[simpits-tech] Treasures from ebay! (and name that part)

[dabigboy at cox.net]

So with my simulator efforts finally in full swing again, I have managed to scrounge up some cool items on ebay (and elsewhere). Scored myself a little MD41-1828 GPS annunicator unit for $25:

http://24.253.194.71:81/md41_annun.jpg

I then did some more looking and found they actually go for $400-$700 typically.....! This one supposedly works, I will find that out for sure as soon as I build myself a 28vdc power supply. If it doesn't, I will just interface to the single button and LEDs directly anyway, but it does have a pretty neat photosensitive dimming feature that I hope to use. Plus the interface on the back is just a 25-pin parallel port, and I found the pinout and installation manual for it online, which means I should be able to make a functional "drop-in" wiring harness for it. Coolness! Now I just have to write me a GPS softwarez. :)

Annnnnnd the other thing I just won Sunday.......I can't wait for this one to arrive in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270650930384

I was STOKED to nab this one!!!! I don't have the room (or money) to build up a full cockpit or chop off the nose of a real plane for sim use right now, so I've been planning for a desktop simulator that is small and reasonably portable. This finally gives me a platform for all the ideas and little bits and pieces of hardware I've planned or assembled over the years. Actually the yoke alone is worth what I got the unit for, everyone is charging crazy prices for aircraft yokes these days (my last quote was an old Metro II yoke for $450.....)

Anyone recognize this sim/display unit? With the fixed yoke, it would seem to be some sort of static display, perhaps an instrument layout familiarization unit (perhaps simply pieced together by a flight school and a sheet metal mechanic). But the apparent fan-shaped vents on the back and side indicate there must have been some electronics in it at one time, tube era I would guess. Kinda reminds me of an ATC sim, but I don't believe it is (it's too non '70s-woody-grainy).

I was just thinking, if I put this in front of my huge monitor as it sits now, I will have to "peer around" the "nose" of the sim to see the entire out-the-window monitor view, kinda like the real thing. :)

Matt