Quote from Hangar45 Admin on December 15, 2017, 8:34 pm

(Original thread started on 01-02-13 by Eric Williams)

For any of you who may be in a similar situation as me, this may be of some help. Currently I am using Marks RMU software via a USB PoKeys card for RMU/Gear indicators (thanks again for this Mark). All of my push buttons/rotaries are interfaced via an FDS SYS card. This has left me with one major gap- the other encoders.

 

A while back I ran across some freeware called FSSymphony which is specifically for interfacing using the 56E Ethernet version of the PoKeys. The software supported direct FS control assignment, Project Magenta, SIOC, PWM/Servo control etc etc. I had intended to learn SIOC and utilize this for my PFD/MFD/EFIS encoders.

 

The developer has now included the Jet45 encoder offsets (only) in the current beta build- so no SIOC programming will be required. You simply pick the control from the drop down in the program and it will send the corresponding command. I'm going to give it a go in the next few days (just need to actually hook them up now) but I don't anticipate any problems as I already use the MFD offset via a push button.

 

He has also indicated he would include the other Jet45 controls if demand exists. I don't need them personally, but if you do, I'm sure he would add them.

 

Check out the software if it suits your build (for me it is a perfect solution to my current gap) Also it appears to make programming a PWM/Servo for a gauge (like AOA maybe) a breeze too so it might work for you guys in other areas as well.

 

I may just hook up my encoders for the FGC and get that working via this program next.

 

Eric/Jason- Not sure if you got his email on this. At minimum, Jet45 is now being mentioned in his documentation etc. More media exposure!

 

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/i-o-interfacing-hardware/23973-pokeys-interface-fs-symphony.html

 

http://www.flying-the-winglets.de/ReviewsHardware0.html#FSSymphony

 

Another option for our builds. Cheers

 

(Posted by Alan norris on 01-02-13)

Does it work with the regular PoKeys 56U?

 

(Posted by Eric Williams on 01-02-13)

There is currently no support for the PoKeys 56U, or the USB versions of the PoKeys. In the user manual, he mentions support for the 56U is being considered but not currently planned. It also mentions that future builds may allow user input of any offset desired, negating the need for specific selections and allowing support for anything. Pretty cool.

 

I forgot to mention Alan- Did you know there is already an encoders program available from Flightdecksoft for the USB? It's on the site under interfacing FYI.

 

I got this up and running last night but I was thwarted by some communication issue that we can't seem to identify easily. I may have a bad PoKeys card or some other weird issue. I can confirm that at least a few times I was able to control Jet45 via my PoKeys 56e- with virtually zero programming.

 

FYI you don't even need to program the PoKeys with their utility- once the IP is set, FSSymphony programs the pins as requested and assigns the offsets. Easy.

 

UPDATE:

So my hardware issues have been sorted out and this software works fantastic! I used the Kohlsman Baro adjustment for the Baro encoder and (after the developer performed a small tweak) it works great!

 

All my Pilot side DU encoders (except the minimums) are working perfectly now via the PoKeys 56e. Next I'll do my hardware for the F/O- but I have already tried the software side and it works great.

 

I'll post the minimums offset issue in the Jet45 area, but so far this is a great option for those with the 56e card.

 

(Posted by Terry Collins on 01-06-13)

Thanks Eric, this is the way I'll go too. Are you saying there was a bug in the software and the developer has now fixed it? Just trying to understand more about the "tweak" you had to do. Also, what is the Kohlsman Baro adjustment?

 

(Posted by Eric Williams on 01-06-13)

Sorry, I mentioned at the beginning the software including Jet45 offsets is "beta" and I'm testing it with him. I suspect his newest version will be released soon. It has a lot of functionality for other aircraft types, FSX in general, and also servos/gauges like the AOA in the Lear. You can do a lot with it.

 

The Kohlsman Baro adjustment adjusts your Baro value in FSX/Jet45 via an encoder (current Baro for selected airport/area). There was a small bug in it which he fixed last night as soon as I reported it. It now adjusts the baro in FSX/Jet45 perfectly! I can finally have a proper altitude display.

 

(Posted by Eric Tomlin on 01-07-13)

So you're saying that it's now adjusting the JET45 baro fine in JET45? Good news indeed.

 

(Posted by Eric Williams on 04-08-14)

Just FYI a long time ago the developer of FSsymphony included the Jet45 offsets in his program for me ( he was super helpful) and it worked great (apart from the ones which had internal issues). He emailed me recently and has now opened his program up to custom FSUIPC interfacing. I haven't tried it yet at all- but if I read his email correctly we should now have yet another amazing option for our SIMs.

 

I haven't checked yet but doubt it has internal logic capability (maybe it does) but regardless, it opens up another door for a budget I/O card that can just be plugged into the network anywhere- no need for USB restrictions.

 

Here is his site:

http://www.flying-the-winglets.de/ReviewsHardware0.html#FSSymphony

 

This is the email he sent me:

"Dear FSSymphony User,

 

FSSymphony V2.0 is going to be released today. The main feature of the new version is the so called 'Expert Mode'. This mode enables the experienced user to define own offsets and functions. Together with PoKeys56E / 57E interfaces cockpitbuilders of any aircraft type will now be enabled to interface their cockpit without much effort to the flight simulator software. FSSymphony V2.0 supports FS9, FSX, P3D 1.4, and Prepar3D Professional 2.1."

 

Pretty darn awesome actually!