GPSOut for Sky Demon in FSX Steam Edition in Windows 10

[John Fee]

Sky Demon is a navigation system designed for real world General Aviation pilots. However, it is possible to fool the program into believing that the GPS output it is receiving from FSX-SE is coming from a real aircraft.

I am posting this workplan as an aid to those who would like to try it out. It may not work for you in which case I apologise. 

Both Sky Demon and a Virtual Serial Port Device have two week trial periods.

I gratefully acknowledge the advice of John Dowson in helping me get this up and flying. 

 

Preliminaries

You will need the latest subscribed version of FSUIPC4 for FSX-SE.

https://www.fsuipc.com/

If you plan to run SkyDemon on a LAN you will also need WideFS7; this includes WideClient for installation on your non-flying client PC/laptop. Details in para.5 and end of para.6.

Read the FSUIPC and WideFS User Guides carefully. 

 

Workgroup

If you are planning to run Sky Demon on a LAN, Make sure that both server (FSX-SE flying PC) and client (non-flying laptop/PC) have the same workgroup name. This is essential.

There are several versions of the Windows 10  operating system e,g, Home, Pro, Enterprise.  If you are using a newly installed Pro or Enterprise version you will probably find that the default workgroup name is WORKGROUP. If you need to change this, be aware that your change may not ‘stick’ after re-booting.  To address this problem, login with a local account, not an MS account like: xxx@hotmail, xxx@outlook etc. Also, check in Settings-System that your computer is set up for private use and not business.

 

1.                  In the FSUIPC4.ini file (in the Modules folder of the FSX-SE folder) scroll down and check:

[GPSout]

GPSoutEnabled=Yes

Port=WideFS

Speed=19200

Leave the rest unchanged.

If not there add:

Sentences=RMC,GGA,GSA    (no spaces)

 

Next, find [Wide Server] and check:

                   WideFSenabled=Yes

                   AdvertiseService=1

                   Port=8002

                   Port2=9002  

                   Save

 

2.      Download the  two week trial version of Eltima Virtual Serial Port Driver for Windows 10.

Launch. Pair COM8 and COM9.

Check in Device Manager – WinKey + X.

Payware option after two weeks.  

Freeware VSPDs are available but I cannot vouch for these.

               

3.      Sky Demon is designed for real world General Aviation navigation. It is payware but there is a trial version.

Download and install the latest version for Windows 10.

In Setup, Third Party Devices, leave boxes unchecked.

Under RS232 GPS Devices set Port to COM8; Baud to 19200

Also in Setup, scroll down to Navigation Options. At the bottom of the page click on the link to Legacy Device Connectivity Options and chose ‘I have a Garmin handheld device’. 

You can play around with the other Navigation Options.

 

4.      Read this only If you wish to run Sky Demon on a LAN  i.e. on a non-FSX client PC or laptop. Skip otherwise.

 

Download WidesFS7 from:  https://www.fsuipc.com/ to your non-FSX (client) machine.

Make sure you have registered WideFS7 – the code will have been sent to you when  you purchased FSUIPC4.

Extract and copy WideClient.exe and  WideClient.ini to a separate folder on your client machine. I use my home folder and call this folder WideClient.  Make a desktop shortcut for WideClient.exe.

Edit  the Port entries in WideClient.ini configuration.

[Config]

Port=8002

Port2=9002

Add these to [Config]

ServerName=enter your flying PC’s name – whoamI - in Command Prompt

Protocol=TCP

Add this after the [Sounds]  entries,

[GPSout]

Port=COM8

Speed=19200

Save

 

5.      Running FSX-SE.

Login to Steam.

Run FSX.exe from your main installation.

Launch the Virtual Serial Port Device and check that COM8 amd COM9 are paired.

 

In a LAN Launch WideClient.exe on the client.

In my LAN I installed the VSPD device on my client.

6.      Run SkyDemon – click on Go Flying and Connect to RS232 GPS Hardware.

 

‘Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!’