Getting the FMS
Flight Simulator to Work
with the
Ripmax R/C Joystick Interface
A lot of people ask me for advice on how to get hold of a cheap flight simulator. I recommend FMS (which is free and available on the Internet). If you have a game port on your PC, you can buy the Ripmax R/C Joystick Interface from your local model shop (if they don't stock them, you can mail order them from SMC). This gadget allows you to use your transmitter as a game joystick which means that you can control many of the free/cheap simulators with it and also many computer games.
(If you only have a USB interface, you can order a suitable lead from Tony's RC Simulator in the US.)
As a guide to getting the Ripmax/FMS combination to work, here are a few instructions and screenshots from my setup using Microsoft Windows XP and a Futaba Transmitter.
Step 1 - Install the Software
At the time of writing, the interface comes with the correct driver software for Windows 95/98/ME but if you are using Windows 2000/XP then the drivers can be downloaded from the Ripmax Website. If you are a 95/98/ME user then follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with the interface or for 2000/XP follow the installation instructions contained in the README file which I have copied below...
2000/XP Instructions
1. Extract the zip to your computer and view the extracted files.
2. Right click on 'Install Ripmax RC Joystick (Win2000).inf' select install.
3. Select 'Continue anyway'
4. Go to Control Panel, Game Controllers, Add, Ripmax RC Gameport Interface, it will then find new hardware.
5. Choose 'automatic find', select next.
6. Select 'Continue anyway'
7. Then finish.
8. It will then find HID.
9. Choose 'automatic find', select next
10. Select 'Continue anyway'
11. Then finish.
12. Go to Control Panel, Gaming Options, select Ripmax RC Gameport Joystick then click properties and calibrate the transmitter as normal.
*Note, on the configuration screen, Slider 2 and Rudder are the wrong way round. Configure Rudder to be the 6th one down (stated as Slider 2)*
Please note that you may need to re-boot the machine to get the gameport working.
Step 2 - Plug it in
Plug the interface into the 15-pin connector on the back of your PC and the other end into your transmitter. CAREFULLY remove the crystal from the transmitter and CAREFULLY store it somewhere - crystals are sensitive to being knocked about. Removing the crystal saves prevents the transmitter from sending out a radio signal and thus a) saves your battery and b) prevents you from interfering with anyone else's model aircraft in the area.
Step 3 - Setup up the Software - XP Users only (the rest of you - I only have XP so you're on your own until Step 4!)
Click on the 'Start' menu, then 'Control Panel', then double-click on 'Game Controllers'. You should see something like this...
If not, make sure your transmitter is switched on and try re-booting your computer. If that doesn't work, something is wrong and you'll need to fix it before moving on to the next step.
Assuming you've got 'OK' in the status column next to your controller name, now click on the 'Properties' box and you should get something like this...
Now click on 'Setup/Test' and you should get something like this...
Make sure that your Channel and Reverse settings are the same as the ones above. When you wiggle the sticks on the transmitter, you should be able to see something happen to the pointers in the 'Channels' box.
Now click on the 'Calibration' tag and your should get something like this...
Follow the instructions in the leaflet on how to calibrate your transmitter which basically is all about clicking on a channel and then moving the sticks on the transmitter around to their maximum positions.
Once you have done this successfully, it means that your transmitter is now talking correctly to your PC. Now you must set up FMS.
Step 4 - Install FMS
I'll have to put in some instructions on how to do this later. Suffice to say that you have to download the software from the FMS site and install it onto your PC.
Step 5 - Setup the FMS Software
This is pretty straightforward. The most important thing is to get the software correctly configured for your joystick. Run the FMS software, click on the 'Model' menu and select a helicopter (I quite like the 'ThreeDee').
Now click on the 'Controls' menu and select 'Analog Control'. You should see a screen like this...
If you click on 'Ressources' (note their excellent spelling!) you should see something like this...
...and you should be able to see the columns moving when you wiggle the transmitter sticks. Click on 'OK' to return to the previous menu.
Now click on 'Mapping/Calibration' and you should something similar to this...
Note that the bars showing the positions of the controls are not centred. To achieve this you need to calibrate the channels. Make sure your channel numbers are the same as the ones above and then click 'Calibrate'. Then move the sticks slowly around in a circle to tell the program what the maximum settings are.
Note: These channel settings are for Futaba transmitters with standard channel assignments - if you have a different setup, e.g. a JR transmitter, you may need to allocate the channels differently.
When you have done this, you should end up with something that looks like this...
Note that the bars are a little more 'orderly' now. Note also that 3 & 4 represent the throttle position and will be located wherever you have left the throttle stick, in this case, at the bottom. (Confused? Sorry!)
To get back, click 'OK' and then 'OK' on the next menu.
Step 6 - Fly!
That's it - now you should be able to fly you model. Make sure that...
- when you move the left-hand stick to the left, the model rotates so that its nose moves to the left (as seen from the helicopter's perspective)*
- when you move the left-hand stick forwards, the helicopter goes up
- when you move the right-hand stick to the left, the model tilts over to the left (as seen from the helicopter's perspective)*
- when you move the right-hand stick forwards, the helicopter's nose points downwards
Have fun! If you can't get it to work yet keep trying and remember this - if it was easy then people wouldn't be flying radio controlled aeroplanes!
*You probably need to be 'flying' to check this so first give it a bit of throttle before testing.
NOTE - If you are using the TTi USB Interface, I have found this is the equivalent setup...
