molevitch

Thank you Hans! I ordered the same from RS Components this morning! They arrive tomorrow. Let's see if this makes a difference.....

My method Hi fellas, hi Trip, This is the principle that I have been working to as well. I am building a Mi24 pit for the module which is in development. I have some real components and some adapted components, and have recently been using some great photo reference to build actual 1:1 scale panels. Muscle memory in VR is pretty solid after a while, and one soon knows where stuff is. Of course, I am currently flying Mi-8 and other choppers, but sitting in an unfinished Mi-24 pit! I have seen that a fellow pilot worked out how to extract the DCS model into Blender, using an Mi-8, so it can be done. I will ask how.... But I have been enlarging to full size from photos in Photoshop, using "Find Edges" filter, and printing out in black and white linework on multiple A3 sheets and then sticking them all together. I also got a Mi-24 original manual download which has some instrument layout schematics. I have a few authentic panels which I can use as scale references to resize the photos. Then paste all that onto old corrugated card boxes, cut up with box-cutters, and stick it all together with parcel tape to make a test cockpit enclosure. Worked really well, and I was then able to use those print-offs to create correct scale aluminium panels. Still a long way to go, but it is a really effective method. Mole

Hi Guys, Is there a specific max487 chip to order? There seem to be quite a few variations, eg CSA, CPA, EPA etc. Last time I ordered, I got a CPA designation, which I think is what was recommended, but does it make any difference? Mole

I feel your pain Hi Lesthegrngo, I have had very similar problems. I have rewired, resoldered and rebuilt several versions of my network, following Hansolo's and CraigS' schematics. Swapped out Max487 chips, burned out one Nano, and still I get nothing. If I revert to a non-slave sketch in serial, it all works.... An exercise in frustration and futility, but I am determined to get it working. I will order more Max487s Mole

Hi Jester, Yes I saw that.... But are they swapped or wrongly labelled? I have tried connecting other way, but still. I am going to put my 2 working panels back to serial and keep trying with a single switch as a slave to test.

Thank you Hans, a very kind offer! But I am determined to get it working myself. I am concerned it’s the Master board at fault. It is (of course) an Arduino clone from China. Do you recommend only using genuine Arduino? I soldered up a new max487 mount board, checked all soldering, all seems well. Connected it to Master again, still the same. But... I plugged in a 12 v supply to the Mega’s socket, and the Nano started smoking! So the Nano maybe compromised.... It’s very frustrating! Mole

Well, I am excited and happy to see some real renders in colour, and a few hints about direction of development

Hi Hans, Pin 2 & 3 on the master’s max487 are cross soldered beneath the board, but I will look again and test again. I might even just solder up a new board and socket for it. I have 2 Nanos shown, but I will check them both. I really am not sure why this is not working, but it is bound to be bad soldering/wiring!:music_whistling::music_whistling: Mole

Hi Hans, re RS485 from Mole Hi Hans, Thanks for the speedy reply! Some pics: See below. I have tried a toggle switch on pin 13 (and 12). But nothing.... (Used the Mi-8 strobe light switch for that instead of A10 Master Caution). This is on the basic Nano. Slave 3 The other is Slave 1 with the radio selector panel. This panel works perfectly as a serial solo on USB. I expect the RX on the Mega to blink only when receiving data, that makes sense. But I cannot tell if the Nano(s) are receiving either, since nothing appears to be happening. I am pretty sure it is my wiring, but I have checked it all so many times, resoldered it, etc. The Nanos are receiving power.... Pics taken whikle not running DCS-Bios. Mole

RS485 Circuit: DCS-BIOS Master Slave driving me mad Hi Guys, especially HanSolo and Craig S, I have been following carefully your RS485 setup, as you may recall. I have had successful sketches running on two panels in stand alone serial modes. They work. I have converted the sketches to slaves. I have set up a Mega as Master. I have uploaded the first slave sketch to a Nano. I have soldered and wired some veroboard and mounted a socket for the Max487 chip. I have tested all with a meter. I am now several 10s of hours into failing to find out why it is not working!!! On the mega, the TX Led is flashing away, but not the RX. On the Nano there are 3 LEDs lit, RX, TX, and POL1. The Master sketch is running all good, black and white text scrolling like mad. I figure the RX LED on the Mega should be flashing too, to show it is receiving.... I have swapped in new Max487s. No change. Help! Mole

