Ok, slight delay.
My club is purchasing the WilsonFX system. We demoed it with and without the wireless system. It is digital. Any of the boxes can be reprogrammed and swapped out on the field. This allows for an extremely flexible system. It is remarkable how easy it is to program.
1. The Parts:
a. The LCU-64, which is short for Launch Control Unit 64 Pads, is the digital control and programming station for the syetem. It is a launch controller capable of individually controlling up to 64 separate pads hence the "64". The controls for the pad banks are subdivided into 8 banks of 8 pads each which are lettered A to H. The communications from the LCU-64 to all the pad boxes run thru a single 16/3 extension cord. The control are single: You turn on the arming key switch, you select which bank you want to fire A thru H, you select from between one to eight of the pads on that bank to fire and lastly, you push the FIRE button. The system even tells the LCO if an igniter has continuity. For safety sake, the LCU-64 will only operate one bank at a time, but it will fire all 8 pads in the same bank at the same time if selected. It is so easy and straight forward, anyone can use it. The first time I pick it up, I was amazed at how light it was.
b. The PB-8 is the pad box and it controls up to 8 pads. The PB-8 can also be used as a cluster box. Each PB-8 is also programmed to remember its bank designation as well as each pads own designation until someone reprograms them to a different designation. Re-designating a bank or the individual pads on a bank is very simple and can be done on the field with LCU-64. Each pad has its own separate 30 amp automobile relay built into the system, so that each pad has more than enough power to fire about any igniter you throw at it. Each pad also has its own separate at the pad continuity check to test the igniter when you hook it up to the system so that you know if you have a good igniter before you head back to the flight line. You can fire a single pad or all 8 at once.
c. The LCU-1/ARM is a multi-function single pad controller. It can be used to fire a single pad or reprogrammed to fire all 64 pads at one.
d. The PB-1 is a single pad pad-box. It can work with the LCU-1 or LCU-64 to control a single pad. I have not test one of these, but it sound like a good idea for an away cell.
e. The WR-1, is the wireless component of the Wilson F/X line of launch control products. It connects to the 16/3 and acts as a transmitter to your far pads. You need more than one to work. For example, if you want 1 pad bank or PB-8 wireless, you will need 2 WR-1s - one as a transmitter and one as a receiver. We chose to buy 3 and have 2 wireless banks. It worked flawlessly and it auto configured to the pads.
2. Observations:
a. Less cable. The connecting cables are standard 16/3 extension cords. They are easily replaceable at Lowes or Home Depot. It amazes me how easy they are to run. it may take 10x 100 foot cords to go 1000 feet, but compared to cat5 cable, it is much easy to lay and pull up after the launch. Our old system would require a cable to each pan bank from the control box. This system requires less cable because it is daisy chains with a continuous chain of cable connecting the pads linearly.
b. Wireless: It auto configures the wireless. We currently use 16 pads wireless. Very slick and easy to set up.
c. Professional slick design in very durable cases.
d. Ease of use: Even my 15 year old son could figure out how to use it in minutes.
e. Safety: Key based safety. It will let you know if more than one pad bank is selected and if it is armed, an audio signal is sent out by the pad banks to warn anyone at the pads.
3. Rating:
a. Overall: 4.75 Stars
b. Durability: 4.5 Stars
c. Ease of Use: 5 Stars
d. Flexibility: 5 Stars
e. Quality: 5 Stars
f. Cost: 4.5 Stars
This is about as perfect of a system as you can get. It is a premium system at a premium cost but with a niche market, that is expected. It works as advertised. It has met every expectation.