SRS and Discord Users

[cptmrcalm]

New comers to the SIM might be able to take something worth while from this and i'd like to think this might help.

 

This is mostly aimed at PVP servers such as those running “Through The Inferno”.

 

As I get more and more familiar with DCS and more competent with the systems I realised that half of my problem was Situational Awareness.

 

Not so much where I was on the map, but where the bad guys were and where the good guys were and most important of all – where I needed to be.

 

I found that communication played a HUGE part with this situational awareness and that helped my survivability.

 

The incidents that I have witnessed (blue on blue) have been because of no communication between the two, not to mention other problems with communication when trying to be effective as possible.

 

(might sound a bit rich coming from me because this is something I have been guilty of in the past! Woopsie! But we all gotta learn right!)

 

SRS is fantastic. Simple and easy to use. Its also quite immersive to use the radios properly in game. I love the radio effect applied to the voices as well. Turning volume knobs in game and having it raise or lower the pilot voices. Radio channels for in flight chatter. Excellent. Right?

 

Right?

 

To my horror, I see people flying and they are communicating on discord! - not SRS!.

 

The problems this causes is often huge.

 

I get that some people have social issues and prefer not to communicate. I get that people have their own circle of friends and want to just have a bash and not to take things too seriously.

 

I get it. It is, after all, a bit of fun.

 

All I would say is, if you want to use discord -fine. But please at least listen in on SRS so you can hear what other pilots are doing and what the Human awacs is advising.

 

At least this way, they aren't oblivious to the bigger picture and at least everyone will get a better sense of what is going on.

 

Just a thought of the day is all.

[Alpenwolf]

+1

[=475FG= Dawger]

And yet, most servers encourage multiple SRS frequencies, splitting folks off in a completely unrealistic fashion that has the awesome of side effect destroying the overall SA you claim to seek.

 

A single discord or teamspeak channel for each side on a server is a more effective SA and comradeship builder versus multiple SRS channels covering multiple bands for different aircraft plus assigning a different frequency for each mission type. Plus SRS cuts off voice comm if you are no longer in your aircraft with electric power.

 

While SRS may be a wonderful simulation of fiddling with the radios, it is mostly a pain in the ass if you are flying with friends.

[Alpenwolf]

I don't use multiple SRS channels for exactly that reason. It's always been one channel per coalition. 124 MHz for Red. 251 MHz for Blue. ALWAYS. Never even changed the frequencies. And it's been like that for years.

 

TS and Discord are rubbish for inflight comms. And I don't even want to start talking about the latter as those who know me know how much I'm against it.

If you get shot down your comms are offline while using SRS and that's how it should be. If your radio system takes some damage = same. If you don't know how to use the onboard radio system/s = same. It just feels right that way and it is.

[cptmrcalm]

I couldn't disagree more. (@pmiceli)

 

Not sure about multiple frequencies splitting people off in a unrealistic fashion. I don't think I follow. SRS IS realistic and I seem to be getting on just fine.

 

But then again I suppose it all boils down to what you want out of the SIM doesn't it.

 

Clearly I and others seek a greater level of immersion and realism. Which I guess is neither right nor wrong.

 

I mean if you want just a laugh? A muck around? Then what the heck. Who cares? Besides, who am I to tell you what to use and what not right? You're having fun right?

 

My only issue is its not helpful for those who do use SRS for the many reasons it was deigned for.

 

There's nothing stopping you and your team using both SRS and discord.

 

Yes. SRS cuts you off if you lose your electrical power and if your blasted out of the sky because, well, that would be realistic.

 

(Same goes for tactical radios for arma -for those interested. Same principle.)

 

Again, this level or realism is not for everyone. But for those like myself who enjoy the enhancement to the sim that SRS brings, it sure would be nice to know we are all on the same team.

Edited July 7, 2020 by cptmrcalm

[=475FG= Dawger]

I couldn't disagree more. (@pmiceli)

 

Not sure about multiple frequencies splitting people off in a unrealistic fashion. I don't think I follow. SRS IS realistic and I seem to be getting on just fine.

 

But then again I suppose it all boils down to what you want out of the SIM doesn't it.

 

Clearly I and others seek a greater level of immersion and realism. Which I guess is neither right nor wrong.

 

I mean if you want just a laugh? A muck around? Then what the heck. Who cares? Besides, who am I to tell you what to use and what not right? You're having fun right?

 

My only issue is its not helpful for those who do use SRS for the many reasons it was deigned for.

