Newbie struggling with multiplayer

[Ronin]

Hi Everyone,

 

Hoping someone can assist an old noob!

 

I've had DCS for about a week, I installed 1.5 and have been flying the F15 in single player mode - wow, things have really moved on since I played my last flight sim, F22 by DiD in 1998, lol.

 

I'd really like to play multiplayer, however I just can't seem to join a server, clearly I'm doing something wrong.

 

Here's what I'm doing; click multiplayer option, look for a server which isn't locked and has a ping below 200. Click join, wait for a couple of minutes, once the multiplayer screen appears I click players pool which takes me into another screen, I see my callsign although it doesn't have a plane assigned to it. I think I'm in spectator mode, although all I can see is a helipad and grass, no planes.

 

I would be really grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

[Mud]

Hey Ronin,

 

While I don't have much multiplayer experience myself. I think you just have to select an open slot (ie: the plane you wanna get into) and the click briefing at the bottom.

[Scottvdken]

Which server specifically are you trying to join? I know some servers require you to perform one or two additional steps to be assigned to a "side". I would highly recommend the Open Conflict server (if you can find an open spot). It is well structured, and very beginner-friendly.

[QuiGon]

If you join a server the first thing you should see is a screen with all the available aircraft. Pick one and your callsign will apear next to the aircraft. If, for some reasons, you can't see the screen I'm talking about, hit ESC and click on "roll selection" (if my memory serves me correctly).

 

Edit: If you're trying to join the BlueFlag-Server you need to type the side you want to join in chat (eg. "blue"), before you can take an aircraft slot.

[Ronin]

Guys,

 

Thanks for the pointers, I finally managed to join a server this evening.

 

I do have another questions are you able to communicate with other players? I can't seem to get the radio to work.

[Looney]

Most servers use Teamspeak 3 for their communications. If you want to use it within DCS, you'll need a plugin, usually UniversRadio.

 

DCS Simpleradio standalone can also be used without the need for Teamspeak.

 

You'll find all these programs with google and in the Mods and Apps part of the forum.