Where to get Mig 21 authentic gauges Hi Heshamal, I am currently building a Mi-24 helicopter pit. I get a lot oif authentic parts from a few guys on eBay in Russian Federation. Try this. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Accelerometer-angles-of-attack-Russian-Soviet-MIG-21-Fighter-device/192475177852?hash=item2cd06a237c:g:RhkAAOSw3HlantSg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gyrohorizon-flight-indicator-MIG-21-AGD-1-Flighter-plane-Soviet-Russian-Aircraft/192842961162?hash=item2ce656110a:g:cdAAAOSwE6VceSpg Getting them to work with your PC is a whole other game! Look into DCS-BIOS, and / or Leobodnar.com. Mole

:music_whistling::lol::lol::lol:

Despite the mere crumbs of information from ED about the development of the Mi-24, I remain positively optimistic of its eventual arrival. I continue to acquire authentic components which seem to be as rare as hen's teeth. As many parts are shared with other Soviet airframes, I am able to use bits from Migs, Tupolevs, and other Mil aircraft. My main source is eBay, and the one or two sellers there through private communication. Sadly, some parts recently got lost by either the Russian or the British post office somewhere over the North sea.... I decided recently to upgrade to DCS-BIOS for these various instruments and controls and am following the video by Craig S and the work of Hansolo carefully. I am about to start assembling the network using Nanos and Megas as slaves and a Mega as Master. Wish me luck, fingers crossed. I am also therefore rebuilding the pit from scratch. The first was always a prototype, using mostly scrap MDF board leftover from building projects. I am now converting to aluminium sheet and have produced scale drawings from photographs, using my various authentic items as scale references. This has shown my original pit to be close, but about 5% smaller than the real thing, and also foreshortened. (Wondered why I was getting cramps in my calves...) Aluminium sheet for the left wall panels has been bought from eBay. It will make the whole structure less heavy too. I have made my first efforts in panel beating and bending too. A framework to support it all and installation of a better collective and custom built fuel valves will go a long way to completing the cockpit left wall. The blue colour is a bit too clean, and needs to be greener....

On Sunday 17th February 2019, B Company 229th AHB's mission was a recreation of a Vietnam event recorded in Mark Garrison's book "Guts n Gunships". Task Force Alpha, 200+ US infantrymen were surrounded in the Plei Trap by up to 5000 NVA troops. The only chance of escape for these souls was to be airlifted out. We use the Caucasus map to recreate the appropriate terrain. B Coy is currently engaged in recreating the Vietnam era of UH-1H use in many scenarios, as well as activities in Mi-8s and occasionally Ka-50s and SA342s. B Company is European Time zone centric. 229th Recruiting NOW!

There is a large worldwide set of DCS helicopter enthusiasts. But the Ka50 was released in 2008, the Huey in 2013, the Mi-8 in feb 2016 and the Gazelle in May 2016. There have been numerous updates since, and the Gazelle is still going through FM revisions to make it "credible". The multicrew options so essential for 3 of the 4 airframes are still awaited. We have had nothing new for 3 years, and only shadows of teasers of possible new offerings at no specific timeframe. It would be considerate to get some info from ED. Meantime, if any of you Hind enthusiasts are looking for some European timezone multiplayer mission action, at 229th B Company (EU), we are conducting regular and frequent complex helicopter combat assault missions, currently themed around the Vietnam era, and based on the written records of veteran pilots of that campaign. Predominantly UH1-H based (obviously) but using Mi-8 as a transport Chinook substitute, we look for areas of the Caucasus map to represent actions we read about in books like Guts n Gunships, Low Level Hell etc.

this chat is about Mi-24. The F16 is already announced as this year's project. And is off topic here. I hope ED will give us SOME little crumbs of info to keep our Hind hopes alive

It would be interesting and/or helpful to get an idea of the number of DCS users who would buy the Mi-24. I personally fly with upwards of 30 guys who have all expressed their intention to buy the Mi-24P module on release without hesitation. Some kind of poll to serve up to ED with a number equating to sales value?

