fmc hardware and PM fmc

[nige]

Hi people,

I am thinking of building my own fmc and am wondering
what interface hardware/software config would you recommend?

hispapanels fmc hardware with usbkeys and appropiate board
i had in mind.

i am just not sure which solution is workable with the PM fmc.

many thanks

nige

[Trevor Hale]

The PM FMS can be controlled through Keyboard Keypresses.

You could do a couple of things.

Hagstrom makes a Keyboard encoder that converts all the switches into keystrokes that can be programmed into PM Fms.

You could even Hack a USB Keyboard and connect the switches to that.

either way, if it will emulate a keypress, you can use it.

Trev

[nige]

Thanks for that usefull information trevor,

incidentally have you tried this method?

best regards

nige

[Trevor Hale]

I have not, but I know several people that have, as well I have PM FMS installed on a pc and I can use the keyboard on that pc to make the functions work.

So yes and no LOL

[nige]

thanks again:)

[cbaye]

I run my FMC on a touch-screen monitor. At some point I might move up to dedicated hardware; but this provides a relatively inxpensinve alternative.

- Chris

[Westozy]

FDT Sim-Boards will operate your keypresses and I am really pleased with them. I have had brilliant performance from my 64x8x8 input module for 6 months now and it is so easy to set up and use.

Gwyn

[Carlo Blanch]

Hello, I made my FMC from hispapanels mask.
I built the pcb with point 2 point soldering, and works well.
I used the UsbKeyboard encoder from Opencockpits.
I you want I can post the pcb layout and the config file, to avoid wasting time.
The screen is from 5" PSone lcd with composite connection.

[nige]

hi carlo,

if you could send the config and circuit details to nday747@yahoo.com
i would much appreciate it, are the buttons backlightable on the
hispapanel fmc?
thanks for your help,
and thanks for the kind replies.

nige

[Hans Krohn]

Hi Nige,

I build my CDU form scratch, using acrylic glass, a TFT monitor, push buttons etc. As an interface I used a hacked PS2 keyboard (cost me 3$ :-)) and a keyboard macro program for the more complicated key combinations. The keboard cable is connected the the PC running the PM CDU software, so I do not even have to bother with offsets.

My CDU is 5 or six years old now and still works like a charm (... even though it's not made-in-Germany!).

Many fotos and a lot of info on how I built this is on my website www.hanskrohn.com . Just click the CDU on the main navigation page!

Regards and good luck with the building,
Hans

[nige]

thanks hans

brilliant info and thanks again for all the help
from the other contributors

lots for me to think about

nige