How best to make the leap from SP to MP?

[VpR81]

Teamspeak 3 is still the best. Simply put.

 

My words. Also there are a lot of nice plugins to customize your client. Overwolf has been mentioned and i got one installed adding radio clutter. Can´t remember the name right now, but it´s realy great to have. The DCS ingame voice chat works suprisingly well. The only problem is that there is either no one using it, or ppl don´t realise to activate push to talk and have perm transmission activated. I tested this a few days ago and had a russian guy singing polka all the time while his wife was freaking out and screaming in the background. Pretty annoying though...But besides that, it looks (or sounds) promising.

 

By the way, with that avatar pic you just made me fire up DOSBox and run JF2 to down a bunch of MiG-29s with that F-23... .

 

Haha, yeah JF2 was fun. DOSBox is also installed on my comp to satisfy my nostalgia and i do sometimes have a few sorties in Eurofighter 2000 (got the WIN95 version as well) and Strike Commander... Those were the days back when flight sims sold better than any other game genre. So sad that they have become a niche product...

[VpR81]

Lot of good advice and tips. I too want to take the leap into MP. Do you use a keyboard or bind a button on your joystick to push to talk? I have the TM warthog HOTAS

 

Using the keyboard isn´t realy practical, as you would have to take your hand off the HOTAS. On coop missions with some real life friends i´m using voice activation (don´t know if discord provides that type of transmission) instead of permanent transmission or push-to-talk in Teamspeak 3, as we´re never more than 4 and mostly only 2 ppl and no one is talking over others. When playing public ArmA with 8-12 ppl in the squad, p2t is the way to go in TS3.

 

As for SRS, there is the option "Radio switch works as push to talk" wich i use. For the Warthog throttle, i have the CHB switch mapped as radio 2 and CHF as radio 1. Works great for me.

Edited March 10, 2020 by VpR81

[Raisuli]

Still no joy with SRS, and I have to wonder if the problem is the volume is all the way down. When I see this on other systems the sliders aren't pegged left. Then again, SRS isn't required, is it?

 

 

[dpgfla]

I'm also a noob and i'm going to be keeping an eye on this thread. I've been playing/learning the crap out of single player training missions for the past month but my buddy who is supposed to be learning with me (and just spent $500+ on his warthog setup) hasn't even thought about starting the game yet. At this point i'm fairly confident that the hotas he just bought is going to end up being a very expensive paper weight so I may also be looking for other noobs to fly (and learn) with very soon.

[Raisuli]

As a noob I tried Hoggit GAW...and I'm so embarrassed by my performance I have no desire to get in anyone's way there again any time soon. Darn near traumatic! Couldn't even land like I had ever flown the aircraft before, and watched the people patiently waiting at the hold-short while I screwed up yet again.

 

 

The never-ending RWR launch warning was probably not helpful, but that shouldn't have been a problem, either. I should just take off, fly a racetrack, and land. It would help if I could get SRS working, but that's being balky, too.

 

 

MP != SP. Not by a lot.

[QuiGon]

Still no joy with SRS, and I have to wonder if the problem is the volume is all the way down. When I see this on other systems the sliders aren't pegged left. Then again, SRS isn't required, is it?

 

 

 

Well yeah, if the volume is all the way down, then you will not hear anything. :music_whistling:

What aircraft are you flying? From your earlier posts I take that you fly the F/A-18C? In that case you can adjust the volumes of both radios with the knobs on the left and right side of the UFC.

 

I'm a bit confused though, because by default those volume knobs are turned all the way up and in a previous comment you said you could hear some transmissions.

[Raisuli]

Well yeah, if the volume is all the way down, then you will not hear anything. :music_whistling:

What aircraft are you flying? From your earlier posts I take that you fly the F/A-18C? In that case you can adjust the volumes of both radios with the knobs on the left and right side of the UFC.

