Volkslogger won't automate

BELOW IS AN EMAIL SENT TO MR. GARRECHT IAW HIS REQUEST CONCERNING A VL PROBLEM I CANNOT FIGURE OUT. IT APPEARS OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NO RESPONSE YET - WHEN (AND IF) THERE IS ONE I'LL POST IT HERE. I ALSO HAVE A POST IN THE "GENERAL" FORUM, BUT Q&A MAY BE BETTER. I'LL ATTACH ONE OF MY EFFORTS "VL PRACTICALITIES" F.Y.I. IF ANYONE WANTS THE OTHERS LET ME KNOW. .

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As a result of lots of work as I am sure you can see, I have made three documents that I have attached for your interest and use if you like. The first is "Volkslogger Practicalities", the second is "Winpilot Basics" having to do with using the Win Pilot to program the VL, and the last is "VL Preflight". The fourth is "VL Menu" that has several minor errors I have corrected by hand. I have done this both to help myself as well as to help other pilots who have found the Garrecht instructions somewhat unclear on how to actually use the VL. I hope you will find them interesting and would appreciate any suggestions.

My problem (and that of others) is that although I believe I have set everything correctly, I cannot get the VL to recognise the start point and function automatically with the proper "beeps" indicating my arrival in the OZ or to advance to the next TP. If you look at my 'Win Pilot" instructions you will see exactly how several of us have worked together to program the VL. Still, we fly over the Start and nothing happens indicating passage - no fast beeps, no long beep to indicate proper passage, no advance to the next TP. The heading and distance is fine, it counts down to "0" distance and then increases, but nothing happens. I am using nothing but the VL in flight as the VL is all I want - I do NOT want to fly with a fancy computer so the VL for me is just fine. BUT - I am trying for my diamond goal distance and I want to make sure the VL is working as it should..

I suspect there is some single thing that is in error. I have programmed the cylinder for 500m, and the OZ for 3km. Several ays ago I circled over and through the start (on course) three times but nothing would register. On landing I put the trace on a computer and all indicated OK - no problem at all - my whole flight was there including the three starts!

I suppect the problem MIGHT be that somehow I have to define the TPs as either cylinder or OZ but not both in the same flight via FAI DEC or FAI EDIT, but do not understand how to do this or if this is even the problem. On the other had it may be that I have to go to NAV and select ROUTE but this is supposed to occur automatically on startup of the VL.

Unfortunately this is costing me expensive flying time to do these experiments, and I suspect I am making an error somewhere. I suppose I could construct a task and do in in my car to see what happens, but.... If you would look look at the attachments I suggest that the instructions I have done are quite clear and perhaps even better that yours (at least for English speakers) but I simply cannot understand where my error is - or whether the VL is malfunctioning.

I would greatly appreciate your help. As you will see I have tried HARD to make a more understandable set of instructions, but I cannot get the VL to work as it should. I have posted messages on severa internet "bulletin boards" but have had no responses. Something is wrong - can you please help?

I have a VL. Sounds like you have not instructed the VL that you intend to start. On the front, you see "HM" in the lower left corner. This is your departure point (HM=home - you set this in the tp database). I usually set the start point with same tp as departure point; I assume you do too. Intent is to give you distance/steering back to the start point from your departure in case of emergency, and also, to prevent tp passage being logged while you're on tow (in which case, your logger sequences to the next point, and you can't find out where the start point is, to get a good start, and the OO bags you for starting while on tow). So, you depart, and the VL gives you bearing/dist to the start. You release, climb, mentally prepare, and decide to start. You position the a/c on the side of the start point away from the first tp, and push the centre button on the VL. The "HM" changes to "ST" showing the VL is ready to STart. When you're in the OZ you've selected, it beeps (if you've set the sound to beep in OZs), sequences, and away you go. You can also manually sequence through your routing by pushing the centre button again. One thing to watch out for - if you have an acute angle between legs, the VL may turn you about 10 secs early to adopt the new course bearing. I wait 5 secs before turning after the VL finishes beeping. I have OO'd 2 diamond flights where the folks turned 50 and 10 metres early, respectively, and they had turned immediately. If your flight takes 3 hours, and extra 10 secs seems like a prudent investment...
Always willing to give VL help!
Dan

DAN - I finally figured out what the problem is. I have attached one of three documents I have written and you will find the answer in paagraph 12 that I re-wrote this summer when I finally discovered what was going on. I had previously contacted Mr. Garrecht but he didn't offer any solution. I have been meaning to get back to him with the solution but have been a bit lazy and am out of the USA for the next three months.

