T6 and Avionics Mindstar GNS 430 530

[wnc]

Hello forum,

I am a long time pit builder and WWII (IL-2) enthusiast. Web browsing I stumbled upon the A2A's T-6 and was blown away with how good it looked. Because it was a WWII era trainer, because all WWII era aircraft cockpits are basically the same I figured I could make my F4U Corsair pit work for the T-6 with a few adjustments. Also I took a ride in a T-6 in Galveston Texas 1n 2010 so it really caught my eye! I thought to myself, myself I have to check this out!

So I purchased and installed, Prepar3D, Ezdock, FSUIPC4 and the A2A T-6. After some trial and error I have them all working very well and I can say that the A2A's T-6 is every bit as good as advertised.

Now that I have the T-6 up in the air I can see that it is time for me to learn how to navigate, not something that is required for IL-2. I will eventually be adding a Flight Illusion Com/Nav Radio and a VOR indicator gauge to my existing pit when I can afford them.

But for now I purchased the Mindstar GNS 430 530 to hold me over. Because I have a physical cockpit and do not use the 3d on screen pit, I just need to have the GNS 430 2D pop up via physical cockpit switch.

I have installed Mindstar GNS 430...... C:\Program files (x86)\Mindstar

I have read every post I could find here @ A2A that was labeled GNS GPS etc and I see that manipulation of files are required, problem is different people have different GNS units, different brands, different aircraft etc.

BTW, I called Mindstar could not get connected with tech support. Looks like Mindstars official forum is AVSIM, will post there if I can't get help here.

One post here @ A2A shows me how to edit... Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\Objects\airplanes\A2A_C172\panel\panel

[Window15] and [Window16]
That being said, here are the necessary entries from my panel.cfg for the A2A C172:

[Window15]
window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
window_size=0.260417,0.333333
visible=0
ident=15531
nomenu=1
zorder=99

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS530,0,0,100,100, 1:2:15531

[Window16]
window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
window_size=0.260417,0.194444
visible=0
ident=15431
nomenu=1
zorder=99

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100, 1:2:15431

[Vcockpit01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=1
pixel_size=640,640
texture=$gps

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430, 0,0,511,217, 1:1:-1

[Vcockpit02]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=1
pixel_size=640,640
texture=$gps1

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS530, 0,0,511,372, 1:1:-1

Another post shows how to mod the T-6 for a GTN750, also a bit different than the GNS 430?

GTN750 "mod" for A2A T6 Texan

open panel.cfg (*\SimObjects\Airplanes\A2A_T6_Texan\panel) with an editor (notepad - not word etc.)

- at the beginning replace line of Window14

//Window14=gns400
Window14=Flight1 Garmin GTN750 U1 - DO NOT MODIFY

- further below replace [Window14] section

[Window14]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=937,887
ident=14401
zorder=99
gauge00=F1GTN!GTN750, 0,0,937,887,UNIT1.POP
window_pos= 0.660, 0.160
window_size= 0.340, 0.580

- below replace the lines for gauge12

[Vcockpit00]

//gauge12=civ!gps_500, 1,384,318,195
gauge12=F1GTN!GTN750VC, 1,-120,800,695,UNIT1.vc

Sure wish someone had a pre-modified T-6 panel file for my situation I could just download?

Or any help how to edit the base t-6 panel file for GNS 430 ....2D pop up only?

Or direct me to the step by step link...How to link the GNS 430 and A2A aircraft for dummies page?

Also I might add, I cleared out all my key strokes in Prepar3D settings per instruction of FSUIPC4, Don't even know how to get the default generic GNS that comes with the T-6 to activate. I turn on electrical via minipanel, go to virtual pit and click on the GNS on switch and get nothing? What am I missing?

[Nick - A2A]

Hello wnc - as I understand it, you wish to be able to open the Mindstar GPS pop-up with a hardware shortcut rather than by clicking in the virtual cockpit?

You could try this edit to the panel.cfg. I don't own the Mindstar unit, but it should place the pop-up in the vacant "shift 9" position, so you'd need to assign your hardware button to this control input ("panel window 9 display/hide" function).

