[FIXED INTERNALLY] AWACS not contributing to datalink

[tekrc]

I have tried switching the awacs to a different plane and back as seen on another thread but I still get no indication of a surveillance aircraft on the SA page and no contacts sent over datalink. not sure what I did wrong.

 

D/L is on in the hornet

AWACS is in the air, with awacs as task and eplrs on in editor

awacs not contributing.trk

[AMEDooley]

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=233572

 

Here’s the fix

[Grimes]

Datalink functionality for AI is tied to the "EPLRS" task. In the past this task wasn't available for AWACS aircraft, thus any old mission with AWACS will need to be modified to add the task if you want to get datalink information from that unit.

[BoneDust]

I've tried all of these suggested fixes and the E2 I have scripted over the carrier does not appear on the SA page (the circle with the dot in the center). I don't believe it is sending data either because I hear the BRA calls but do not see the hostile units on the SA. I have change the unit and saved and reset it, I ensured the EPLRS is active; but I do not see any data from it or its own symbol.

 

Still trying to figure out why.

[tekrc]

Datalink functionality for AI is tied to the "EPLRS" task. In the past this task wasn't available for AWACS aircraft, thus any old mission with AWACS will need to be modified to add the task if you want to get datalink information from that unit.

 

as I said. eplrs task IS added

[tekrc]

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=233572

 

Here’s the fix

 

guessing you missed the part where I said changing and resetting the plane didnt work?

[tekrc]

it works in new missions but not when trying to add the ability to my existing missions

[Scofflaw]

it works in new missions but not when trying to add the ability to my existing missions

 

Same here. Trying to use datalink in the 5 campaign missions doesn't work for me, neither AWACS or friendlies. Works in new missions or when I edit quick launch missions.

[tekrc]

I would call 2 additional people having the same problem being able to reproduce the issue but hey thats just me I guess. well time to spend my evening rebuilding the mission from scratch again

Edited March 2, 2019 by tekrc

[tekrc]

Datalink functionality for AI is tied to the "EPLRS" task. In the past this task wasn't available for AWACS aircraft, thus any old mission with AWACS will need to be modified to add the task if you want to get datalink information from that unit.

 

you mean this (first image "eplrs.png")? its on. you can convert my track to a .miz and see the way it is set up. also as evidence a second screenshot after loading in showing the lack of awacs or data on the sa page with data on and contacts appearing so the page is working and works when I have another hornet on the network so it is not an issue with datalink itself.

Edited March 2, 2019 by tekrc

[Ramsay]

I would call 2 additional people having the same problem being able to reproduce the issue but hey thats just me I guess. well time to spend my evening rebuilding the mission from scratch again

 

The issue with your mission is the inclusion of 2 tankers with TACAN

 

• KC-135, TACAN 1Y

• KC-135MPRS, TACAN 2Y

 

... they stop the E3/Hornet datalink working.

 

Disabling both (using the late activation check box) fixed the data link.

 

 

I didn't do much investigation, but re-enabling one, but putting it on TACAN 17Y allowed TACAN azimuth and the E3-->Hornet data link to work (note - TACAN 17Y didn't give distance but I didn't check the tanker's ME settings).

[BoneDust]

I had to rebuild the entire mission, but of course now I can't get more than 4 jets on the carrier. Very discouraging.

[Zarma]

Some TACAN work, some dont. My two tankers are on 33X and 44X, D/L working fine.

[tekrc]

The issue with your mission is the inclusion of 2 tankers with TACAN

 

• KC-135, TACAN 1Y

• KC-135MPRS, TACAN 2Y

 

... they stop the E3/Hornet datalink working.

 

Disabling both (using the late activation check box) fixed the data link.

 

 

I didn't do much investigation, but re-enabling one, but putting it on TACAN 17Y allowed TACAN azimuth and the E3-->Hornet data link to work (note - TACAN 17Y didn't give distance but I didn't check the tanker's ME settings).

 

wait what? how does 2 tankers with tacan frequencies stop the datalink?

 

 

I mean if only we had one tanker that could do boom and drogue I wouldnt have this problem...

