FMS interface for Futaba Skysport 4 T4VF ??

[bernie01]

Hello all,
I have recently downloaded the FMS flight simulator and now wish to construct an interface so that I can learn to fly using my friends transmitter, a 'Futaba Skysport 4 T4VF ' . However I am unsure if this is PCM, PPM, PIC or whatever as I am new to RC and have no idea what all this means.
If anyone has a Futaba T4VF and can point me to a web site that shows clear circuit diagrams I am sure I will be able to construct the interface but I just need to be sure that I am building the correct one! ( My PC is running Win 98 SE )
Thanks, Bernie.

[Mike Roberts]

Bernie

You will find what you need on my website. With Windows 98 you can use the IRQ Serial interface which is easy to build. If your transmitter is a computer set you will have to set it to PPM (if not it will use this anyway). You will find circuit diagram, transmitter connections and setailed setup in: R/C Projects>FMS>IRQ Serial.

Cheers

Mike

[bernie01]

Hi Mike,
found your site, thanks! Looks like I will build a serial version; off to the parts store tomorrow!
Thanks again for sharing this information,
Regards, Bernie.

[blueprints]

Hi Mike,

I've the same controller. Skysport 4 but my OS is Windows XP. WOuld this work on WinXP?

[olivier2]

Hi,
UPDATE 25/04/04

FMS INTERFACES

Hi,
This is a small summary of possible interfaces for FMS. Good study!
The general rule : the PC needs from your transmitter the following :
a) the ground
b) the PPM OUT-signal
How to find those 2 contacts on your buddy connector or how to find the connections in case your transmitter is not fitted with a buddy box connector, check out my website ( ).

A) For Win 95-98-Millennium with FMS, 2 easy possibilities (above all
possibilities that are also possible for Win 2000 and XP, see section "B").
1) THROUGH THE PARALLEL-port (LPT1)
eventually with a resistor and zenerdiode, see the manual of FMS ("handbuch" in German)
(http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index.html) or some examples on my
website which I personally tested (http://users.belgacom.net/TX2TX) figure
7f-fms and others in chapter 7. Or here : (German).

2) THROUGH THE SERIAL-port
See the manual of FMS ("handbuch" in German)(http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index.html)

If you think you're not able to make such a cable, buy eventually one :



(German)

B) For Win 2000 and Win XP with FMS, a SIMPLE connection through the
parallel-port or serial port is not working, those 2 versions of Windows are
handling other protocols on these ports than Win 95-98-Millenium.

Your options then :
1) VIA PPJOY
By downloading and installing PPJOY and connecting your transmitter with a simple parallel or serial interface.
download :

installation :

2) THROUGH THE SOUNDCARD
With smartpropo :
The advantage is that it's simple to make : 1 audio-cable and a resistor or potmeter. Disadvantage : it does'nt work with all soundcards...

3) THROUGH THE SERIAL PORT (Com-port)
a) via an interface with a programmable IC (PIC), which is described in the
directory of FMS, see .FMS\Doc\Interface\readme_en.htm on your harddisk.
Or
b) or the same electronic interface that you can buy ready to use here :




(German)
(French)

4) THROUGH THE USB-port
(selfmade)







(French)
(French)
(French-German selfmade)

(German : kit)
(German)
(German)
If you have a 4-axis joystick, you can use an interface-cable
gameport-->USB, for sale in every computershop, thus ideal for modern
laptops without a COM-port

5) THROUGH THE GAME-port
a) with an interface which transforms the signal of the transmitter in a
joystick-signal
(French)
(selfmade)



(German)
(German)

b) buy a 4-axis-controller joystick

(German)

c) or make yourself a 4-axis joystick with an old RC-transmitter, removing
all electronics, replacing the 4 potmeters by potmeters of 200K (not 100K
like mostly mentioned), and wiring like in :

(French)
(French)

6) Or make a partition on your harddisk where you will install Windows
95-98-Millennium. Then you can connect your radio simply via the
parallel-port or Serial-port as described in the manual of FMS and start the
older Windows (see section "A").

Hope this helps,
Olivier

[Steve Lewin]