wordpress.com/projects/radiointercom-system/g-4390/
please watch my other website for poduction of this part
http://flite-tronics.com/products.shtml please note this site is still 
under construction.
Regards
Cris

Cris
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From dabigboy at cox.net  Mon Jul 18 21:19:53 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:19:53 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] FlightSafety visit, heli sim
Message-ID: <20110719001953.M54KO.1240060.imail@fed1rmwml41>

Thought I'd post a quick brief on my recent trip to FlightSafety. Last month, my wife and I went to Tucson, AZ to visit my dad, who is a FSI instructor. This center trains mostly for Learjets, though they also have a Challenger sim. And recently, they added an AS350 helicopter simulator (technically, just an FTD), which from what I'm told, was the first Level-7 approved heli FTD in the US (2009). We got to fly the Learjet 45 Level-D full-motion sim, as well as the new heli FTD (now THAT was something rather different!). Of course, such a post would be incomplete without copious pics, so here ya go.

Please pardon the poor quality on some of these pics, I only had a basic point-and-shoot camera.

The Frasca heli...
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/heli_front.JPG

Me up front, showing some more of the stunning visuals on this sim:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/heli_panel.JPG

Guess what? All those "steam" gauges you see in there are actually just LCDs. Makes me feel a little better about using this method in my own sim. :) Actually, there are more "real" gauges in my low-budget homebrew desktop unit than in this rig.

One more heli pic showing some of the terrain detail....the resolution was actually not great, but it was very smoothly blended, to give actually a somewhat blurry look. The textures were pretty low-resolution, lots of blending. I'm not sure if all the blurriness was due to texture res, or if the res coming out of the projectors was actually not that great:

http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/heli1.JPG


The visual system actually seemed to be quite simple in principle: eight projectors were aimed at a spherical screen covering 220* horizontal by 70* vertical. No special lenses, no collimating devices, no mirrors (except for a couple of projectors that had to be mounted backwards, presumably for logistical reasons, and bounced off small flat mirrors in front of their lenses). The tricky part, of course, would be the spherical correction and edge blending. In fact, when the sim "crashed", each projector would get a flat red tint to it, which allowed us to see each projector's "territory". Very interesting.

Yours truly in front of the Lear 45:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/me_simfront.JPG

Ruth in front of the sim:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/ruthie_simfront.JPG

Me and Dad in the sim room with the Lear 45 and an older 20-something Lear sim just visible on the right:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/me_dad_simfront.JPG

Here's Dad and I in the cockpit:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/me_and_dad_lear45.JPG

The only way to fly a Lear: khaki shorts and open-toe sandals!!!
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/lear45_center.JPG

My gorgeous wife in a gorgeous simulator......be still, my heart. :) Good view of the pilot's instruments here:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/lear45_ruthie.JPG

Good view of the sim's instrument illuminated, and the new'ish visual system - this is pretty much a big-boy version of Gene's collimated system, in fact I think it even uses the same Mylar material:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/lear45_me.JPG

Here's a nice shot of the IOS on the sim. You'll note a lack of physical inerfaces like keyboards or button panels, this is because this sim utilizes a touchscreen:
http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/lear45_ios.JPG

My wife took a turn in the left seat and had a great time, we even pulled off a landing together. I gotta say, flying with her in this machine was a blast, I really enjoyed running some of the aircraft systems and talking her through things occasionally. One of these days I've got to finish up that CFI ticket.

http://68.12.192.171:8080/pics/lear45sim/lear45_me_ruthie.JPG


The few times I've been here, I always come away with some new idea or insight to apply to my own sim project. While it always leaves me craving more realism and raising my goals for my sim, I have to say this: considering the incredible expense, R&D, programming, and raw man-power that goes into developing and maintaining beasts like these, a lot of the stuff I'm seeing folks build in their own garages is just simply amazing.

It is with renewed effort and inspiration that I attack my sim once again! Stay tuned for details on converting an old Apollo 612b Loran to a generic aviation GPS for X-Plane. :)

Matt

From dabigboy at cox.net  Mon Jul 18 21:37:08 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:37:08 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
Message-ID: <20110719003708.GYC55.1240240.imail@fed1rmwml41>

Just wondering if anyone could offer some advice here. I scored an old Apollo 612b Loran a while back, to build into a generic GPS for X-Plane (since I can't see spending $5k+ on a nice KLN-94 to interface directly, though that would be awesome...) Handily, the dual-concentric rotary encoder, push buttons, LED matrix panels, and LED annunciators are all on their own easily-detached panel. Interfacing the encoder, buttons, and annuciators should be fairly straighforward, but I'm stuck on the solid-state LED matrices.

This seems to be what I have:
http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=750

Specifically, mine is the QDSP-2007. Unfortunately I have pretty much zero experience when it comes to making microcontrollers and writing assembly code, but it sounds like this may be fairly straightforward (if a bit tedious to actually use) for someone with a little more experience to wire up.

Does anyone know of an existing microcontroller card of some sort that would talk to this little guy? Is it something an Arduino might be able to drive without any special intermediary circuits (just using the data pins)?

If anyone could offer advice or just point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it. My next plan is to hack one of those little 1.5" keychain photo frames (already found a solution for this that will probably work OK) and put it in place of the matrices, but they sure do have a cool retro appeal. Even if I stick with the 1.5" photo frame, it would be nice to use the LED matrices somewhere else.

