ACLS Issues

[jmarso]

I'm currently revamping an old mission which involved a night Case III recovery. ACLS used to work great. Now, I can't even get the Voice light to activate. I don't start these things assuming the game or module is borked, but rather that I have done something wrong. However, I've been through the guides and procedures so many times, tried again so many times, and made sure my switchology is correct that I'm at a loss so...

1st question: Is ACLS actually working normally as of Jan 18 2024? (Latest version of DCS Beta)

 

2nd question: Am I missing something glaring here?

Carrier is set up to activate TCN 74X and ICLS 5 at mission start.

Call for Jester to set link mode tactical

Call for Jester to set link host Stennis (Carrier in use)

TCN is set to 74X, T/R, Pwr on, ICLS is set to CH 5, power on. 

HUD mode is set to Landing, HUD AWL and VDI AWL modes set to ACL.

Steering command set AWL/PCD.

Autopilot switches set ACL and On. AP REF light comes on as advertised. 

A/C fully configured, on speed (AOA), autothrottles on, and at 6 miles . . . nothing. 

 

I never get the voice light, I never get the landing check light. Needles locked at center, but the comms indicate 'ACLS lockon.' 

 

So... any ideas? I was wondering if maybe there is something I missed in carrier or aircraft setup in the ME, or am I missing something vital from the above laundry list? 

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 2024 by jmarso

[jmarso]

Okay, found part of the problem. 

When I tell Jester to set 'link host Stennis', he isn't putting the right frequency into the datalink. According to my kneeboard card, the DL freq was supposed to be 321.2. When I jumped in the back seat to check it, it came up on alternate starts of the mission as 312.0 or 30x.0 By manually inputting the frequency, the VOICE light came on in both cockpits and the ACLS worked as advertised after that.

Would this have something to do with me changing frequency presets in the two comm radios in the ME, or is something else in play here? I thought that telling where Jester to set the link host would automatically result in the right frequency being set to use ICLS/ACLS. Is that not correct?

On a side note, and this isn't really a Heatblur specific question but I'll ask it here anyway, when you place a carrier into the ME, how is the link frequency determined? Is it set by the game and always the same, or does it vary, or can it be set manually? Anyone know the answer to that one? 

[RedeyeStorm]

Have had similar issue but the ACLS works ones on first try and fails after bolter. I’ll check the freq next time.