Dongles for Flight Sim: WS2000, RX2SIM, WS300T

I have been using my Spektrum WS2000 USB dongle for over a decade to connect my Spektrum transmitters to my RealFlight RC sim (RF), and more recently to AccuRC heli sim. It has never impressed me because other than the gimbals, the switches that work are not generally the ones I want to use. I end up without a functioning heli HOLD or FMode switch, and can't use my own dual rates/expo. I would swear I did get them to work a few times with it never seems to hold (I don't know anymore, RF Evolution seems to forget what I finally set up, so many times I can't even recall when/what works, and just expect to have to spend time resetting it up every time I use it). Default it has the channels/switches and exes all wrong, and I had to go into the model to get the flaps to work properly, but still can't figure how to program a mix. I had been solely using RF, and only recently got AccuRC because it promised more real relationships between the game and my transmitter. Not so much, a lot more issues with channels/switches not being seen, or being consistent.

I read that a dongle, the RX2SIM by Freakware (the BeastX people) would solve that. I ordered this device for my AccuRC 2.0 heli sim as it promised to easily connect my Spektrum DSMX satellite to my sim so that I could use my iX12 transmitter's programming, allowing me to use all my transmitter's switches, DR/Expo, pitch/throttle curves. This would allow me to fly as I will in the field. I did this because the Spektrum WS2000 dongle does not.  Again, not so much.

It was easy to connect the DSMX satellite or a receiver to the dongle, and to bind it to my iX12 or Dx7s. It never saw my transmitter's programming (maybe the pitch curves>), and would not give the gimbals their full range of motion. The switches wouldn't program correctly since it wouldn't detect the switch/channels properly or consistently. I tried my DX7s, my iX12, my satellites, various receivers (even bought a new one). Purple mode light, DSMX connecter light for the satellite, Single Channel light for the receivers. Never could get it to function properly. The kicker is there is NO TECH SUPPORT, so no one to call (Helidirect said, nope, not them). I tried so many in game setttings, transmitter settings (using RF base ACRO model, a heli model with 1-3 servos, a copy of my Trex 600 DFC FBL model from my iX12). It would not see the full gimbal range of motion (curiously it still seemed to function as if it did). No FMode, DR/Expo, Hold, etc. Essentially worse that the WS2000. 

I even tried updating the firmware: downloaded StudioX Flow, put the RX2Sim in bootload mode, but the software never saw the device so I couldn't even to that! I am sure others have had much better success as this comes highly recommended. 

I am returning it, at the loss of the cost of shipping both ways. Kinda fucked...

While looking for info on how to get the WS2000 to communicate better with the sims, I ran across the newer Spektrum WS3000T. I don't know what the T means... anyway, it promises 20 channels. Does that mean it will allow sims to see my DR/Expo, Fmode, Hold, etc?  AccuRc doesn't have it as a device, only the 1000 and 2000. Will it give any advantage over the WS2000?

So for now, I am back to the WS2000 for both sims, using the same ACRO model in my DX7s. In RF it works fine with planes in that I can control the gimbal axes, and when it wants to I can control flaps with the flap switch. No mixes though: the instructions I find online for Flap-Elevator mixes doesn't work, and It won't see my DX7s DR/Expo etc (I have to use the RF DRs mapped to the Gear channel which I could move to the Mix switch). 

I just want to be able to use my iX12 airplane and heli models in my flight sim as I do in real life. Is that too much to ask?  For now I live with the game internal settings. I think I have my pitch curves in AccuRC, and I think I have an Expo of 20 for ail/elev/rdr. My hold switch works, I think, if I flick it back  and forth, but no FMode...  In RF I get my flaps and that's about it.

It would be nice if things just worked.

Second Wind

 Well it took a year but I am getting back into flying.

Last week I took my venerated Eflite Alpha Sport 450, discontinued years ago, and flew it right into a line of trees I thought were much further downfield than they were. I was stunned. I have never crashed it. She was my woobie. I flew here for the first flight each season, and at new fields. I knew her instinctively. And now she is badly damaged. While it may not look like it, her wing is destroyed internally on the left, hanging by a bit of cote. The right wing is crushed i. But likely repairable.  Minor damage to the engine mount. I need a new wing but since she was discontinued over a decade ago, no parts are available, let alone new kits. Devastating.  I don't have the skills to make the pieces required to reframe the wing.

