Cessna radio/autopilot/landing gear desktop build

[Damo78]

Hi all

So, after delving into Jim's coding and successfully creating some coding (with great help from forum members), I realised I'd have to have somewhere to put it all.

I love flying the 172, mainly cause I suck at heavy metal. I wanted to have something that was user-friendly for a couple of planes so strayed from the vanilla cockpits of cessna, sorry to purists. This was my original sketch,


So, bought some 2mm perspex and went to work cutting it out from a template.
Some of the drill holes chipped the perspex, I believe this was because it wasn't clamped well enough and the 2 sheets came apart. To clarify, it's a sandwich of perspex, printout and perspex back. I'd do this again, but with a 6 month old baby, time is rare, so it'll do for now.

The frame was made from some 6mm mdf offcuts. Measured round and popped into sketchup. Frame and perspex cut using bandsaw and scroll saw.

Here's the face plate mounted


Ok, throttle... I'm using sliding pots, some 10mm metal rods I found lying around, and wooden drawer handles, sanded into different shapes.


Now the fun. I read a post by davemuir who mentioned using syringes to smooth out the throttle movement. I liked this idea so ordered some syringes, much to the confusion of the missus, who I'm sure is losing all sorts of patience now.
Here you'll see the rod is pushed into a block of wood which is mounted on the pot slider. This had little to no resistance when moved, hence the syringe idea, which works a treat by the way.


The frame is at an 80 degree angle, so I'll fabricate a way of sloping the pots, I'm thinking door wedges. I came up with the idea of fastening the syringe tip through some wood using a screw, which works wonderfully.








In hindsight I would have amended the frame to allow wood to mdf joinery but I'll botch something to hold the syringe baton.

I'll then finish the gear leaver which will switch a toggle switch mounted in the box.

Everything other than the pots are arduino, pots will be leobonar card.

I'm happy to send the sketchup file for the box if you want, for some reason it won't upload as an attachment here.

Please let me know your thoughts, I'll keep updating as I progress (slowly) with the little build.

Lots of inspiration here, thank you for that peeps. Sliding pots are not via arduino but via a usb interface from Leo Bodnar (much easier!).

Here is the arduino code, feel free to take it and play:

/* Original = Multi_Radiohead_annun from Jim's website
   v.1, amended liquidcrystal display for 20,4
   v.2, deleted pulse leds and unwanted stuff, added dual encoder (8,9,10,11), button = 12
   v.3, tweaked 'Void Keys', with help from MyCockpit
   v.4, Added Servo to pin 13, as per Jims Multi_keys_with_flaps_servo 
   v.5, moved and seperated q and q2
   v.6, VOID keys change to VOID input
   v.7 Completed encoder MASSIVE thanks to BushPilotWannabe for his help and guidance 
   V.7 Getting servo jitter - continious D260/261 outputs from card?? 
       Changed line 677 to (KpinNo > 22 && KpinNo != 26)
       added viod question
   V.1.9 Autopilot screen test LATEST VERSION
   V2. Added lights and starter key switch
 
 */


#include "math.h"
#include "Quadrature.h"
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <Servo.h>
Servo flapsServo;


Quadrature quad1(8,9);
Quadrature quad2(10,11);
LiquidCrystal lcd(7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2);


int CodeIn;// used on all serial reads
int KpinNo; 
int Koutpin;
int active; // the mode thats active
int activeold;
int mark; // shows where the cursor is in the likes of ADF etc
long timePrevious;
long timeNow;
long timeInterval = 80;//you adjust this for "your" feel of fast
int fastTurn = 0;//variable for turn-speed state


String KoldpinStateSTR, KpinStateSTR, Kstringnewstate,Kstringoldstate, APsp, APspold, stringnewstate,stringoldstate, vertsp, vertspold, hdgset, hdgsetold, com1, com1old, com1sb, com1sbold,com2, com2old, com2sb,com2sbold, airsp, airspold, altit, altitold;
String nav1, nav1old, nav1sb, nav1sbold, nav2, nav2old, nav2sb, nav2sbold;
String adf, adfold, xpdr, xpdrold, dme1, dme1old, dme2, dme2old, pitot, pitotold;


