Newbie question

[husker37]

I purchased this module probably a year ago or so (my first) and am finally getting to start it. From the outset, I am using the game (not sim) mode. I know what will all say, but give me time.

 

Once I mapped all my buttons, etc. I started one of the easy Instant Actions. When I completed everything, it asked me to contact the JTAC on 131, which I did to receive a new sortie. However, I am unsure on where to go after that. Nothing showed up on my map, and there was no new waypoints, etc.

 

Any help?

[Berndt Mangler]

it asked me to contact the JTAC on 131

 

Yes, I don't have a link to one, but there are great u-tubes on doing JTAC missions, Google this and watch a few, I found one that turned on the light for me..

 

Not in that mission, but its possible to kill his targets, unwittingly. he will not even respond to the request. like he's mad at us or something. but still find the U-tube, its about going through all the radio coms, he is likely waiting on you to F1 in the comms window. ultimately he will send you a tasking to be wilco'ed in the TAD U-tube will explain it all, sorry I don't have a link to one.

Edited April 21, 2014 by spokejocky
Thought I'd mention

[Ganesh]

Hhmm.. JTAC normaly sends at VHF FM (the neares Radio to your seat) usually between 30 - 40MHz

131Mhz is VHF AM radio, in this case a Airfield (Batumi).

But i dont´t know, are radios even operable at GameMode?

What kind of mission do you play?

edit:

spokejocky says it: Ytube is full of examples and tutorials, take a look ;)

Edited April 21, 2014 by Ganesh
edith

[kontiuka]

I'm not sure about game mode but for sim mode there's a whole back and forth between you and the JTAC that needs to occur before you see the target on your TAD. Then after the target appears, there are some more steps.

 

To get an idea, read the section "JTAC Engagement Flow" around p.646 of the manual

[Berndt Mangler]

To get an idea, read the section "JTAC Engagement Flow" around p.646 of the manual

 

This is good feed back, well done. the tubes will help validate what you read here.

 

131Mhz is VHF AM radio, in this case a Airfield (Batumi).

 

The incoming sound is a file of its own, it has no Idea what channel the JTAC is on, only the person who knows is whom recorded it. it is possible for the sound recording to not jive with the JTAC radio task.

 

I know how to check it, but I need it in front of me to explain it. I'll look when I get in "The Pit" tonight, I'll then need to post a retraction when I find the task is in fact 131, I seem to recall 131 is correct.

[Drunken_Skull]

Firstly, you may want to try the game out in sim mode.. It only gets better that way, and it's not that much more complicated than game mode. That way others might be able to help you out, as most of us see "game mode" as a form of sacriledge.

 

Secondly, try checking out the Wiki for tutorial info; http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=75982

[hcf]

In the "smerch hunt" mission, you had two JTACS. First was on VHF FM, second was on AM.

 

The first was also a leatherneck in an HMMV, and the second was a desk jockey remote controlling a predator. For some reason, the leatherneck gave better 9-line than the predator...there is probably an inverse correlation between comfort and 9-line completeness... Anyway.

 

So I think radio frequency is a red herring here.

 

Manuals and YouTubes, sure, but if you call JTAC and they don't answer, you either have the wrong radio or just try again (I have to repeat radio calls sometimes, don't know if that's bug or Sim). If they still don't answer, and you have simple radio disabled, you're on the wrong frequency; find the radio you can tune to 131, it is probably half hidden by the throttle. Or enable simple radio controls - it will change radio frequency on demand.

 

If he did reply, he gave you a 9-line (or said there's no tasking good job, go home). You need to call back ready for remarks, he tells you his daughters favorite azimuth, then you copy and read back the 9-line...call inbound...and so it goes.

 

You can read the manual or just toy with the radio menu to get an id a for the back and forth.

[Berndt Mangler]

Both Easy quick missions have JTAC, and have Frequency set to 131 in there advanced Tasks..

[husker37]

I hear what you guys are saying about sim mode, but it is too much for me right now.