 

There's nothing stopping you and your team using both SRS and discord.

 

Yes. SRS cuts you off if you lose your electrical power and if your blasted out of the sky because, well, that would be realistic.

 

(Same goes for tactical radios for arma -for those interested. Same principle.)

 

Again, this level or realism is not for everyone. But for those like myself who enjoy the enhancement to the sim that SRS brings, it sure would be nice to know we are all on the same team.

 

Alpenwolf aside, (Bravo, Alpenwolf, for using a more realistic SRS setup) most servers assign an A2A frequency, and A2G frequency, a Helicopter frequency, etc etc

 

This is not realistic and lowers overall SA considerably. In the real world, frequency assignments are geographic in nature. Everyone operating in a geographic area is generally on a common primary frequency. Secondary frequencies for flights, groups, etc are used for administrative traffic.

 

I won't argue that you can't hear the radio when you are no longer in the aircraft in body or spirit or if the radio is Tango Uniform.

 

I just don't find it to be conducive to the whole point of flying together as a group. It forces a group flying together to have a secondary voice comm system operating at all times in order to engage in pre-mission briefings, inter mission administration and post mission de-brief.

 

So what happens is groups just decide to not bother with SRS and just stick to the internal comms already required.

 

Now if I could set a mission lobby frequency that everyone automatically defaulted to when not in an aircraft, the need for a separate communication application would be obviated and SRS would be a natural solution that worked for a group flying together in a public server.

 

The in game voice road map indicates that ED understands this and will work towards that goal.

 

I am not opposed to SRS.

 

In fact, for single sortie missions involving multiple groups or a single mission with multiple sorties over a wide geographic area, SRS allows voice comms to be separated in a realistic fashion. But, again, mission hosts tend to go nuts with this and I have seen comms plans with 20 frequencies, essentially one frequency for every two players. Even then, most have a backup comms setup for brief and debrief.

 

The entire reason call signs and brevity codes exist is because everyone is operating on one frequency and there is a need to be able to easily identify the talker and allow information to be conveyed precisely in as few words as possible.

 

In summary, I like SRS but it is missing a key component to make it useful for a group. This forces groups to use an alternate, which in turn makes the group reluctant to put the extra effort into operating SRS.

 

We use TeamSpeak. We fly multiple titles and multiple eras in DCS. SRS does not make it possible for us to easily communicate outside of a DCS aircraft so it isn't going to be the first choice for voice comms and it is a hard sell trying to get guys to run two voice programs.

[cptmrcalm]

I got to be honest - Not being a real fighter pilot I couldn't comment on "real world" radio comms and frequencies.

 

I have read a few books though and they do mention a number of frequencies for different groups they make contact with during a mission. Awacs, tankers, CAS guys and CAP guys as well FAC. All of them on separate frequencies. All in the briefing. I guess that's why they have the kneeboard for info like this.

 

I'll be honest - I've only been on a small number of servers. PVP inferno ones mostly. im sure they have a lobby frequency anyway? sure your able to chat while waiting and grouping up.

 

But in any event, I still cant understand why you wouldn't use teamspeak for your group chat and planning - and then when in the sim use SRS that Automatically sets itself up when you join a server. So its not difficult to "sell" the idea to your team as theres not much to it.

 

The only thing you have to do is set your radios up - just like in real life when you hop into the pit. Part of the ramp start process i enjoy. (yes yes i am boring i know!!)

 

i tend you use open freq like 264 on radio 1 for human awacs and others and then AI awacs on radio 2. Thats it. Then, when i need to - change radio 2 to be whatever tower i need to talk to. Thats it.

 

Now if i was like you, in a group, I'd say to the lads - right, lets hop onto freq 275 (random) ON Radio 2 and keep radio 1 on 264 for the other human pilots.

 

If you absolutely need to keep teamspeak, have that running on a saparate ptt.

 

Teamspeak can still be running in the background and you could still use it if you wanted to. That way its there for when you are in the lobby too.

 

Ultimately in the end - i dont mean to preach to you. Nor try to sell you the idea of SRS.

 

But it would be great if you could join in with us using SRS to avoid missing all the tactical opportunities SRS brings as well as avoiding any mishaps.

 

But ultimately theres only so much i can say to try and illustrate the problems associated with those joining into a fray and unable to communicate with some - if not all the pilots flying.

 

Anyway - happy flying and hopefully you'll consider if not -i hope the SRS evolves to your liking.