M2000C Radio

[baltic_dragon]

Hey,

 

The manual is not giving away too much information about radio use. I managed to get the VUHF radio in manual mode on 125.000 but I can't transmit on UHF nor change the frequency manually. Could anyone shed some light on how to use both radios properly? Many thanks!

[nomdeplume]

UHF radio appears to be presets only, you can adjust the frequencies in the mission editor (you can also adjust the V/UHF radio pre-set channels in the mission editor).

 

The HOTAS controls category has "Main Radio Select" and "Aux Radio Select" options for selecting the radio in use, and then you just use the "Communication Menu" hotkey to open the comms menu. i.e. this aircraft seems to use the "transmit on pre-selected radio" paradigm, like the Ka-50, rather than individual MIC buttons for each radio.

 

The default keybinds are LShift + Num+ for main radio, and LAlt + Num- for the Aux radio. Comms menu is \.

 

IIRC the UHF-only radio is the "main" radio and the V/UHF radio is "aux", but I might have that backwards. When you open the Comms menu it'll say at the top which radio is active. (Edit: Zeus said elsewhere thathe V/UHF radio you can manually set the frequency on is the main radio.)

 

I probably don't need to tell you of all people :), but for everyone else: in the mission editor, if you select a Client or Player M-2000C aircraft, you'll see a little radio beacon icon alongside the waypoints/payload/etc. settings, which you can use to configure the pre-set channels. These options aren't availalbe for AI-controlled aircraft, which just use whatever frequency they're told to.

Edited December 28, 2015 by nomdeplume

[baltic_dragon]

Thanks! I assumed the radio would work like in the Hog, but after having a closer look I also found a switch that is probably used to select the radio on which you transmit. So the only thing left to figure out is how to change the presets for the UHF, I am sure it can be done from the pit...

[Kayos]

Hopefully the multiplayer servers start setting the comms channels then :)

[Yurgon]

Excellent question, great answer! Just wanted to ask about the same thing, but this got me on the right track. Thx! :thumbup:

[504smudge]

I'm still having an issue with this, even selecting main or aux still transmits on VHF

[grunf]

Is there a clickable button to switch between the two radios?

[XeNoise]

What i still don't get about those radios. Will we be able to talk to eachothers once it will work, or only through teamspeak plugin? Or is it only about ingame communications? (Atc, awacs and so on)

[OnlyforDCS]

Im using easy comm's and pretending that Im hitting all the right buttons. I also pretend that the clicking sound is the chronometer. Yeah I have an active imagination ;)

[XeNoise]

Im using easy comm's and pretending that Im hitting all the right buttons. I also pretend that the clicking sound is the chronometer. Yeah I have an active imagination ;)

for me easy to ignore once the engine started.:megalol:

[simo1000rr]

Can somone please explain in details how to use the radio and what it is it used for ? is it t o talk to other player or what ? Im used to flying the FC 3 aircraft so to contact the tower for landing or take off i simply press ( \ ) how do i do that in the Mirage 2000 ? please help

[XeNoise]

Can somone please explain in details how to use the radio and what it is it used for ? is it t o talk to other player or what ? Im used to flying the FC 3 aircraft so to contact the tower for landing or take off i simply press ( \ ) how do i do that in the Mirage 2000 ? please help

 

Same but sometimes you won't get an answer at nellis. In that cse you can set it on manual and frequency 125.0

In that way you will get an answer. For the rest im in your same situation, passionate f-15 pilot. Hope someone will answer.

[simo1000rr]

Same but sometimes you won't get an answer at nellis. In that cse you can set it on manual and frequency 125.0

In that way you will get an answer. For the rest im in your same situation, passionate f-15 pilot. Hope someone will answer.

 

me too im a passionate F15 pilot but now im loving the m2000 . how do you set the radio to 125 and after that what you should do is there a menu you have to open after you set the radio

[nomdeplume]

The radios are only for in-game communication with AI via the communications menu. That basically means ATC, AWACS/GCI and tankers. DCS does not include voice communications for players, and never has. I have also not seen any indication that ED have any intentions on adding it in the forseeable future.

 

However, there are plugins for TeamSpeak that integrate with the game systems and allow players to experience 'realistic' radio communications. These plugins basically tag all voice transmissions with the frequency that it is being transmitted on, as well as the location of the transmitting aircraft. When a player speaks in the channel you're in, the plugin will mute anyone who's audio does not include tags saying it is being transmitted on a frequency you have a (working) radio tuned to.

 

The plugins also often add additional immersive effects, such as degrading the quality based on distance, and badly degrading or completely silencing transmitters where you don't have line of sight (e.g. behind a large hill).

 

The ones I know of which are actively being developed are UniversRadio by the people who make the LotATC add-on; and Aries Wings Radio. I haven't been keeping up with them but I'd be surprised if either supported the Mirage-2000C this early.

