Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | PC Support | Saitek Radio Panel

DVA3794
Senior Captain, A320
OLP, 737-ATP

Joined on December 03 2006
50 State Club
Globetrotter
US Coastal Club
Events Quadruple Century
US Mountaineer Club
Everett Bi-Millennium Club
Tri-Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Three Million Mile Club
Online Thirty Century

"volando libero......."
Antarctica

3,459 legs, 8,141.9 hours
3,131 legs, 7,039.5 hours online
3,251 legs, 7,332.7 hours ACARS
478 legs, 964.8 hours event
65 legs dispatched, 72.4 hours

Posted onPost created on August 31 2010 13:08 ET by Vincenzo Musumeci

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy the radio stack from Saitek and I want to make sure that it is compatible to pay ware aircraft ( PMDG LVD MADDOG) .
I have contacted their support, but they didn't give me a straight answer....???????
So if anyone of you is running this hardware please let me know how it does work.

Regards

Vincenzo Musumeci (DVA3794)

DVA7899
Captain, B737-800

Joined on October 29 2009
Online Double Century Club
Long Beach Century Club
Triple Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary

"PMDG or go home :)"
Springfield, MO USA

304 legs, 743.8 hours
283 legs, 682.2 hours online
303 legs, 740.0 hours ACARS
30 legs, 47.9 hours event

Posted onPost created on August 31 2010 13:37 ET by Skylar Macminn

I would say if you have a registered FSUIPC you can make it work. Not sure on their standalone software though. FSUIPC you can pretty much do anything.

Skylar Macminn (DVA7899)

DVA7689
Captain, MD-11

Joined on August 26 2009
Long Beach 500 Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Eight Century Club
Online Eight Century
Event Half Century Club

Castaic, CA USA

864 legs, 1,784.5 hours
838 legs, 1,732.0 hours online
863 legs, 1,783.2 hours ACARS
52 legs, 103.5 hours event

Posted onPost created on September 02 2010 23:20 ET by Jon Bullock

Vincenzo,
They work well, however, you may have to open up your aircraft.cfg file and modify the section under the [Radios] to get all the features to work properly on the panels. Another thing. When you load the Saitek software, it will place in the MSFS autoload section two (2) plugins. SaiPanels.exe for FSX and SaiPanelsFS9.exe for FS2004. So when FS loads up, you'll have to go to the Windows Task Manager and delete these two plugins from the list. Then go to the Windows Start menu and you'll see a "Launch the Flight Sim X plugin manually (if you're using FSX). Click on it and then the panels will operate correctly. They worked very erratically until I figured this out and as with you, the Saitek support wasn't any help.
If you're using FS2004 you should be OK without jumping through these hoops.
You'll also find that you won't always be able to select the exact frequency every time. If you want 122.85, for example, you'll spin the fractional knob and hit .80, .82, it will skip .85 then hit .87. If you rotate the knob back it will again miss .85. You'll have to rotate all the around through all the numbers and then it will hit the number you couldn't hit previously.
Otherwise they're another step toward added realism. I still like mine, however I'm thinking of building and marketing my own.

Good flying to you!

Jon Bullock (DVA7689)

Posted onPost created on September 03 2010 07:19 ET by Vincenzo Musumeci

Thanks for all your info Jon and also like Skylar said did you do anything in your FSUIPC to configure it ?

Vincenzo Musumeci (DVA3794)

DVA7636
Senior Captain, L-1011-100
OLP

Joined on August 11 2009
50 State Club
Events Double Century Club
Burbank 250 Club
Quincentenary Club
Online Quintuple Century Club
Globetrotter
Black Pearl Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary

"Uses "Sparkly Eyes" Technique on ATC"
Channelview, TX USA

588 legs, 1,196.5 hours
572 legs, 1,164.8 hours online
586 legs, 1,192.9 hours ACARS
287 legs, 572.1 hours event

Posted onPost created on September 03 2010 07:40 ET by Tracy Norris

Vincenzo,

Unfortunately Saitek decided to go "proprietary" on their Radio Stack (and other panels as well). What this means is that they communicate with FS through a small interface program that you run after loading FS(2004/x). They are seen by the computer as generic HID devices but I'm pretty sure that FSUIPC won't see it as a generic game controller allowing you to change the button assignments, etc.

On the other hand, depending on what simulator version you are running, the interface program supplied SHOULD work with the Level D if it takes it's cues from the FS environment.

I've been flying with 3x Throttle Quadrants (seen as a Generic HID), 1x yoke, 4x Radio Panels (Nav 1/2, Comm 1/2 although 1 panel WILL do all functions with a knob twist) and 1x Proflight Switch Panel, all Saitek and am very happy with them.

Like Jon said, the encoders on the tuning knobs can be a bit sensitive (sometimes) but otherwise is a great unit. I consider it a must-have on older aircraft like the B727 (with no active/standby on Nav or Com). Just reaching out and wizzing the knobs and pushing buttons makes the experience so much more real (as opposed to mouse clicks). I recommend visiting the Saitek forums to see what others have to say. Speaking for myself, I'm very pleased with the units cool

Tracy Norris

Senior Captain, L-1011-100

Posted onPost created on September 03 2010 07:49 ET by Vincenzo Musumeci

Thanks Tracy ,
I will buy it and pull my hair to try to configure it !!!!!

Vincenzo Musumeci (DVA3794)

For flight simulation purposes only. Not a commercial website. In no way are we affiliated with Delta Air Lines, its affiliates, or any other airline. All logos, images, and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Delta Virtual Airlines is a non-profit entity engaged in providing an avenue for flight simulation enthusiasts.