radio communication menu

[Aginor]

Hey y'all!

 

I wanted to talk about this because a few days ago I helped a fellow DCSW pilot with some hints on using the Huey, and it was one of the issues brought up:

 

To use the radios properly the player has to use the pilot's PTT switch on the cyclic stick, not the standard key for the comms menu (which is "\").

 

This is working as intended and brings up the communication menu.

Which radio is used depends on what was chosen on the intercom mode selector rotary switch on the central panel.

 

 

Ok, so everything is working fine, BUT:

The key used in FC3 planes for the communication menu "\" - and I think in every plane that doesn't have more than one radio PTT button, not quite sure now - is still available in the configuration menu. So when a player configures the keybinds he may see this one and not realize he has to use the other.

 

What is even worse: It does work to a certain degree. If there wasn't anything happening at all players would suspect that the key binding could be wrong and search for it. The menu opens though, and you can hear your pilot talking and see the subtitles. So what players THINK is: "There is something wrong with the ATC, it isn't answering." and they check their frequencies or suspect the mode switch to be in the wrong position, they might even think their radio volume might be turned down, but they don't realize it is a simple keybind problem.

 

It happened to me as well when I first flew the Huey, and I didn't remember it either although I think it is the same in the A-10C or the Ka-50.

 

So the questions are:

Is this "\" key of ANY use, except for simple communications?

If no: Can you rename it to "comm menu SIMPLE COMMS ONLY" or something? Or maybe even remove the standard binding? Or make it completely non-functional if "simple comms" is disabled?

 

If yes: What it is used for?

[Buzzles]

'\' is used to talk to ground crew when the power is off (alt-'\' aka PTT won't work) under non-simple comms.

[Aginor]

Hmm.... that certainly makes the matter more complex.

[DSPALLASVI]

Confused about the Comms... Never had it working properly...

Does one need to bind the pilot's PTT switch on the cyclic stick then?

And what position should the radios selector switch be on then to get to 'talk' to ATC, and hear their reply?

And what happens to the "\" switch?

I can see the 'Request For Engine Start" in the radio menu, but never hear a reply to that, when I use that option...

[Chipwich]

I wish that it were documented somewhere. I just created a mission at Batumi. Turned on and set my VHF for 131.00, distribution panel on 2 (VHF). Tried both the pilot's and operator's mic button, and the tower doesn't respond. However, hit the \ key and use the ATC menu to request permission to taxi or hover check, and the tower responds. When I get to the runway, the option to takeoff isn't there. I think that it wants you to depart at your own discretion. I checked the mission settings and simple comms are not set. At least they respond from the coms menu.