 

I'm a bit confused though, because by default those volume knobs are turned all the way up and in a previous comment you said you could hear some transmissions.

 

 

Doesn't matter where the radio volume is; SRS volume is all the way down. Yes, I can hear AI AWACS with no issues. Works on the old machine, but not on the new one, and it also works on the F-5, but not the F-18. Mod forum suggested I go to some other service I have no real interest in learning, so I'll figure it out, or not. This really isn't the right forum for this, just part of taking that step to MP.

[QuiGon]

Doesn't matter where the radio volume is; SRS volume is all the way down. Yes, I can hear AI AWACS with no issues. Works on the old machine, but not on the new one, and it also works on the F-5, but not the F-18. Mod forum suggested I go to some other service I have no real interest in learning, so I'll figure it out, or not. This really isn't the right forum for this, just part of taking that step to MP.

Uhm, the AI AWACS has nothing to do with SRS. SRS is only for player to player voice communication in multiplayer. The AI AWACS (as well as other AI radio transmissions) works entirely within DCS and are totally unreleated to SRS.

[Raisuli]

Uhm, the AI AWACS has nothing to do with SRS. SRS is only for player to player voice communication in multiplayer. The AI AWACS (as well as other AI radio transmissions) works entirely within DCS and are totally unreleated to SRS.

 

 

Yes, but if my radio volume was all the way down it would be somewhat hard to hear the AI AWACS, yes? If I can hear AWACS I could then safely assume my radio volume was adequate to hear SRS, all other things being equal?

 

 

Those could be totally unrelated volume settings; it's important to challenge assumptions when problem solving, so maybe that was a bad assumption.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a footnote, despite being utterly humiliated by my performance the first time on HGAW, according to TacView I was batting .500 with HARMS. That does make me feel a little better...

Edited March 11, 2020 by Raisuli

[Harlikwin]

Thats why I suggested the GAW training server first :), And yeah being able to taxi/TO/Land safely are generally pre-requisites for flying online. Yeeting off missiles is secondary. :)

 

You might try the SRS discord channel for tech support. You should be able to use in-pit radio freqs and controls if you are flying the hornet, not that external popup (thats mainly used for FC3 planes). You should see a SRS display in the upper right corner of your cockpit which shows what freq you are on with which radio if your client is connected correctly. Then you have to set the freq using the UFC in the hornet. Same with volume knobs. You might just try an autostart if you weren't doing that already if you aren't familiar with how to turn on the radios.

[Pikey]

This looks like how the A-10C pilots caused much SRS support in the begining. The volume knobs on the radios defaulted to 0 and folks didnt understand how they couldn't hear on the radio because they forget to operate their radio

 

 

Raisuli - AWACS and menu comms from the game have nothing to do with SRS and player conversations. Your screen messaging from Awacs, wingman do not use your configured radio volume in cockpit. However, if you have realistic radios set, then they do observe if you have them on and tuned to the correct frequency.

However, SRS, for the complete modules and not FC3, will observe everything set in the cockpit, including volume, modulation, and often the power setting too, if the set has one. Also includes encrypted raido support where the module has it.

You probably didnt hear anyone because .. humans. And often you get humans log into SRS, ignore it and speak on Discord or a.n.other comms. And yes, one day you will call buddy spike, on the correct frequency and some dipshit will shoot you down anyway. Because... humans.

[Pikey]

Thats why I suggested the GAW training server first :), And yeah being able to taxi/TO/Land safely are generally pre-requisites for flying online. Yeeting off missiles is secondary. :)

You talk of this nirvana, sir. I'm sure the only reason there is so much bad flying is because of four button joysticks with everything mapped to "FIRE". Also you can't say that on these forums or someone will call you an elistist nerd and attack your way of life ;)

[Raisuli]

Thats why I suggested the GAW training server first :), And yeah being able to taxi/TO/Land safely are generally pre-requisites for flying online. Yeeting off missiles is secondary. :)

 

You might try the SRS discord channel for tech support. You should be able to use in-pit radio freqs and controls if you are flying the hornet, not that external popup (thats mainly used for FC3 planes). You should see a SRS display in the upper right corner of your cockpit which shows what freq you are on with which radio if your client is connected correctly. Then you have to set the freq using the UFC in the hornet. Same with volume knobs. You might just try an autostart if you weren't doing that already if you aren't familiar with how to turn on the radios.

