Transmitter interface

[AeroCup]

Hi, i'm sorry i know this question has been asked before, but i couldn't find the answer i was looking for in the search..

I want to buy a usb interface for my JR transmitter, so that i can use it as a joystick, i'm looking for a cable that i can just plug in and windowsxp will just recognise it as a joystick.

Preferably from the UK as that's where i live, the only one i could find was $30, and i think that's a bit too expensive!!

Thanks for any help

:D

[Ade]

i used to use one of these on FMS back in the day.

http://www.rc-electronics.co.uk/

Ade

[billscottuk]

Your other option would be to make an audio interface as described here:

http://crrcsim.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php?n=CRRCsim.IFAudio

I didn't need the resistors on mine.

I use one of these with CRRC sim, FMS and Slope soaring sim with no problems. You need one other piece of software who's name escapes me at the moment, it is something like winpropo, but I will check for you tonight when I get home. this interface can be made for less than £5 and you can make the cable whatever length you like!

Found it!
http://www.geocities.com/shaul_ei/SmartPropoPlus.html

You don't need this for CRRC sim

[AeroCup]

Your other option would be to make an audio interface as described here:

http://crrcsim.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php?n=CRRCsim.IFAudio

I didn't need the resistors on mine.

I use one of these with CRRC sim, FMS and Slope soaring sim with no problems. You need one other piece of software who's name escapes me at the moment, it is something like winpropo, but I will check for you tonight when I get home. this interface can be made for less than £5 and you can make the cable whatever length you like!

Found it!
http://www.geocities.com/shaul_ei/SmartPropoPlus.html

You don't need this for CRRC sim


Superb !! :D

Now that's just what i'm looking for, probably cost nothing as i'm sure i already have a suitable lead at home, just hope i don't need the resistors and i'm sorted..

Cheers BillScottuk ;)

And thanks for the other info Ade, hopefully i won't need to buy one now though

[Malc C]

If you want to stick 9.6v into your sound card then go right ahead...

Before working with a few friends to develop our own USB tx interface for sims I purchased one of RC-Electronics USB interfaces and it gives excellent resolution and ease of installation, with no need for any software virtual drivers.

[AeroCup]

If you want to stick 9.6v into your sound card then go right ahead...

I'm no expert on electronics, so maybe you would clarify what you mean, and if it really does put 9.6v into the sound card, what will happen?

You seem to out of stock of your interface, and as i said i really wasn't looking to spend £30 + on an interface!

[Ade]

for me a good sim is priceless. it lets you practise when the weather is bad and push your skills without the risk of crashing your pride and joy.

good sims are pretty cheap these days. take a look around the rest of the simulator section and make your own mind up which is the best for you.

Ade

[AeroCup]

Ade i already have Phoenix ;)

It's just i have a few other programs in mind for use with my tx, and that's why i didn't want to lay out anymore than £10-£15 for an interface


Cheers

[Ade]

Ade i already have Phoenix ;)

It's just i have a few other programs in mind for use with my tx, and that's why i didn't want to lay out anymore than £10-£15 for an interface

Cheers

i think ashley davis used the smartpropo interface when he reviewed clearview. i will see if i can get him to chime in.

Ade

[TrexTuning]

I used ppjoy, smartpro and a standard JR buddy lead plugged into the audio input on my sound card

[Malc C]

I'm no expert on electronics, so maybe you would clarify what you mean, and if it really does put 9.6v into the sound card, what will happen?

You seem to out of stock of your interface, and as i said i really wasn't looking to spend £30 + on an interface!

The PPM signal from most JR TX's is at the same voltage as the battery pack (9.6v). The inputs on a sound card are designed to have mic and line level inputs which are typically a few micro-volts (mic) to 1v peak to peak for the line. Whilst most sound cards also have over voltage protection, and may tollorate these high levels for a time. No doubt there will be loads of people posting here saying that they use this method and have not experienced any problem, but I have seen reports and personally blown one sound card by feeding voltages at this level into the line in socket.

Yes I've marked the interfaces I used to make as out of stock on my web site, as its no longer competitive for me to have another batch of PCBs made. Three years ago there wasn't many USB interfaces on the market, and those that were around were £40 - £50. Now most commercial USB tx interfaces are just as cheap as what it costs me to make. This was one of the reasons I've posted the files on the DIY electronics forum.

The choice is your's... spend £30 and get a dedicated interface that comes up as an HID device under windows... or spent £1.50 on a bit of cable and a couple of Jack plugs and gamble that it won't shag your sound card or main-board

[Ade]

ouch...

the rc-electronics one is good. easy to use etc... actually must get mine back off of Dad so i can play some games. normal joysticks suck.

Ade

[AeroCup]

Ahh ok thanks for the info Malc C much appreciated, definitely don't want to risk blowing anything in my pc :eek:

Still, i think i'll keep searching for a cheaper interface ;)

[shaul_ei]

I have invested hundreds of hours into SmartPropoPlus and still, it is absolutely free. I gain nothing from it but pride and knowledge that I saved hundreds of fellow flyers a lot of money.
Therefore, it annoys me to see that Malc C is spreading this 9.6V fear.
Theoretically, the Microphone input is designed for much lower voltages. However,in practice it is well protected from over-voltage even in the cheapest sound card and certainly on on-board sound cards.
I did not test this application on hundreds of machines, but I have thousands of users that did. Indeed, I get several requests for help a day to which I try to attend within a few hours. Many of them reflect user's reluctance to read the instructions, some reflect some electrical problem, either a wrong cable or sound card over-sensitivity that can be solved by means of a resistor. None, until this day suggested a burnt-out sound card. Naturally, I cannot guaranty that it will never happen in the future, I can only hope that people will continue to take this very small risk in order to save their money.

[Malc C]

Therefore, it annoys me to see that Malc C is spreading this 9.6V fear.

Why should it annoy you - Like I said - its based on fact - ( whilst using software to monitor the PPM signals from various TX's I blew a £30 sound card)

I also commented that "No doubt there will be loads of people posting here saying that they use this method and have not experienced any problem" - I simply put forward both sides of the coin and let the other poster make up his own mind. - I never mentioned your product directly, slated the effort you put in or directly stated that the guy shouldn't use your application, The choice is your's... spend £30 and get a dedicated interface that comes up as an HID device under windows... or spent £1.50 on a bit of cable and a couple of Jack plugs and gamble that it won't shag your sound card or main-board

As for your comment

Theoretically, the Microphone input is designed for much lower voltages.

Its not theory.. its a fact that a microphone input is expecting a very low voltage than what is outputted from a TX's buddy socket. Its just fortunate that modern soundcards can antenuate the higher voltages, generally without damage... maybe I was just unlucky, and the card I had couldn't cope :(