 

I did go through the whole process of the back and forth with the JTAC - 9 line, inbound, etc.

 

I just don't know "where" to go....

[Drunken_Skull]

A good JTAC tutorial video;

 

Edited April 22, 2014 by Drunken_Skull

[kontiuka]

I hear what you guys are saying about sim mode, but it is too much for me right now.

 

I did go through the whole process of the back and forth with the JTAC - 9 line, inbound, etc.

 

I just don't know "where" to go....

 

Do you get to the point where you see a flashing red triangle on your TAD screen? That is your target location.

[Berndt Mangler]

There are several ways to plot a target, this one is a digitally received message from JTAC, he sends a 9 line, then in the end sends you "DATA". this is SIM only not Game. I can only help in SIM. you not going to get much help up here with Game mode.. nor with the u-tubes.

 

I think this is the tube I learned with

[kontiuka]

Maybe provide a track.

[Berndt Mangler]

If some one don't make one for you, I will around 20:00 EDST, you will not see it for quite some time, and it will be in SIM mode. I'm a little embarrassed though, my plane is a bit of a mess right now, you know Kids, Pets, Beer cans.. It's not pretty...

[hcf]

Not everyone can watch YouTube videos (I like to read this forum on the bus to work), so I'll try to summarize in text.

 

On the 9-line he calls out a location in MGRS (letter, letter, 6 numbers). Later, they sometimes send you this point on J-link, so it shows up as a red triangle on the TAD map. Slew TAD cursor over it (not mouse cursor, look for slew keybindings if you don't have HOTAS), TMS up short to hook it, TMS up long to set as SPI. Now you can China Hat forward long and your TGP will point at it.

 

I think it's good habit however to copy down the location they say, and make a waypoint there because sometimes they don't provide J-link. Get your right MFCD onto the CDU page. On the keypad in front of the HUD, hit FUNC then find the key under marked WP. Click waypoint on the CDU (it actually doesn't matter which of the options on CDU you pick). On the right one of the OSB buttons is next to an integer number, with a symbol, I think a question mark. Click it to create a new waypoint. On the lower right, click the OSB marked L/L to switch to MGRS mode. Now, on the keypad in front of the HUD, you can pick the LTR button and pick out the first two letters off the number pad - it works like cellphone SMS. Hit the JKL key once to get J, twice to get K, etc. Then the six numbers. Then apply it to the waypoint by hitting the lower left OSB - it's right next to the scratchpad you just entered. You're not done yet; on the right console under the CDU (a display showing what your MFCD was repeating), there is a knob with markings for FLT PLAN, MARK PNT (or something), and MISSION. Turn it to mission. Cycle the waypoint by your favorite means (DMS up down with HUD SOI, Steer point switch, the rocker on the dash) until the one you created comes up. It'll have the default name MSN001, and it'll be the number you clicked on to create it. This makes your new waypoint the nav's steer point.

 

Now finally you can China Hat aft long to slew the TGP to aim at the steer point. You should see your targets.

 

I like to make the waypoint for the 9-line while he reads it off. So I have it setup ready to take MGRS before I call in. If I fat finger it, then I get a second chance to copy it down when I copy the 9-line back to him. And you can always call to repeat tasking. This way, if they don't provide the point on J-link I'm still ready to go, and when the J-link point disappears I can fall back to my WP.

 

 

Even in game mode, I'm not sure I'd call DCS a game. Good luck tho.

[kontiuka]

You can also create a waypoint from the TAD page which I find useful. Once you've hooked the location (red triangle), you can make it a waypoint with OSB 16 or 17 (can't remember exactly). Saves you from having to manually key the coordinates. However, the 9-line with the coordinates is also stored on the message page of the right MFCD in case you need them.

[kontiuka]

Anyways, I'm going to try contacting JTAC in game mode tonight. See if it works for me.