Code: Select all

[Window00]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=1024,768
position=1
visible=0
ident=10

//gauge00=tester!tester, 420, 50, 400, 1000         //Comment for release

[Window01]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=322,615
pixel_size=322,615
window_pos= 0.0, 0.2      
position=0
visible=0
ident=20
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!clipboard,  1,0,322,615

[Window02]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=320,355
pixel_size=320,355
window_pos= 0.51, 0.2      
position=0
visible=0
ident=RADIO_STACK_PANEL
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!controls,   1,0,320,355

[Window03]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=649,689
pixel_size=649,689
window_pos= 0.51, 0.2      
position=1
visible=1
ident=FUEL_PANEL
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!manager,  1,0,649,689

[Window04]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=1024,768
pixel_size=1024,768
window_pos= 0.000, 0.2
position=0
visible=1
ident=50
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!mapscreen,  255,1,770,766
gauge01=A2A_T6!map_settings,  1,50,246,232

[Window05]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=187,392
pixel_size=187,392
position=6
window_pos= 0.025, 0.9
visible=1
ident=51
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!radios,  1,0,

[Window06]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=1024,768
pixel_size=1024,768
window_pos= 0.000, 0.2
position=0
visible=0
ident=52
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!maint_hangar,  1,0,1024,768

[Window07]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=321,321
pixel_size=321,321
position=5
visible=1
ident=54
sizable=0

gauge00=A2A_T6!afk,  1,1,321,321

[Window08]
window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
window_size=0.260417,0.194444
visible=0
ident=15431
nomenu=0
zorder=99

// This is a popup GNS 430, GPS #1, instance #2, ident 15431 (from ident= line above)
gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100,1:2:15431

[Window09]
Background_color=0,0,0 
ident=100
render_3d_window=1
nomenu=1
type=special

gauge00=A2A_T6!keys,  1,1,1,1
//gauge01=A2A_T6!cockpitBuilder, 2,2,2,2	 //For cockpit builders only.

[Window10]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=330,450
pixel_size=330,450
position=5
visible=0
nomenu=1
ident=101
sizable=0

//gauge00=dbg!panel,  144,0             //Comment for release

[Window11]
Background_color=1,1,1 
ident=102
window_size=1.000,1.000
nomenu=1
zorder=100

gauge00=A2A_T6!blackout,  0,0

[Window12]
Background_color=0,0,0 
size_mm=650,650
pixel_size=650,650
position=3
visible=0                                      	
ident=103
nomenu=1
zorder=99

gauge00=A2A_T6!engine_details,  1,1,650,650

It may even be possible for you to run the GPS from this pop-up with "no GPS" selected in the shift 3 menu, but I'm not sure. However, before you apply this edit to the panel.cfg file, make sure you enable the Mindstar unit via the A2A "T-6 Aircraft Configurator".

Cheers,
Nick

[wnc]

Hi Nick M, Thank you so much, (You are THE MAN!) that is just was I was hoping for but did not think I would get Will have a chance to try it out within the next couple days and will let ya know how it went! Thanks again!

[wnc]

ok. got side tract trying to get Mindstar GNS 430 up and running, kept getting a "Hyperguage gauge error" when executing Prepar3D v3 and gns 430 would not work. After lots of searching figured out it was a dll.xml file path error in........

C:\Users\*Name*\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\dll.xml

This was missing in my dll.xml file.........

<Launch.Addon>
<Name>Mindstar Hypergauge</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\Modules\HyperGauge.dll</Path>
</Launch.Addon>

Seems as though every add on I have tried to install so far there has been a bug-a-boo problem with trying to get the folder installation and path correct , even when pointing the installation software in the correct direction! Very frustrating

Anyhow, Mindstar gns 430 is up and running. I edited my.................

c:\Program Files (#86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar2D v3\SimObjects\Airplanes\A2A_T6_Texan\Panel\Panel

// This is a popup GNS 430, GPS #1, instance #2, ident 15431 (from ident= line above)
gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100,1:2:15431

[Window09]
Background_color=0,0,0
ident=100
render_3d_window=1
nomenu=1
type=special

Now I am suppose to assign a hardware button to the control input ("panel window 9 display/hide" function).

ok, I assume this is done in FSUIPC.4 right? I am new to FSUIPC, I do have my buttons\switches,axis controls all working very well in FSUIPC but this function appears to be one I have to create right? Could you give a little tutorial on how to do that?

[Nick - A2A]

You don't necessarily have to use FSUIPC for the "panel window 9 display/hide" function; it can just assigned to a hardware button (as well as to shift + 9) in the host sim control settings.