Thanks!

Matt

From jimsturs at xs4all.nl  Mon Jul 18 23:44:50 2011
From: jimsturs at xs4all.nl (Jim Sturcbecher)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:44:50 +0200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <20110719003708.GYC55.1240240.imail@fed1rmwml41>
References: <20110719003708.GYC55.1240240.imail@fed1rmwml41>
Message-ID: <8D7EC8DE1459401AB1A92CAACD1D3E26@ritasiemensnb>

Yes, an Arduino or any small microcontroller would work. You
use a process called "bit-banging". (No this is not any reference
to chance adult encounters in the night). Anyone who does micro
programming on this list should be able to help. Unfortunately,
I am heavily involved with another project at the moment and don't
have any spare time.

Oh yes, you need to find the pinouts of the display. Given the
choice, I would probably use the Arduino.

Good luck,
Jim.

-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of dabigboy at cox.net
Sent: 19 July 2011 06:37
To: simpits-tech at simpits.org
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help

Just wondering if anyone could offer some advice here. I scored an old
Apollo 612b Loran a while back, to build into a generic GPS for X-Plane
(since I can't see spending $5k+ on a nice KLN-94 to interface directly,
though that would be awesome...) Handily, the dual-concentric rotary
encoder, push buttons, LED matrix panels, and LED annunciators are all on
their own easily-detached panel. Interfacing the encoder, buttons, and
annuciators should be fairly straighforward, but I'm stuck on the
solid-state LED matrices.

This seems to be what I have:
http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=750

Specifically, mine is the QDSP-2007. Unfortunately I have pretty much zero
experience when it comes to making microcontrollers and writing assembly
code, but it sounds like this may be fairly straightforward (if a bit
tedious to actually use) for someone with a little more experience to wire
up.

Does anyone know of an existing microcontroller card of some sort that would
talk to this little guy? Is it something an Arduino might be able to drive
without any special intermediary circuits (just using the data pins)?

If anyone could offer advice or just point me in the right direction, I
would appreciate it. My next plan is to hack one of those little 1.5"
keychain photo frames (already found a solution for this that will probably
work OK) and put it in place of the matrices, but they sure do have a cool
retro appeal. Even if I stick with the 1.5" photo frame, it would be nice to
use the LED matrices somewhere else.

Thanks!

Matt
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech at simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
Thanks!


From geneb at deltasoft.com  Tue Jul 19 10:38:35 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:38:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] FlightSafety visit, heli sim
In-Reply-To: <20110719001953.M54KO.1240060.imail@fed1rmwml41>
References: <20110719001953.M54KO.1240060.imail@fed1rmwml41>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107191038210.539@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Mon, 18 Jul 2011, dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

> Thought I'd post a quick brief on my recent trip to FlightSafety. Last 
> month, my wife and I went to Tucson, AZ to visit my dad, who is a FSI 
> instructor. This center trains mostly for Learjets, though they also 
> have a Challenger sim. And recently, they added an AS350 helicopter 
> simulator (technically, just an FTD), which from what I'm told, was the 
> first Level-7 approved heli FTD in the US (2009). We got to fly the 
> Learjet 45 Level-D full-motion sim, as well as the new heli FTD (now 
> THAT was something rather different!). Of course, such a post would be 
> incomplete without copious pics, so here ya go.

Very cool!  Thanks for sharing the pics!

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From geneb at deltasoft.com  Tue Jul 19 11:07:06 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:07:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Kerbal Space Program....
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107191106250.1708@grumble.deltasoft.com>


This is probably one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long 
time. http://www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php

Don't blame me if 2 hours vanish and you don't know where they went. :)

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From rd at ns.sympatico.ca  Tue Jul 19 11:35:21 2011
From: rd at ns.sympatico.ca (Rick Davis)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:35:21 -0300
Subject: [simpits-tech] Kerbal Space Program....
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107191106250.1708@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107191106250.1708@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <54940FF4F28B48E082CCC0A3BF832893@RickPC>

That reminds me of the many hours I spent on an Atari playing Sundog years 
ago.

R

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene Buckle" <geneb at deltasoft.com>
To: <simpits-tech at simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 3:07 PM
Subject: [simpits-tech] Kerbal Space Program....


>
> This is probably one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long
> time. http://www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php
>
> Don't blame me if 2 hours vanish and you don't know where they went. :)
>
> g.
>
>
> -- 
> Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
> http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
> http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
> Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.
>
> ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
> A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
> http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!
>
> Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
> minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
> holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
> by the clean end.
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above 
> page.  Thanks! 


From fsim at rwaltman.com  Tue Jul 19 15:45:23 2011
From: fsim at rwaltman.com (Roberto Waltman)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:45:23 -0400
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <20110719003708.GYC55.1240240.imail@fed1rmwml41>
References: <20110719003708.GYC55.1240240.imail@fed1rmwml41>
Message-ID: <29c6666e1be14284b80c1cd31ca1dec3.squirrel@webmail.rwaltman.com>

dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
> This seems to be what I have:
> http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=750
>
> Specifically, mine is the QDSP-2007.

If you are not committed to using those, you can buy similar LED matrix
displays from Avago. (I believe [not sure] they bought the [old] product
line from HP.)

