Web Site Updates

September 2013

I was hacked! The web site was compromised and I was unable to restore from backups. The site was using Joomla version 1.5 and it was pretty out of date so I did a major upgrade. Its now running under Joomla 2.5 with most of content resorted. I have added a few new features including the ability for registered and logged on users to post articles and web links. I hope to see the community take advantage of these features. 

I have upgraded a number of extensions to Joomla as well and you will see differences in the download sections and the pictures. I would love to post more pictures so please send me your photos, this is the most popular section of the web site!

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Sunday, 11 March 2012

I have been working on a number of projects and I will try to keep this news section up to date with my developments.

  1. MicroStar developments. I am in the process of a major update to the MicroStar Encoder firmware. Here is a list of the features I am adding:
    1. Dual displays. This includes display option buttons to allow changing what is displayed on the second display. The dual display function requires a adapter PC board to connect both displays to the existing display connector.
    2. FrSky telemetry data capture and display. This mode benefits from the dual displays but will work with one display.
    3. Support for the Spectrum RF decks using the RS232 interface.
  2. Digital Servo developments. I have made a lot of progress on the digital servos and have final PC boards. I have built several of the boards as well as a new USB interface to enable programming the servos.
  3. I have also been working on a bunch of projects in my shop, I have just purchased and installed a Grizzly G3616 Mill and I am still getting my 24"x24" Zenbot CNC router table setup.

Please contact me with your MicroStar feature ideas!

Saturday, 1 January 2011

I have posted a new version (2.12a) of the MicroStar PC application that addresses a couple of bugs in version 2.12. I have also posted a new version of the MicroStar encoder firmware, 2.0p. The version log file that describes the updates can be found on the MicroStar 2000 section of this site.

 

Thursday, 23 December 2010

I have posted new version of the MicroStar PC application and version 2.0o of the MicroStar Encoder firmware.

 

Sunday, 18 October 2009

I have added files describing the PulseStar receiver on the downloads page. You will find a large (30MB) file that contains a lot of technical information on how to use the receiver and a description of its features.

 

I have also updated the MicroStar 2000 programming manual. This covers all the 2.0 version up to the current 2.0k release. This manual has a lot of added detail and hopefully will help you program your system. You will find this manual in the MicroStar 2000 section of the downloads page.

 

Please let me know if you would like any additional technical data posted on this site!

 

 

The MicroStar Community

Do you have questions, need some help? The MicroStar community is here to lend you a hand. There are a number of resources that can help you build a system or just answer questions. Please look on the web links page to learn about the MP8K users group. This group has several hundred members with lots of experience in R/C modeling and electronics.
This web site contains a lot of technical information that should give you a basic idea of the steps you need to complete your own system. Free free to contact me with any questions you have. I have listed below a number of key people who have helped make this project a success and who you may want to contact for more information:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Developer of the MicroStar and web master of this site.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , builds Encoders and RF decks. Danny does great work!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Sells full kits for a number of my designs.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Manages the MP8K users group and has been providing updates and support for the ACE MP8000.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Has designed the USB adapter for the MicroStar and also designed the rev 5.0 version of the Encoder.

 

Would you like to help? This project can use your help so if you are interested there are a number of ways you can help. First, join the MK8K users group and see what is happening and get involved. If you are a developer and would like to help please contact me. Also, through this web site you can contribute. You can write articles and provide web links etc. Please register on this site and contribute material!

 

License

 

GAA Custom Electronics
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT



BY USING THIS SOFTWARE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMSOF THIS AGREEMENT. DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE UNTIL YOU HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, PROMPTLY RETURN THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE AND ANY ACCOMPANYING ITEMS.

 

IF YOU USE THIS SOFTWARE, YOU WILL BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT

LICENSE: GAA Custom Electronics ("GAACE") grants you the non-exclusive right to use the enclosed software program ("Software"). You will not use, copy, modify, rent, sell or transfer the Software or any portion thereof, except as provided in this Agreement.

User System Developers may:

  1. Copy the Software for support, backup or archival purposes;
  2. Install, use, or distribute GAACE owned Software in object code only for use on a single computer system;
  3. Modify and/or use Software source code that GAACE directly ships to you for your personal use only.
  4. Install, use, modify, distribute, and/or make or have made derivatives ("Derivatives") of GAACE owned Software under the terms and conditions in this Agreement, ONLY if you are an end-user.

RESTRICTIONS:

YOU WILL NOT:

  1. Copy the Software, in whole or in part, except as provided for in this Agreement;
  2. Decompile or reverse engineer Software provided in object code format;


TRANSFER: You may transfer the Software to another party if the receiving party agrees to the terms of this Agreement at the sole risk of any receiving party.

