Adam

Don't think you're missing anything, but not sure why you need to start up a new aircraft either. Can't you switch your radio to "rearm and refuel" and then "request takeoff" to use the same again, or am I missing something?

This a long shot - but maybe his IP address is in your firewall filter (either router, or locally on your PC), or vise versa? Quickest way to test is to get him to connect to the internet using a different IP address to connect from to see if that works? (Depending on your ISP this may be easy or more difficult).

I feel your pain. While this is far from a good stick - but just as a left field thought - have you considered (or even heard of) Voice Attack? In short, it's software that allows you to give audible commands and assign keystrokes to it. I have it set up so I can say things such as "Fence in", "Select Sidewinders", etc and it will go through and press keystrokes that will fold the wings. There is a free profile (Baileys Voice Attack profile) I believe it's called that already has a mountain of commands available ready to use with Voice Attack that will reduce the time required on the keyboard. While it's not a HOTAS replacement by a long shot - and it's not going to help with your throttle control - it may just remove enough keystrokes when in battle to help lower the disadvantage you have to buy you some time as a low cost alternative. (And unlike buying another cheap joystick at 2x the price that you won't want in a few months time - VA can be used for a mountain of different things outside of DCS as well that you might find handy). :-)

Hi, I can see under program\mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Cockpit\Scripts there is a file called Macro_sequences.lua which appears to contain the auto-start sequence for the hornet. I'm toying with the idea of customising the startup procedure, and have a few questions: Q1. What is the best method to do this? Should I edit this file directly, or will it break IC? Or is it possible to place a copy of this file in the saved games directory that will override the file so that the program directory maintains integrity and I won't lose my script during an update and if so - where should I place this? Q2. Adding Steps Can anyone please advise what command i would need to: - add to set the RWR volume to 50% and where I should add this? - set COM2 to a specific frequency - set A/A WP to WP1 - turn on D/L and IFF Q3. Skipping Steps to speed up Lastly there's a few things I'd like to skip in order to speed up the process. I see at the top of the file that there is a constant set (start_sequence_time = 227.0). Just wondering if someone can please point me in the right direction as to how this works, or if this is a bad idea? (ie, if those steps are calculated exactly for INS alignment, etc)? I thought about just commenting out some things I don't want executed - but not sure if this will break the startup script with the start_sequence_time constant been a fixed value.

Hi, I'm interested in purchasing combined arms, but only really to play by directing troops from the F10 map. The idea I'm hoping to achieve is to fly a helicopter - use CTLD to pick up crates, haul them where I want them, drop off the troops or asset, and then give them an instruction via F10. The problem I face is that I see on the website that Combined Arms does not support VR - but I only fly in VR. I don't know much about Combined Arms at all. I think it gives the ability to view individual units in 3rd person views (possibly first person as well?) - and from what I can tell none of this is supported in VR. That doesn't bother me for my particular requirements - I don't need to view the actual units, just control them from F10 map screen if it's an option. So I was wondering - can I use the F10 map view while in VR to control troops while flying a helicopter if I have Combined Arms? Or am I still restricted even with this to have to exit the game, reload in 2D, issue my commands, and then exit again and go back into 3D? (Or is there any other 'work arounds' that people have come up with). The only other workaround I thought of is to have a second account that I buy C.A. on and I run that on a second PC - but that's problematic when I'm playing in maps other than Georgia as I have to buy the maps twice (not to mention still having to leave VR), and I'm kinda hoping there's a way of achieving what I'm wanting. I may be right off target and maybe combined arms is for something else entirely - so I thought I'd check if this is possible before buying. Cheers Adam.

For anyone else who may come across these issues - here's what happened with me: I had two installations of DCS. Stable and OpenBeta. Problem was only happening in OpenBeta. Both OB and Stable were using the same config directory. I ended up needing to create a dcs_variant.txt file in the main directory of the openbeta and typing in a single word "openbeta" in there. That then caused a new 'saved games\dcs.openbeta' directory to be created which split the two user configurations. Viacom was also using the one main directory. Make sure that you put in a custom directory where the main install (ie, not saved games) is for the session you're playing - as well as use the slider in Viacom to switch between 'stable release' and 'open beta'. Once getting all this setup correctly - things appear to be falling into place. Hope this helps someone down the track.