String gearSimple;
String flaps;
char blank = 255;


int R;// a variable
int Rold;// the old reading
int Rdif;// the difference since last loop
int R2;// a second test variable
int R3;// a second test variable
int Rold2;// a second loop old reading
int Rdif2; // the second test difference
int Rold3;// a second loop old reading
int Rdif3; // the second test difference


// make some custom arrows for the LCD:
byte leftArrow[8] = { // This makes a <-- on lcd
  0b00000,
  0b00100,
  0b01000,
  0b11111,
  0b01000,
  0b00100,
  0b00000,
  0b00000
};


byte rightArrow[8] = { //make a --> on lcd


  0b00000,
  0b00100,
  0b00010,
  0b11111,
  0b00010,
  0b00100,
  0b00000,
  0b00000
};


void setup() 
{
  lcd.begin(20, 4); // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  Kstringoldstate = "111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111";
    for (int KoutPin = 12; KoutPin < 53; KoutPin++)// Get all the pins ready for inputs 
  {
    pinMode(KoutPin, INPUT);
    digitalWrite(KoutPin, HIGH);  
  }
  for (int PinNo = 54; PinNo <= 69; PinNo++)// Get all the OUTPUT pins from analog
  {
 pinMode(PinNo, OUTPUT);
}


lcd.createChar(0, leftArrow); // create a new character
lcd.createChar(1, rightArrow);
 
mark = 12;
lcd.clear();
Serial.begin(115200);   
 //pinMode(26, OUTPUT);// For the servo.
  //flapsServo.attach(26);
}


void loop() {
  timeNow = millis();
 {INPUTPINS();} //Check the "button pressed" section
  {LCDMODE();}  // Sets up the LCD for the mode it's in (From the rotary switch)
  {ENCODER();} //Check the Rotary Encoders
   if (Serial.available()) {// Check if serial data has arrived from PC
    CodeIn = getChar();
    if (CodeIn == '=') {EQUALS();} // The first identifier is "="
    if (CodeIn == '<') {LESSTHAN();}// The first identifier is "<"
    if (CodeIn == '?') {QUESTION();}// The first identifier is "?"
 }//End of serial check
}//End of Void Loop


char getChar()// Get a character from the serial buffer
{
  while(Serial.available() == 0);// wait for data
  return((char)Serial.read());// Thanks Doug
}// End of get characters


  
void QUESTION(){    // The first identifier was "?"
CodeIn = getChar(); // Get the second identifier
  switch(CodeIn) {// Now lets find what to do with it
    case 'Y': // found the second identifier (the "Gear simple")
       gearSimple = "";
      gearSimple += getChar();// get first charactor (Nose gear)
      if (gearSimple == "2"){digitalWrite(54, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(54, LOW);}//Nose gear
      if (gearSimple == "1"){digitalWrite(57, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(57, LOW);}//nose gear moving
      gearSimple += getChar(); // get the second charactor (gear left)
      if (gearSimple.endsWith("2")){digitalWrite(55, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(55, LOW);}//left gear
      if (gearSimple.endsWith("1")){digitalWrite(58, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(58, LOW);}//left gear moving
      gearSimple += getChar(); // get the third charactor  (gear right)
      if (gearSimple.endsWith("2")){digitalWrite(56, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(56, LOW);}//right gear
      if (gearSimple.endsWith("1")){digitalWrite(59, HIGH);}else{digitalWrite(59, LOW);}//right gear moving
    break;
     }//end of WTDWI
}// end of question void


void LCDMODE(){
if (active != activeold)
    activeold = active;
  if (digitalRead(14)==0 and active != 14) { // Sets up the LCD when switching to Com1)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(com1); 
    lcd.setCursor(8, 0);
    lcd.write(byte(0)); // this is the left arrow
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);  
    lcd.write((byte) 1); // this is the right arrow
    lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(com1sb); 
    lcd.setCursor(19, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(" ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("                  ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("Comm 1      Standby"); 
    active = 14;
  } // End of Comm1 LCD Setup
  
