Looking for a partner to build a set of Bendix King radio/nav equipment

[Shawn]

Hello everyone

I have been wanting to build a set of early Bendix King radio's for my simulator and after my recent success building a general radio panel that interfaced with FSX via Link2FS and an Arduino I'm ready to start designing the Bendix King panels.

My problem is that I am weak (understatement) on the programming/electronics side and I think that interfacing the seven, 5 digit 7 segment displays will have to be done using a shift register and that is well beyond my technical ability. I do however have access to the actual instruments to take measurements etc and my 3D modelling skills are good enough to develop a set of plans to work from and I do have a CNC mill to cut the faceplates. I was planning to use cream coloured lexan painted black prior to engraving. I have had good success with this technique in the past and I think I can produce some reasonably good looking faceplates.

If someone was willing to help with the electronics and programming I would be happy to cut an extra set of face plates, knobs etc.

Here is what I would like to replicate.

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10340&stc=1

And an example of the CAD model I am working on

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10341&stc=1

I am busy with work for the next few months so I don't plan on getting much done outside of the CAD/CAM work for each faceplate. Cutting the face plates etc won't take long once I get to it though, so I would be hoping to have this project completed October/November of this year. As you can see I'm pretty easy with the time frame. My one request would be that the arduino code and 3D CAD/Cam files be open source when were done and uploaded to Mycockpit.

If your interested and have the skills required I would love to hear from you here in the forum.

Cheers
Shawn

[Shawn]

http://s7.postimg.org/3w8j8pl1n/COMM1_A_1.png

[huskerwr38]

Hi there seems we might be a good match as I have lots of experience on the electronic side of things and none on the mechanical side. I have got working NAV/COMM electronics (display, knobs, etc.) on a breadboard however lack the skill to actually put this together into an unit. I used an arduino, dual rotary encoder for knobs, and buttons linked through a wireless connection (no wires strung around everywhere!) on my pc to link2fs. So I'd be willing to team up.

[Shawn]

Sounds good Huskerwr38, I'm busy with work but still have found a bit of time to work on the various panels in CAD. The idea of making it wireless sounds like a great idea. I will try and get one of the cad models finished so we can start sorting out what we need as far as standoffs and sub plates to hold whatever needs holding ;) I'm just about to order a new CNC router so I won't be limited to the low RPM and table size of my CNC milling machine. As long as your not in a rush I'm happy to team up and build this together.

Shawn

[huskerwr38]

I'm in no hurry either so take your time. I'm in early prototyping stage with developing a pcb for the nav/com radio. I'll probably need a footprint so I know where to lay the components, how big to make the pcb, etc.

[Shawn]

I should be able to get you a basic set of plans next week to work from. I was thinking I might cut the faceplate from a single piece leaving all the individual instruments connected instead of building multiple stand alone instruments. I can add holes for standoffs across the back wherever required and we can have as many layers as required. I have a large sheet of engraving plastic so the faceplate could be cut from that and screwed to a Lexan backing plate that holds the switches, 7 segment displays, standoffs etc? Let me know what you think. I have the larger X-Carve CNC router on order and should have it in the shop by the middle of September.

If anyone else is interested in getting onboard with this project the more the merrier, cutting a few extra panels won't be much extra work once the CAD files are done.

Shawn

[huskerwr38]

I was hoping for individual avionics because at some point I want to add a GPS like a GNS530. Hope making individual ones isn't much more work. Also what Bendix/King radios are you making? I already have designed bezels for these Bendix/King radios but really don't have a good way of making them unless I get them 3D printed, KX155A, KN62A, KFC225, KMA28, KR87, KT76C.

[Shawn]

Individual instruments won't be an issue and I'm fine going that route. i work in a TC 690 during the summer and the bending king radios, transponder, etc are very old heads. I wanted to build the same package and layout to what's in the actual plane

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10577&stc=1

[Shawn]

Hey Husker, I haven't forgot about this project. My new Cnc router is set up and running well, I'm just waiting on a custom collet so I can hold 1/8th" bits in the router for engraving. I would be happy to cut the panels you already have designed as long as we can share the code etc, a guy can never have too many radios :p

i did did manage to cut the main instrument panel for my Jetranger build on the Cnc router and so far it appears to do some decent and accurate work.

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10836&stc=1

Hopefully this weekend I can cut a few faceplates and we can sort out what information/changes/modifications we need to make so each of our work fits together.

Cheers
Shawn

[huskerwr38]

Looks pretty good! I have been really busy this summer but still interested in working with you.

[Shawn]

No worries Husker, I was busy all this summer as well. I'm still with you on the project. I hopefully can cut out a tester to send you soon.

Cheers
Shawn

[xplanematt]

Not to de-rail the project too much, but if those old classic-style Bendix heads are what you seek, the real thing can be picked up on ebay (or possibly from a scrapper) for next to nothing. Interfacing is relatively easy, they are basically just big switches. Just a thought. :)

[Shawn]

I had thought about that but only for a minute. Building the part is half the fun for me. Actually I spend way more time building than flying:roll:

[SimSupervisor]

I never see them that cheap on the Bay...

[xplanematt]

Oh you just have to be patient, and don't be too restrictive with your search terms. :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONTROL-HEAD-VHF-NAV-1-P-N-6233-1-1-S-N-157-AVTECH-CORPORATION-AIRCRAFT-/171415518126

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-KFS-560-Nav-Control-071-1013-00-/370341726460

This seller is a very cool dude and tends to be fairly accepting of reasonable "best offers"...you could probably get this particular unit at an even better price:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aircom-VHF-NAV-Control-8082-/111232670894

Or, knock out the entire stack in one fell swoop, for under $100 (assuming no one else bids, which is likely):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gables-NAV-COMM-Control-p-n-G3731-03-/161885843490

This was just from a quick search for nav heads, I didn't even look for COM or transponder.

Not trying to detract from the OP's idea, just showing SimSupervisor the sweet deals. :) Again, if you are patient and keep your eye out for what you need, you can get even better deals. A while back I picked up 20+ DIGITAL heads for around $170...and most of that was shipping (it was a HUGE pile of goodies).

Matt

[Shawn]

Wow Matt, I looked on Ebay right after you mentioned this and didn't see anything worth buying. You seem to have some extraordinary search ability : ) I appreciate the suggestion but I do like to design and build the panels from scratch.

[xplanematt]

Then by all means carry on, building things is awesome. :) Yes, when your dreams are bigger than your budget, you get very creative in your search terms and networking skills!

Matt