Newbie PPM question

[bindibadgi]

Hi

I tried searching but I don't fully understand all the lingo, so I probably missed the exact thread I need. :D

What I'd like to do (on a budget) is to pull the PPM signal from an old Futaba Tx (a Tri-Seven-x probably from the late 70's) and create an interface for my PC.

Are there instructions anywhere for creating an interface for Smart Propo Plus (http://www.geocities.com/shaul_ei/SmartPropoPlus.html) (which would plug into the audio input on my PC)? Would that even work?

I think I will end up using Clearview simulator (http://www.rcflightsim.com/index.html) because I have some kind of compatibility issue with FMS and it crashes. I'm running Windows XP, so I'm not sure if I could get a parallel connection to work. otherwise I suppose I could try this (http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/14/how-to-real-controls-for-r-c-flight-simulation/) (but I'd just use batteries, not an adaptor, and I'd leave the Tx board in there so that I could still use the controller in real life; I'd just unplug the crystal). And then I'd need to use PPJoy (http://www.simtel.net/product.php?id=75176) if it would work.

I really don't have much $$; otherwise I'd just buy a nice expensive new TX and a PC cable.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Malc C]

A few questions:

1) - does the transmitter have a trainer port on the back (possibly a round 6 pin socket)
2) - do you have access to a Pic microchip programmer, as most of the hardware interfaces use a PIC chip of some description
3) - not sure about using the audio card to decode the PPm signals. I've not tried it, (other than when using windows osciloscope software) - Chances are it would work, and all you would need would be a 6 pin DIN plug and a 3.5mm jack plug, then wire pin 2 of the 6 pin DIN to the tip of the 3.5mm plug, with the screen to the sheild and shaft respectivly.

[bindibadgi]

Thanks Malc C

The Tx does not have a trainer socket unfortunately, so I'll have to hunt for the PPM signal from the board somewhere. I think I can find ground. ;)

Smart Propo Plus uses the sound card, so if I can find the signal (probably using some oscilloscope software) then I'll probably just install a mono audio jack in the Tx and use a male-male cable to connect it to the PC. I hope it works.

Does anybody know what the safe limit is for the sound card (in terms of voltage)? I'll probably wire a 10k resistor or something in while testing. Do you think that would be enough to save my sound card from damage? I guess that even if I poke the wrong thing, the most I'm likely to get is 12V right?

[Eric_N57105]

Does anybody know what the safe limit is for the sound card (in terms of voltage)? I'll probably wire a 10k resistor or something in while testing. Do you think that would be enough to save my sound card from damage? I guess that even if I poke the wrong thing, the most I'm likely to get is 12V right?

I'm not knowledgeable about computer sound cards, but I can tell you the cable that came with the Pre-Flight sim to plug into the BCP TX has a 5K resistor in series with the audio so your instincts are certainly correct.

Eric
www.ke6us.com