 

 

*sigh*

You are SO right about the takeoff/landing thing. Normally my only problem is overshooting the base leg (because carrier landings cause bad habits on the ground and all that). The only volume knob I seem prone to forget is the one that keeps the wings attached (I think it's labeled "RWR"). I did that, too.

 

 

 

It's too bad OBS wasn't running, because that landing (not the one where the wings were gone) was just THAT bad. Had another aircraft on the left downwind while I was on right, and without comms I went long to let him turn base. RWR symbology was messing things up, turned into my base too close to him and almost hit the ground on the go-around...it was SO awful...

 

 

I checked discord, got some ideas why one machine works and the other doesn't. Deleted a bunch of files, uninstalled, and reinstalled. After I mail the two sets of taxes due on Sunday I'll give it another shot.

 

 

I tried Hoggit training, by the way. No problems at all, other than the comm thing. Start up, took off, did a few canyon runs, decided I was all that.

 

 

 

Schooled I have been!! :smartass::pilotfly::joystick:

[Raisuli]

You talk of this nirvana, sir. I'm sure the only reason there is so much bad flying is because of four button joysticks with everything mapped to "FIRE". Also you can't say that on these forums or someone will call you an elistist nerd and attack your way of life ;)

 

 

I have HUNDREDS of buttons mapped to 'Fire', you elitist nerd! :D

 

 

[Harlikwin]

I have HUNDREDS of buttons mapped to 'Fire', you elitist nerd! :D

 

 

 

Man thats a hell of a setup for offline play.

[maxTRX]

Hey Raisuli, it would be nice to throw some sort of projector dome or half-dome on top of all this:thumbup: I'm on VR and still waiting for some descent interface junk... and new headset too, don't know which one yet.

 

What stick are you using?

[Raisuli]

Man thats a hell of a setup for offline play.

 

As it turns out that rather over-the-top simpit I made is the problem. SRS uses MIDS A and MIDS B volume settings rather than COM 1 and COM 2. It gets its frequency settings from COM 1 and 2, though. For me this is potentially a good thing, because (yes) MIDS volume is mapped to axis and (yes) they were all the way down. I also have AUX mapped. Hey, it's in the cockpit, I made a control for it. I have controls for everything in the F-5, too. Among other things.

 

 

In any event I can control the volume for the AI stuff and SRS with separate controls. Until and unless the MIDS radio voice channels become important that's a nice distinction now that I know about it. Given SRS works I'll probably try HGAW again tomorrow, and hopefully step on fewer toes in the process.

 

 

One wonders if the guy who wrote this knew about that. Took me a few hours to find it.

 

 

 

Well...offline might be the way of the future, because SRS and I aren't getting along. It's saving settings somewhere hidden, because all the DCS/saved game folders are clear but it remembers things.

(Hunted all those hidden files down and dropped high-drag bombs on them, re-installed without any saved settings, same problem. Time to give up and figure out how to kill the AA Site from Heck offline. 6 SA-10 launchers, 2 Buks, 5 Tors. 8 HARMS fired, no harm done)

I made a video of what it's doing since explaining it seems so hard. you can see the frequency change when I change radio frequency, but volume changes have no effect.

 

 

Hey Raisuli, it would be nice to throw some sort of projector dome or half-dome on top of all this:thumbup: I'm on VR and still waiting for some descent interface junk... and new headset too, don't know which one yet.

 

What stick are you using?