They have some models with a serial interface, which is much easier to
interface than a conventional matrix.(And your pick of two different reds,
orange, green or yellow):

"The HCMS-29xx series are high performance,
easy to use dot matrix displays driven by
on-board CMOS ICs.
Each display can be directly interfaced with
a microprocessor, thus eliminating the need
for cumbersome interface components. The
serial IC interface allows higher character
count information displays with a minimum
of data lines."

http://www.avagotech.com/

http://www.avagotech.com/pages/en/led_displays/smart_alphanumeric_displays/serial_interface/

http://www.avagotech.com/pages/en/led_displays/smart_alphanumeric_displays/serial_interface/hcms-2901/


-- 
Roberto Waltman.




From dabigboy at cox.net  Tue Jul 19 18:06:55 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:06:55 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <29c6666e1be14284b80c1cd31ca1dec3.squirrel@webmail.rwaltman.com>
Message-ID: <20110719210655.J6J7K.20361.imail@fed1rmwml44>

Awesome, how did you find these?!? I need to double-check the dimensions but I think these would work too.  I gotta say, the data sheet on this is very well written, it actually makes more sense than a lot of what I've read so far on the design and control methods for such devices.

Question though: how would this offer an advantage over the QDSP-2007? I'm assuming easier interfacing, would it reduce the number of components I need for interfacing this to, say, an Arduino?

Thanks again!

Matt

---- Roberto Waltman <fsim at rwaltman.com> wrote: 
> dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
> > This seems to be what I have:
> > http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=750
> >
> > Specifically, mine is the QDSP-2007.
> 
> If you are not committed to using those, you can buy similar LED matrix
> displays from Avago. (I believe [not sure] they bought the [old] product
> line from HP.)
> 
> They have some models with a serial interface, which is much easier to
> interface than a conventional matrix.(And your pick of two different reds,
> orange, green or yellow):
> 
> "The HCMS-29xx series are high performance,
> easy to use dot matrix displays driven by
> on-board CMOS ICs.
> Each display can be directly interfaced with
> a microprocessor, thus eliminating the need
> for cumbersome interface components. The
> serial IC interface allows higher character
> count information displays with a minimum
> of data lines."
> 
> http://www.avagotech.com/
> 
> http://www.avagotech.com/pages/en/led_displays/smart_alphanumeric_displays/serial_interface/
> 
> http://www.avagotech.com/pages/en/led_displays/smart_alphanumeric_displays/serial_interface/hcms-2901/
> 
> 
> -- 
> Roberto Waltman.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!


From dabigboy at cox.net  Tue Jul 19 18:11:54 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:11:54 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <8D7EC8DE1459401AB1A92CAACD1D3E26@ritasiemensnb>
Message-ID: <20110719211154.YVFB8.20417.imail@fed1rmwml44>

Alright, it's decided, I'm buying myself an Arduino. I'm starting to understand this stuff well enough that I think I could tackle the Arduino......I love my Phidgets, but I think an Arduino would just open up a lot more possibilities, plus it wouldn't be too costly (ergo, not having to buy a separate $80+ board for something that only does a fairly narrow set of thing, plus not having any way to interface air core motors to Phidgets at all).

Thanks for the input....now to research "bit-banging"......do I need to put Google in NSFW mode? :)

Matt

---- Jim Sturcbecher <jimsturs at xs4all.nl> wrote: 
> Yes, an Arduino or any small microcontroller would work. You
> use a process called "bit-banging". (No this is not any reference
> to chance adult encounters in the night). Anyone who does micro
> programming on this list should be able to help. Unfortunately,
> I am heavily involved with another project at the moment and don't
> have any spare time.
> 
> Oh yes, you need to find the pinouts of the display. Given the
> choice, I would probably use the Arduino.
> 
> Good luck,
> Jim.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
> [mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of dabigboy at cox.net
> Sent: 19 July 2011 06:37
> To: simpits-tech at simpits.org
> Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
> 
> Just wondering if anyone could offer some advice here. I scored an old
> Apollo 612b Loran a while back, to build into a generic GPS for X-Plane
> (since I can't see spending $5k+ on a nice KLN-94 to interface directly,
> though that would be awesome...) Handily, the dual-concentric rotary
> encoder, push buttons, LED matrix panels, and LED annunciators are all on
> their own easily-detached panel. Interfacing the encoder, buttons, and
> annuciators should be fairly straighforward, but I'm stuck on the
> solid-state LED matrices.
> 
> This seems to be what I have:
> http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=750
> 
> Specifically, mine is the QDSP-2007. Unfortunately I have pretty much zero
> experience when it comes to making microcontrollers and writing assembly
> code, but it sounds like this may be fairly straightforward (if a bit
> tedious to actually use) for someone with a little more experience to wire
> up.
> 
> Does anyone know of an existing microcontroller card of some sort that would
> talk to this little guy? Is it something an Arduino might be able to drive
> without any special intermediary circuits (just using the data pins)?
> 
> If anyone could offer advice or just point me in the right direction, I
> would appreciate it. My next plan is to hack one of those little 1.5"
> keychain photo frames (already found a solution for this that will probably
> work OK) and put it in place of the matrices, but they sure do have a cool
> retro appeal. Even if I stick with the 1.5" photo frame, it would be nice to
> use the LED matrices somewhere else.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Matt
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
> Thanks!
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!


