investigating Cold Start + ECM Pod Noise Jammer Mode (Bug or User Error?)

[boerdi]

Greetings,

With cold start either in SP or MP the ECM pod wouldn't start transmitting in Noise Jammer mode on the ground or even after take off.
Does the ECM pod take some time to "warm up" before Noise Jammer Mode can be activated during or shortly after a cold start?

DCS Steam Edition
Current OB Version 2.8.3.38090
Multithread Build

And yes, I paid attention to the correct settings of swiches/modes (c.f. official documentation, video by Wags and many others).

The issue does not occur when doing hot ground starts or air starts.
(e.g. Hot ground start allows activation of Noise Jammer Mode on ground with weight on wheels.)

I was able to reproduce the cold start issue in SP (track file attached). The video is of that exact flight/track file.

Timestamps/Steps:
00:00 - Regular cold start. F-16 equipped with ALQ-184 long pod.
01:00 - Switching on ECM and checking settings. Activate banks, XMIT to Pos 3, CMDS to MAN. Pressing CMS AFT does nothing.
01:22 - XMIT to Pos 1, CMDS to SEMI. CMS AFT -> Deception Jamming Mode is activated.
01:29 - XMIT to Pos 3, CMDS to Man. Pressing CMS AFT does nothing.
At this point I am switching between Noise and Deception modes and test if Master Arm makes a difference (it does not).
02:47 - Still on ground. Switching ECM section off and on does nothing.
02:56 - Taking off to get weight off wheels (just to make sure)
03:33 - Same test to get Noise mode going. No joy.
03:51 - Switching ECM off and on again and trying to get Noise mode working. No joy.
03:59 - Deception mode working fine.
04:08 - Switching ECM off and on again. At this point Noise mode starts working.

User error or something fishy in the switchology or working as intended?

Video of the track file content:

 

F16 ECM Pod Test Noise Jammer Mode.trk

Edited April 10, 2023 by boerdi

[razo+r]

There probably is some warmup time before the pod will start working. What happens if you try again but wait 3 minutes between turning the pod on and trying to make it jam?

[boerdi]

I found no infos on warmup time and I had several instances in MP where the pod took a long time to "react" and enter the Noise Jammer mode.
That was well over 3 minutes at that time (cold start + entering waypoints etc etc) and let's just say that entering a SA-5 threat ring without noise barrage ain't so fun

It may well be user error on my part but since I was able to replicate it, I thought I wanted to make sure and ask if it is working as intended or not.

[edit]

Also this: every weapon or system that has a "warmup" time (e.g. Targeting pods, Mavericks or JDAMs) has that warmup time mentioned in the manuals and guides. The ECM pod does not.

Edited April 10, 2023 by boerdi

[TEOMOOSE]

Im not sure! I just tried it on MT and worked fine.