 

Back to in-game usage: my recommended way to use these is to bind the "Main radio select" and "Aux radio select" commands (in the HOTAS category) to a controller if you can; otherwise you might want to add a more convenient keyboard shortcut (defaults are LShift+Num+ and LAlt+Num-). Also bind the "Communications menu" button (in the Communications category), which effectively is your push-to-talk button (default keybind is \).

 

To communicate with in-game assets, first you need to set the radio to the appropriate frequency. In a well-designed mission, these will be in your mission briefing. You can also get ATC frequencies from the F10 map by clicking on an airport (this info has been massively improved in a recent update). To change the frequency, use the controls on the front of the left side panel. The Mirage-2000C has two radios as mentioned, the V/UHF radio which is the "main" radio, and a UHF-only "auxilliary" radio. The V/UHF radio has presets or you can set the frequency manually; just mouse-over the controls and the labels will tell you what they do. The UHF radio only has presets, which can be configured by the mission designer. You can also refer to page 83 of the manual for an annotated diagram of the controls. Of note is the V/UHF radio's mode selector, underneath the manual frequency selector, which as positions "M", "P" and "G". "M" will use the manual-specified channel, entered using the rocker switches to the left of each digit in the frequency display. "P" will use preset channels, which are selected using the big squareish knob to the right. "G" is presumably the guard channel, which is a specific frequency used for distress calls.

 

Next, for the Mirage 2000C, you need to select the radio you want to transmit on. This is done with the "Main radio select" and "Aux radio select" buttons discussed above (a rocker switch on the throttle in the real thing, IIRC). Then you push your PTT to "speak", which in game terms means opening the communications menu (\, or your assigned button) and selecting the appropriate menu option.

 

If you use a TeamSpeak plugin, it will typically integrate with the aircraft in the appropriate way. For aircraft like the Mirage and Ka-50, the pilot has a single push-to-talk button which allows them to transmit on whatever radio they have selected as their active radio (they will always hear transmissions received on both radios, but only transmit on the 'active' one). For aircraft like the A-10C, the throttle has 3 push-to-talk buttons, and the pilot can talk on any radio just by moving the mic switch to the corresponding position to start transmitting.

 

If you do a lot of online flying, you might want to set your communications menu button to require a modifier key (especially if you already use a modifier), as this will allow you to use your PTT button to speak to other players, without constantly opening the communications menu, while still making the comms menu easy to access when you need it.

 

Note that this description applies when you have 'realistic comms' enabled, i.e. the "Easy Communication" gameplay option is disabled. If you have easy comms enabled, selecting an item from the comms menu will automatically switch the frequency of the appropriate radio to whatever frequency the asset is listening on.

 

Another feature of the game is communications messages from allied (AI) flights. They report passing waypoints, enemy sightings, and engagement information. Each flight has a single frequency (assigned by the mission designer) that they (optionally) transmit this information on. The mission designer can change this frequency during the mission, as well. You'll only hear these messages if one of your radios is tuned to the appropriate frequency.

 

Again, well-designed missions will tell you the frequency or channel pre-set required to listen to other assets. Some missions will just use the default frequencies with the expectation that you won't change them.

Edited December 28, 2015 by nomdeplume
More info about the comm controls

[simo1000rr]

The radios are only for in-game communication with AI via the communications menu. That basically means ATC, AWACS/GCI and tankers. DCS does not include voice communications for players, and never has. I have also not seen any indication that ED have any intentions on adding it in the forseeable future.

 

However, there are plugins for TeamSpeak that integrate with the game systems and allow players to experience 'realistic' radio communications. These plugins basically tag all voice transmissions with the frequency that it is being transmitted on, as well as the location of the transmitting aircraft. When a player speaks in the channel you're in, the plugin will mute anyone who's audio does not include tags saying it is being transmitted on a frequency you have a (working) radio tuned to.

 

The plugins also often add additional immersive effects, such as degrading the quality based on distance, and badly degrading or completely silencing transmitters where you don't have line of sight (e.g. behind a large hill).

 

The ones I know of which are actively being developed are UniversRadio by the people who make the LotATC add-on; and Aries Wings Radio. I haven't been keeping up with them but I'd be surprised if either supported the Mirage-2000C this early.

 

Back to in-game usage: my recommended way to use these is to bind the "Main radio select" and "Aux radio select" commands (in the HOTAS category) to a controller if you can; otherwise you might want to add a more convenient keyboard shortcut (defaults are LShift+Num+ and LAlt+Num-). Also bind the "Communications menu" button (in the Communications category), which effectively is your push-to-talk button (default keybind is \).

