I just tried to download  a C application compiled with gcc-avr and uploaded with avr-dude. No use of Arduino 0016. This simple application just write on the serial port (USB/serial) some datas. It works like a charm.

So, definitely, it looks arduino0016 has something wrong with Arduino mega and serial port.  

My arduino mega does not output anything on its link to the PC.  I tried the Ascii matrix example program, nothing in received on the console window of Arduino software.
What is strange, is that the USB link to the mega is working as I can download and run applications on it.
This Ascii matrix example program works fine with a Arduino duemillanove.
I use the Arduino software version 16.
Is there anything special to do on the Mega for the setting of the serial port 0 ?
Any idea ?
Olivier

Great.
So it should be simple to connect 4 wires to ADC4-7 and then set the jtag fuse. I need now to find out if the gnu gdb can serve as jtag debugger Thanks

Hello,
Is there a way to connect a JTAG probe for debugging on the Arduino Mega ?
Thanks

see my blog,
 http://effetdebord.blogspot.com/2009/05/short-howto-build-of-rchv2.html

hello,

1/ yes, I use Xbee in transparent, just like a modem
2/ potentiometers are read on interrupts, when conversion is done. Meanwhile, data is written on serial port.

Few more updates on my blog.
Has anyone tried to use the code and do something with it ?

I have updated my blog with more details about the hardware and the code to download.
Have fun,

I forgot to add the cost of the Xbee Shield. It is approximately an additional 40$ which makes a total of 180$.

"How difficult would it be to make this bi-directional, and how much bandwidth is left over? "
Making communication  bidirectional is easy, but probably  not very efficient because of the acknowledge.

Regarding bandwith, for sure there is still some space for other datas. However I am sure about the current data loss I have. I am under the impression that the more the bandwith is high, the more there is character loss. This is one of the reason why I added to my protocol a crc to check data integrity and to avoid this problem.

"if this works out cheaper than a normal 2.4 Ghz radio set ..."
A xbee pro is approx 40$ and you'll need at least 2. Then add the arduino + wee 34$+20$  + hardware and you'll be at 140$ or more. It seems that you can buy 2.4Ghz small plane for that price.  So I doubt that you can't find cheaper.

"I noticed on your website that you had your first flight! Congratulations, it seems to work nice! "
Yes I did yesterday. The plane flew with no suprise even while I was flying far away. This is encouraging to continue developments.

Yes, you are right this is exactly an RC transmitter/receiver using Arduino.
On transmitter  side there is: Arduino Diecemilla + Xbee Pro
Or receiver side there is: Sparkfun Wee + Xbee.
Trasmitter takes input from joysticks (4 currently) and send it to the Xbee.
Receiver takes data from the Xbee and control servos through regular pulse.
I used my own protocol between the 2 Xbees. It allows many possibilities with high precision, at least 10 bits per channel.

Regarding interference risk, there are pretty low. First Zigbee is already used in some radio systems (XPS for instance). Then, when it starts, the Xbee choose a "free" channel, and then emit with its own PanID on that channel. This greatly limit the risk of collision between 2 transmitters.

Regarding Range, the XBee pro allow more than 1km range. I have not tested myself, but so far it works fine as you can see on one of the video on my blog.

Thanks for your interest.
Yes, I will put the code hex  on my blog soon. It's written in c/c++ and you'll need avrdude to download it.

Here is my first version of an RC transmitter/receiver based on Arduino.

The transmitter uses an Arduino Diecemilla, the receiver use a Sparkfun wee. The wee (Sparkfun) is smaller and lighter than the  Arduino to better sit in the plane.  
Transmission is done with Xbee Pro modules in 2.4GHz.
You can see more details and photos on my blog:  http://effetdebord.blogspot.com/

Hello,
Does someone knows a way to connect a JTAG interface to the Mega ? Even if some addtional wires are needed I would be interested by any solution.

gloooooops,
file system check for several hours.... this looks more than strange!
Does it means that they have only one server available ? Are data replicated somewhere ?
What happens if the server disk crash, the complete Arduino web site is  lost (forever) ?
Why not miroring the Web site on some other servers  ?
Olivier