F-15E Radar Fix Mod - Budgie - Multiplayer Compatible, Passes IC.

[jamie_c]

Hello all,

In case some of you don’t know, there has been a radar fix mod for the F-15E released. While it is a mod, it really doesn’t fit in the mods section of the forum as it’s F-15E specific. It restores the F-15E radar to working order and leaves your system date unaffected, even the DCS Mission editor date/time is correct (bottom rght corner). EDIT: also restores TFR functionality.

The mod is called Budgie. Keep in mind it’s only a short term fix to help those of you who want to keep flying the Mudhen while ED and RB keep doing what they’re doing behind closed doors. I am hopeful of a patch to fix the radar on patch day, that would be ideal, had we received the patch as scheduled on the 26th with a fix for the Mudhen radar, Budgie would’ve never been released. Of course if it’s not fixed on patch day, Budgie will continue to work and will be updated as necessary until such time an official fix is released.

Once an official fix is released, delete the Budgie folder, it’s that simple.

Also, for Multiplayer, this passes Integrity Check. You’re back to flying in Multiplayer, I’ve tested it, many other users are flying it right now in Multiplayer. Budgie makes zero changes to any files included with the Mudhen or DCS.

You can find Budgie here:

Budgie mod on Github

Please note, despite being a github release, there is no source at this time. My biggest concerns are pouring fuel on a fire and worsening persistent issues in the community and also the potential to use Budgie as a foundation for exploits or cheating, I know this has upset a few individuals out of what I estimate to be 500+ users so far in a community of thousands of people active daily, I simply don’t care. If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to use it.

 

YouTube Video By Plane Spotting Fargo

 

 

YouTube Video By VRFlightGuy InPJPants

 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by jamie_c
Added video from Plane Spotting Fargo and VRFlightGuy InPJPants. Added note on MP Integrity Check. Added mention it restores TFR functionality as well. Adds guidance for what to do when an official fix is released.

[jamie_c]

Read the release notes carefully. Parts of the documentation mention DLL Injection, this approach was abandoned with the transition to mod form. As a mod, Budgie is just like the plugins for Tacview, SRS, LotAtc and similar to aircraft mods like the A-4E, the only difference is Budgie only does one thing.

[Gutenisse]

The F-15E is the only thing I fly in DCS, but without radar it's pretty pointless and I can't change dates on my computer as it breaks other programs, so I'd love to use your mod. But what are they worried about? Does the mod break something or what?

[jamie_c]

I’ve had zero negative feedback, it does nothing other than tell the Mudhen the wrong date so the radar works. There was one report of a user having a framerate issue, both people who relayed it to me as being a byproduct of low system spec and DCS visual settings not compliant with that spec, or more specifically some config issue.

Some VR headsets simply don’t work if you alter the system date, this has been reported as an issue notably with Varjo but other brands as well, so Budgie gets these guys back in the air.

Admittedly I’ve hardly flown the Mudhen since I bought it, Budgie forced me to fly it and I might just be loving it too, so I can see why people adore it. If you try the mod and have issues, discord is linked in the release notes just above the zip file, feel free to reach out or PM me here and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Edited June 29, 2024 by jamie_c
Correction after rereading what was reported in regard to issues.

[Beirut]

I'm not the smartest cookie in the tool shed, so as far as installation goes for Steam, do I have to create the "services" folder to put into the mods folder and then put budgie in that? Right now I just have "aircraft" and "tech" subfolders.

 

Thank you.

[jamie_c]

Yes, so you’re already halfway there, add the services folder and double click Budgie.zip, drag and drop that Budgie folder into the services directory, run DCS and look for the icon on the main menu. Any issues, let me know, happy to help.

As an example, your DCS Logs, Screenshots, Missions you’ve created will be in:
C:\Users\ <Your Windows Username>\Saved Games\DCS\

In that folder we need to make sure we have:
Mods\services\

And you’re dragging the Budgie folder from the provided zip file into the services directory. Once it’s there, open the Budgie folder in the services dir, verify you see entry.lua and a folder called bin, start DCS.

