RCU Forums - FMS Interface

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Hi everyone! Where could I buy a cheap but reliable interface for the Futaba 6XHS Radio for FMS?

I just made my own last week at a cost of less than six bucks in less than 15 mins. However my radio is a Futaba 9C. The interface works superb. For a simple but effective circuitry and instructions, try www.heliguy.com/nexus/fmsinterface.html. Good luck......... :D

What operating system do you use ? The cheap and easy interfaces do not work at all with the latest operating systems like Windows 2000 or XP. They're fine with Win 98 etc.

Steve

steve, you're right. I'm running win 98. cheers...........

Rajul,
How did you find which pins of the square 9C connector to use as the signal and the ground? Could you, please, tell which pins are these.
Thanks,
Boris

Hi Bluesky. FMS1 is the attachment showing the general wiring. I had intended to use a CAT-5 cable but found that the Futaba DSC cable gave me stable response with negligible ground bounce (manifest itself as extremely fine twitches in the control surface response). If you calibrate your Tx properly in FMS, the twitches can't be seen anymore. Unless you are operating in a high EM environment, then I guess the CAT-5 cable will give you some benefit. Otherwise I wouldn't want to spoil a good DSC cord ! :p. Apart from the components already described in the link I gave above, you need a DSC cord and a female J-connector (which is wired to the 25-pin connector). FMS2 is the attachment showing the pin layout for the square connector. The beauty of it is that you can use the DSC cord as it is because the signal and gnd wires are all connected, and pins 4 already shorted to pin 5 (this is to disable the tx radio transmission). Remember to set your tx to ppm and good luck! Let me know if it works for you or if you need help.......... :)

Bluesky, although I did not try the circuitry given in fms website (using zener diode and 680ohm resistor) I think it will also work fine............... :)

Rajul,
Thank you so much for the prompt response!
The second (hand drwan) picture is what I needed. I've figured out most of the pins myself, only couldn't decide if red or white wire (pins 1 and 3) was the signal. Thanks for clarifying that!

Futaba square connector is hold together by a couple of latches, so, it's easy to take the connector apart (you can even disconnect the wire from the DSC cord and use it for extending servo leads).

Have nice simulated flying,
:)
Boris

You can order an interface cable from Wayne Tarr at [email protected]
He charges $39.00 shipped and the cable has a PIC controller so it works in XP. It comes with a copy of the program and an instruction booklet. Works Great!!!!

Why to spend $40 on FMS-only interface? For this money you can buy a TX-to-gameport interface, which acts as a joystick in any Windows, including XP.
The difference is that you can buy almost any R/C sim and use the interface with it. I've heard that CockpitMaster is rather inexpensive (about $40 to download?) and, at the same time, pretty good.

You can buy a joystick controller that works with XP and with various other sims from http://www.rc-electronics.co.uk/

Ken also does a USB version of it. Alternatively the FMS-only PIC serial interface is only $20.

Steve