if (digitalRead(15)==0 and active != 15) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to Com2)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(com2); 
    lcd.setCursor(8, 0);
    lcd.write(byte(0)); // this is the left arrow
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);  
    lcd.write((byte) 1); // this is the right arrow
    lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(com2sb); 
    lcd.setCursor(19, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(" ");
   lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("                  ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("Comm 2      Standby"); 
    active = 15;
  } //End of Comm 2
  
    if (digitalRead(16)==0 and active != 16) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to Nav1)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(nav1); 
    lcd.setCursor(8, 0);
    lcd.write(byte(0)); // this is the left arrow
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);  // this is the right arrow
    lcd.write((byte) 1);
    lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(nav1sb); 
    lcd.setCursor(19, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(" ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("                  ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("Nav 1       Standby"); 
    active = 16;
  } //End of Nav 1
  
  if (digitalRead(17)==0 and active != 17) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to Nav2)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(nav2); 
    lcd.setCursor(8, 0);
    lcd.write(byte(0)); // this is the left arrow
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);  // this is the right arrow
    lcd.write((byte) 1);
    lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(nav2sb); 
    lcd.setCursor(19, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(" ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("                  ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("Nav 2       Standby"); 
    active = 17;
  } // End of Nav 2
  
  if (digitalRead(18)==0 and active != 18) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to ADF)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("ADF         ");  
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(adf); 
     lcd.setCursor(19, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(" ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("                   ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    lcd.print("                   "); 
    if (mark == 9 ){mark = 10;}
    lcd.setCursor(mark, 1);
    lcd.print("-");
    active = 18;             
  } // End of ADF
  
  if (digitalRead(19)==0 and active != 19) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to DME)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print(dme1); 
    lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
    lcd.print(dme2);
    lcd.setCursor(18, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("                   ");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("DME 1    DME2       ");  
    active = 19;
  } // End of DMEs
         
  if (digitalRead(20)==0 and active != 20) {  // Sets up the LCD when switching to AP)
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print(hdgset);
    lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
    lcd.print("  ");
    lcd.setCursor(8, 0);
    lcd.print(altit);
    lcd.setCursor(13, 0);
    lcd.print("   ");
    lcd.setCursor(15, 0);
    lcd.print(vertsp);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    delay (11);
    lcd.print("HDG     ALT      VS ");  
    lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
    lcd.print("                   ");  
    delay (11);
    active = 20;                   
   } // End of Autopilot screen


