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QUESTION: Buddy-Box

Discussion in 'Airplanes' started by GPS, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    I have a question for you folks who have been flying for a while. I always assumed that a buddy box/trainer system had to have two similar radios. In my case I am unable to use the transmitter to transmitter cable system because my DX7se does not have the connector.

    Today I found this:

    Wireless buddy box system (CNC Helicopter):
    http://www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet/the-1816/Assan-Dual-Receiver-Switch/Detail

    Has anyone used a system like that, or are there other buddy box systems?
     
  2. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    The one you linked to uses two radio systems (two transmitters and two receivers), same brand. In your case - Spektrum. I've see that type of setup in use and it works fine. What the RVF use is a dummy "slave" Tx connected by cable to a "master" Tx. The slave doesn't have any actual transmit capabilities of its own, rather it sends its commands to the master which in turn sends the signals to the receiver in the plane. For the instructor to take-over, all he does is flip the trainer switch on his Tx and BAM - he's in control! And 3-2-1, flip the switch back, and the student is back in control :) Below is a pic of a basic buddy-box system. Note the Tx on the left has no antenna.
     

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  3. Tiger

    Tiger Registered

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    You do have to have two "somewhat" similar radios.  By that I mean you couldn't cross for example Futaba and Spektrum.  The reason for this is that the communication between the boxes is PPM and the channel sequence can vary by brand.  I said "somewhat" similar because you don't have to match models.  Again for example, you can use any two Futaba radios even if one is the older style with a different type of connector. 

    The Futaba buddy box I have is actually a full transmitter with the crystal and antenna removed by Futaba.  If you add those back it's a fully functioning transmitter.  I bought it new on ebay for $15.  I carry it in my truck all the time if anyone ever wants to use it on Sunday.

    ...Tiger
     
  4. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Thank you guys for the answers.
     
  5. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    Hey Yoda I can't help with your question, I don't know if your wireless Buddie Box gizmo will work for ya or not. However if you want to FLY one of the Flight Simulators with your Spektrum DX7se, the following will work for ya ... Don't need a training port ... I recall you asking earlier in one of the treads around here not too long ago

    Have a look at --->

    SIMSTICK - Readyheli.com ($39.99usd)
    SIMSTICK - Manufacturer, FAQ
    SIMSTICK - Manufacturer, Home Page

    Known Compatible Transmitters:
    • Spektrum DX8
    • Spektrum DX7
    • [size=1.25em]Spektrum DX7 SE[/size]
    • Spektrum DX6i
    • JR DSX9 / X9503
    • JR DSX12 / 12X
    Known Compatible Simulators:
    SimStick Setup Instructions: http://www.simstick.co.uk/instructions.php

          [​IMG][shadow=grey,left]w00d[/shadow]
     
  6. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Thank you for those links w00d, I would definitely get one of those and a SIM, but my problem is I run Linux and all the SIMs you guys use are Windowz based.  I have several Windowz virtual machines, but the performance and graphic abilities in them would not be enough.

    Now if there were any decent Linux SIMs I'd be good to go.
     
  7. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    Only three out of eighteen for Linux ...
    No idea how good ANY of THESE are {LMAO} define "decent"  :eek: ... Even less knowledge on how to connect to teh Tx. Meh, given the look or the quality of these choices I certainly wouldn't spend any money trying to get them to work unless I had a Training Port

    But those are the ONLY ones I found that will RUN under Linux and it's NOT much of a choice, eh  :-\
    ... but ya did get to see my new signature
     
  8. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    The German Heli-X looks interesting.
     
  9. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    Agreed, the German vs does look decent ... Think your going to give it try ?
     
  10. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Hi w00d - Yes, I am going to give it a try.  I only had a short time yesterday to look over their website and so I am not yet positive my computer meet any system requirements, I didn't see them in my initial peek.  I also don't want to sign up for a pay service like a game and I noticed that they had some servers listed so I'm not sure what to make of that.  I will be reading more on it tonight and if possible giving it a try then.
     
  11. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    I installed Heli-X and it looks OK, but it wants to find a USB controller and the only one I have, but cannot find, is a USB game controller.  I'll dig through some more boxes later or tomorrow.

    I stared Heli-X and it is a demo version so I don't have access to all their aircraft or helicopters.  I did see the Blade 400 in there but that was one that seems to be for the full version.  I will need to see how, or if, it runs with my controller before I consider buying it.
     
  12. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Hey w00d - I found my cheapo USB game controller and am flying the ThreeDee Rigid in Heli-X.
    http://www.heli-x.net/

    I've already destroyed about ten grand worth of ThreeDee's so far. LOL ;)

    The controller I have is a far cry in it's accuracy than a real transmitter. In general though I think the free Heli-X program is worth a look and to buy the full version is 50.28 Euros. In the free demo version you will get popups reminding you to buy the full version.

    I'm sure you RealFlight and Phoenix guys will not think much of this SIM, but the rendering of the scenes I have look good and so do the helicopters.

    I think anyone interested in trying a SIM should look into the free demo version of Heli-X. It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux at the above link. Just make sure you have a USB joystick. However you may also be able to use the keyboard according to the setup configuration screen although I have not tried it.
     

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  13. w00d

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    Maybe ya could find a cheapo Radio on the used market you can use just for SiMing ?

    Glad you we're able to get them working, even though your limited w/ the controller. If your writing is an indication your still getting a feel for it ... Yup you've heard of Heli-Crack well this is SiM-Crack and your getting it good ... ROFLMAO
     

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