FWIW - Plenty of times IRL I've gone into a plane and initially it shows the altitude below sea level (at an airfield that is above sea level) - such as if the plane was last used during a low pressure cycle, and then I fly it a few days later when a high is over the top. :)

Hi, Just looking for some advise. Using the Huey "Autopilot" (co-pilot), I'm noticing that the helicopter is drifting slowly to the right, to a point where it could be 45° off course after 10-15 minutes. I know this isn't an autopilot (the Huey doesn't have one) - it's the co-pilot taking control. From what I can tell there's no option to maintain heading. When I set the autopilot it looks like I'm heading in a solid direction but I'm guessing that I'm in a very slight turn to the right. Just wondering if there's any tips/tricks to ensure that I am flying dead on a heading and not drifting right or left when I set the autopilot? I look at the TC ball and it looks to be in the center, and the DG/compass doesn't appear to be rotating (but at the slow rate it turns I know I'm not going to see it visually) - so just wondering if there's any other instruments I'm missing or tricks to maintain a good solid heading when switching over to copilot.

I had to create the dcs_variant.txt file, but after doing so I've reset everything back up, switched the slider back to OB and a quick check seems to show it behaving itself now. Thank you so much! :thumbup:

Does INS alignment set the QNH? I thought that needed to be set manually.

I don't understand why this request is being ignored. It would be extremely helpful - especially on the larger servers which I play on. Either sort, of option to filter by a particular unit so we can see only the slots 'available' for us to use. (Although I suspect sorting would be easier to implement and probably serve more useful purposes).

I can understand the frustration, and I can understand the desire to try and stop this from happening. If it's very simple to implement as an option I don't see any reason why not to have it as an option - and then the server admins can decide for themselves whether to use it or not, and us players can choose the servers that best suit what we want. (I just don't get this increasing mindset of people these days that if they don't have a problem with it - then everyone shouldn't have a problem with it and they shouldn't have an option available to them). Having options to suit our individual needs is one of the wonderful things about this life. That been said - I can see and appreciate the problem with it being implemented and unfairly causing issues for those who have crashes, dropout's, etc. My left of field recommendation is to join on servers that are well administrated. The best gaming servers I've ever been on (all games) are those that have very little tolerance for problem makers and cheaters. Where a kick is considered a warning and a ban comes quickly for those flouting the rules. I know that's not everyone's cuppa tea - but again, that's the beauty about having options and choices. :) My recommendation is to find a server that admin's like this. It shouldn't be too difficult. Lodge a complaint if you see it happening. Admin's with tacview storing info in the background can review patterns from users who do this and simply ban their UID. (UID, not name so they can't get around the issue by just changing a name). Having human intervention can mean that unfair bans aren't done to those who have packet losses, but repeat offenders are identified and dealt with. You'll probably find these servers are much more enjoyable to play on as well - you'll get much fewer deliberate team kills and it's just a better experience all over. :) I know it's not the same as having that option re-implemented and it'd be good to see this as an option anyway - but just an alternative solution to consider if you haven't already.

Great minds think alike! :) That little bird 'demo' is invaluable! If I knew about it - I would have purchased a helicopter ages ago (would probably own more now). :music_whistling: I think ED have done themselves a disservice by not including it (or any heli) as part of a demo - even if it's limited, no armaments, no sling, etc - just to get a feel for what it's like to fly a helicopter in DCS. Hopefully that demo gets more publicity and more people find out about it. So glad that you have no regrets with the Huey! She's a mix of everything - gotta keep the eye on the gauges, gotta treat her right, but you can get a bit out of her as well.

Please don't apologise for asking again! I'm wanting to go over everything and double check. And while I'm not at home at the moment - something just tweaked. I'm running OB and Stable side by side. I'm wondering if the path is back at stable and I need to reset it to OB! On top of that, I don't believe there is a seperate saved games folder for OB either. When installed it didn't seem to want to create one. Is there a way of forcing OB to use a different saved games path. (I think we're onto something here, and really appreciate your persistence with me!) :thumbup:

Reminds me of this... :)

Fantastic advise! Thanks heaps - I'll be sure to practice all this!

Did you get 2 cables with your HP Reverb? I did (a short and long one). Maybe you can try the other to see if that resolves it. That will at least identify if it's a cable issue or not? I'm not convinced it sounds like cable, but this is IT - and it can be the weirdest things that cause issues. The most recent I came across was packet loss on a PC across a network, and in the end replacing the HDMI cable resolved the issue. (And no - the HDMI cable was not being used for network), so as far as logic goes - try everything.

