TX not working in FMS

[7ender]

I'm trying to hook up my transmitter to fms, but it's not working. I just bought the usb/tx interface cable but it appears as though the tx is not being recognized. Whenever I try to calibrate, nothing happens.

Iv'e done some searching, but can't figure out my problem. Iv'e already tried two transmitters- my hitec optic 6 and a laser 4. Same problem.


Any help?

Thanks!

[Malc C]

some more information on the interface you have purchased might help us.

Try searching this forum for similar threads, as connection issues have been covered time and time before

[7ender]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370133921951

That's the cable.

Iv'e searched fairly extensively, but found alot of people using ppjoy. I would do this, but my computer struggles to run the sim already so doing so would basically leave it useless.

I dont get what's wrong- the tx appears in my control panel under game controllers and everything; just when I try to calibrate it nothing moves.

[slipstick]

1. Make sure the FMS interface is FIRST in the list in Games Controllers
2. Calibrate it first in Games Controllers and only then calibrate in FMS

Steve

[7ender]

Iv'e tried that, but when I go to calibrate (in wondows) nothing happens. The little crosshair won't budge.

Not sure whats wrong....

[Malc C]

Could be several things, but as Windows has detected it and installed an entry in game controllers this would suggest that the chip in the interface is running.

My guess is that it's not reading the signals from the transmitter(s). This normally happens when the TX is sending a PCM signal rather than a PPm signal. However the Hitec should be using PPM.

Maybe the unit is faulty, and for less than $10 my guess is that its one of the mass produced units from china, so the quality control will be, well lets say hit and miss. Might be worth contacting the vendor and arrange a refund / replacement

[slipstick]

Not being rude but you do realise that you need to switch the Tx on don't you ? And have you tried it in several different USB ports ? Sometimes one works better than another.

If it's not that, as Malc says, about the only thing left is that the interface is faulty or the Hitec adaptor is wired up wrong. It should ideally have connections to pin 2 and the outer shield with pins 4 and 5 shorted together. See http://www.hewittonline.net/buddy.htm

Steve

[Miami Mike]

Not being rude but you do realise that you need to switch the Tx on don't you ?You're not being rude, but you are being wrong. :p

Here's the section of the Optic 6 manual (http://www.hitecrcd.com/product_file/file/117/Optic_Manual_2.pdf) titled "Operating With A Trainer Cord":4. Turn on the instructor's transmitter. DO NOT turn on the
student transmitter power. Move the controls on the
instructor's transmitter, and verify each control moves the
proper direction. Now verify that the student's trims and
control travels match the instructor's by using the trainer
switch (the momentary Trainer switch on the top left of the
transmitter case) and switching back and forth while leaving
the control sticks and trims alone, then moving the control
sticks.
5. The instructor's transmitter has normal control over the
model unless the trainer switch is pulled, passing control to
the student's transmitter. If the student loses control, the
instructor can quickly "take over" by releasing the trainer
switch and controlling the model.When a radio is connected to a simulator, it operates the same as the student's radio in a buddy-box hook-up. He should not turn the radio on.

[slipstick]

When a radio is connected to a simulator, it operates the same as the student's radio in a buddy-box hook-up. He should not turn the radio on.
Have you actually tested this Mike ? It is certainly correct as stated, i.e. in a training situation where the student Tx is powered from the master Tx via Pin1 of the Hitec trainer cord and the student Tx doesn't even need a battery. Unfortunately in my experience it doesn't work the same when using a simulator as the standard USB interface is not able to provide power to the Tx (there are only 2 wires in the cable, signal and ground).

But I don't recall testing an Optic6 specifically so it's always possible the Optic6 works differently to the other Hitec (and Futaba) Txs I have tried. Might be worth a try ;).

Now with JR Txs you must NOT switch on because the position of the power switch is what tells it whether to behave as master (listening for a PPM signal) or slave (sending a PPM signal). But that's a different matter.

Steve

[7ender]

Hmm, any other advice? Iv'e already tried it both ways, on and off.

Not sure what's wrong :(