 

To communicate with in-game assets, first you need to set the radio to the appropriate frequency. In a well-designed mission, these will be in your mission briefing. You can also get ATC frequencies from the F10 map by clicking on an airport (this info has been massively improved in a recent update). To change the frequency, use the controls on the front of the left side panel. The Mirage-2000C has two radios as mentioned, the V/UHF radio which is the "main" radio, and a UHF-only "auxilliary" radio. The V/UHF radio has presets or you can set the frequency manually; just mouse-over the controls and the labels will tell you what they do. The UHF radio only has presets, which can be configured by the mission designer. You can also refer to page 83 of the manual for an annotated diagram of the controls. Of note is the V/UHF radio's mode selector, underneath the manual frequency selector, which as positions "M", "P" and "G". "M" will use the manual-specified channel, entered using the rocker switches to the left of each digit in the frequency display. "P" will use preset channels, which are selected using the big squareish knob to the right. "G" is presumably the guard channel, which is a specific frequency used for distress calls.

 

Next, for the Mirage 2000C, you need to select the radio you want to transmit on. This is done with the "Main radio select" and "Aux radio select" buttons discussed above (a rocker switch on the throttle in the real thing, IIRC). Then you push your PTT to "speak", which in game terms means opening the communications menu (\, or your assigned button) and selecting the appropriate menu option.

 

If you use a TeamSpeak plugin, it will typically integrate with the aircraft in the appropriate way. For aircraft like the Mirage and Ka-50, the pilot has a single push-to-talk button which allows them to transmit on whatever radio they have selected as their active radio (they will always hear transmissions received on both radios, but only transmit on the 'active' one). For aircraft like the A-10C, the throttle has 3 push-to-talk buttons, and the pilot can talk on any radio just by moving the mic switch to the corresponding position to start transmitting.

 

If you do a lot of online flying, you might want to set your communications menu button to require a modifier key (especially if you already use a modifier), as this will allow you to use your PTT button to speak to other players, without constantly opening the communications menu, while still making the comms menu easy to access when you need it.

 

Note that this description applies when you have 'realistic comms' enabled, i.e. the "Easy Communication" gameplay option is disabled. If you have easy comms enabled, selecting an item from the comms menu will automatically switch the frequency of the appropriate radio to whatever frequency the asset is listening on.

 

Another feature of the game is communications messages from allied (AI) flights. They report passing waypoints, enemy sightings, and engagement information. Each flight has a single frequency (assigned by the mission designer) that they (optionally) transmit this information on. The mission designer can change this frequency during the mission, as well. You'll only hear these messages if one of your radios is tuned to the appropriate frequency.

 

Again, well-designed missions will tell you the frequency or channel pre-set required to listen to other assets. Some missions will just use the default frequencies with the expectation that you won't change them.

 

really thank you for the explanation now i get it . :worthy:

[Yurgon]

nomdeplume, excellent post! :thumbup:

[Strut]

Very good explanation Nomdeplume, another method is using Voice attack, but that is another program u need to learn, its easy and when you have it working its great to use. Basically Voice attack activates controls by Voice command, for example in the Huey i press my Voice Attack Switch and say " Gunners Hot" and they are then free to fire at any enemy, they also answer me back by saying "Roger That" so i know they acknowledged my command. I use to open / close doors, set the rockets and mini guns etc etc. I also use it on the 109 to tell the ground crew to start the inertial starter by saying "Start it up". And other aircraft for "ground power on / off.

 

You can use it for radio's but you need to find the structure of what command you want to accomplish. Just another suggestion.

[Yurgon]

Very good explanation Nomdeplume, another method is using Voice attack, but that is another program u need to learn, its easy and when you have it working its great to use.

 

Absolutely, Voice Attack is awesome! :thumbup:

 

Just to avoid some potential confusion: Voice Attack doesn't dial frequencies or select radios (unless the commands are set up to do that). It's an awesome addition in order to be able to speak commands into a microphone that then get translated into the appropriate button presses for DCS, but the player still needs to set up the radios correctly. :smartass:

[Kayos]

Can you set the frequency manually and have it work on multiplayer servers or does the admin have to set the pre-sets?

[nomdeplume]

Can you set the frequency manually and have it work on multiplayer servers or does the admin have to set the pre-sets?

The frequencies for the pre-set channels are part of the mission file. It's not "admin-related" at all.

[joker62]

Sorry, but I want to know where in real M-2000 is positioned the push-to-talk button. In the manual is only written how to enable communication (default keybind is \).

Thanks in advance.

antonio.

[xjiks]

There's no push to talk because there's no VOIP integrated to the game.

the \ keybind is to have the comms with tower, awacs, jtac, tanker not to talk with other human players

 

(use teamspeak to talk other humans)

[IvanK]

This is how I think it works . Switch 14 (Manual pg 82) has 3 Settings M P G , M is for manual allows you to set manual freqs and then transmit on the manual freq. P is for preselect this allows you to transmit on any of the selected pre coded freq. each pre coded freq (STUD) is selected using the rotary item 16 in the manual. G is Guard this allows you to quickly get on to Guard (243mhz) and receive and transmit on that.

 

There will be a separate method to tune a freq to a preselect.

[rrohde]

I also pretend that the clicking sound is the chronometer. Yeah I have an active imagination ;)

 

That's what I thought initially too!

[baltic_dragon]

I'd still advise turning easy comms off - much more immersion and fun with realistic ones!