Hi, After a bit of playing around with my new toy (the Huey) – and loving it… and learning lots – especially about VRS! :huh: I’m finding when I try and come in with cargo and set it down I keep getting into VRS quite often. Now I’m fully aware that I’m being unrealistic with my expectations. Only a few hours on the Huey, I’m only a fixed wing pilot IRL and have very little experience with rotaries and I’m jumping in and wanting to transport cargo already – but hey – what I can I say – I love a challenge. :) The main thing is that I want to learn the correct technique at the start, and not learn bad habits. Can anyone point me in the right direction regarding the Huey and avoiding VRS (especially when transporting cargo – ie what is the correct ‘approach’). Is it best to fly lower when transporting cargo so there's less altitude to drop when reaching destination, or what is the best procedure to descend with cargo to keep it stable, get over the point (especially if it's in an area with obstacles around it) and avoid VRS? Either tips, instructions, or links to any recommended resources that I can read up, or watch that will give me the basics of what I should be attempting would be greatly appreciated. (What I’m doing at the moment seems to work some times, and end up in smoke others). Additionally, any tips that give other tips on cargo, such as how to stop ‘swinging’ loads would also be greatly appreciated on the side. Cheers Adam.

Incredible stuff - nice work and thanks for sharing with the community. Are you doing in-cockpit details as well with this mod?

Thank you! Thank you for not pushing an unstable Open Beta to stable - it's greatly appreciated! Please take all the time you need to release the stable. If I want to experiment or have the latest, I have the choice to switch to OB which you guys have graciously given. We have two versions to choose from, open beta and stable and while OB is not stable enough I prefer to keep these two as choices than to force out SB as being the same where we have no choice and have the extra bugs. :thumbup:

Precisely! You got it. That's what early release is all about. The alternative is for us to have no updates for a while, and still not be able to fly hornet, viper, etc until they're fully completed, or to have them available to us to use. The beautiful thing is that they've given us a choice. For those who like the idea of companies not providing open beta's and early releases - you can still have your cake and eat it - don't buy any early release modules, and only run stable and you've got it. :thumbup: Unlike many situations - we actually have a choice in this one :). What concerns me is when a company like ED gives us the end user an option like this (which I appreciate) and then get flack for doing so - it kinda lessens the will to give as much freedom down the track. I'm hoping those that freely choose early release - and then complain about it don't ruin it in the future for the rest of us that appreciate the option. As far as I know ED have been open and transparent about early release modules. I sometimes find it irks me to have things 'change' in the Hornet but then I remind myself that I opted in for early release, and that it comes with the territory.

Yes. I've performed both a cleanup and repair of the OB install straight after a fresh reboot (VA closed). Afterwards still seeing the same problem. Menu still switches to Interphone and back out again randomly when in the Huey. :(

I'm on the wait and see. I tend not to buy as soon as things are released. (I do enough Beta testing for my day job - happy to let someone else do the work for my recreation). If the reviews are good re the Kiowa, I'll have no problems buying it. If the reviews come back poor - I'll skip it and go for something else. Or - if something else is released prior to - it will probably have my cash if it has good reviews. I'm not an all-in, or all-out kinda bloke. I'm happy to let the dust settle and see what remains. So for me it's a combination of the release date (if anything beats it that I'm interested in), and reviews from people who actually buy it and can give first hand experience of what it's like.

I'm suspicious that one of the reasons why the Apache hasn't been done yet is simply a matter of finance. Design the Apache earlier, and would they get the same amount of sales for all the other helicopters that are available? Smarter choice is to "leave the best til last". Not saying that the Apache is the best in all situations, but if they want to milk as much funds as they can - it makes sense to gradually 'build up' than to go to the top from the beginning and I suspect that if the Apache was sold at the beginning their may have been fewer sales on others. How much fewer could only be speculated. Or I could be completely wrong. Just a guess.

I love that sort of sound advise! Nice! My 2c. What is it that you have to sacrifice in order to get it? You're not talking about a bank card - you're talking about something else that you won't be able to have if you get the card. My wife wanted to spend all sorts of extra cash on our wedding reception. Trinkets on tables that meant nothing but were going to cost us a small fortune. It was only 'burning the bank card' in her eyes and the wedding was worth it of course. However when I said that what she's spending on those useless items (as I saw it) could be converted to 2 separate weekends away for a couple of short get-a-ways throughout the next year - it gave her the perspective she needed. She opted to have 2 short weekends away later, than having extra trinkets and trash that did nothing for no one on the reception tables because 2 get aways were far more valuable than trash. While it was just figures on a bank card it meant nothing to sacrifice. When it was converted to something else - different story. So adding to @Aluminium Donkey's advise (which I think is great btw) and to put another perspective on it... what are you sacrificing in order to purchase the card that will depreciate over the next 5 years, and is it going to be worth that sacrifice for the same game just with better graphics? Only you can answer that question.