I need a new real field. I and many others have been fieldless since the town of Hudson reclaimed our field for a solar farm. Many members apparently have transferred to Londonderry NH and the New Hampshire Flying Tigers.  I took a road trip (40 min) out there today and met Paul the prez and two other very friendly fliers. I tend to solo flying as a master level introvert, but these guys were pretty awesome. I think the only thing the field lacks is a charging station (I wonder if the solar one from SNHRCC is available?). Nice field. Geotex runway, lots of linear space. Some power lines on one edge of the field opposite the flightline (low voltage), reasonable overflight restrictions. I will be joining them as my new fields, and I think I will like it! Renewed my still valid AMA, checked to see that my FAA license is still good. I am all set,

To get my head and thumbs back into the game I upgraded my Realflight Sim to the last version before it became orphaned, RF Evolution. And since it doesn't do helps great I bought AccuRC 2.0, nicer for helis,  but also orphaned (I have seen mentionn of v3, but its not on Steam). While good, still a bit unrealistic especially for planks. But extremely useful for training. I have been using my Spektrum WS2000 I bought years ago and for simming, it totally socks as no matter what they say you can't use your own programmed radio settings. I ran across RX2Sim, a USB device that actually allows you to connect a reciever or sat antenna, which ostensibly gives full programming control to the radio. We'll see, it arrives tomorrow.  All if this costing me borrowed joney.... expensive.  More o. The sim sitch later.

Today I started sorting thru the parts I recovered from my last (3rd) Hangar 8 Ultra Stick 10cc. The wing is pretty much undamaged so I will be using it for the NIB kit I have also had for years.  The old Evo 10cc gas engine should be fine, and I think the AR7010 Spektrum reciever is still good, and I have another satellite for it too. All the servos, etc. In a week starting thei Friday I begin a 10d staycation and plan to build version 4.

So thats whats is up today, The hiatus is over and I will be destroying aircraft in no time.

EDIT:  better pic of the wing Trying to find someone who can affordably fix it.

My New Workshop

 

We moved a year ago, and I had not flown or worked on aircraft that entire time. Work had, and continues to do so to some degree, dominated my life. There was no time to play (isn't capitalism awesome!). Recently my wife noting my despondent mental state pushed me to just get in the garage and set up a workshop. This was complicated by its being rather full of shit, and that we had to move more shit from our storage unit into the garage so we could stop paying for it. In the process we managed to reduce the amount of shit, and I had a surprising amount of space to work with.

The floor is partly wood covered but mostly its dirt, so its going to be dusty and difficult to keep dirt out of the  instruments and aircraft. But its works, and its better than nothing.

Now I need to find an AMA club with a field I like. Of those in the area, the only one to come closest to meeting my wishes was of course, Hudson and SNHRCC. But we lost our access when the town decided (and it seems a lot of butt hurt politicians made some crap pup to disparage us) took the land back and plan to build a solar field on it. Merrimack has a nice field with a great geotex runway, but sits in a hole cut into the forest so its tight, especially out of the south end. Others are kinda far. So for now I fly out of Joppa Hill fields, but its not an AMA field, and the grass is never short enough making decent takeoffs and landings nearly impossible, esp for my park fliers.

I have had my first 3d weekend off work as a letter carrier, I was wiped out yesterday and took the day to recover. Today is rainy and stormy. Tomorrow I hope to be able to take the Waco out, and if it will fit, charge the received pack on the PulseXT60 and take her out ass well. Since I expect the grass to be too much for my park fliers, they will necessarily remain hangered.

Goals are to get a couple helis up, and I really want to start building the U10cc Ultra Stick, my all time favorite. Learned I need to keep the weight down and keep the rudder/elevator servos centered rather than the more wishful aft (looks good, more stiff and direct, but move CG aft considerably adding a ton of weight needed forward to counterbalance. This weight and a huge receiver pack as well as a generous fuel tank just added to much weight for her to fly well).

A good day!

Memorial Day.

I took the Alpha Sport 450, the Hacker MX2, and the Pulse XT60 out to my old flying field, Jopa Hill Fields in Bedford, NH. 

