pfc.dll/older PFC hardware setup problem

[wmitty]

I have an older PFC pro console and radio stack. The console is basically a box of switches and pots and the stack is a non-display unit probably around 5-7 years old with European-marked PC boards inside.

It works fine with Elite 7.0 PCATD software, which I am using to work on my instrument rating.

It does not work with x-plane but that software is so slow that it is impossible to do any debugging.

In trying to set it up with pfc.dll, I am also having trouble. Leaving the baud rate at the default 9600 and looking at the test screen I get a stream of "unintelligible" byte pairs. When I move any of the analog controls I get a mixed stream of unintelligible and recognized switch messages. I have also tried at speed=1200, 2400, and 4800. Although the specific test screen activity varies, no settings will actually work.

I saw an earlier post about an Elite/MSFS switch on the console. I have no such switch.

So, is this setup just not compatible or is there some other avenue to investigate?

[Pete Dowson]

I have an older PFC pro console and radio stack. The console is basically a box of switches and pots and the stack is a non-display unit probably around 5-7 years old with European-marked PC boards inside... In trying to set it up with pfc.dll, I am also having trouble.So, is this setup just not compatible or is there some other avenue to investigate?

It is not compatible. I'm pretty sure that the protocol supported for FS and X-plane wasn't even thought of 5-7 years ago. I think the controller board is completely different as well. Sorry, I don't think you have a chance without some serious upgrading.

But don't take my word for it. Contact PFC and ask. http://www.flypfc.com.

Regards,

Pete

[flypfc]

The console you have is an analogue only console which was designed to work with Elite and it only has one protocol so it is not compatible with anything but Elite it would require a total electronics upgrade and rewire to be compatible with anything else

[mdjpurdon]

Hey,

I started the process of upgrading my pfc quad for use with FS2002 (just got 2004). You must upgrade your quadrant if you do not have the protocol switch that is behind the throttle levers.

To make things easier on yourself and the people at FlyPFC make sure you let them know the pin counts and genders of the connectors that you have on your equipment. I found the people at flypfc very helpful even though I live outside of the US.

I am now in the process of debugging the pfc.dll operation. It seems that some of the buttons are not being recognized. For example; the left yoke switch is recognized by the tests when you push forward, but not back. the right one is not recognized at all.

Sometimes it would be nice if things just worked you know? hehehe

Later,

Matthew