} // end of LCDmode
  
void EQUALS(){      // The first identifier was "="
       delay (11);
       CodeIn = getChar(); // Get another character
  switch(CodeIn) {// Now lets find what to do with it
    case 'A'://Found the reading "Com1"
        com1 = "";
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        com1 += getChar();
        if (com1 != com1old && digitalRead(14) == LOW) {
          delay (11);
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(com1);
          com1old = com1;
          }
         break;
      case 'B': // Found the reading "Com1 s/b" 
        com1sb = "";
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        com1sb += getChar();
        if (com1sb != com1sbold && digitalRead(14) == LOW ){
          delay (11);
          lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(com1sb);
          com1sbold = com1sb;
          }        
         break;
       case  'C': //  Found the reading "Com2"
        com2 = "";
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        com2 += getChar();
        if (com2 != com2old && digitalRead(15) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(com2);
          com2old = com2;
          }
         break;
       case  'D': //  Found the reading "Com2 s/b"
        com2sb = "";
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        com2sb += getChar();
        if (com2sb != com2sbold && digitalRead(15) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(com2sb);
          com2sbold = com2sb;
          }
         break;          
       case  'E': //  Found the reading "Nav1"
        delay (11);
        nav1 = "";
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += getChar();
        nav1 += (" "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (nav1 != nav1old && digitalRead(16) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(nav1);
          nav1old = nav1;
          }
         break;
       case  'F': //  Found the reading "Nav1 s/b"
        nav1sb = "";
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += getChar();
        nav1sb += (" "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (nav1sb != nav1sbold && digitalRead(16) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(nav1sb);
          nav1sbold = nav1sb;
          }              
         break;
       case  'G': //  Found the reading "Nav2"
        delay (11);
        nav2 = "";
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += getChar();
        nav2 += (" "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (nav2 != nav2old && digitalRead(17) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(nav2);
          nav2old = nav2;
          }
         break;
       case  'H': //  Found the reading "Nav2 s/b"
        nav2sb = "";
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += getChar();
        nav2sb += (" "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (nav2sb != nav2sbold && digitalRead(17) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(12, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(nav2sb);
          nav2sbold = nav2sb;
          }              
         break;
       case  'I': //  Found the reading "ADF"
        adf = "";
        adf += getChar();
        adf += getChar();
        adf += getChar();
        adf += getChar();
        adf += getChar();
        adf += getChar();
        adf += (" "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (adf != adfold && digitalRead(18) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(adf);
          adfold = adf;
          }
         break;   
       case  'J': //  Found the reading "XPDR"
        delay (11);
        xpdr = "";
        xpdr += getChar();
        xpdr += getChar();
        xpdr += getChar();
        xpdr += getChar();
        xpdr += ("    "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (xpdr != xpdrold && digitalRead(20) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(xpdr);
          xpdrold = xpdr;
          }               
         break;
       case  'K': //  Found the reading "DME1"
        delay (11);
        dme1 = "";
        dme1 += getChar();
        dme1 += getChar();
        dme1 += getChar();
        dme1 += getChar();
        dme1 += getChar();
        dme1 += ("   "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (dme1 != dme1old && digitalRead(19) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(dme1);
          dme1old = dme1;
          }
         break;          
       case  'L': //  Found the reading "DME2"
        delay (11);
        dme2 = "";
        dme2 += getChar();
        dme2 += getChar();
        dme2 += getChar();
        dme2 += getChar();
        dme2 += getChar();
        dme2 += ("   "); //pads it up to 8 caracters
        if (dme2 != dme2old && digitalRead(19) == LOW) {
          lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
          delay (11);
          lcd.print(dme2);
          dme2old = dme2;
        }
        break;
case 'b': // found AP altitude setting
      delay (11);
      altit = "";
      altit += getChar();
      altit += getChar();
      altit += getChar();
      altit += getChar();
      altit += getChar();
      if (altit != altitold){
        lcd.setCursor(7, 0);
        delay (11);
        lcd.print(altit);
        altitold = altit;
      }        
    break;
   case 'c': // found vertical speed setting
      delay (11);
      vertsp = "";
      vertsp += getChar();
      vertsp += getChar();
      vertsp += getChar();
      vertsp += getChar();
      //vertsp += getChar();
      if (vertsp != vertspold){
        lcd.setCursor(15, 0);
        delay (11);
        lcd.print(vertsp);
        vertspold = vertsp;
       }
      break;
   case 'd': // found AP heading setting
      delay (11);
      hdgset = "";
      hdgset += getChar();
      hdgset += getChar();
      hdgset += getChar();
      if (hdgset != hdgsetold){
        lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
        delay (11);
        lcd.print(hdgset);
        hdgsetold = hdgset;
       }       
   break;
      } // End of what to do with it               
    } //End of Void Equals






void LESSTHAN(){   
} //End of Lessthan


void ENCODER(){
R =(quad1.position()); // the /2 was not needed for my dual rotary from Leobodnar 


if (R != Rold) { // checks to see if it different
(Rdif = (R-Rold));// finds out the difference


   if (active == 14){// Comm1 rotary encoder output
   if (Rdif == 1) Serial.println ("A04");//Comm1 Mhz down
   if (Rdif == -1) Serial.println ("A03"); //Comm1 Mhz up
   } //End of Comm1 Rotary 1


  if (active == 15){// Comm2 rotary encoder output
  if (Rdif == 1) Serial.println ("A07");
  if (Rdif == -1) Serial.println ("A08"); 
  } //End of Comm2 Rotary 1
  
