offmap

[Biga42]

What is this "offmap" blinking in the HUD, I didnt find anything in the manual?

 

Thanks!

[Stuka]

Indicates that the aircraft is off the map that is loaded in the aircraft. (the amount of digital map data that can be loaded in the aircraft is limited.

 

Note that you also will have to use HOT instead of DTS for elevation data, otherwise you'll get CCIP errors.

[Biga42]

Thank you but I do not understand what do you mean by "HOT instead of DTS".

[Stuka]

When the jet is off map, there's no terrain data available, and DTS can't be used for elevation data.

Normally, next to your distance to waypoint, you have DTS. That indicates that DTS is the source of the elevation data.

When offmap, ther will be XXXX

[/url]

 

Without elevation data, you will get CCIP invalid indications when trying to do gun runs, bombing,... because the computer is missing that elevation data.

 

 

Now, we can overcome this, to switch to HOT elevation (manual entry)

A JTAC, FAC,... would give you this information. In DCS, you also could just grab it from the F-10 map.

You enter it, by using the DATA rocker on the UFC, to switch to manual entry with the SEL(ect) rocker. You either type the number on the scratchpad and ENT(er) to put it in, or use the DATA rocker to go up/down to the correct elevation.

in the screenshot below, I've set it to 670ft

 

 

With the elevation set, you see that weapon delivery is possible again

 

[Biga42]

What a class! thank you!

[Tippis]

You can also use the same method to make sure that any steerpoints you're using is sitting on the ground rather than floating in the air at the flight altitude set for them in the mission editor. That makes it a whole lot easier to slew your sensors to the steerpoint and immediately be able to see any ground targets you might be looking for: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3918988#post3918988

[NeMoGas]

That must have been a long mission. If I recall correctly DTSAS had a radius of 243nm (450km) in DCS. I also think the game tries to load the DTSAS data based off the position of your waypoints at mission start. So if you only have 1 waypoint and it is 600nm away you will start off map. If you have no waypoints then you start at the center of the radius.

 

There was also a mod at one point that increased the radius of DTSAS but I am not sure if it passes IC for multiplayer but might be helpful for SP missions. I'll try to find it, and post it for you.

 

Here is the mod, but it seems to only increase it by 100km.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301834/

Edited October 8, 2020 by NeMoGas

[Stuka]

You can also use the same method to make sure that any steerpoints you're using is sitting on the ground rather than floating in the air at the flight altitude set for them in the mission editor. That makes it a whole lot easier to slew your sensors to the steerpoint and immediately be able to see any ground targets you might be looking for: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3918988#post3918988

 

If you have DTS coverage in the area, there are better (accurate) methods to get the terrain elevation, instead of guessing the elevation of each waypoint.

Fastest would be to drop a markpoint over the WP, and see what the elevation of the markpoint is. That elevation you then can set in the WP.

[Biga42]

Thank you all! awesome!

[Tippis]

If you have DTS coverage in the area, there are better (accurate) methods to get the terrain elevation, instead of guessing the elevation of each waypoint.

Fastest would be to drop a markpoint over the WP, and see what the elevation of the markpoint is. That elevation you then can set in the WP.

True, but the trick with doing the manual entry via the DATA rocker is to just get it within the right ballpark so your TGP doesn't start (or revert to) looking at empty space. You're going to slew it onto a target and lock and lase it anyway, at which point you get the altitude regardless — setting the altitude this quick way, even if it's ±200', gets you in the ballpark where you can start looking for those targets.

 

DATA -> some-guesstimate-of-ground-altitude-in-hundreds-of-feet -> ENTER, ENTER, and boom you're done well enough to start hunting, without having to dive into different sensors or the CDU. The goal is fast, easy, and good enough, not absolute precision. :)

[Biga42]

If I entry the altitude data via "DATA" Rocker, how to get it back to DTS?

[Stuka]

If I entry the altitude data via "DATA" Rocker, how to get it back to DTS?

 

SEL rocker. you'll switch between manual entry and DTS.

[EasyEB]

The goal is fast, easy, and good enough, not absolute precision. :)

 

I see have wildly different approaches to DCS lol

[Stuka]

True, but the trick with doing the manual entry via the DATA rocker is to just get it within the right ballpark so your TGP doesn't start (or revert to) looking at empty space. You're going to slew it onto a target and lock and lase it anyway, at which point you get the altitude regardless — setting the altitude this quick way, even if it's ±200', gets you in the ballpark where you can start looking for those targets.

 

DATA -> some-guesstimate-of-ground-altitude-in-hundreds-of-feet -> ENTER, ENTER, and boom you're done well enough to start hunting, without having to dive into different sensors or the CDU. The goal is fast, easy, and good enough, not absolute precision. :)

 

The thing is, when dropping weapons, your solution is going to take the set elevation into account.

If you set it to a number "close enough" so you get the TGP into the general ballpark, you still can be a couple of hundred feet off.

If you're then tipping in, CCIP on the target, your solution will be calculated on the number you entered, and you might see you're bombs missing big time.

You want to hit the target? Make sure to the set elevation is correct.

[Biga42]

SEL rocker. you'll switch between manual entry and DTS.

 

Thanks!

[Biga42]

what is funny is that it is showing in the "instant Action" Caucasus Map....

[BuzzU]

Yes, the free flight mission. You don't have to fly far to be off the map. Guns switching to CCIP was driving me nuts.

[Tippis]

The thing is, when dropping weapons, your solution is going to take the set elevation into account.

If you set it to a number "close enough" so you get the TGP into the general ballpark, you still can be a couple of hundred feet off.

This isn't about dropping weapons. It's about not having to pull the TGP down from 2000m altitude every time you slave to STPT. You're quick-changing the altitude set for that point, and for that purpose, nothing else.

 

Once it's time to get close and actually drop weapons, you can pick a more precise source, but that's a different process and as you point out, you can quickly and trivially switch between them.

 

I see have wildly different approaches to DCS lol

Trying to achieve absolute precision on an automated sensor placement is inherently inefficient since it will automatically be wrong regardless. You'll still need to hunt around for the actual target, and what you gain is that you no longer have to slew across a ton of empty sky and ground.

[Sarge55]

I set the waypoint at ground elevation in the ME when I create the waypoints. No faffing about at all. If I use someone else's mission just pop it open and adjust.

 

Hate those one's floating in the air. And no I don't need them to remember my ingress/egress altitudes.