FMS Interface
 

I just received an interface for FMS from (HeliHobby) the one i bought was the PIC (Serial Interface) to connect to a Futaba 4VF Tx. The transmitter I'm using is the Trainer Tx, it has no batteries nor crystal it's intended for just connect to another controller. The thing is that the interface does not work at all, my system is a W-XP Pro but that should be no problem. I have checked all settings and it's all ok, the only thing is that my controlled as stated previouslydoes not have power at all. Have any of you gone thru a thing like this? I need help folks.

Thankz

FMS Interface
 

I believe you are going to have to have power to use this. I have realflight g2 and in order to use my remote with the interface I have to turn my controller on. Hope this helps

Same with power
 

Thanks pal

After I posted the thread I went to RadioShack and bought an Universal Adapter for the Tx. I plugged the cable turned on the power ... and.... the same... hmmm I think guys from helihobby will have to helpme on this one. But if any of you can give an advise, go ahead... i need it.

He... He...
 

Well finally I have it

As I've said i bought an Universal adapter (1.5v - 12V) from RadioShack but this should work with any 9V adapter around there. Then I opened my futaba buddybox and found that the DC input did not went to the circuit board but to the bateries when Tx were in Off position (charge position) so as my Tx does not have batteries I made a bridge in the circuit where the On-Off switch is. Now my transmitter has power and I'm rollin... :D. Soon I'll post pictures.

FMS Interface
 

Glad to hear you got it goin, I figured it needed power to go. Have fun and enjoy it.

Futaba 4vf & flight simulators
 

I am planning to buy the adapter cable to connect from the "buddy" port into my PC gameport and I heard that you are supposed to remove the crystal to save battery power.
2 questions:
1) Where is it in the radio?
2) Can it damage the transmitter circuit to be powered up without a crystal in it?
The cable I found is this: http://www.milehighwings.com/joystick.htm
Does anyone have any experience with it?

FMS Interface
 

In the on-line manual for FMS - it suggests that the xmtr module or xtal be removed. This disables the RF section of the transmitter.

Fms
 

I am thinking about buying one. From what I have read about them you need to have a power msource or power packif not connected by usb. I am looking at one on that auction site. email me for a link. Maybe this will help. Seller responds to email . He may be alot of help.

Re: Futaba 4vf & flight simulators
 

On a Skysport 4 the crystal is that thing on the left side of the Tx front panel, marked with your frequency/channel number.

The Tx can be damaged if you run for a long time with the antenna down and the crystal still in. Removing the crystal stops the RF part from working and so prevents damage (and the battery lasts longer).

Steve

FMS Interface
 

Yes propfinger

You need auxiliary power source if not connected by usb, I got mine from RadioShack (9V DC) some soldering is needed for this to work, you will have to bridge in the Power switch the connections (the lower four connectors) letme know if you need more instructions, i can send you a pic of what i did.

FMS Interface
 

Sure! Like they say:... "a picture is worth a thousand words".

I found the crystal on my radio TX, but nobody has a single conversion ch. 45 crystal for my Feather Rx. Must be the hot item for Xmas.
There is a Tipsy under my tree and I hope that the LHS gets some crystals in fast otherwise I will have the plane built and won't be able to fly it.

RE: FMS Interface
 

I developped a rather simple and cheap (<10 Euros) PIC cable that perfectly works with FMS under all Windows versions.
It is also a true measuring instrument to understand your transmitter settings and mixers,
and a flight recorder + playback. All software is FREEWARE.
All info (look at the english user's manual with screen shots) under NEWS/ARTICLES for
(simple)PCM at this link
[link]http://www.jdm-nivelles.be[/link]
You will find all docs and softs in the SPCMliste.htm
Happy flying,
Philippe

RE: FMS Interface
 

Philippe,
So this will work with XP? How about for a JR radio? That seems to be a combination that I have difficulty finding.

I'm having a little difficulty finding the area that you speak of. Perhap because although I'm French, je n'ais parle le Francais.

Thanks,
Brad

RE: FMS Interface
 

Brad, I sent you a private msg about your radio. Will put the results online later. Philippe

After a quick look, JR products look (externally) similar to Graupner.
The buddybox site [link]http://users.belgacom.net/TX2TX[/link] decribes Graupner transmitter student connectors in great details.
The graupner site [link]http://www.graupner.de[/link] has an english version and will show the
Graupner names for the models.
Hope this helps. Anyway tell me your JR xmtr model and if a student plug is available.
As I told you, Graupner mc-20 and mx-22 have already been connected for FMS, without additional (expensive?) Graupner plug,
and connection to many other models should be possible.
Philippe

RE: FMS Interface
 

Thanks Philippe. I got your PM. My tx is this http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...=JRP5212%2A%2A

The buddy box plugs are very slender, like inputs for headphones or similar things. I don't know if you have the same kind of thing in Belgium.

Thanks again for your assistance.
Brad

RE: FMS Interface
 

Hi Brad,
I found the plug JR trainer cord described as by visioneer-one in the thread
This refers to a JRATC001 cord, and the user manual for your transmitter says JRPA130 on page 9.
Don't know if it is the same, but I read it fits a lot of JR's.
This does not tell me what the connections are, and which amplitude the signal is.
I am wondering about the mono plug, as the cord should support both directions, and have 2 signals and the ground, which makes 3 and a MONO only has 2. Not clear for me.
Recommend you put a jack in the plug and a scope on the jack to check the PPM signal coming out from your xmtr, with reference to (some) ground (the other contact of the jack?). Have a knowleadgeble friend if you do not have equipment.
For info, TX2TX also refers to a PC scope.
The need is simple: My circuit recognizes an input voltage (PPM signal) of more than 5V (4V would also do).

***!:And also a power of 5V min, but this you could bring from outside (ref my user's guide). Reviewing this, I have to be objective
*** and clarify this:
*** If your ONLY goal is to run the simulator, there are other PIC cables that take the power from the PC interface, and not from the
*** transmitter like mine does. Then you only have to find about your plug's signal. They also care sometimes for a weak signal.
*** If you want to analyse your transmitter settings, record a (real) flight a.s.o, go on with my cable and softwares
*** [link]http://www.jdm-nivelles.be[/link] look for SPCM or (simple)PCM in ARTICLES or NEWS

And that's as simple as that, but you have to check carefully.
Sorry, it's difficult to check it from here, but tell us your progresses, it can be worth to others, and Olivier (TX2TX) will put info in his documents, as JR stands with a question marks for now.
BTW, did someone else reading us do the job?
Philippe.

RE: FMS Interface
 

Thanks again, Phillipe. I am going to try to find someone local who is knowledgable about these things to help determine some of the things that you metion. It's all greek to me!:)

Thanks again,
Brad

RE: FMS Interface
 

For your info, here a poster I used when demonstrating the (simple)PCM.
Feel free to copy, print and display at your club, if you find it interesting.
Regards,
Philippe.
Brussels Belgium

PS: for those from Belgium, or close to Belgium, let's make an appointment at my club
or at yours.

Joystick with trim, expo, ...
 

Additional software in the (simple)PCM series
Search rcuniverse with "joystick expo"

Philippe
Brussels Belgium

[link]http://www.jdm-nivelles.be[/link]