markturner1960

Thanks, very useful, but not quite what I was ;looking for....which was the DCS JTAC specific radio menu command tree and how the sequence will go depending on which situation, what the options are at each stage, why you wont get a type 2 sometimes, how the AI thinks and works etc . A lot of that I have figured out over the last few days, but still some gaps.....its strange that ED dont document this and leave it to people to try and figure by trial and error etc...whats wrong with some detailed instrcutions on how to get the best out of the product you buy?

getting there with figuring out how it works and its peculiatities.....one thing: How important is it that you position yourself exactly as he says? Bear in mind I am , for this scenario in a staionary helicopter. I also noticed that I get quite a wide range of differing sized avenues of fire...one time I got 0 - 260, another 280 - 290.....why is this? @GrEaSeLiTeNiN tried your mission briefly but could not get my missiles to guide on the laser......should have more time over the next few days to try agin and see what I was doing wrong......

As I have come to understand a little more about the pros and cons of each, over the last couple of days, at this stage, not much! Of course the advantage of the ME JTAC is the pretty reliable and cool radio stuff, which STTSRS seeks to emulate, but thus far it appears too tricky to implement. For me at least! And, thus far once set up and now I understand more about how to do this for reliable results, it’s actually pretty good. What started me looking at the 3rd party script route was the lack of clarity about how and why the ME JTAC worked - initially it appeared the CTLd script was better documented and maybe easier to use. And with STTSRS tacked on, maybe did what the ME did, better. However, this is probably not the case now. Also now I have had a glimpse into how scripting works, I have a curiosity about it also like to not get defeated by a problem !

OK, thanks, interesting.....does the new MOOSE still contain the JTAC autolase function? And is this something behind the scenes, or on general release? As I dont see mention of this in the CTLD thread? Thank you

HI, I had a go at getting these all working yesterday, ( with a view to only using the JTAC part of CTLD initially) primarily assisted by two very able and capable script writers, ( interestingly, both of whom preferred using their own scripts to avoid issues exactly as we encountered..!) but had mixed results. We spent a LOT of time trying to figure it out but I wondered, maybe a post here might shed some light and save us further wasted time.....so my questions are: Does the JTAC script within CTLD work reliably and if properly set up, without issues? Are there any limitations on working alongside other scripts? Which versions of mist & CTLD should be used together and which not? STTSRS has not been updated for 3 years, does it work reliably with mist & / or CTLD currently as versions of these have moved on since? Finally is there any particular things to look out for or avoid when setting up and using that might be giving us issues? Thank you!

BTW, discovered while trawling the ME bugs section that there is a bug currently with calling JTACS…..not sure if it is specific call sign related but it may be clouding the waters here as well…….

I do have the map and would love to take a look, as I was looking into these same scripts earlier…..May need to ping you for some clarity on instructions tomorrow if that’s ok? Will look tomorrow……not sure I understand completely what you mean though? Sorry!

Hi, thanks, I think I have tried that - I added several FAC assign group actions, each for different targets. However, it does not tell you anywhere how this works...IE, does it only select the first target in the list and what are the criteria for how it marks the target, what happens if you return "unable to comply" - does it move to the next target on the list? Etc etc I have found if you set an enroute task of FAC first, this can interfere with anywaypoint actions added after. FAC means that it will decide what targets to assign you, you have no choice and no choice in the designation type etc. So kinda answered my quesion, but leaves me with more!

Is this superceded by the new explosions in DCS and is it still compatible?

Hi, I am currently learning the JTAC in relation to my Apache missions. I have carefully been through the manual and there is no section in there relating to this specifically in particular the various command Tree flow and options and how these work etc. Is this published anywhere or does anyone have knowledge of how this works please? Some of it is obvious but lots is less so and I am having a frustrating time setting it up in my missions and getting it working properly due to the lack of information I can find. In this tutorial here they are using a script....has this been superceded by latest releases in DCS of better functionality? Or do I need to look into this as a better alternative..? Thanks

I have an update with progress and have it partially working. I can sucessfully contact both JTAC now ( My error in set up was issue) The Reaper drone I just set FAC and it does it's thing, it gives me a type 3 & I can guide missiles using its laser. I dont fully understand all the JTAC commands and options and how they work, but I imagine these are in the manual, so will check.... However, when using the same procedure with my ground based JTAC, I get a Type 2 & "cleared to engage" and my missiles do not guide. I am unsure if he is actually lasing. I have placed them right near the enemy, made invisible and weapons hold. Trying to understand why one works and the other does not......enclosed a track for the unsuccessful Georgian hammerJTAC2.trk

Hi, thanks...OK, I have made a test mission, which works perfectly, JTAC lases, missiles hit all targets. An important difference was that in the test mission, after the readback, I get the "IP inbound" & "Laser on" dialogue, which I dont in my main mission, in that, I just get "cleared to engage" from the JTAC ( why the difference, what causes that situation?) and the my only option is "attack complete" etc. I tried checking with the NVG, but gain was too high, so will adjust the mission time so its darker. But I guess the JTAC did not lase as the missile did not guide. I have attached the mission itself and also a track. Thanks for helping me with this

