Problem using UTM/MGRS coordinates

[jfri]

In a user campaign Operation Save Badger I'm supposed to enter coordinates for a SAM site in UTM format.

So I follow instructions on page 460 in the manual.

First I'm supposed to start a turn and engage the autopilot on ALT. Here I encounter the first problem. The autopilot doesn't engage even if I press the AP engage button (on TM Hotas Warthog).

And when I follow the instructions and enter the coordinates given think it is LP08456450 and the set it as waypoint it's so far always situated a long away from the ordinary waypoints. If I try also to include 38T in the given coordinates I get a CDU error message.

[Lucky]

The map grid 38T is entered just above where you enter the coords. I'm not in front of my PC so don't know exactly what button it is. Change the map grid to 38T then enter your coords

[319th.Reaper]

For autopilot I believe the main system you want to have activated is the EAC ( Enhanced Attitude Control system ) located bottom left of you throttle panel next to the ALT switch.

 

I believe the SAS switches also need to on ( Pitch&Yaw ). ( Make sure your pit set-up is done correctly - would be my message here :-) )

 

As Lucky says, the grid needs to be changed to 38T which is a separate entry i.e. you do not input the UTM in its entirety meaning, you need to update the grid separately ( look for the line 37T ( CDU Left LSK 2 or 3 ? ) then insert the UTM "LP08456450" after which you press LSK4 to update.

 

Before you do anything, make sure you have selected UTM and NOT Lat/Long via Right LSK4. If the CDU page does not display any UTM grid data, you are most likely still in Lat/Long mode.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited April 11, 2016 by 319th.Reaper

[Jowen G. Bruère-Dawson]

For AP, check : NAV mode ON, EGI ON, SAS ON and EAC On

[jfri]

For autopilot I believe the main system you want to have activated is the EAC ( Enhanced Attitude Control system ) located bottom left of you throttle panel next to the ALT switch.

 

I believe the SAS switches also need to on ( Pitch&Yaw ). ( Make sure your pit set-up is done correctly - would be my message here :-) )

 

 

Before you do anything, make sure you have selected UTM and NOT Lat/Long via Right LSK4. If the CDU page does not display any UTM grid data, you are most likely still in Lat/Long mode.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I have done all these things

[Yurgon]

Check out this tutorial, it should answer most of your questions:

 

 

There are some small inconsistencies, but all in all it's a pretty good tutorial, and if you follow it closely, it should get you going.

 

Regarding the ominous 37T vs. 38T, I always find that this image makes things pretty clear:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator_coordinate_system#/media/File:Utm-zones.jpg

 

In "Save Badger", the player flight starts somewhere near the coast in grid 37T, and the target area is located in 38T, that's why you have to set the grid zone designator first, or your coordinate will be waaaay off.

 

I also recommend reading up on the Military Grid Reference System and the Universal Transverse Mercator which MGRS is based on. If you intend to fly a lot of DCS, this is really good knowledge to have. :thumbup:

[StrongHarm]

Great post and references Yurgon. Jfri, to reinforce your understanding, after going through Yurgon's material, take a look at this GoogleMap in MGRS. As you zoom into 37T, you'll see LP. As you zoom into LP you'll see the numbers on the bottom and left (eastings and northings) start to change. Viewing it from this perspective gives you a good practical example of how the grids are organized in MGRS.

[paulca]

ALT mode will only engage if you are in a level turn.

 

Make sure the autopilot switch is sync'ed, move it back to ALT/HDG and down to ALT again after you enter the cockpit to be sure.

[Gliptal]

Also, you need full alignment for the AP to work: 3.9 0.8 won't work.

[jfri]

Also, you need full alignment for the AP to work: 3.9 0.8 won't work.

 

What do you mean by full alignment ?

What does 3.9.0.8 refer to ?

[jfri]

As Lucky says, the grid needs to be changed to 38T which is a separate entry

 

After doing this I think the position is correct. Still after selecting the new waypoint and slaving sensors to SPI (China hat forward long) I couldn't see any SAM in the TGP

[Gliptal]

What do you mean by full alignment ?

What does 3.9.0.8 refer to ?

I'm referring to the INS alignment during startup. First number is seconds passed, second is precision.

 

After doing this I think the position is correct. Still after selecting the new waypoint and slaving sensors to SPI (China hat forward long) I couldn't see any SAM in the TGP

That's probably due to the broken FLIR. Try a texture pack like Barthek's.

[Yurgon]

Also, you need full alignment for the AP to work: 3.9 0.8 won't work.

 

IIRC the sim will allow full autopilot functionality with significantly lower INS alignment values. This should only become relevant when GPS doesn't work for whatever reason, but I'm not sure if INS drift is even modeled in our A-10C.

 

Anyway, it's good practice to wait for full INS alignment during a cold start, but AFAIK there won't be any downside if the player skips a bit of the alignment process by switching it to NAV mode or moving the aircraft before the alignment has finished (however, interrupting the alignment too soon will definitely prohibit EGI and autopilot, just not sure what the minimum required value is).

[Gliptal]

I was playing the scramble mission in TEW the other day, and couldn't get the AP to work after 3.8 0.8 alignment. It worked as soon as I finished another in air alignment though.

 

Either a fluke, or maybe they changed something lately?

[Yurgon]

I was playing the scramble mission in TEW the other day, and couldn't get the AP to work after 3.8 0.8 alignment. It worked as soon as I finished another in air alignment though.

 

Either a fluke, or maybe they changed something lately?

 

I had troubles in that exact same mission as well, but I'm pretty sure I did something wrong while lead was forced to eject during take-off, shells were exploding all around me and I was furiously flipping switches in the wrong order just trying to get off the ground ASAP. ;)

[baltic_dragon]

Well, that mission is not exactly the best example of one when you should be doing a full alignment ;)