We are a cadre of members of the 229th AHB group. Some of us are assigned to A Company, USA based members. Several of us A Co members fly regularly with our brothers in B Co. Their membership is based in Europe with the associated timezone. B Co is currently running a series of missions based on the many books documenting the 229th’s (and other’s) extensive history in the Vietnam conflict. Missions take place once or twice a month on Sundays at 1900 ZULU.The time slot is chosen to suit both EU and US based participants. We are looking for a few more DCS rotary wing enthusiasts to join us. The basic requirements are as follows: An enthusiastic, patient and courteous attitude A commitment to participate regularly, be on time for scheduled missions, and give a timely courtesy notice when unable to attend. Competence in selected airframe, gunship employment and tactics, scout tactics, sling-loading and familiarity with CTLD based actions..Minimum skills needed are ability to cold-start the aircraft, perform stable hover check, hover flight, perform VMC approach and landing, operate in multi-aircraft formations, ability to use aircraft radios and navigation systems. Teamspeak and Simple Radio are the prime communication tools...Teamspeak is used for pre-mission briefing and discussions. Simple Radio is used for comms during mission. Simple Radio must be checked and functional! Willingness and ability to install and use 229th required mods using OVGME. An ability to communicate in English Pilotage and navigation skills are essential as the F10 map has all elements concealed, i.e. no aircraft, nor ground forces, are shown. Kneeboards can be used. Waypoints may be in some missions. Familiarity with MGRS is required Standard Operating procedures and Required Pilot Proficiency available on request. Requisite Mod Packs will be supplied. We will be using the Huey in Slick and Gunship roles, the MI-8 to serve the role of heavy lift. There are openings for UH-1 Slick pilots, CSAR and medevac roles as well as UH1 Gunship pilots with experience and familiarity of GS tactics. There will be some scout roles also. All are welcome so please contact us. If you are interested and ready to commit please join us either as a guest (see what you think of us!) or/and become a member of the 229th through this link:http://1stcavdiv.conceptbb.com/f42-recruiting-depot. We are very happy to welcome groups from other squads also. If you have additional questions or comments please comment or PM any of us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Totally agree with Metzger!

In the past I have contacted Guillemot and acquired replacement WH buttons.

A Christmas Carol Where's our Mi-24 we whined, And hotly grabbed a momentary view In a short teaser video of new Exciting stuff!(We've been "promised" before...). It's Christmas, for Christ's sake, we deserve more! The New Year looms, our wish still far Be Hind! :music_whistling: Merry Christmas Hind Lovers, and hoping on a Happy New Year! :lol::lol::lol:

A few of us over at 229th B Coy have just started re-exploring the depths of the Ka-50. I used to fly it when it first came out in single-player, but mostly just shooting stuff using Vikhrs, etc. BS2 upgrade was installed, flew it some more SP. Then along came the Mi-8 and a new passion was ignited, and I have pursued that ever since, first at Black Shark Den, and now at 229th B Coy. A gang of us have achieved very high levels in the Mi-8. Now, in multiplayer, the Ka-50 has really started to come alive. The modelling of the navigation systems is extraordinary, especially for such an old piece of software. In VR, the cockpit is accessible and cleverly designed, and typically Soviet in style. Our Ka-50 group is just getting warmed up, starting with a back-to-basics training schedule, and it is really fantastic fun to use all the systems it has to offer. Still love it!

Thank you! Don't know what went wrong there...

I have updated my Mi-24 Pit Build thread on 229th Mi-24 Pit Build

I have a SPU-7 radio switcher in the Mi-8 running on a Arduino Nano under DCS-BIOS. So because I change Radio by turning that knob, and that happens in the DCS cockpit on screen/VR, it changes the radio in SRS. It has a 6 way rotary, 2 x toggles, 1 x momentary and 2 x potentiometers for volumes. Works totally. No need to "integrate" with SRS since SRS is already integrated with DCS. It works the same as if you had a hat switch on a TMWH to change radio in DCS/SRS. And the Arduino Sketch has code for each aircraft I use, Mi-8, UH-1H and KA50.