From fsim at rwaltman.com  Tue Jul 19 19:46:08 2011
From: fsim at rwaltman.com (Roberto Waltman)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:46:08 -0400
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <20110719210655.J6J7K.20361.imail@fed1rmwml44>
References: <20110719210655.J6J7K.20361.imail@fed1rmwml44>
Message-ID: <4E264170.9080807@rwaltman.com>

dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
> Awesome, how did you find these?!?

Once upon a time, I was looking for a display for a 
calculator. A search using an HP part number brought me to 
Avago.

> Question though: how would this offer an advantage over the QDSP-2007? > I'm assuming easier interfacing, would it reduce the 
number of components I need for interfacing this to, say, an 
Arduino?

Without knowing the details of the QDSP-2007, a 
"traditional" LED matrix is just that, a LED matrix.
You need to provide drivers for each row/column/segment, and 
refresh the data continuously.

The Avago chips have internal drivers and latches. You write 
the data you want displayed only once, (or only when it 
changes,) and the display's built-in circuitry takes care of 
the rest.  The interface is one bit in into a big shift 
register plus a few control lines.
If the microcontroller uses the same voltage (say, 3.3V) you 
don't need anything more than routing the lines between 
controller and display. (Except, maybe, a few pull up or 
down resistors)

--
Roberto Waltman

From fsim at rwaltman.com  Tue Jul 19 19:57:41 2011
From: fsim at rwaltman.com (Roberto Waltman)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:57:41 -0400
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <20110719211154.YVFB8.20417.imail@fed1rmwml44>
References: <20110719211154.YVFB8.20417.imail@fed1rmwml44>
Message-ID: <4E264425.3020806@rwaltman.com>

dabigboy at cox.net wrote:

> ....now to research "bit-banging"

Bit-banging means just manipulating I/O pins under software 
control to achieve whatever you need to achieve were those 
pins are connected.

For example, normally you would use a UART to provide serial 
communications. But if you need one UART more than what your 
controller provides, (or the UART(s) pins are taken by a 
different function), you can "bit-bang" one by using output 
commands + delays in software to provide the correct 
waveforms. (For Tx).
Or use input commands + measuring the timing of transitions. 
(For Rx.)

Same for, for example, an SPI interface. Do not have an 
available SPI controller, "fabricate" one  with 4 I/O pins.

Same for I2C, stepper motor controllers, reading a rotary 
encoder, even USB.

Or interfacing with a display.

-- 
Roberto Waltman


From phoenixcomm at gmail.com  Wed Jul 20 06:25:40 2011
From: phoenixcomm at gmail.com (Cris Harrison)
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:25:40 -0500
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <4E264170.9080807@rwaltman.com>
References: <20110719210655.J6J7K.20361.imail@fed1rmwml44>
	<4E264170.9080807@rwaltman.com>
Message-ID: <4E26D754.90801@gmail.com>

On 7/19/2011 9:46 PM, Roberto Waltman wrote:
> dabigboy at cox.net wrote:
>> Awesome, how did you find these?!?
> Once upon a time, I was looking for a display for a
> calculator. A search using an HP part number brought me to
> Avago.
>
>> Question though: how would this offer an advantage over the QDSP-2007?>  I'm assuming easier interfacing, would it reduce the
> number of components I need for interfacing this to, say, an
> Arduino?
>
Unfortunately you picked a display that is categorized as 'dumb'. That 
means basically what, and or where do you want to put your effort.  Just 
because this chip has a serial port, and internal shit registers,  means 
that you have to to ALL the work in code. Now what does that mean?

   1. You have to design and build the interface to the chip.
   2. You have to write the interface library to the chip.
   3. You have to write the ascii to chip encoder.

Now lets look a two other approaches.

    * Smart Display Modules. you need 1.
    * Smart Display Driver - Dumb Display = wire interface between the
      to and your done.

I prefer the last two approaches: and the second one is even better... 
Lets look at  a Max6955 this beast has a I2C interface (nice), and can 
drive 16 7-segment, 8 14 or 16-segment or 128 discrete LEDs, or a 
combination of display types.
Moral of this story: Design, Design, Design. Maybe change your Display 
Modules.
Enjoy
Cris H.
phoenixcomm.net/~phnx2000/sim
phoenixcomm.wordpress.com/projects/nav-cdu/


> Without knowing the details of the QDSP-2007, a
> "traditional" LED matrix is just that, a LED matrix.
> You need to provide drivers for each row/column/segment, and
> refresh the data continuously.
>
> The Avago chips have internal drivers and latches. You write
> the data you want displayed only once, (or only when it
> changes,) and the display's built-in circuitry takes care of
> the rest.  The interface is one bit in into a big shift
> register plus a few control lines.
> If the microcontroller uses the same voltage (say, 3.3V) you
> don't need anything more than routing the lines between
> controller and display. (Except, maybe, a few pull up or
> down resistors)
>
> --
> Roberto Waltman
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!
>

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From fsim at rwaltman.com  Wed Jul 20 08:40:02 2011
From: fsim at rwaltman.com (Roberto Waltman)
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:40:02 -0400
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <4E26D754.90801@gmail.com>
References: <20110719210655.J6J7K.20361.imail@fed1rmwml44>
	<4E264170.9080807@rwaltman.com> <4E26D754.90801@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <efbd67d4051a3641a41a453dfeda1320.squirrel@webmail.rwaltman.com>

Cris Harrison wrote:
> Unfortunately you picked a display that is categorized as 'dumb'.