 

 

Virple Warbird with a 7.5cm extension and a T-50CM2 grip. I know, soviet grip in an American aircraft; I can probably go to heck for that...

Edited March 12, 2020 by Raisuli

[maxTRX]

...Virple Warbird with a 7.5cm extension and a T-50CM2 grip. I know, soviet grip in an American aircraft; I can probably go to heck for that...

 

soviet?! come on, you'll be fine. I'm thinking about putting an extension on my stick (Warthog). There's only so much I can do with the curves. I'm cool with the way I have it set up right now: moderate response within an inch or so, then it goes to max on a steep curve. OK for BFM... just have to go easy with gun aim.

:doh: Forgot, this thread is about MP, SRS and so forth...

[Raisuli]

Report from the Front

 

Since I got SRS working this is what I would tell other newbs giving MP a thought, speaking as a newb, and by no means an expert at any of it. I played on Hoggit's Georgia at War server simply because it's PvE and I know the Georgia map the best. I can imagine PvP is worse, because everyone else there had me outclassed in ways I can only imagine.

 

 

 

First, the sensory overload can be overwhelming. There's a lot going on with multiple engagements all around. The RWR launch warning is almost never silent, even while cold starting at the airfield. You have conversations on multiple radios, not to mention the AI occasionally piping in with BRAA calls, instructions to park, or permission to take off. If you're lucky enough to have a human AWACS you get fun bits like 'request picture' followed by the picture, followed by 'I don't really know where the bullseye is'. There's always humor to be found if you listen for it.

 

 

Know your aircraft, and at the very least be able to taxi, takeoff, and on a good day land. All of that needs to be second nature, because the noise and traffic make those long final approaches you did offline impossible. Be able to do break-turns on to base. Make sure throttle control is automagic. There are too many other distractions for you to have to think about any of that. If you don't know the aircraft well you're going to struggle to keep up, and getting behind makes landing unnecessary.

 

 

Be able to do all that in any conditions. Day, night, weather, people shooting at you, people pissed off and wanting to shoot at you, people who don't know which runway is active. It's all there.

 

 

Put simply, MP rocks. The learning curve is probably going to be as steep as it was when you first took off in DCS, but I think it's going to be worth it. There are several areas I need to improve, and that taste of MP showed me what order I need to work on them. I've got some learnin' to do, but I'll be back!

[Notso]

Since I got SRS working this is what I would tell other newbs giving MP a thought, speaking as a newb, and by no means an expert at any of it. I played on Hoggit's Georgia at War server simply because it's PvE and I know the Georgia map the best. I can imagine PvP is worse, because everyone else there had me outclassed in ways I can only imagine.

 

 

 

First, the sensory overload can be overwhelming. There's a lot going on with multiple engagements all around. The RWR launch warning is almost never silent, even while cold starting at the airfield. You have conversations on multiple radios, not to mention the AI occasionally piping in with BRAA calls, instructions to park, or permission to take off. If you're lucky enough to have a human AWACS you get fun bits like 'request picture' followed by the picture, followed by 'I don't really know where the bullseye is'. There's always humor to be found if you listen for it.

 

 

Know your aircraft, and at the very least be able to taxi, takeoff, and on a good day land. All of that needs to be second nature, because the noise and traffic make those long final approaches you did offline impossible. Be able to do break-turns on to base. Make sure throttle control is automagic. There are too many other distractions for you to have to think about any of that. If you don't know the aircraft well you're going to struggle to keep up, and getting behind makes landing unnecessary.

 

 

Be able to do all that in any conditions. Day, night, weather, people shooting at you, people pissed off and wanting to shoot at you, people who don't know which runway is active. It's all there.

 

 

Put simply, MP rocks. The learning curve is probably going to be as steep as it was when you first took off in DCS, but I think it's going to be worth it. There are several areas I need to improve, and that taste of MP showed me what order I need to work on them. I've got some learnin' to do, but I'll be back!

