Artemetra
Apr 25, 2005, 08:21 PM
Recently I received AFPD, (Interface Version) and found that it requires a $16 cable to connect to Futaba 7CHP and 7CAP transmitters, as well as others with the newer-style Futaba "square" plug. Being anxious to start using it, I discovered that you can hot-wire it direct. Using the first diagram from Reflex as a guide, I discovered you can connect the two pins shown to the AFPD stereo plug and it works well. I tried with and without the jumper over pins 4 & 5, it doesn't seem to make a difference - and I thought that having the jumper on would disable the RF coming out of the transmitter, but it does not. I tried it both ways, and was able to control a model nearby with the jumper in place as well as without.
The AFPD plug is a "stereo" mini phono plug, 3.5mm dia. Stereo meaning it has three leads. I used only two, the "tip" and the "ring," ignoring the third, or "sleeve." They connect as shown in the diagram. Radio Shack has the receptacle for this type of plug. I used wire pins to connect to the Futaba - this is where it might be worth the investment of buying a connector. The pins on a Futaba connector are .019" diameter, I used .020" music wire for pins. I wouldn't recommend anything larger. It helps with insertion to sharpen the tips of the pins. Then I glued them together to make a connector body. My system currently does not have the jumper on pins 4 & 5, but I do remove the crystal from my transmitter to save on battery life. I'm not sure if this helps, but at least no one in my neighborhood on the same channel will get interference while I'm on the sim.
I am in agreement about the performance of AFPD - it is sweet for airplanes, and includes some great shockflyers. They are fun to practice 3D with, and the variety of planes is fabulous. It is not as good as Reflex for helicopters, although it isn't bad. Seems to me that RFG2 and especially Reflex have slightly better physics for the helis, now that I've tried all three as well as my own helicopter.
The AFPD plug is a "stereo" mini phono plug, 3.5mm dia. Stereo meaning it has three leads. I used only two, the "tip" and the "ring," ignoring the third, or "sleeve." They connect as shown in the diagram. Radio Shack has the receptacle for this type of plug. I used wire pins to connect to the Futaba - this is where it might be worth the investment of buying a connector. The pins on a Futaba connector are .019" diameter, I used .020" music wire for pins. I wouldn't recommend anything larger. It helps with insertion to sharpen the tips of the pins. Then I glued them together to make a connector body. My system currently does not have the jumper on pins 4 & 5, but I do remove the crystal from my transmitter to save on battery life. I'm not sure if this helps, but at least no one in my neighborhood on the same channel will get interference while I'm on the sim.
I am in agreement about the performance of AFPD - it is sweet for airplanes, and includes some great shockflyers. They are fun to practice 3D with, and the variety of planes is fabulous. It is not as good as Reflex for helicopters, although it isn't bad. Seems to me that RFG2 and especially Reflex have slightly better physics for the helis, now that I've tried all three as well as my own helicopter.