The icon you’re looking for is the one from the release notes on github. Provided that’s there, try an Instant action mission with an air start in the F-15E, verify radar is working.

Edited June 29, 2024 by jamie_c
Expanded on explanation to make it as clear as possible.

[Beirut]

53 minutes ago, jamie_c said:

Yes, so you’re already halfway there, add the services folder and double click Budgie.zip, drag and drop that Budgie folder into the services directory, run DCS and look for the icon on the main menu. Any issues, let me know, happy to help.

As an example, your DCS Logs, Screenshots, Missions you’ve created will be in:
C:\Users\ <Your Windows Username>\Saved Games\DCS\

In that folder we need to make sure we have:
Mods\services\

And you’re dragging the Budgie folder from the provided zip file into the services directory. Once it’s there, open the Budgie folder in the services dir, verify you see entry.lua and a folder called bin, start DCS.

The icon you’re looking for is the one from the release notes on github. Provided that’s there, try an Instant action mission with an air start in the F-15E, verify radar is working.

 

 

Thank you! 

[jamie_c]

5 minutes ago, Beirut said:

 

Thank you! 

You’re welcome Beirut, enjoy the Mudhen again!

[Beirut]

2 hours ago, jamie_c said:

You’re welcome Beirut, enjoy the Mudhen again!

 

Defintely enjoying. Just had a lovely flight. GBUs through the clouds and back at 500' TFR in the muck. 

 

A Strike Eagle without that delicious A2G radar is like an F-16 without Sidewinders or an A-10 without the BRRRRRRT! 

 

It just can't happen.

[Slippa]

Cheers for doing this Jame,

It's the first positive thing I've seen in a few months in regard to the situation and seems to come from a good place so thanks for that.

I'd just started 'converting' to the F-15 after mostly flying props for a couple of years and within days of jumping in the cockpit this sheetstorm erupted. (Honest, I didn't touch any buttons)

Good to see you putting smiles on faces with it. I've yet to learn how to even use the radar but at least now I'll be able to. 

Hopefully, the people that need to can make the right apologies and start building back the positives soon. Development can carry on for our Eagles and we can release our Budgies back into the wild, (having taught them some foul language no doubt). You can pat yourself on the back for doing some good for us all and carry on creating zeros and ones in weird orders some of us will never understand .

Well done.

 

[jamie_c]

@Slippayou’re welcome.

I built this for a friend, he loves the Mudhen so much I have to include a slot for it in earlier cold war scenarios on my server and he was devastated, he reluctantly jumped into the Hornet but couldn’t remember how to fly it. I ended up in an F-4 merged with a MiG-19 trying to teach him the Hornet, I was so annoyed I switched to guns and ripped the wings off that Farmer. I thought at first it may have been the patch, but then I saw a few videos and posts about changing system date. I made TimeFix ages ago as a tool to mess with dates and times in various applications and games, injected it into DCS and it fixed the issue, the next two days were spent sharpening the sledgehammer approach. By Saturday my friend had the first test copy for our weekend flying. It wasn’t until the patch intended for the 26th was delayed I made an impulsive decision to go public, up until that point only 5 people had Budgie. 2 days or so later and the injector was abandoned as the mod approach worked.

I hardly flew the Mudhen before this, I was so new to the jet that when I heard the radar hitting the stops I went external camera to check I wasn’t dumping chaff or flares.

This is my first public release of pretty much anything, prior releases are all covered under DLMs, and limited to those orgs and associated groups. I only wish I had moved sooner, I’ve received plenty of messages from people saying they stuck with Mudhen but their friends refunded.

 

EDIT: I’ve added a channel on my discord for Pilots, WSOs and Wingmen to find each other. Squadrons are also welcome to promote. Slasher84 DIscord

Edited June 30, 2024 by jamie_c
Added a new channel to discord to help crews and wingmen link up.

[Beirut]

6 hours ago, jamie_c said:

This is my first public release of pretty much anything, prior releases are all covered under DLMs, and limited to those orgs and associated groups. I only wish I had moved sooner, I’ve received plenty of messages from people saying they stuck with Mudhen but their friends refunded.