Yes, I should have mentioned this. Some of these displays do not have a
character generator, which should be implemented in software.
[ For some applications this may be an advantage, because it allows
limited graphic capabilities. ]

> Lets look at a Max6955 this beast has a I2C interface (nice), and can
> drive 16 7-segment, 8 14 or 16-segment or 128 discrete LEDs,...

Thanks for the tip, interesting chip.
>From a brief look at the data sheet it looks to me that connecting the
micro to the '6955 and then the '6955 to the actual display is more
complicated than using one of the Avago displays.
But, I am not concerned about the SW development tasks you mentioned.
(That's what I do every day for a living.)
For somebody without a software background and/or who wants to get it
running quickly, this may be a better choice.

-- 
Roberto Waltman.


From dabigboy at cox.net  Thu Jul 21 19:55:38 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:55:38 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Solid-state LED matrix help
In-Reply-To: <efbd67d4051a3641a41a453dfeda1320.squirrel@webmail.rwaltman.com>
Message-ID: <20110721225538.Q4GIO.1286581.imail@fed1rmwml46>


---- Roberto Waltman <fsim at rwaltman.com> wrote: 

> Yes, I should have mentioned this. Some of these displays do not have a
> character generator, which should be implemented in software.
> [ For some applications this may be an advantage, because it allows
> limited graphic capabilities. ]
<snip>
>
> But, I am not concerned about the SW development tasks you mentioned.
> (That's what I do every day for a living.)
> For somebody without a software background and/or who wants to get it
> running quickly, this may be a better choice.

Well wait a second here....I don't mind software work, I've written an entire EFIS display in Python and OpenGL. My concern is having to design and build my own intermediary microcontroller and writing assembly code or something like that for it. If all I have to do with my existing LED chips are to connect them directly to something like an Arduino and then write the Arduino's code to drive each individual LED ("dot"), that would probably be fine. I could, for instance, write a software layer for the Arduino that accepts ASCII characters and then turns on the appropriate LEDs on the chip.

Customer graphics would be nice anyway because I'm going to need a few special items, like the degrees symbol and the direct-to (DTO) arrow.

Matt

From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Fri Jul 29 23:07:34 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:07:34 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC60@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

http://openrj.stoneynet.nl/

Has anyone seen, used, know anything about this?  Looks pretty good, and
runs well.  I was looking for some glass software to use in a simple
cockpit project, and found this....

 

SeanG

 

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From chebm at yahoo.de  Sat Jul 30 01:58:47 2011
From: chebm at yahoo.de (Thomas Hoeltschi)
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 09:58:47 +0100 (BST)
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC60@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <1312016327.26268.YahooMailClassic@web24108.mail.ird.yahoo.com>

Never heard of it, but looks pretty cool.

Thomas

--- On Sat, 7/30/11, Sean Galbraith <Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com> wrote:

From: Sean Galbraith <Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com>
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
To: "Simulator Cockpit Builder's List" <simpits-tech at simpits.org>
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011, 8:07 AM




 
 






 



http://openrj.stoneynet.nl/ 

Has anyone seen, used, know anything about this?? Looks pretty good,
and runs well.? I was looking for some glass software to use in a simple
cockpit project, and found this?. 

 ? 

SeanG 

 ? 



 



-----Inline Attachment Follows-----

_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech at simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Sat Jul 30 09:28:16 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 09:28:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC60@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC60@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107300927270.324@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sat, 30 Jul 2011, Sean Galbraith wrote:

> http://openrj.stoneynet.nl/
>
> Has anyone seen, used, know anything about this?  Looks pretty good, and
> runs well.  I was looking for some glass software to use in a simple
> cockpit project, and found this....

Sean, I haven't tried that one yet, but RJGlass is a really nice package 
as well.  http://sourceforge.net/projects/rjglass/  It's written entirely 
in Python and uses the SimConnect protocol with FSX.

g.


-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Sat Jul 30 16:10:31 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:10:31 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107300927270.324@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC60@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107300927270.324@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC62@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

Hey Gene, yep seen RJGLass, but my "simple" project is FS9 based...
OpenRJ It comes with source code, so I may be able to butcher it to suit
my needs :)

It appears, after a short search of the internet it appears that this is
an abandoned project.... shame, it's really nice, and also talks to
flightgear, which may make this project into an excuse for me to use
flightgear as well :)

SeanG



> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org [mailto:simpits-tech-
> bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Gene Buckle
> Sent: Sunday, 31 July 2011 4:28 a.m.
> To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
> 
> On Sat, 30 Jul 2011, Sean Galbraith wrote:
> 
> > http://openrj.stoneynet.nl/
> >
> > Has anyone seen, used, know anything about this?  Looks pretty good,
and
> > runs well.  I was looking for some glass software to use in a simple
> > cockpit project, and found this....
> 
> Sean, I haven't tried that one yet, but RJGlass is a really nice
package
> as well.  http://sourceforge.net/projects/rjglass/  It's written
entirely
> in Python and uses the SimConnect protocol with FSX.
> 
> g.
> 
> 
> --
> Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
> http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
> http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
> Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.
> 
> ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
> A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
> http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!
> 
> Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional,
illogical
> minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which
> holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a
turd
> by the clean end.
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!

