Advanced configuration
LCDs are a convenient way to display multiple numeric values on one output device. The following steps demonstrate how to use a display to show multiple radio values from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Note
This guide assumes prior knowledge of creating output configurations. To learn how to create a basic radio output configuration, see the 7-segment display output configuration guide.
Add output configurations for each value
Use the output tab to create one output configuration for each value to display on the LCD. For example, create rows for the COM1 and COM2 active and standby frequencies.
Each output should have the Sim Variable tab configured for the desired value. The Display tab should be left blank.
![Screenshot of the output tab in the main window four output configurations defined for COM1 and COM2 active and standby frequencies.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/output-config-four-radios.png)
Create an LCD output configuration
Add an output configuration for the LCD with a description of the output, for example Radio value display. Click the button with three dots in the Edit column for the row to edit the configuration.
![Screenshot of the output tab in the main window with the edit button highlighted in red.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/output-config-highlight-edit.png)
Add config references to an LCD output configuration
Add a new output configuration for the LCD, but do not select a variable on the Sim Variable tab. Instead, click the Add Reference button on the Modify tab.
A new reference to an existing output configuration will be added. If the selected reference is not one of the radio values configured in the previous step use the dropdown to select the correct output.
![Screenshot of the output tab in the main window with one output configuration defined for the COM1 - Active output configuration.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/com1-active-reference.png)
Add the remaining references
Repeat the previous step three more times to add config references to the remaining three radio values.
![Screenshot of the output tab in the main window with four output configurations defined for COM1 and COM2 active and standby configurations.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/all-references-added.png)
Tip
Write down the characters associated with each config reference for use in later steps.
Select the board and device type for the output
On the Display tab, use the Module and Use type of dropdowns to select your connected board and the LcdDisplay device type.
![Screenshot of the display tab in the output dialog with a board and LcdDisplay type selected.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/display-tab-output-selected.png)
Select the device
Use the Display dropdown to select the specific display to use.
![Screenshot of the display tab in the output dialog with LcdDisplay selected in the Display dropdown.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/display-tab-device-selected.png)
Format the display output
Replace the Text section sample text with the values to show on the display. Use the placeholder symbols from step four to indicate where the digits should be placed, and include a decimal at the appropriate location.
![Screenshot of the display tab in the output dialog with the Text field filled with COM1 active: ###.###, COM1 stby: !!!.!!!, COM2 active: ???.???, COM2 stby: @@@.@@@.](/devices/lcd/advanced-configuration/screenshots/display-tab-formatted-output.png)
Close the dialog and try it out
Click the OK button to close the dialog, then spawn an airplane in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Make sure the MobiFlight Run button is clicked in the toolbar, then verify the display shows the four frequencies.