 

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT OF SOFTWARE: Title to the Software and all copies thereof remain with GAA Custon Electronics. The Software copyright has been filed and will be protected by United States and international copyright laws. You will not remove the copyright notice from the Software.
You agree to prevent any unauthorized copying of the Software.

 

DERIVATIVE WORK: Users that make or have made Derivatives will not be required to provide GAACE with a copy of the source or object code. Users are not authorized to market, sell, and/or distribute derivatives works without the written permission of GAACE.

WARRANTY: GAACE warrants that it has the right to license you to use, modify, or distribute the Software as provided in this Agreement. The Software is provided "AS IS". GAACE warrants that the media on which the Software is furnished will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. Upon return of such defective media, GAACE's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of the Software.

THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: NEITHER GAACE NOR ITS VENDORS OR AGENTS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, NOR FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHETHER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

TERMINATION OF THIS LICENSE: GAACE reserves the right to conduct or have conducted audits to verify your compliance with this Agreement. GAACE may terminate this Agreement at any time if you are in breach of any of its terms and conditions. Upon termination, you will immediately destroy, and certify in writing the destruction of, the Software or return all copies of the Software and documentation to GAACE.

What is this all about?

GAA Custom Engineering, LLC  We develop electronic and control solutions aimed and toward the research community to aid in the development of unique instruments. Our focus is in the area of intelligent RF and DC power sources as well as the low level timing controls.

GAA Custom Engineering, LLC also develops electronics aimed at the model airplane / radio control community. We have a number of products directed at the electronics hobbyists who is interested in model aircraft. Our first development was the MicroStar 2000, a encoder and RF deck that allows you to build your own RC transmitter.

This web site allows you to view all of our projects and products we make available. You will find lots of technical details including design files and source code for many of our products.

Below is a brief description of each of our products:

MicroStar

The MicroStar 2000 is an Encoder and RF deck design that allows you to build your own RC transmitter or convert the electronics in an old transmitter to a model computer controlled system. These designs are aimed at the RC flier who is also a radio armature (HAM) because only HAMs can build RF transmitters due to FCC regulations.

MAESTRO

The Model Aircraft Electrical System Test and Ring Out (MAESTRO) system's main goal is preflight battery testing. MAESTRO contains lots of additional features. This is the best battery testing system on the market today. MAESTRO is sold fully assembled and tested for $49.95.

LUGH

Lugh is an electronic flight line assistant that combines many of the often-used accessories into one convenient solution. The Lugh is a small, lightweight, battery powered device with a very simple user interface designed to help maximize your flying enjoyment! The Lugh combines the following functions into one attractive solution:

  • Date and time clock, with alarm
  • Temperature monitor, with alarm
  • Flight timer, with alarm
  • Glow plug driver
  • Battery tester
  • Tachometer
  • Servo driver/cycler
  • Pulse width monitor
  • Anemometer (with optional sensor)

PulseStar

The PulseStar receiver is designed specially for the MicroStar 2000 transmitter. This receiver exploits the special features of the MicroStar, but will work with any PPM transmitter. The PulseStar uses state-of-the-art microcontroller technology to enable unique features never before offered in a PPM receiver.

PositionStar

The PositionStar is a digital servo controller that replaces your current servo electronics and offers very unique capabilities not found in any other servo. The Servo's can be connected to a PC application and programmed, enabling several very unique capabilities.

Magicbox

MagicBox is an accessory designed for the model airplane enthusiast. MagicBox connects between the aircraft receiver and the control servos. This device provides a number of functions that the pilot can select from a ten-position mode switch. Each function has adjustable parameters and options that are custom designed for the specific mode. The mode function allows the pilot to configure the MagicBox to his specific aircraft and needs. This device combines several functions into one package, you would need to buy 5 or 6 different modules to collect all of the functions available in the MagicBox.

What you should expect

The developments that are listed on this web site along will all the technical data is a hobby effort and is not a commercial project. You should not expect the service and performance that you would receive from a full time business. The efforts described on this site are the work of very few people donating there efforts over a period of almost 10 years. This information is shared and used by a small group of RC modelers who are also interested in building there own electronics.

You can expect my support in troubleshooting and debugging any problems you encounter when building and testing my systems. I do not charge labor, I only want to be reimburse for any parts I use and any shipping costs. My response time is highly variable due to the fact that I work full time and travel a fair amount.

I have a number of projects and most are in a constant state of development and enhancement. Please email me for the latest information, I do try to keep the web site up to date but this is a big effort.

I would appreceate your support in these projects. If you are a developer of any kind and would like to help, please contact me. We can use help in a number of areas.

Finally I expect users to contact me with problems you encounter. My systems are not perfect and you will likely find problems, when you do please contact me. I will fix the problems as fast as I can.

Thanks!

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