From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Sat Jul 30 17:07:31 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:07:31 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

I know the flash BU036X is set up for encoders via the configuration
tool, but I understand the basic BU036 can talk to encoders as well.
Has anyone ever used them in this way, or do I need to buy the 'X'
version?  More bits for my "simple" project :-)

 

This "simple" sim is FS9 based, using stuff that I have kicking around
the workshop.  It is a half cockpit deal, captain side only, based
loosely on a corp jet/twin turboprop type using Saitek yoke and throttle
quadrant, OpenRJ for the glass, and the kicker; it all fits into a
cabinet so it can hide away :-)  My intention is to draw it all up,
publish the plans and a how to on my simpits blog..   This has all come
about because of a comment on a local FS forum, where someone stated
that building any sort of cockpit was far too expensive and took up too
much room for your "average" simmer to indulge in.  I took it as a
challenge and so here we are, off to slay the dragon armed with some
offcut mdf and old PC parts.... Should be a laugh!

 

SeanG

 

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From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Sun Jul 31 13:51:31 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:51:31 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com>

On 31 July 2011 01:07, Sean Galbraith
<Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com>wrote:

>  I know the flash BU036X is set up for encoders via the configuration
> tool, but I understand the basic BU036 can talk to encoders as well.  Has
> anyone ever used them in this way, or do I need to buy the ?X? version?
> More bits for my ?simple? project J****
>
>
>
Hmm... I had some success driving a KE73 with an encoder. Provided it's the
mechanical contacting type of encoder you may well find it works - sort of.
I can't remember the specifics.

I do have a 36X sitting on my desk (at work) at the moment and I can try
that with an encoder for you tomorrow if you like?

Roy.
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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Sun Jul 31 14:36:06 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:36:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
	<CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Sun, 31 Jul 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> On 31 July 2011 01:07, Sean Galbraith
> <Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com>wrote:
>
>>  I know the flash BU036X is set up for encoders via the configuration
>> tool, but I understand the basic BU036 can talk to encoders as well.  Has
>> anyone ever used them in this way, or do I need to buy the ?X? version?
>> More bits for my ?simple? project J****
>>
>>
>>
> Hmm... I had some success driving a KE73 with an encoder. Provided it's the
> mechanical contacting type of encoder you may well find it works - sort of.
> I can't remember the specifics.
>
> I do have a 36X sitting on my desk (at work) at the moment and I can try
> that with an encoder for you tomorrow if you like?
>
It would be nice to find a source of reasonably priced dual-concentric 
encoders...

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.simpits.org/geneb - The Me-109F/X Project
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://www.scarletdme.org - Get it _today_!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end.

From roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk  Sun Jul 31 17:21:29 2011
From: roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk (Roy Coates)
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 01:21:29 +0100
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
	<CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com>

On 31 July 2011 22:36, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

>
>>
> It would be nice to find a source of reasonably priced dual-concentric
> encoders...
>


You're not wrong.  Don't often see them and when you do, the price requires
the sale of a kidney or a spare testicle.
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From geneb at deltasoft.com  Sun Jul 31 18:38:00 2011
From: geneb at deltasoft.com (Gene Buckle)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:38:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
	<CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com>

On Mon, 1 Aug 2011, Roy Coates wrote:

> On 31 July 2011 22:36, Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>>
>> It would be nice to find a source of reasonably priced dual-concentric
>> encoders...
>>
>
>
> You're not wrong.  Don't often see them and when you do, the price requires
> the sale of a kidney or a spare testicle.
>
Yep.  The ones that Leo sells are somewhere near $40 USD each.

g.

-- 
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
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minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
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by the clean end.

From rd at ns.sympatico.ca  Sun Jul 31 18:48:11 2011
From: rd at ns.sympatico.ca (Rick Davis)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:48:11 -0300
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local><CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com><CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com>
	<alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <D2D383E1E2C4446C8F2C6EEB140F5EF5@RickPC>

>>> It would be nice to find a source of reasonably priced dual-concentric
>>> encoders...
>>>
>>
>>
>> You're not wrong.  Don't often see them and when you do, the price 
>> requires
>> the sale of a kidney or a spare testicle.
>>
> Yep.  The ones that Leo sells are somewhere near $40 USD each.
>
> g.
>
I thought Leo was out of business, dead, left the continent or vaporized?

I bought two for 38.00 CDN each a few years ago. One I can't find, and the 
other I blew up.

Of course, the one I can find is of the blown up variety.

:( 


From Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com  Sun Jul 31 19:30:34 2011
From: Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com (Sean Galbraith)
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 14:30:34 +1200
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <D2D383E1E2C4446C8F2C6EEB140F5EF5@RickPC>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local><CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com><CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com>
	<D2D383E1E2C4446C8F2C6EEB140F5EF5@RickPC>
Message-ID: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC70@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>

No, Leo is very much alive and kicking...   he's involved in some pretty
sexy sim stuff, outside of his own controllers;  http://www.emuteq.com/
I've used one of the GNS530's in a project and I can say it's pretty
slick.

Oh, and if you have a blown up one he says that he'll replace it....
might be worth an email....

Gene:  Don't look at Grayhill encoders then...   we use those in our
commercial products, and to date have failed only one... but the price
is beyond the average home cockpit builder!