 

So how does this work? Are you part of a flight? Are you given mission specific orders to takeoff and strike a target? Is there a briefing for you and your flight? Are there airspace deconfliction measures? Is there an ATO so you know who is doing what and where?

 

Or do you just takeoff on your own and go hunt for TOO's or fighters to shoot down?

[Raisuli]

So how does this work? Are you part of a flight? Are you given mission specific orders to takeoff and strike a target? Is there a briefing for you and your flight? Are there airspace deconfliction measures? Is there an ATO so you know who is doing what and where?

 

Or do you just takeoff on your own and go hunt for TOO's or fighters to shoot down?

 

On the server I used there was a menu to list the available missions. Nobody is directing traffic; you can go play at whatever you want to do to your hearts content. SEAD, ground attack, there was quite a bit of air-to-air going on (29's triggering launch warnings on RWR constantly). There was a GCI who COULD direct traffic, however.

 

 

 

Typically people call into the GCI and ask for tasking based on their loadout. I generally run SEAD because I can, and who doesn't like playing chicken with an SA-10 site?

 

 

 

Also because there's a whole lot of SA required to avoid hitting a friendly in a BVR fight, and I'm not confident enough to do that on-line yet. Once you send a -120 or a -9 off the rail it does what it wants to do. An AIM-7 is on a tighter leash, but I've never actually fired one of those yet. Scary thought. Most of my A2A time off-line has been spent using guns, and I'm not great at it.

 

 

My other problem is identifying ground targets at jet speeds, but I can generally hit them. Solo. Without anyone else around that might get run into.

 

 

It's a whole different game when there are other aircraft around. Now I understand the problem and can really start learning this sim. :book:

[maxTRX]

On the server I used there was a menu to list the available missions. Nobody is directing traffic; you can go play at whatever you want to do to your hearts content. SEAD, ground attack, there was quite a bit of air-to-air going on (29's triggering launch warnings on RWR constantly). There was a GCI who COULD direct traffic, however.

 

 

 

Typically people call into the GCI and ask for tasking based on their loadout. I generally run SEAD because I can, and who doesn't like playing chicken with an SA-10 site?

 

 

 

Also because there's a whole lot of SA required to avoid hitting a friendly in a BVR fight, and I'm not confident enough to do that on-line yet. Once you send a -120 or a -9 off the rail it does what it wants to do. An AIM-7 is on a tighter leash, but I've never actually fired one of those yet. Scary thought. Most of my A2A time off-line has been spent using guns, and I'm not great at it.

 

 

My other problem is identifying ground targets at jet speeds, but I can generally hit them. Solo. Without anyone else around that might get run into.

 

 

It's a whole different game when there are other aircraft around. Now I understand the problem and can really start learning this sim. :book:

 

If I'm in the mood for chaotic airquakes, gunzos, perhaps some impromptu form flying or refueling... sure, I might jump into some online server, it could be fun.

For any type of semi-realistic combat ops with planning, teamwork, clearly defined roles, comms (all of which require some standardized training) you need to join a squadron that fits your expectations... Thare are groups out there that just socialize, chat and goof around while blowing s#@t up and that's plenty of fun. Then... there is the other side of the spectrum:D

In my opinion you have to hook up with some group that fits your expectations to get the best experience in military type of sims/games.

[Notso]

If I'm in the mood for chaotic airquakes, gunzos, perhaps some impromptu form flying or refueling... sure, I might jump into some online server, it could be fun.

For any type of semi-realistic combat ops with planning, teamwork, clearly defined roles, comms (all of which require some standardized training) you need to join a squadron that fits your expectations... Thare are groups out there that just socialize, chat and goof around while blowing s#@t up and that's plenty of fun. Then... there is the other side of the spectrum:D

In my opinion you have to hook up with some group that fits your expectations to get the best experience in military type of sims/games.

 

Yep, the smaller, more choreographed and realistic MP stuff is what I'm looking for.