Cannot get ACM modes to work

[Thumper5]

Ok.  Had the F14 since June.  On my HOTAS I have a POV hat for Back RWS, Down TWA, Forward PD SST and up to the vertical scan high mode. (forget name off top of my head).  Never had an issue until this afternoon where I was engaging a F-4.  Jester confirmed hostile, merged I hit ACM mode, and turned.  Got the F4 just by top mirror and went vertical scan and Jester screams unable.  Try again, unable.  Few second later bogey on my nose I push forward for PD-SST and UNABLE.  Try again, UNABLE.  My wingman got the bandit and for the next 5 minutes I try to get anything other than RWS or TWA to work........... UNABLE.    

 

Any help?

 

And yes I have had no issues until today.  I can typically enter ACM engage PD, and lock on and fire.  

 

Anything to help would be great!

[near_blind]

Three of the radar modes you described aren't ACM modes. Jester (really any RIO), is going to seriously struggle to lock up a contact using the traditional radar modes close in. A maneuvering contact is going to be moving rapidly enough across the screens it's just not a practical ask. Likewise any PD mode is going to struggle against a violently maneuvering aircraft. 

 

You get four close modes in the Tomcat. 

 

Pilot Lockon Mode (PLM) - This is a boresight scan around the aircraft datum line with a range of five miles. This is activated by a dedicated button on the throttle. 

 

Pilot Automatic Lockon (PAL) - This is an eight bar, twenty degree scan with a variable lock range depending upon the RCS of the target. For something Flanker sized the range is ~15NM. Smaller jets lock closer, larger aircraft further. You activate this by depressing the Target Designation switch on the left wall of the cockpit. 

 

Vertical Scan Lock On High (VSL-High) - A simple vertical scan from +15 to +55 degrees (about where the canopy bow is to the radar gimbal) centered on the aircraft's center line. You can activate this by either asking jester, or moving the Target Designation switch up. 

 

Vertical Scan Lock On Low (VSL-Lo) - Same as high, only it scans from -15 to +15 degrees. You can also ask Jester for this, or activate it by moving the Target Designation switch down. 

 

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/general.html#an-awg-9-radar

 

Unless I'm flying with a human RIO, and often times even then, I as the pilot will take control of the radar once we get WVR as it simplifies the whole affair. 

Edited December 10, 2020 by near_blind

[draconus]

7 hours ago, near_blind said:

Vertical Scan Lock On Low (VSL-Lo) - Same as high, only it scans from -15 to +15 degrees.

It's -15 up to +25 deg.

 

@Thumper5If you told Jester to use VSL and he's unable to comply it might be a bug. If you can easily recreate the problem please try to start airborne behind the bandit, repeat the process and save a track. As near_blind says it's best to take over the radar in ACM/WVR, not asking Jester.

 

VSL modes are, like PLM, used for up to 5nm range.

[QuiGon]

8 hours ago, near_blind said:

Unless I'm flying with a human RIO, and often times even then, I as the pilot will take control of the radar once we get WVR as it simplifies the whole affair. 

 

I'm flying the DCS Tomcat exclusively as a RIO and can confirm this. Once we get into visual range I let my pilot take over the radar. The only exception is, when I'm flying with a newbie pilot who doesn't know yet how to properly use the ACM modes.

@Thumper5 For your case that means it's better to just command the radar directly to one of the ACM modes (PAL, PLM, VSL LOW, VSL HIGH) from the front pit instead of asking Jester to do it in the back pit.

Edited December 10, 2020 by QuiGon