  if (active == 16){// Nav1 rotary encoder output
  if (Rdif == 1) Serial.println ("13");
  if (Rdif == -1) Serial.println ("A14");
  } //End of Nav1


  if (active == 17){// Nav2 rotary encoder output
  if (Rdif == 1) Serial.println("A19");
  if (Rdif == -1) Serial.println("A20");
  } // End of Nav 2 Rotary 1


if (active == 18){// ADF rotary encoder output
  if (digitalRead(12)==0 ) {
      if (Rdif == 1) { 
      mark = (mark - 1);
      active = 2; 
      if (mark == 13) mark =12;
      }
      if (Rdif == -1){ 
      mark = (mark + 1); 
      active = 2;
       if (mark == 13) mark =14;
       }
       if (mark > 14) mark = 14;
       if (mark < 10) mark = 10;
      }
      else{
        if (Rdif == 1) { 
          if (mark == 10) {
            Serial.println("A29"); 
          }
          if (mark == 11) {
            Serial.println("A30"); 
          }
          if (mark == 12) {
            Serial.println("A31"); 
          }
          if (mark == 14) {
            Serial.println("A32"); 
          }
        }    
        if (Rdif == -1){
          if (mark == 10){
            Serial.println("A25"); 
          }  
          if (mark == 11){
            Serial.println("A26"); 
          }  
          if (mark == 12){
            Serial.println("A27"); 
          }  
          if (mark == 14){
            Serial.println("A28"); 
          }  
        }//End of Rdif -1 
      } //End of else
}//End of ADF


if (active == 20){// Autopilot rotary encoder output
      if(timeNow - timePrevious < timeInterval) {fastTurn = 1;}else{ fastTurn = 0;} //is it being turned fast or not ? 
      if (Rdif == -1) {//knob is going forward
      if (fastTurn == 1){//yes it's being turned fast ,, else ,, it's being turned slow
      for (int accel = 1; accel <= 10; accel++){//loop to send "A57" 5 times ,, use more or less to suit.
      Serial.println ("A58");}// heading increase fast
      }else{//it's turned slow
      Serial.println ("A58");}// heading increase slow (sent once)
    }//end of forward


    
      if (Rdif == 1) {//knob is going backwards
      if (fastTurn == 1){  //yes it's being turned fast ,, else ,, it's being turned slow
      for (int accel = 1; accel <= 10; accel++){//loop to send "A58" 5 times
      Serial.println ("A57");}// heading decrease fast
      }else{//it's turned slow
      Serial.println ("A57");}// heading decrease slow (sent once)
    }//end of backwards
    } // End of R Autopilot
    
 if (quad1.position() > 1000){ // zero the rotary encoder count if too high or low
      quad1.position(0);
       }
    if (quad1.position() < -1000){
      quad1.position(0);
       } 
Rold=R; 
} //End of R




R2 =(quad2.position()); //setting up second rotary
if (R2 != Rold2) { // checks to see if it different
(Rdif2 = (R2-Rold2));// finds out the difference


   if (active == 14){// Comm1 rotary encoder output
   if (Rdif2 == 1) Serial.println ("A02"); // Com1
   if (Rdif2 == -1) Serial.println ("A01");//Com1 
   if (R2 != Rold2);
   } //End of Comm1 second encoder


   if (active == 15){// Com2 rotary encoder output 
   if (Rdif2 == 1) Serial.println ("A09"); 
   if (Rdif2 == -1) Serial.println ("A10");
   }
  
   if (active == 16){// Nav1 rotary encoder output
   if (Rdif2 == 1) Serial.println ("A15"); 
   if (Rdif2 == -1) Serial.println ("A16");
   }


   if (active == 17){// Nav2 rotary encoder output
   if (Rdif2 == 1) Serial.println ("A21"); 
   if (Rdif2 == -1) Serial.println ("A22");
   }


   if (active == 20){// Xponder rotary encoder output
   if (Rdif2 == -1) Serial.println ("B12");//
   if (Rdif2 == 1) Serial.println ("B11");// 
   }
  }//End of checks if different
  Rold2=R2;
}//End of Dual Rotary (Thank goodness)