If you wish to use FSUIPC instead, open its interface through the "Add-ons" menu, then with the "Buttons + Switches" tab open, press the hardware button you wish to use, make sure "select for FS control" is ticked" thern under "Control sent [...]" select "Panel 9".

Note that in the sim interface the panel numbering goes from 1-9 but in the panel.cfg they're numbered from 0 (zero) upwards, so "[Window08]" corresponds to "Panel 9"

Hope that helps.

Nick

[wnc]

You don't necessarily have to use FSUIPC for the "panel window 9 display/hide" function; it can just assigned to a hardware button (as well as to shift + 9) in the host sim control settings.

If you wish to use FSUIPC instead, open its interface through the "Add-ons" menu, then with the "Buttons + Switches" tab open, press the hardware button you wish to use, make sure "select for FS control" is ticked" thern under "Control sent [...]" select "Panel 9".

Note that in the sim interface the panel numbering goes from 1-9 but in the panel.cfg they're numbered from 0 (zero) upwards, so "[Window08]" corresponds to "Panel 9"

Hope that helps.

Nick

1st off Nick, sorry for not seeing "Panel 9" in the FSUIPC controls selection! I did not know it was there! I am an overworked person who is always in to big of a hurry because there is not enough time in the day and I looked through it to fast.

I cleared out all commands in prepar3D settings and am just sticking to FSUIPC BTW. I can get all panels to pull up with a toggle switch FSUIPC control except for the one we want. I tried "panel 8" and "panel 9" no go. Any ideas?

[Nick - A2A]

I can get all panels to pull up with a toggle switch FSUIPC control except for the one we want. I tried "panel 8" and "panel 9" no go. Any ideas?

Hmm - is that with the panel.cfg edit as described above?

Thanks,
Nick

[wnc]

Hmm - is that with the panel.cfg edit as described above?

Happy New Year!

Sorry for delayed reply, holidays and all.

The answer to your question is "no"! I made a back up file and then put it right back instead of new. Yea, I know

Works great, thanks Nick!

[Nick - A2A]

Aha - good stuff and Happy New Year to you too!

Nick

[wnc]

With new sim (Prepar3d) and new airplane (A2A T-6) the more I try configuring physical instrument panel with buttons switches etc the more hurdles I have. My objective is to fly the plane not having to go to a menu. Here is my latest nag list............

* When shutting down sim, I turn off my generator (toggle) switch. When I restart sim, A2A mini control panel shows generator is back on as if it is on always by default?

* I switch on (toggle switch) to active my G430 (via panel script from Nick) I adjusted the position to ideal place on my screen, works fantastic. If I go to exterior view using ezdock my G430 goes away. So when I go back inside the cockpit my switch is on but the gps is gone, then I have to turn toggle switch off to make it come back on again? Is there any way to make the window stay for inside and/or outside the cockpit? Same with map window!

* I would also like to assign a switch to activate the map which I think is "window 4" in the panel folder. But when I assign window 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 the mini control panel pops up for all of them?

* So to get the map to pop up I have to go to menu? Also, when I activate it, I want it to be clear of clutter VOR's, Airports, Compass rings etc, etc. I want it to be a clean map that I can add what I want when I want it. If I clear it leaving just terrain and flight path and save it, when I restart it goes back to everything on, full of clutter. Is there a way to set the default the way I want it?

* Hand prop, is there a way assign a button / switch to turn it without going to menu?

[Nick - A2A]

That's quite a list wnc, but I'll see if I can help with some it...

* When shutting down sim, I turn off my generator (toggle) switch. When I restart sim, A2A mini control panel shows generator is back on as if it is on always by default?

Yeah - correct. The guarded generator switch seems to default to 'on'.

* I switch on (toggle switch) to active my G430 (via panel script from Nick) I adjusted the position to ideal place on my screen, works fantastic. If I go to exterior view using ezdock my G430 goes away. So when I go back inside the cockpit my switch is on but the gps is gone, then I have to turn toggle switch off to make it come back on again? Is there any way to make the window stay for inside and/or outside the cockpit? Same with map window!

You should be able to make the panel persistent by adding the text 'type=special' to the relevant section in the panel.cfg file. Please see this thread for more info.

* I would also like to assign a switch to activate the map which I think is "window 4" in the panel folder. But when I assign window 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 the mini control panel pops up for all of them?

Hmm - that's a bit strange. Can you give any more info on your control setup?

