londo-cat

Hey there Schwinn - this might be a total noob question, and sorry for asking. But how did you undock the SHKVAL and ABRIS onto the other monitors? Also - what size make/model LCD's did you use for the SHKVAL and ABRIS? Thanks!

Yeah, not much more than wait at this point. But - at least they gave a reply back. It could have just gone to the void!

Yes! I'm building this tomorrow! Thank you Trigger! :pilotfly:

Trigger... seriously - where do you *GET* the time to do all this. Just reading your advancements on the pit make my head spin! Thanks for uploading the specs on the panel sir!

OH.... MY.... GOD....

I *LOVED* MechWarrier 4. I wanted to see Mech 5, 6, 7, etc but sadly there are no more Mechwarrier games out there. Perhaps in the future? I'd love to build a Mech Cockpit!

Why? This thread wasn't all that great, but I do believe we need a *dimensions* thread though.

Now THATS what I am talking about! Yes - good price too! :thumbup:

Well, I plan on trying out a few new ideas when I start hooking up the switches on the KA-50. My F-16 used an older EPIC board, and still - while I like the EPIC system and I am comfortable with it, I am not adverse to using another system. I like adhoc stuff, even using a Keyboard hack too. It's interesting and fun to try different things. If it doesn't work, oh well - its for the fun and experience that we do these things right? Anyway - working with TriggerHappy right now who has been extremely helpful on dimensions for the pit. I'm hoping to get the initial wood structure completed in a few months, with some initial switches put on, but not wired in. I love the whole pit building process - it's such a unique experience from start to end!

This is *EXCELLENT* and exactly the reason why we gather on this forum, to exchange ideas and information which makes our hobbies more interesting and fun! Thank you Schwinn for that information! :thumbup:

Well good news is that it's only $49 for just the quadrant. However - on testing with the one that I bought for my FSX flying, it seems that the the Left/Right Fuel Shut-Off are not 'axis' controls in DCS, but joystick buttons or momentary switches. The Rotor brake is also mapped to a joystick button. Push once, its on, push again, its off. This breaks down to 3 joystick buttons (or mapped switches). So scrap the idea for the Saitek Quadrant! I think it would be cheaper to build something and then integrate 3 momentary switches do make it work. :joystick:

Yes - the EPIC USB is expensive, but with about 100+ switches that need to be emulated, I was looking for a cheap alternative. On another thread someone posted this (http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/products/ke_usb108.html) and it looks like it's a good alternative with 108 programable inputs. Right now I'm looking to just get it up and running, but I am still just in the pit building phase and still looking for a viable pit board. I was also looking at the Leo Bodnar board, but it looks like his site went off-line and is no longer in business.

Thanks for the compliments - I used to be a cabinet maker 20 years ago before I got into computers! Still do some woodworking and make cabinets from time to time, not as much as I used too - but still its nice to work on projects like this, I feel its much more inventive and allows for some creative woodworking. :thumbup:

Yes, I have the same one - but they sell an add-on Quadrant as well in case you want to have six levers (for flying multiple engine or jets), which is USB and can be used solo or with other Joysticks as well. I have the full Pro Flight Yoke and Quadrant, but that one has a mini-din on it, the add-on has a USB but looks just like the Quadrant that ships with the Pro Flight Yoke.

Ok - so here I am, starting my own pit. If it looks a little odd - its because it is a re-purposed F-16 shell cockpit. Initially I was going to build a new F-16, but since DCS came out I shifted focus and am working on the KA-50 now. One of the items I was considering using for the left/right fuel valves was the Saitek Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant. Check it - it has (3) axis levers, two of which can be used for the Left and Right Fuel valves, the 3rd can be used for the Rotor lock/unlock. In addition, it has (6) button controls in the form of 3 rocker switches which in reality are just two momentary switches in one switch. I was thinking of repurposing the 3 rocker switches on bottom for other things in the left console since essentially they are just momentary switches. Programming is already done for you since the Saitek Quadrant shows them as six individual buttons. The price in the United States is only $49.90 and that's a pretty cheap cost for a stand alone quadrant. I think it's a pretty cheap way to get away without having to build a custom solution. What do you think? :smilewink: ~ Londo-Cat

Hey there TriggerHappy - I'm having a heck of a time getting dimensions for the right consoles for the BS. I'm just looking for the base dimensions (length, width, height) but so far no luck. Any help would be appreciated! ~ Londo-Cat

I was just looking at the new EPIC USB. As usual, the EPIC board is pretty much the gold standard and costs the most. Just to get the EPIC USB, Expansion Module, 32 Digit Display Controller, and possible the Gauge / Meter module will set you back $1000 for just those 4 boards. Link: http://www.flightlink.com/epic/epicusb.html While I used the older EPIC ISA card on my F-16 Viper, I'm not going to go rip the card out to use it on the KA-50 and was thinking of going with either the EPIC USB or a combo of Phidgets and other interface boards. Anyone have any experience with the EPIC USB so far? :pilotfly:

Has anyone had good experiences using Phidgets with pit building? http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=0

I sent in an email to Alexander Sobol to obtain an update to the PCIP and a possible release date. Here was his response: ============================== From: Alexander Sobol Subject: [ED #19415] DCS: Ka-50 "Black Shark" PCIP information To: londo-cat Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6:02 AM Hello, This interface isn't released yet. We will anounce when it's ready. -- Regards, LockOn.ru administrator Alexander Sobol webmaster@lockon.ru Welcome to ED forums http://forums.eagle.ru ==============================

Bump.... I know it's not a *HUGE* thing, but has anyone heard any info on the PCIP being released??

Well - while the above link was good for some switches and covers, the ones I want have to be made from scratch. What I *DID* get however was a real KA-50 switch cover from a ebay sale, so took it apart and I am having them made in plastic. I've made them generic (for switch position up and down) with no holes in them, and just made the master molds now. I can make 5 switches covers at a time now, but need to let them cure for a bit before I start drilling them with a dremel and making them work with the American switches I am using. Hopefully they work as planned (crossing fingers). I was thinking of putting in a two-pole micro-switch so that the game would know when the switch cover was up or down, but this can be a futuer add-on. Right now just trying to get the cover to look right, so not worried about simulator functionality at the moment. The plates the KA-50 switches use had to be made by a metal shop, so gave them the original and they are making me 50 of the plates for a chunk of money. I had my brother (He works for United Airlines in the engine shop) create 2 of them from the original and they worked fine and from his drawings I was able to get a machine shop to quote me for 50 of them. I fitted in the "SPDT" switch and then did drilling with my dremel and it worked pretty good closed and open. The springs and clips that came with the original switch cover were included in the metal shop's price quote ($150) to replicate. Once completed, I will take some pics and then also transfer the specs and dimensions to Autocad and then post the PDF up here for others to replicate. Hope that helps! :thumbup:

YES!!! Thank YOU stelios2000!!! That is EXACTLY what I needed. Much thanks!!! :thumbup:

I'm looking to get some switch covers for my two-pole switches, but I have no clue as to where to get them. Anyone have a good supplier for switch covers? Thanks! :thumbup:

Any update on the PCIP?

KA-50 Door Dimensions I'm wondering if anyone has got any dims on the cockpit door? I know, strange question, but I am actually building the shell right now and I need door dimensions, which would help in completing the shell of the cockpit as well. Any help would be appreciated!