The grass is nice but too long, so the Alpha and Hacker has issues. Then a cheesy wiring solution converting the Alpha from EC5 connector to EC3 went wonky, so she didn't even get off the ground. Fixed that when I got back, did it proper.

The Hacker could get off the ground with max elevator and gunning the throttle. Flew wonderfully and I flew 6 batteries, just practicing basic airmanship. Landings were a bust due to the the long grass, she would just tuck in and flip.

After that I felt more or less ready to take the pulse XT60 up. She started right up and ran wonderfully. She still is a bit rich in high, manifesting as a step down when the throttle is quickly brought from full to idle, but it's quick and she reduces well to a good steady and reliable idle. Full open she rocks! As expected, the 15 inch prop doesn't provide enough clearance in grass, so the first landing she prop-stoped herself, and in the second she just broke the prop. I ordered the 14x9x3 I should have done before (am adjustment from 14x7x3). This will give me another half an inch which I hope suffices as I can't go lower on the diameter. I also went up to 9 from 7 on pitch. This should be a nice prop.

I still don't have a formal field with a proper grass or geo-tex runway. Hudson hasn't found a new home, Merrimack is a tight hole in the forest and a bit far off. There's a club in Serry, I think, but they are also in a tight niche with high power lines right there. So I will need to deal with the grass at Jopa. At least it's so much smoother and not as clumpy as several years ago when I last flew here.

Good to be back in the air!

PulseXT 60 Engine Trials 2025

I got some fresh gas and set up the PulseXT 60 with it's 25cc RCGF gasser. It took a few reasonable turns to start and then ran great! The needles may need some tubing, but I am pretty happy with it. Once I am confident I have my flying thumbs back we'll get her airborne! This plane is probably my overall favorite and I think there is enough room at Upper Wilkins to fly there.

I'm back, baby!

Today was the day. Checked my batteries, most had really high internal resistance (IR) so we're not usable, but three had cells 20 or less, so I charged those. I updated the Spektrum Airware in my iX12 without any issues. I had to rebind the Alpha 450, but other than that no issues. A small flap break in the core on the horizontal stab was quickly patched and off I went.

First to a smaller "2 baseball diamond" field ringed by high trees. Flew the first battery there, but wanted some room to fly hard, so set off to find a field in town I had seen Last year, huge, several soccer/lacrosse fields huge, called Upper Wilkins Field.

Very nice. Grass a bit high but big wheels for that reason, a little flap and she took off and landed just fine. Almost windless day. Perfect for a return to RC flight.

I bought 4 more 3S 2200mAh 35C batteries from RCbattery.com with EC3 leads. I need to change the ESC leads on the Alpha to EC3 from EC5 now that I will be replacing my batteries. Will need to do that with all my electrics. I also had to buy a new voltage meter as my previous one isn't working.

Will be working out of an unlit garage for now, though I may do this sort of work on the dinner table.

This field will be fine for my 10-20cc gas planes, but my 30-35cc days are over, I think. My flying club, Southern NH RC Club got booted from the field hlits had for over two decades, I think it was, so that a solar farm could be built on the top of the landfill. I need to find a new club in the meantime.

I will be getting rid of the 35cc MX Breitling and MXBach, as well as a NIB Seagull 30cc Ultimate. Keeping the Ultra Stick with the hope of building it someday.

Been a minute...

 

It's been almost 2 years, I think, since I last flew my RC aircraft. Been a bit overworked. I quit medicine and became a letter carrier for the USPS, sold my house and moved to Amherst in a small apartment with my family. So I lost my basement workshop and am working out of a historic unit garage. Charging outside as I don't want any risk of fire burning down the historic over-250 up house we live in. 

Lots of dead batteries will need replacing. Will need to charge and the update the software in my obsolete iX12. Hope to take the trainer up and reteach mybeain-thumb interface.

I also need to get rid of my well loved 30cc planes including the Seagull Ultimate I have still NIB. Holding on to the 10cc aultrastick also NOB as I still want that one. Have had two I could not get to fly right as I think I was using too heavy battery and fuel tank, and I found CH hard to reach with the tail servos mounted aft in the tail boom. 

Anyway, hope to have some more free time, and with some local fields to get my smaller planes up. Will need to renew my AMA license I guess (don't want to get deported to El Salvador).

We'll have to see how this goes.