Online comms in PS1 and PSX

[Peter Sagar]

Just wondering what the PS1 cockpit builders out there are using as a hardware solution for online (Vatsim or IVAO) radio coms? I know that Matt Sheil is using a GoFlight radio panel, but I would be interested in what others use.

To Hardy: will online VHF comms be available [to hardware builders] in PSX? Or still only via an add-on?

Cheers,
Peter.

[Hardy Heinlin]

Vatsim or IVAO connection only via add-on.

Cheers,

|-|ardy

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

You say: to hardware builders. What exactly do you mean? Setting all knobs on all panels is possible for hardware builders. Reading all indicators is possible, too. Just making a VATSIM/IVAO connection needs an addon, which is true for all sims I know anyway (SquawkBox addon).

[Garry Richards]

I use GoFlight panels for VHF comms and transponder, connected directly to FS9/FSX.

VisualPS1 has an option to allow PS1 to set the FS values.

Cheers

[Peter Sagar]

You say: to hardware builders. What exactly do you mean? Setting all knobs on all panels is possible for hardware builders. Reading all indicators is possible, too. Just making a VATSIM/IVAO connection needs an addon, which is true for all sims I know anyway (SquawkBox addon).

I am simply asking what combination of hardware and software do PS1 cockpit builders currently use? I ask as a form of survey for my own interest.

However, I would be interested in which offsets in VMRead, access the VHF voice frequency tuning and transponder settings? I had a quick look, but obviously missed them.

VisualPS1 has an option to allow PS1 to set the FS values.

Garry, might someone be able to access this option directly? Through Broker or FSUIPC? Would it even be worthwhile, or better/easier to stick with the type of set-up you use?

Cheers,
Peter.

[Michel Vandaele]

For the sim I'm using the FDS B747 radio panels
http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/_assets/images/products/603-large.jpg

Unfortunately for the moment in the cockpit I still have to use FS2004 and adapted to B744 PM software .  Waiting patiently for PSX.

I'm sure Peter will find a solutions to connect his panels to PSX.

See you

Michel

[Garry Richards]

Garry, might someone be able to access this option directly? Through Broker or FSUIPC? Would it even be worthwhile, or better/easier to stick with the type of set-up you use?

Peter, the relevant broker keys are:

VM.ATCIndicatorWindow for the transponder code
VM.ActiveFrequencyIndicator for the com1 frequency
VM.XpdrModeSelector for the transponder mode switch

All keys in the vmread.cfg file are available for any application to use. There are also others such as the broker's own keys and the IPC747 keys. VisualPS1 also generates some keys. Consult the documentation for these applications to learn about them. Some keys are either input or output, some are bidirectional.

Bear in mind that all of these are the result of hacking into PS1 (with Hardy's permission and assistance) and making use of whatever data are accessible. PS1 was never designed with this use in mind so programming for it can be a mind-bending exercise at first. Fortunately PSX will have masses of well-documented and easily accessible data available for addons.  

Consult the FSUIPC and Squawkbox documentation to find the frequency offsets in FS and the private offsets used by Squawkbox. For online use PS1 does not need the com1 frequency, or the transponder code and status so these could be manipulated by hardware talking directly to FSUIPC.

For cockpit builders who already have (or want) their comms hardware talking to PS1, VisualPS1 optionally relays the PS1 settings to FSUIPC. A similar facility is planned for VisualPSX.

Cheers