* So to get the map to pop up I have to go to menu? Also, when I activate it, I want it to be clear of clutter VOR's, Airports, Compass rings etc, etc. I want it to be a clean map that I can add what I want when I want it. If I clear it leaving just terrain and flight path and save it, when I restart it goes back to everything on, full of clutter. Is there a way to set the default the way I want it?

Er - pass I'm afraid!

* Hand prop, is there a way assign a button / switch to turn it without going to menu?

Yep, here's where FSUIPC comes in and I've done exactly this. You'll need to use the L:Var "L:handprop" and a simple text macro for this (to SET it to 1 on button press and back to 0 on release). Not sure if you're familiar with local panel variables and macros as part of your previous 'pit building, but if not we can probably point you in the direction of some useful links and provide a bit more info.

Cheers,
Nick

[wnc]

With flight simulation the list has continued for 15 years

Yeah - correct. The guarded generator switch seems to default to 'on'.

Why?

You should be able to make the panel persistent by adding the text 'type=special' to the relevant section in the panel.cfg file.

You added "type=special" to the "window 9" for the GNS430 you wrote for me, does not stay when going to exterior view. Here is my panel file, do yo see anything wrong with it?

• //Mindstar GNS430
  
  [Window Titles]
  Window00=Main Panel
  Window01=Clipboard
  Window02=Mini Controls
  Window03=Payload and Fuel Manager
  Window04=Map
  Window05=Radios
  Window06=Maintenance Hangar
  Window07=AFK
  Window08=empty
  Window09=keys
  Window10=dbg
  Window11=none3
  Window12=none4
  Window13=GNS 430 WAAS
  
  [VIEWS]
  VIEW_FORWARD_WINDOWS=10,20,RADIO_STACK_PANEL,FUEL_PANEL,50,51,52,53,54,100,101,102,103,104,105
  
  //--------------------------------------------------------
  [Window00]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=1024,768
  position=1
  visible=0
  ident=10
  
  //gauge00=tester!tester, 420, 50, 400, 1000 //Comment for release
  
  [Window01]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=322,615
  pixel_size=322,615
  window_pos= 0.0, 0.2
  position=0
  visible=0
  ident=20
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!clipboard, 1,0,322,615
  
  [Window02]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=320,355
  pixel_size=320,355
  window_pos= 0.51, 0.2
  position=0
  visible=0
  ident=RADIO_STACK_PANEL
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!controls, 1,0,320,355
  
  [Window03]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=649,689
  pixel_size=649,689
  window_pos= 0.51, 0.2
  position=1
  visible=1
  ident=FUEL_PANEL
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!manager, 1,0,649,689
  
  [Window04]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=1024,768
  pixel_size=1024,768
  window_pos= 0.000, 0.2
  position=0
  visible=1
  ident=50
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!mapscreen, 255,1,770,766
  gauge01=A2A_T6!map_settings, 1,50,246,232
  
  [Window05]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=187,392
  pixel_size=187,392
  position=6
  window_pos= 0.025, 0.9
  visible=1
  ident=51
  sizable=0
  type=special
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!radios, 1,0,
  
  [Window06]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=1024,768
  pixel_size=1024,768
  window_pos= 0.000, 0.2
  position=0
  visible=0
  ident=52
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!maint_hangar, 1,0,1024,768
  
  [Window07]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=321,321
  pixel_size=321,321
  position=5
  visible=1
  ident=54
  sizable=0
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!afk, 1,1,321,321
  
  [Window08]
  window_pos=0.820000,0.030000
  window_size=0.160417,0.450000
  visible=0
  ident=15431
  nomenu=0
  zorder=99
  
  // This is a popup GNS 430, GPS #1, instance #2, ident 15431 (from ident= line above)
  gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100,1:2:15431
  
  [Window09]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  ident=100
  render_3d_window=1
  nomenu=1
  type=special
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!keys, 1,1,1,1
  //gauge01=A2A_T6!cockpitBuilder, 2,2,2,2 //For cockpit builders only.
  