Roy:  The controller I am interested to see if it will talk to encoders
is the plain vanilla BU036, the X says it does, but the config tool for
the basic one has config settings for encoders as well.  Even if I have
to go for the X it will be a cheap encoder interface.  If you do get a
chance to fire up the X you have and try it with encoders I'd be keen to
hear what you think of it..  might be a good cheap solution for my needs
:)

SeanG


> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org [mailto:simpits-tech-
> bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Rick Davis
> Sent: Monday, 1 August 2011 1:48 p.m.
> To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
> 
> >>> It would be nice to find a source of reasonably priced
dual-concentric
> >>> encoders...
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> You're not wrong.  Don't often see them and when you do, the price
> >> requires
> >> the sale of a kidney or a spare testicle.
> >>
> > Yep.  The ones that Leo sells are somewhere near $40 USD each.
> >
> > g.
> >
> I thought Leo was out of business, dead, left the continent or
vaporized?
> 
> I bought two for 38.00 CDN each a few years ago. One I can't find, and
the
> other I blew up.
> 
> Of course, the one I can find is of the blown up variety.
> 
> :(
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!

From rd at ns.sympatico.ca  Sun Jul 31 19:40:24 2011
From: rd at ns.sympatico.ca (Rick Davis)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:40:24 -0300
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC70@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
References: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local><CAPe297a5Rb0FP_QuT-xJnQYwpqc4nYhEbuj4pNGBsoZaow_Nwg@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311435490.25098@grumble.deltasoft.com><CAPe297ZHq6_pRiiJTFRxh0_gCULNc6FsLNh-7acHibRANB6esg@mail.gmail.com><alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com><D2D383E1E2C4446C8F2C6EEB140F5EF5@RickPC>
	<2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC70@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <20146DB4E7BC4E6CA1C858194CBAAAAD@RickPC>

> No, Leo is very much alive and kicking...   he's involved in some pretty
> sexy sim stuff, outside of his own controllers;  http://www.emuteq.com/

Wow! Sean. Thanks.

> Oh, and if you have a blown up one he says that he'll replace it....
> might be worth an email....

Maybe, but I fried it. Laid it on a scewdriver or a screw or something while 
it was running. Nothing that would be his fault or worthy of a replacement. 
But, can I buy more now?




From dabigboy at cox.net  Sun Jul 31 22:28:39 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:28:39 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] OpenRJ
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC62@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <20110801012839.RYQID.1415039.imail@fed1rmwml33>

Interesting. FWIW, I'm working on a network-based OpenGL glass cockpit display (well, adaptable to simulated steam gauges too, of course), which is fairly far along now. It's also written in Python, coincidentally, making it wonderfully cross-platform. Most of my development work stopped/paused late last year because it's reached a point where it takes care of most of my immediate needs, but soon I will be moving ahead with engine instrumentation and more nav stuff.

I've been toying with the idea of releasing it eventually, if folks are interested? I know there's already a host of glass display software products out there now, but I think I may have something a little unique in certain areas (for one thing, I'm not trying to simulate the glass in a Boeing or Airbus-something like 99.9999% of other products out there, it seems). The great thing is it uses an extremely lean and simple UDP scheme for the data to move to the host PC, literally just a nice tidy string containing ordered values for each data item (airspeed, RPM, etc), that gets unpacked on the client/display PC, and from there, sent to the various instrument modules that require such info. This keeps me from being tied to any one sim.....all you have to do is write a simple plugin for your sim of choice that gathers the info required, packs it into a single (simple, well documented) string, and spits it to the listening IP/port via UDP. All the input filtering and range-checking happens on the client PC, and doesn't care what sim you're using. And any inputs or data that need to come FROM the display/instrument PC to the host PC are sent in a similar fashion (so you can run Phidgets, phcc, Arduino, etc on the instrumentation PC(s) if you so desire, further simplifying the interfaces to your actual host sim PC). Flight and engine instrument, and annunciator info (what data it's tied to, image source for the artwork, size/position, etc) are stored in handy ASCII files. I'm also going to write code to tie INI files to N-number as sent from the main sim PC, so you can tailor instrument setup to each plane. Instruments can now be moved (but not scaled yet) with the mouse, then a simple keypress saves your new coordinates to the current INI file(s). Panel setup is stupid easy, especially if you're in the panel-cutout club like me. :)

Speaking of Phidgets, I've also got code in my software to run my servo-based turn coordinator (yes, includes the ball), and my servo-based airspeed indicator, as well as driving my landing gear annunciator lights (Phidgets again) and a few other goodies connected to output channels on my Phidgets I/O card. I will probably tidy this up and include it as boilerplate code if I release the app.

Right now my software is setup for a mid-size turboprop GA aircraft, and will soon be tweaked further to approximate the typical avionics package in a relatively updated Learjet 30-series. The software is also completely scalable, meaning you can literally have as many client/display instrumentation PCs as you wish (well, up to 253 without fancy LAN-bridging, but ya know....). I don't have a current count on the packet size, but I'm guestimating it's still in the low-hundreds of bytes, if that.

All this is running in Python under Linux right now (and tested under Windows XP 32bit and Win 7 64bit), so it will probably run on just about any sim-worthy platform out there. X-Plane is my sim of choice, but as I said, the app would work with any sim that you can get data out of via UDP. Of course, you can run the software on the same PC as your sim, just send to 127.0.0.1.