OK, I have progress insofar as I have my JTAC working (but not the reaper drone yet) and can contact him and go through the whole 9 line procedure, ending with cleared to engage. He is set to lase target using 1688 in the ME. I have WAS'd my laser hellfires, LST code is set A, A is 1688 in the set up. I have TRAJ set to Hi ( tried LO as well) I am aligned with the target, the missile is showing code A & R, but I am not seeing "remote" in the TADS...unsurprisingly, its not tracking when I fire the missile whgich following the guide here at minute 5, I should be. I have also been following Wags video from last year here: Which has a really clear description, but goes about it differently, by using LST auto mode on the TEDAC. I have tried this as well and get the tads performing its 4 bar scan but it never picks up the laser. I am somewhat limited in my ability to fault track whats happening as I cant see any way to check if the JTAC is actually lasing....which may be the issue. As I am pretty sure I followed both tutorial procedures properly ..... So, A) How do I check if teh JTAC is lasing? & B) why dont I get the "remote" notification in the TADS? C) Anything else I may be missing? One final question, have not mooved on to teh reaper drone acting as JTAC yet, but is its laser affected by clouds? Or is this not implemented yet? Thank you

Thanks , I will double check those settings. pretty sure the LOS thing was not a factor, as I deliberately set him on the highest hill overlooking the town and was not getting any red LOS errors.... So remaining to understand, is how, if I set several targets for him to " FAC engage group" in advanced actions, how he prioritises these ( In the order you set them?) And how he moves from one to the next.....or can he lase them all at once? (Obviously not realistic or possible in reality but I wondered if DCS might treat it like that) Finally, can you have more than one JTAC without issues? Thank you for the advice and help

Do you think that it is because I am within 10 miles of the JTAC that I am not getting the options? Watched a Grim reapers tutorial and in that he mentioned you dont get IP Inbound until 10 miles.....I am starting well within that.....? In which case is it possible to get the target lased by a JTAC without starting greater than 10 miles out? If that were the case, still does not explain why they dont reply in the small test mission I uploaded earlier though.... Edit, no its not, moved my apache to 12 miles away, JTAC still wont respond when called

Hmmm....been fiddling with my main mission and now I dont get either JTAC responding to my radio calls. As its a large complex mission and difficult to upload, I made a small test mission using a similar set up. I have attached it. I cant get the JTAC to respond to my call....I press my radio transmit after checking its the correct freq ( 133AM in this case), choose "JTAC -Axeman" from the radio menu and then "Checking in for 15 mins" then I get nothing....which is exactly what happens in my big mission. I have just spent about 2 hours trying to figure it out ( You tube, manual etc) `......but am stumped. Could someone take a look and see what I am missing? Thank you....must admit I do enjoy making missions and learning, but it can be extremely frustrating!!! AH-64D JTAC Test.miz

errrrr..no? The options I get when I press the radio transmit go as follows: ( I first tune the radio to the frequency I set the JTAC to in the ME which in this case is 133AM) JTAC> F1 joint terminal attack controller (SSS), F2 "Deathstar" ( Other JTAC I choose F1 and then I get range of options for checking in for 15, 20, 30 60 minutes I choose one ....dont see the options you mention?

I have brought the Chinook, as I have brought pretty much every module and terrain as well as numerous campaigns, as I feel it is important to support ED in this niche and difficult market sector......However, that said, I do feel somewhat that people like me are getting a little taken advantage of with the EA thing and sheer amount of time it takes for a module release to move from EA to feature complete........some, this never happens. I think a maximum of 2 years would be reasonable, but when we are in the situation of 4 years and counting for the SC and the Harrier is not even finished 6 years later, to name just two, these timescales are really too long. That said, the Apache & Viper have had regular and substantial updates along the way which is great, no complaints there ( Well, maybe one biggy regarding the flight model for the Apache, which badly needs improving....) so credit where its due. I used to run my own construction business for many years and I always found that clients respected and accepted the (almost inevitable) delays & issues if you were honest and open with them and gave them RELIABLE dates and information. The same should apply here, to avoid ED pissing off the loyal and supportive customers. So I hope the essential logistics features follow shortly along.

Hi, Have managed to sucessfully carry out buddy lasing with another Apache and am now trying to use a JTAC as well. I set my (see enclosed picture of ME settings) and gave him several groups to lase, chose designator etc. I can contact him OK and get the nine line read backs etc but had no luck getting a laser hellfire to guide on his laser. He has LOS and no red errors show in the ME. I set my code the same for LST in the Apache, but did not get the "remote" in the TADS... Have I missed something? Also, I gave the JTAC multiple targets, how does he cycle these ? Also, do you have to use the radio procedure to make him Lase? And how can you tell he is Lasing? Thanks

I have set up an MQ9 drone to lase some targets however, it seems only possible to assign it one group or unit. Is it possible to get it to move to another target and then another as each are destroyed ? And if so, how would you do that please? Thanks

I am having the same issue...been away from the Harrier for a while and just refreshing myself. I honestly do not remember it being this bad before, has anything changed ? To the extent where it is hardly useable. The image quality is TERRIBLE and 90% of the scale in contrast & Gain is useless, it only becomes even remotely useable in about 10% of its range. Switch to FLIR and its not really any better........ Whats going on? And yes, I have tried playing with the Special section sliders, they dont make any difference to the useable range - they just set the default position so you dont have to mess about so much when first using. Dont have these issues with the TPOD in the Hornet or the Lantirn in the Tomcat...........

Great, thank you. Will take a look at this tomorrow morning

Hi Needz, well, not sure what I have done wrong, however, I deleted the 2 triggers I was previously using. Then, for the ground chatter I set the JTAC humvee to transmit a message on 30.00 AM as an advanced waypoint action and chose the same sample I was using previously. Then I did the same for the air chatter, on 124.00 AM ( By the way I tried using AM and FM for both and neither worked) using one of the AI Apaches. I could not hear any transmission when I tuned the radios to those freq's. Could I trouble you again to look at what I have done and put me straight? I have uploaded here, again with the test samples rather than the actual chatter audio, which make the file too large to post Georgian hammer - Test.miz

Sure, here

Thanks for the suggestion - I think Needz has got a solution in the Apache forum thread I started. Yet to test myself though. I do have the Huey and love it!