  [Window10]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=330,450
  pixel_size=330,450
  position=5
  visible=0
  nomenu=1
  ident=101
  sizable=0
  
  //gauge00=dbg!panel, 144,0 //Comment for release
  
  [Window11]
  Background_color=1,1,1
  ident=102
  window_size=1.000,1.000
  nomenu=1
  zorder=100
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!blackout, 0,0
  
  [Window12]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=650,650
  pixel_size=650,650
  position=3
  visible=0
  ident=103
  nomenu=1
  zorder=99
  
  gauge00=A2A_T6!engine_details, 1,1,650,650
  
  [Window13]
  window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
  window_size=0.260417,0.194444
  visible=0
  ident=15431
  nomenu=0
  zorder=99
  
  // This is a popup GNS 430, GPS #1, instance #2, ident 15431 (from ident= line above)
  gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100,1:2:15431
  
  
  //--------------------------------------------------------
  [Vcockpit00]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=1024,1024
  visible=1
  pixel_size=1024,1024
  texture=$reticle
  
  gauge01=A2A_T6!code_t6_r, 1,1,1,1
  gauge02=A2A_T6!status1, 2,2,2,2
  gauge03=A2A_T6!damage, 3,3,3,3
  gauge04=accusim_xml!code_s, 4,4,4,4
  gauge05=A2A_Accusim!lua, 5,5,5,5
  gauge06=A2A_Accusim!AVS, 6,6,6,6
  gauge07=A2A_Accusim!events, 7,7,7,7
  gauge08=A2A_Accusim!random, 8,8,8,8
  gauge09=A2A_Accusim!storage, 9,9,9,9
  gauge10=A2A_T6!code_t6_m, 1,1,1,1
  gauge11=T6!avionics, 0, 576, 1024,447
  gauge12=gps!gps_500, 0,0,1065,675
  gauge13=A2A_T6!warning_lights, 969, 0, 55,440
  gauge14=A2A_T6!number, 794, 251, 152,70
  gauge15=A2A_T6!compass_card, 794, 0, 175,250
  gauge16=A2A_T6!GPS_MINDSTAR_430, 1, 1, 1, 1
  
  [Vcockpit01]
  Background_color=0,0,0
  size_mm=512,512
  visible=1
  pixel_size=640,640
  texture=$gps
  
  // This is a virtual cockpit GNS 430. GPS #1, instance #1 (because the VC must always be instance #1), and
  // since the VC has no ident= line, we use -1 for the ident.
  
  gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430, 1,1,456,189,1:1:-1
  
  [Default View]
  X=0
  Y=0
  SIZE_X=8191
  SIZE_Y=6143

* I would also like to assign a switch to activate the map which I think is "window 4" in the panel folder. But when I assign window 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 the mini control panel pops up for all of them?

Hmm - that's a bit strange. Can you give any more info on your control setup?

I just set a toggle switch in FSUIPC buttons/switches/FS and select a panel # from list of controls same as I did with panel 8 (or 9) for GNS430 window which works great (Please see panel file above).

Er - pass I'm afraid!

Sorry to confuse you, there is a pop up map in the menu, looking at the panel file I think it is "window 5" after activating it you can click on/off VOR's, highways, flight path etc. Upon activating it everything is turned on by default (kinda like the generator). Would be so much better if it's default had everything off to start, that's all.

Yep, here's where FSUIPC comes in and I've done exactly this. You'll need to use the L:Var "L:handprop" and a simple text macro for this (to SET it to 1 on button press and back to 0 on release). Not sure if you're familiar with local panel variables and macros as part of your previous 'pit building, but if not we can probably point you in the direction of some useful links and provide a bit more info.

My pit building skills are more suited for building physical parts, not so much with computer languages, What is L:VAR?, could I see that simple text macro written out? Yes, please point me in right direction Nick... guess I enter it in the FUIPC macro area I would assume?

[Nick - A2A]

You added "type=special" to the "window 9" for the GNS430 you wrote for me, does not stay when going to exterior view. Here is my panel file, do yo see anything wrong with it?

The "type=special" entry will need to be added to the "[Window08]" section wnc, that's the one for the GPS.

I'll have to get back to you on the other bits I'm afraid. As regards your question on 'why' the generator defaults to on, and the map panel behaviour your describe, afraid I can't help. I'm just another user - not part of the A2A development team!

Cheers,
Nick

[wnc]

The "type=special" entry will need to be added to the "[Window08]" section wnc, that's the one for the GPS.

ok, so the // This is a popup GNS 430, is below the [window08], I thought it was describing the text for [window 9] above, so it does work, fantastic!

As regards your question on 'why' the generator defaults to on, I'm just another user - not part of the A2A development team!

Why? Was a rhetorical question not directed at you, sorry Nick just being sarcastic.. my bad humor

Thanks again for your help!