Alright, I will stop plugging my stuff now. :P

Matt

---- Sean Galbraith <Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com> wrote: 
> Hey Gene, yep seen RJGLass, but my "simple" project is FS9 based...
> OpenRJ It comes with source code, so I may be able to butcher it to suit
> my needs :)
> 
> It appears, after a short search of the internet it appears that this is
> an abandoned project.... shame, it's really nice, and also talks to
> flightgear, which may make this project into an excuse for me to use
> flightgear as well :)
> 
> SeanG

From dabigboy at cox.net  Sun Jul 31 22:44:12 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:44:12 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <2FB39A1077E2CC48BD7ECF1A3C363FEBD6EC64@PS-CH1.pacsim.local>
Message-ID: <20110801014412.4Q782.1415105.imail@fed1rmwml33>


---- Sean Galbraith <Sean.Galbraith at pacificsimulators.com> wrote: 
> I know the flash BU036X is set up for encoders via the configuration
> tool, but I understand the basic BU036 can talk to encoders as well.
> Has anyone ever used them in this way, or do I need to buy the 'X'
> version?  More bits for my "simple" project :-)

Great minds think alike!I I cheaped out and went for the basic version myself (partly because it was my first Bodnar product and I wanted to see if it would suit my needs), and it works great with encoders and the free encoder utility from Leo's page.

If I understand encoders properly, it's only just an alternating series of two different contacts...if you are writing your own input software, you can handle encoder inputs entirely through your software. Ergo, you can hook these things to something like a Phidget I/O kit, and still handle them, by using two of the kit's digital input pins.


> This "simple" sim is FS9 based, using stuff that I have kicking around
> the workshop.  It is a half cockpit deal, captain side only, based
> loosely on a corp jet/twin turboprop type using Saitek yoke and throttle
> quadrant, OpenRJ for the glass, and the kicker; it all fits into a
> cabinet so it can hide away :-)  My intention is to draw it all up,
> publish the plans and a how to on my simpits blog..   This has all come
> about because of a comment on a local FS forum, where someone stated
> that building any sort of cockpit was far too expensive and took up too
> much room for your "average" simmer to indulge in.  I took it as a
> challenge and so here we are, off to slay the dragon armed with some
> offcut mdf and old PC parts.... Should be a laugh!

Pics? Sounds kinda like what I'm doing at the moment, although I have a head-start on the structure part of it......I managed to get my hands on the high-quality, T6-aluminum complete instrument panel desktop shell that an actual avionics maker used to take to trade shows to demo their gear in. It even includes what appears to be a real yoke, with some aircraft-quality switches inside it. But it's really just a way for me to cut my teeth and get some experience under my belt for when I have more room, and run down to a local aircraft salvage yard and pick out a Learjet nose section to make into a sim........ :D We're lucky here, the local yard not only regularly parts out biz jets and turboprops, the owner is not only aware of simmers, but embraces the hobby and has worked with a lot of folks needing real shells or parts for recreational sims. I called him last year, and as soon as I mentioned "homebuilt flight simulator", he was all over it. :)

So far my little desktop sim has been just a little money, even less space, but a MOUNTAIN of TIME! It's taken me a year to get to the current stage, but I can fly it around now and work all my main controls except flaps (will be on the avionics/center panel), plus run the main electrical and ancillary systems and lights from real switches etc.

Matt

From dabigboy at cox.net  Sun Jul 31 22:48:54 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:48:54 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Leo's BU036 and encoders
In-Reply-To: <alpine.LFD.2.00.1107311837320.32288@grumble.deltasoft.com>
Message-ID: <20110801014854.KC1BW.1415121.imail@fed1rmwml33>


---- Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote: 
> >
> > You're not wrong.  Don't often see them and when you do, the price requires
> > the sale of a kidney or a spare testicle.
> >
> Yep.  The ones that Leo sells are somewhere near $40 USD each.
> 
> g.

Don't know if this would work for the quantity of encoders you guys are needing, but a good source for encoders might be old junk radios on ebay. I haven't verified this yet, but the Apollo Loran I'm converting into a pseudo-scale GPS has what appears to be a standard rotary encoder on it, dual-concentric of course. I'm sure it cost far more new than I paid for the whole Loran. Look for dead or outdated navcomms etc that have like 2 to 4 encoders on them. Still pricey, but not bad if you can get the whole rig for under $30 shipped. Plus you get LED or LCD panels, pushbuttons, lights, internal components, etc as a bonus.

Look for Lorans, I think we sim builders are just about the only folks who want them now that the system has been shut down. Prices are great. :)

Matt

From dabigboy at cox.net  Sun Jul 31 23:53:40 2011
From: dabigboy at cox.net (dabigboy at cox.net)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:53:40 -0700
Subject: [simpits-tech] Saitek yoke opinions?
Message-ID: <20110801025340.1Q5NT.1415312.imail@fed1rmwml33>

Hi all, well I have an interesting arrangement for the yoke on my sim, but it's a bit flimsy, and I don't have a handy way to provide any resistance. My problem is I have very little space to work with. Buying an off-the-shelf unit and adapting it to my fancy yoke grip seems the best method, but I don't want to shell out the big bux for a PFC unit.

I have a Saitek throttle quad, and while it's a far cry from a real unit, it beats out every other hobby-grade quad I've seen. I'm thinking of getting Saitek's matching yoke and replacing its yoke grip with mine. It has the steel shaft, actual bearings, etc. But I don't have any way to get my hands on one to try it out. Has anyone tried this model? How does it compare to, say, a basic PFC yoke? Is it notchy or plastic-feeling? Much flexing?

Matt