ILEC SN10 Sources

The ILEC SN10 is manufactured and sold by ILEC Gmbh, in Bayreuth, Germany.
The ILEC web site is the primary source for the current manual and software:
http://www.ilec-gmbh.com/
In North America, ILEC products are sold and supported by:
Knauff & Grove
Cumulus Soaring
For Australia and New Zealand: ILEC Australia
Dealers in Other Countries

ILEC SN10 Current Software and Documentation

Quick links to the most recent software and documentation:

Unified Windows Installer for SN10 and SN10B, for Win95 and later, including 64-bit Windows (not for DOS or Win 3.1) Unified Installer version 2.36
Installer for SN10B (for DOS, Win 3.1, all 32-bit Windows, but not for 64-bit Windows) Installer version 2.36B
Installer for (original low-resolution screen) SN10 (for DOS, Win 3.1, all 32-bit Windows, but not B model, not for 64-bit Windows) Installer version 2.36
ZIP of all SN10 and SN10B software (for manual installation on non-Windows OS) ZIP collection
SN10 demo program which includes an animated illustration of the GPS wind page (not for 64-bit Windows)
SN-10 manual (English pdf)
SN-10 Handbuch (Deutsch pdf)
See the links below for the SN10-USB-Adapter documentation and software updates

Experimental Software version 2.37x1

This is tested, but not thoroughly flight-tested. Feedback appreciated !

Unified Windows Installer for SN10 and SN10B, for Win95 and later, including 64-bit Windows (not for DOS or Win 3.1) Unified Installer version 2.37x1
Installer for updated SN10B demonstration program (Win95 and later, including 64-bit Windows) ILEC SN10B Demonstration version 2.37x1. Also useful for checking your NDB files and airspace on the PC.

ILEC SN10 Service

In the unlikely event your ILEC instrument needs to be returned to ILEC for service, please carefully follow these shipping instructions to avoid delays in service:
Checklist for ILEC Instrument Shipping.pdf

TE Compensation

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about Total Energy compensation. Faster is not better ! Rudy Brozel (designer of the ILEC TE probes used world-wide) wrote this classic paper explaining TE, and how to test your installation:
Brozel article on TE_Compensation

ILEC SN10 USB adapter

With the ILEC SN10 USB adapter, a USB "thumb-drive" "memory-stick" can be used to save flight logs, load new site information into the SN10, and load new SN10 software versions - no more carrying a laptop to the glider, searching for the SN10 PC-cable, or fighting with cranky USB-to-serial adapters. See:
ILEC SN10 Manual supplement for USB adapter

Updating the USB adapter software

Download the file ILEC SN10 USB adapter software ZIP and unzip it onto a memory stick (you should see ILECUSBA.HEX). Follow the update instructions in section 10.5 of the USB manual supplement above. The link above points to the most version of ILECUSBA.HEX. Updates to the USB software are detailed below.

USB adapter software update 6-August-2010

Some DOS and Windows text editors stick a DOS-specific control character (ctrl-Z) at the end of a file. The USB adapter, as with many of us, was surprised and confused by this ctrl-Z, and the SN10 displayed an error "USB-NDB Error, Line 554, unrecog. record" with the line number pointing to the last line of the file. This update of the USB-adapter software (not the SN10 software) ignores the ctrl-Z - update the USB adapter software as described above.

USB adapter software update 18-May-2010

The SN10 got pretty excited when presented with a USB memory stick requiring too much power. To stop getting the warning message "USB stick requested too much power", it was not only necessary to unplug the stick, but to turn the SN10 off and on again and clear one last warning. This software update calms it down, only one warning ! Thanks to JJ for bringing this to our attention and sending me a stick that actually requested more than 100ma. A tenth of an Amp should really be enough power, but there are some el cheapo sticks out there that ask for more... This bug is in the software within the USB adapter (not the SN10 software) - update the USB adapter software as described above.

USB adapter software update 3-February-2010

We found a bug that caused some NDB files not to load properly (only some NDBs without airspace information). This bug is in the software within the USB adapter (not the SN10 software) - update the USB adapter software as described above.

Talking to your ILEC SN10

ILEC SN10 pilots who haven't yet installed an SN10 USB adapter use a laptop to upload turnpoint and map data to the SN10, and to download flight logs from the SN10. Most pilots have no problems, however...

Use the ILEC PC-cable !!

You must use the ILEC PC-cable to connect a PC to the SN10. The wrong cable will typically short out various SN10 signals and power supplies, causing the knobs and buttons to stop working, and possibly damaging the SN10 and/or the PC. The ILEC PC-cable looks like the picture at left.

Do not plug a USB-serial adapter directly into the SN10 or panel cable.

Do not use a "standard" serial cable, or the cable you found underneath the desk in your clubhouse, or you will have problems.

My PC doesn't have a serial port...

The elimination of "real" serial ports on many newer PC's has resulted in some pain and suffering.
Find which USB-to-RS232 solutions work, how to use a Mac instead of a PC, and what to avoid here:
Talking to your SN10 via a USB Port

For help in using a PocketPC instead of a PC, Paul Remde has provided assistance here (Thanks Paul !):
ILEC SN10 Transfers with PocketDOS

Volkslogger flight declarations with ILEC SN10

Several people have had badge applications denied because of a missing aircraft registration in a Volkslogger flight log. If you are using a Volkslogger with an ILEC SN10, please follow the instructions below.

IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE THE "AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION" WILL BE BLANK IN YOUR LOG FILE, AND YOUR BADGE OR RECORD CLAIM MAY BE REJECTED.

To declare a flight for an IGC badge or record, you will need to fill in the "Aircraft Registration". While the ILEC SN10 can declare the task, pilot, and contest ID to a Volkslogger, you must fill in the aircraft registration (N number) using the Volkslogger directly.

(1) Using the 3-buttons on the Volkslogger, enter your aircraft registration number. This is under the menu:
FAI > EDIT > INFO > AIRCRAFT-REG
(2) IMMEDIATELY erase the flight recorder memory:
ACT > MEMCLR

Paradoxically, erasing the Volkslogger's memory is what permanently saves the current FAI info.
If you do not erase the memory after entering the registration, the next time you declare a task from the SN10, the aircraft registration field will be BLANK !

Note: "Declare Task" does NOT save the aircraft registration permanently ! You must ACT > MEMCLR !

Once you've performed this procedure, you will never need to re-enter the aircraft registration in the Volkslogger - it will be permanently saved.

Please lobby your SSA Regional Director and our IGC representative to use common sense when homologating badge and record claims. The aircraft, pilot and competition ID in the flight log, plus an official observer's signature should be enough !

ILEC SN10 Technical Notes

The following are technical notes to help create software and services that work with the ILEC SN10.

ILEC SN10 PDA Support

The ILEC SN10 optionally produces output to drive an in-cockpit PDA. This output is used by some popular PDA software. Here's how it works:
ILEC SN10 PDA Support

ILEC SN10 Airspace Support

The ILEC SN10 displays a moving map including airspace features. Starting with airspace information in Tim Newport-Peace's format, the information is translated into the SN10's internal format and appended to the NDB file. Using utility software we provide, this is performed automatically by some popular PC programs and web sites, including StrePla and John Leibacher's World-Wide Turnpoint Exchange. Here's how the process works:
SN10 Airspace Support