'Customized' TACAN or AWACS?

[AvgWhiteGuy]

Can anyone tell me whether I can put an AWACS on the ground at any airfield parked hot and still broadcasting a TACAN signal? Sound weird but let me explain.

I want to practice navigation, approach and landing the F/A-18 on the Caucasus map but there are only 6 TACAN stations available at this time. I want to fly the terrain more and there are no TACAN in the northern areas on the map. At first I was interested in 'creating' TACAN stations at the airfields but it seems that is either not possible or extremely complex...at least for me.

 

User 'ROWAN' suggested this idea "You could set an aircraft, like say the E-2D on the ramp with a hot start" but I have no idea how/where I set up the channel. I ultimately wanted to place multiple E2-D's at mission start if that is possible.

 

Does this all make sense and is it possible? Note this is for SP missions only.

 

The original thread is at: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=214034

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated,

[feefifofum]

Advanced waypoint actions -> perform command -> activate TACAN

 

You'll need to put something in front of the unit to keep it from taxiing out and taking off. In this past, this has stopped working from time to time and the aircraft will ignore the obstacle, ram into it, and explode.

[AvgWhiteGuy]

@feefifofum.....can't find the "Advanced waypoint actions -> perform command -> activate TACAN" unless I've got another setting for the A/C wrong.

 

See jpg attached, appreciate help

Edited June 27, 2018 by AvgWhiteGuy
clarity

[firmek]

I'm not sure if it really matters - can't check in DCS right now but rather than AWACS select a tanker with a "Refueling" task.

[feefifofum]

Use a KC-135. You can delete the refueling advanced waypoint action so you don't have a bunch of erroneous tankers in the radio menu.

[Jabbers_]

You want to practice landing, if its a airfield without a tacan, just setup a waypoint, everything works the same, you can have a course line and everything.

[firmek]

It seems there is something wrong with how TACAN works with tankers.

I had setup a tanker with an Y channel (lets say 12Y) but tested in plane using both X and Y bands, using all modes - receive, transmit and receive, AA receive and AA transmit and receive.

- Y band set: bearing but without a distance is always received despite of the mode selected

- X band set: receive and transmit receive modes don't work (no signal captured), AA receive returns bearing while A/A transmit receive both bearing and distance.

 

I tried with several planes obtaining the same results which indicates it's rather a core DCS issue. Something is wrong, though I have to admit I'm so confused that I'm not exactly sure what.

I assume X band should not work with tanker set to transmit on Y - those supposed to be a different frequencies.

Reveive mode should only show the bearing while T/R also a distance but with the TACAN station mounted on the plane, should it work in REC-T/R mode or AA REC, AA T/R mode. I thought that the AA mode is to do the trick with 63 channel separation.

[Jabbers_]

Ya tacan is messed up for AA in DCS, AA tacan should only ever show range, not bearing.

[AvgWhiteGuy]

@Jabbers, first I'm still a little unfamiliar with all the F/A-18 systems regarding navigation at this time but I did set up a flightplan with waypoints to the particular airfields.... but I did not try the courseline you mention.

One of the exercises I'm working on is to set myself 'somewhere' in the dark WITHOUT visual navigational aid (waypoints) at first. Then use TACAN to figure out where I am and where I need to go (simulating a 'shit happens' moment). I like playing these scenarios out as it might become a reality tomorrow.

 

BTW...really appreciate & enjoyed your Case 1 Recovery video...both the educational aspects as well as the humor...thanks

Edited June 29, 2018 by AvgWhiteGuy
clarity