[unknown]

wait what? how does 2 tankers with tacan frequencies stop the datalink?

 

 

I mean if only we had one tanker that could do boom and drogue I wouldnt have this problem...

It's a bug, related to D/L and TACAN.

Wags said it's reported:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3817839&postcount=20

[tekrc]

The issue with your mission is the inclusion of 2 tankers with TACAN

 

• KC-135, TACAN 1Y

• KC-135MPRS, TACAN 2Y

 

... they stop the E3/Hornet datalink working.

 

Disabling both (using the late activation check box) fixed the data link.

 

 

I didn't do much investigation, but re-enabling one, but putting it on TACAN 17Y allowed TACAN azimuth and the E3-->Hornet data link to work (note - TACAN 17Y didn't give distance but I didn't check the tanker's ME settings).

 

changing the tanker tacans to 30 and 35x fixed the issue and still gives distance. now datalink flows and I still get my tankers! thanks for that

[Robin_Hood]

Could this be relevant to the TACAN / Datalink problems, maybe ?

In MIDS-equipped aircraft, TACAN functionality is embedded in the MIDS terminal (...). Because the upper antenna filter is fixed, it filters A/A TACAN frequencies on channels 1-36 and 64-99 (X and Y). A/A TACAN channels should be chosen outside of these ranges. The upper filter makes the top antenna unusable for T/R (Air to Ground) TACAN channels 1-29 X and Y, 47X to 63X and 64Y to 92Y. For TACAN channels in these ranges, the bottom antenna is the only antenna for TACAN. [This] causes reduced ranges for DME at channels within the range of the filter when flying directly away from the TACAN station.

 

 

And here's a picture that I made to summarize the affected channels.

[tekrc]

Could this be relevant to the TACAN / Datalink problems, maybe ?

 

 

 

And here's a picture that I made to summarize the affected channels.

so for the tankers, should be kept between 37-64 or 100-126? and here I thought D/L would be a simple improvement. but wow that is cutting out a LOT of the tacan channels available. guess you can just turn off d/l when you need to use them but still a bit of a drag

[Ironwulf]

I run tacan on 11Y and 12Y and am fine... I wonder if its the model of tanker as I only use KC-130, KC-135MPRS.... not the KC-135

[CarbonFox]

I created a practice mission just to test out SA. Threw in an E-3 and few hostile aircraft. The AWACS didn't appear. I swapped the E-3 for the E-2D and got the same result.

[Ramsay]

I created a practice mission just to test out SA. Threw in an E-3 and few hostile aircraft. The AWACS didn't appear. I swapped the E-3 for the E-2D and got the same result.

 

Did you add EPLRS to the AWACS in "Advance (Waypoint Actions)"

 

 

If it's an airspawn you should be good, else IIRC, you'll need to turn on the D/L and IFF on the UFC.

 

Can you share your mission or track, so we can see what's up.

 

I posted a track file from a simple practice mission with a E3 and MOOSE spawned C-101, L-39 and F-5E here -

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3818419&postcount=7

 

... you could play it and take control or rename the .trk file to .miz and put it in "Saved Games\DCS\Missions" to play/examine.

[Robin_Hood]

so for the tankers, should be kept between 37-64 or 100-126? and here I thought D/L would be a simple improvement. but wow that is cutting out a LOT of the tacan channels available. guess you can just turn off d/l when you need to use them but still a bit of a drag

Not sure the filters are removed if you turn IFF and D/L OFF ; and yes, it blocks quite a range of frequencies for A/A TACAN. Air-to-ground isn't too bad, as it will just give you reduced range in certain conditions.

However, I doubt that this is actually implemented.

[tekrc]

I created a practice mission just to test out SA. Threw in an E-3 and few hostile aircraft. The AWACS didn't appear. I swapped the E-3 for the E-2D and got the same result.

 

odd...

Edited March 3, 2019 by tekrc

[kurtz667]

Thanks changing the tacan on tankers worked for me aswell, i've been trying to fix this all day

[JTFF - Raph]

Hello you need to resave your mission (save as "another name") and delete the old one. This fixed it for us. Change the AWACS in the mission or just resave didn't work. ;)