void INPUTPINS(){
  Kstringnewstate = "";
  for (int KpinNo = 12; KpinNo < 70; KpinNo++){       //checks all the pins 12 to 69
    KpinStateSTR = String(digitalRead(KpinNo)); 
    KoldpinStateSTR = "";
    KoldpinStateSTR = String(Kstringoldstate.charAt(KpinNo - 12));
    if (KpinStateSTR != KoldpinStateSTR) {            // yes it's different
      if (KpinNo == 22 and KpinStateSTR == "0") {     //Change-over button is pressed
       if (active == 14) Serial.println("A06");       //com1
       if (active == 15) Serial.println("A12");       //com2
       if (active == 16) Serial.println("A18");       //nav1
       if (active == 17) Serial.println("A24");       //nav2
       if ( active == 18){                            //adf
          mark = (mark + 1);
          if (mark == 13){ 
           mark = 14;
          }  // sort out for piont in ADF
          active = 1;
          if (mark > 14)mark = 10;
          }  //end of ADF
        
        if  (active == 20){          //xponder
        mark = (mark + 1);
        if (mark == 13){ 
        mark = 9;
        }   // sort out for length Xponder
      active = 1;
      if (mark > 12)mark = 12;
     } //End of xponder bit
   } //End of pin 12 sortout


    if (KpinNo == 21 && KpinStateSTR == "0"){Serial.println ("C02");} // Gear UP 
     if (KpinNo == 21 && KpinStateSTR == "1"){Serial.println ("C01");} // Gear DOWN 
  
  
    
    if (KpinNo > 39){                // start of "Keys" bit
    Serial.print ("D"); 
    if (KpinNo < 12) Serial.print ("0");
    Serial.print (KpinNo);
    Serial.println (KpinStateSTR);
    }   //End of keys bit   
    }   //End of yes it's different
       Kstringnewstate += KpinStateSTR;
    } //end of checking keys
       Kstringoldstate = Kstringnewstate;
       delay(11);
}  // end of void inputpin

Best wishes
D

[Damo78]

And here's the (almost) finished product. Needs landing gear lever painted, plus a knob for the end. All sides of the box.

Thanks for the inspiration and help all.
https://youtu.be/KcSI07mIPhY

[Xpendable]

Nice job. I like the clever use of syringes to dampen the push/pulls.

[pingpilot]

Great job; and very impressive. And with a newborn in the house; explains the posts at 3am.
Being a newbie here, are there posts/pictures/videos related to the actual radio/autopilot build? Code samples you're willing to share; list of components related to the radios?

[Damo78]

Hi Pingpilot
Radio build was done following Jim's instructions on his website called multi panel radio project. I used a LCD 20x4 that was bought from ebay.
After some tinkering and experimentation, I think I wrote the autopilot coding myself, although I can't quite believe that, so maybe I copied and pasted from somebody. The red push button was a simple switch from Maplin, an electrical store in UK, for about £1. Scrolling numbers/frequencies is done with a dual encoder, from Leo Bodnar, just google him and you'll find a host of goodies, including the dual rotary encoder. Switching comm/nav/autopilot is done with a 12 position single pole rotary switch, about £1 again.
There are some pics in this post http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/show...t=30064&page=2

I'm at work at the mo, but when I get home I'll copy and paste the whole code here for you. Hopefully it will be (or become) clear how the autopilot works etc.

Best wishes
Damo

[schillermetall]

Hello enthusiasts,
here I have a suggestion:

A shock absorber from the modelmaking


button of furniture





ready!

[Damo78]

Hi Schellermetall, thanks for that. I did look in to these (ebay/amazon) for the throttle, mix and prop, but found that there was only about 30 mm of travel with them, far less than I wanted with throttle etc.
Lovely button though!

[Xpendable]

I think he was suggesting a solution for the fuel shutoff, not the throttle. Notice the contact switch as opposed to a potentiometer. This is actually helpful because I need to build a shutoff.