While it is a bunch of bucks... just go order the Hagstrom KE 72 and be done with it.  

I can't imagine that you won't find it useful in ANY pit that you might build.  Once it is on-hand, you'll QUICKLY end up putting it to work.  It is VERY simple to set up and use.  Having it on hand also allows you to "play" with switch "make" and "break" macros and figure out what switch layouts will work for that you want them to do.

From my experience, I'd say the first three purchases for the pit would be the KE-72, a Phidgets TextLCD unit, and a single Goflight VRP-166.  That would be a good "kick off" to pit hardware that would allow you to learn a lot and design around it and would only cost something like $400.  That would get you 72 keypress inputs, a two line 20 Chr. digital display for some output, 8 digital inputs (switches other than keypresses), 8 analog (pot) inputs, 8 digital outputs (LEDs) and two functional radios (one physical radio switched to two types).

best,

....................john

PS:  Your decision to go "generic" has just literally saved you probably $5000-7000 or more on the whole project.  Exact replicas typically cost the most to build.  And take the longest.

BTilson wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2007 at 6:59pm:


Yes.... so do momentaries and rotary wafer switches and encoders.  Or simply two wires shorted together  .  The FS2Phidget (freeware) program by Alan Dyer allows you a LOT of leeway for configuration.  You can actually download it and the instruction manual and test it.  It comes with "Virtual Phidgets" that allow you to set up stuff as a test even without owning any of the actual Phidget components yet.

BTilson wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2007 at 6:59pm:


Yup...... FS2Phidget again.  For the TextLCD you simply assign the item you want to display in the configuration setup to the line and in the position you want it.  You can have three values per line and two lines.  Total 20 chrs per line.  For example, on one TextLCD that is mounted as part of my fuel management panel on the overhead, on the top line of the display I have the left main, the center, and the right main tanks percentages, on the bottom line I have the left aux tank percentage, the total PPH fuel flow, and the right aux tanks percentage showing.  It is almost as simple as assigning the value from a pull down listing.

On another one (different color display) I have my electrical battery and generator (2 of) amps and volts displayed.


BTilson wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2007 at 6:59pm:


They are very versitile and VERY simple to set up.  The setup is via a configuration editor that allows you to assign functuions from pull down lists.  The Goflight radios come with three buttons.  The one between the two lcd frequency displays is the "swap frequency" button.  Like a real radio, you tune the right hand "standby" frequency display, and then "swap" it into the active display.  The radios look VERY realistic.

Below those upper displays and buttons are two more buttons that can be assigned to numerous functions from default Goflight pull down lists.  You can have, for example, the right bottom button set to toggle the radio between Nav 1 and Nav2.  Then on the right bottom button you can have the IDENT function toggle on/off so you can hear the morse identifier on the ILS, for example.  Or many other combinations of possibilities for those.  With only TWO VRP-166s you could cover Nav1 + Nav2 and ALSO Com1 and Com2.  I currently use four radios in my stack....... one for Com1 and Com2 (switched) one for Nav1, one for Nav2, and one for ADF.  I will eventually add a fifth to split out the Com1 and Com2 more realistically.  but that is really more "cosmetic" than necessary.  


No problem on the help....... That is what this hobby is all about.  Lord knows I've had pelenty of help from others.

best,

..................john