Point is that although one already defines the radium and sector in the initial setup (MENU:CFG1:OZ), each SP, TP and Finish ALSO has to be individually defined (MENU:FAI:EDIT:TASK). If you, or anyone else, is interested in the other things I have writtn please contact me at neptune This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll send them. The real underlying problem with the VL is that the instructions in the User's Manual are pitiful. I honestly do not know why I have persisted with teh VL - obsessive-compulsive I guess!

Questions: I fly with Mile High out of Boulder and the VL belongs to them. They do not have the software that apparently come with the VL - maybe with the correct software there would be better information.

ALSO - I gather from the Owner's Manual that one should be able to save routes and TPs in the VL but there is NOTHING at all about this in the O.M. and try as I may I cannot figure it out and have given up. Once again - I suspect it must be in the software somewhere but I do not hve the software - perhaps I can get it from Mr. Garrecht.

Well, not that you have stimulated me to get back on the project I think I'll "cut and paste" this to Mr. Garrecht and see what he says. I have no idea whether his company is even interested in continuing to sell teh VL but if so, then they simply MUST have a better Owner's Manual.

If you download the windows (mac and linux there as well) "volkslogger manager" software, free on Garrecht website, http://volkslogger.de/cms/index.php?option=com_content& task=view&id=30&Itemid=66 ,software win, on the right side then install it.
Turnpoints (tps)
You can import turnpoints to the software (using "import" under file menu - don't forget to save them; use the worldwide soaring tp database to find boulder into; don't forget to save tps once they're in the software, otherwise you have to do it again), then send the tps to the VL using the "flight tracks" menu, "logger" then "direct communication with logger". There's a pull-down that allows various tasks, including transfering tps and routes to the logger (this is also how you get declarations into the logger).
Creating routes
Once your tps are in, use "insert" menu, then new route (maps - if you're in the maps view) or from the tp menu (I don't know anyone who uses anything but the map).
Once you create a route, go to the routes tab - just above the map area - and you'll see your route; double click, and you can modify it from the tp database (to change departure and start tps, if you want). Don't forget to save it, or when you shut down, you'll lose it.

The software is like StrePla, but without the ability to display sectionals, satellite photos, etc. It can also be used to replay your flight/barogram etc. Try it, I think you'll like it. By the way, I just downloaded it, it takes a few moments, and it was up and running in under 5 mins (5 yr old pentium).

I use the full version of StrePla, I upgraded for the increased features (3D playback, sectionals, etc), and I use pocket StrePla on my IPAQ 3955 as well. I've used VL since '95; the dos software and manual truly sucked, but the new windoze software is quite easy to use. If you're passing thru Colorado Springs on a weekend, you might drop in to Falcon airport, just east of town, to visit High Flights Soaring. They have a couple of VLs and a laptop with the full software, and I'm sure someone can show you what to do (I flew there for a few years).

Download and try it; if you have questions, post here!

I have no financial interest in any of the hardware/software mentioned (except owning it).
Dan
PS, I think Garrecht isn't selling VLs anymore, but there are a lot of them for sale, reasonably cheaply, in europe, where most use FLARM IGC as loggers, reducing clutter in the cockpit. I had the internal battery replaced in mine recently, so they're still servicing them.

And, while I'm at it, here's a handy resume of the VL menu in a simpler format. Before the start of the season, I spend an hour in front of the tv with the VL, refreshing my memory of it... http://www.winpilot.com/usersguide/vlmenutree_files/ slide0003.htm

Also, a VL "quickstart guide" also from the winpilot website: http://www.winpilot.com/vl.asp

attached, a view of the Dunes Nat'l park, just W of Westcliffe CO, from around 16k... and my Volkslogger.

Enjoy.

DAN many thanks for the info. I am presently in New Zealand for the next three months but in the menatime I'll check out your kindly-provided info. Perhaps get together for a beer in CS on return? I get down there occasionally...
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Sadly, I moved to Toronto - lots and lots of snow here, and not a mountain in sight...