[kontiuka]

I tried this with game mode and easy communications. I can communicate with JTAC and he gives coordinates but there is no data link so nothing shows up on the TAD. It seems the only option is to key in the coordinates manually into the CDU to create a new waypoint. This maybe a little advanced if you only want to play in game mode.

[Berndt Mangler]

If some one don't make one for you, I will around 20:00 EDST.QUOTE

 

Pshew, I was afraid some one would see my messy A-10. I have not tracks for you, sorry. I'm enjoying my 4 screen setup and the track seems to follow only my #1 monitor. I can fix this but it will not help you like the answers your getting from other and the U-Tubes..

 

Best of luck dude, I'll bail out of possible solutions for you..

[AtaliaA1]

Firstly, you may want to try the game out in sim mode.. It only gets better that way, and it's not that much more complicated than game mode. That way others might be able to help you out, as most of us see "game mode" as a form of sacriledge.

 

Secondly, try checking out the Wiki for tutorial info; http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=75982

 

GAME MODE AND INVULNERABLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN FAST.

 

This is not logical. No one wants the frustration of starting over and over after being killed 9 times in the same spot, till you figure out that you need to duck at just the right time. In game mode you watch the track after your mission and see what mistakes you've made. Missile avoidance is best learned by watching what happened when you try what ever evasive tactics you wish. Then see if it works if not use another method but restarting the software every time you want to learn something is just not logical. Especially if the reason for restarting the Sim. (9 times) is just to say "I play on Sim. Mode". Sure some high school kid will think this is "Cool" but He will be for ever learning "Hands On".

 

Realizing that Psychologists have studied and concluded there are 2 ways to learn "Mental" and "Physical". So those Physical learners need game mode. It doesn't mean they are less capable than others. Just logical enough to realize restarting the sim every time they aren't successfully avoiding a Sam is time consuming and unnecessary if your goal is to lean to play the sim.

 

 

What others think about this learning method? would be interesting topic on new members learning methodology.

Edited April 23, 2014 by AtaliaA1
Game Mode and Involnurable is best way to learn quick

[husker37]

I tried this with game mode and easy communications. I can communicate with JTAC and he gives coordinates but there is no data link so nothing shows up on the TAD. It seems the only option is to key in the coordinates manually into the CDU to create a new waypoint. This maybe a little advanced if you only want to play in game mode.

 

I really appreciate you looking at this. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. As I said, just really starting to get into this, I just don't have tons of time. I know, this may not be the game for me.

[Toolboy77]

I know, this may not be the game for me.

 

If you love sims then this is definitely the game for you.

 

The great thing about sims is that you can learn at your own pace...and the forums here are a goldmine of info for sim pilots of all levels wanting to learn & better themselves.

 

After the birth of my son, I went from a few hours per day of sim time to a couple of hours per week!

 

My learning now consists of pretty good planning when I'm not flying so that when I do sit in that chair I have most of the info in front of me.

 

Have a search on Youtube, for JTAC tutorials, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcJ8mlMF7qg for example ) there are a few I watched and after about 10 mins I had it all sorted out...it looks and sounds complex but it isn't.

 

Once you do learn it, you then have another ability in game to enjoy instead of just finding your own targets!

 

:thumbup:

[AtaliaA1]

If you love sims then this is definitely the game for you.

 

The great thing about sims is that you can learn at your own pace...and the forums here are a goldmine of info for sim pilots of all levels wanting to learn & better themselves.

 

After the birth of my son, I went from a few hours per day of sim time to a couple of hours per week!

 

My learning now consists of pretty good planning when I'm not flying so that when I do sit in that chair I have most of the info in front of me.

 

Have a search on Youtube, for JTAC tutorials, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcJ8mlMF7qg for example ) there are a few I watched and after about 10 mins I had it all sorted out...it looks and sounds complex but it isn't.

 

Once you do learn it, you then have another ability in game to enjoy instead of just finding your own targets!

 

:thumbup:

 

Absolutely Correct Toolboy77.

 

Headspace has some great youtube videos on JTAC and the TGT Pod. a must view for newbees in DCS.