 

 

Well I have no interest in a refund. I just want my F-15E to work and you fix is just great. Flew last night and had some good fun. Many thanks! 

 

Although there are a list of things I would like to see added to the Strike Eagle, if it at least stays in the shape it's in now with your fix, I can live with that. 

[jamie_c]

@Beirut glad you’re getting some fun out of the Mudhen. I will do my best to keep it flying until we see an official fix.

There should be an update in the near future, these changes are planned:

1. The ability to specify targets to change date for, that way if any other module has a date based break, an end user can mitigate it and keep flying
2. Custom date setting, specifically to tie in with above with separate Day, Month, Year fields
3. Log to DCS.log so in the event Budgie causes an issue in future, support staff know it’s there with bug reports (hello support people if you’re reading this! you’re doing great!)

Fortunately the Budgie approach to fixing the issue is particularly robust and the chance for further date based changes to take place with Mudhen is extremely limited due to the Mudhen having no idea it’s nearly July. If I’m wrong and another date based issue crops up before any official fix I will investigate and do what I can.

I’m hoping after the next update to work on some other stuff unrelated to Mudhen, but still DCS, to be announced at a later time, because to be honest it could be any number of one offs I’ve made being converted to a public mod.

[Swiso]

Hi,

I've downloaded the Budgie.zip file from the GitHub page.

In your installation instructions you say to check for an "entry.lua" file and two folders, but what I see on the zip file is what you see in the picture attached.

How I should proceed to install it ?

I have DCS OpenBeta, not Steam version.

Thanks.

[jamie_c]

16 minutes ago, Swiso said:

Hi,

I've downloaded the Budgie.zip file from the GitHub page.

In your installation instructions you say to check for an "entry.lua" file and two folders, but what I see on the zip file is what you see in the picture attached.

How I should proceed to install it ?

I have DCS OpenBeta, not Steam version.

Thanks.

Wrong way, go back! You've found the old version, please delete that.

Current Release: Budgie 1.0.0.2 on GitHub

 

EDIT: If you're seeing this, the injector release of Budgie has been removed. There is only one release available now.

 

Further to the above, I've had a single report of a user not being able to spawn in their Mudhen after installing Budgie, it's unclear whether their AV Quarantined anything from the Mudhen to cause it. If your Mudhen install is working otherwise and Budgie is stopping you from even flying the jet, I'd appreciate a direct message. Thanks.

Edited June 30, 2024 by jamie_c
Removed old version of Budgie from GitHub

[MAXsenna]

Great work @jamie_c! Absolutely fantastic work! Thank you so much for this!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[jamie_c]

@MAXsenna glad it continues to work for you and you're most welcome!

I've noticed an increase in visitors to the GitHub in the last few hours above normal, if anyone's seeking support I really need to inspect the back of my eyelids for a few hours (sleep), message me here or on discord and I'll reply when able in a few hours.

[Swiso]

1 hour ago, jamie_c said:

Wrong way, go back! You've found the old version, please delete that.

Current Release: Budgie 1.0.0.2 on GitHub

 

EDIT: If you're seeing this, the injector release of Budgie has been removed. There is only one release available now.

 

Further to the above, I've had a single report of a user not being able to spawn in their Mudhen after installing Budgie, it's unclear whether their AV Quarantined anything from the Mudhen to cause it. If your Mudhen install is working otherwise and Budgie is stopping you from even flying the jet, I'd appreciate a direct message. Thanks.

 

Thanks !!

It work.

Much appreciated.

[lee1hy]

LOL another only passion user fix DCS free work  

Salute to the dcs community

Edited June 30, 2024 by lee1hy

[jamie_c]

Just checking in with everyone, I know it’s a weekday but if any of you have flown, any issues to report with Budgie? Over 1500 unique visitors to github now, still no idea how many actual users and beyond the initial thanks, there’s no feedback, so I assume all is ok! I still only know of one person who it didn’t work for noted above which I suspect was an anti-virus issue with the Mudhen itself, so if that’s correct I think it has done ok as a mod.

[Slippa]

So far so good for me. - As I said, I barely know how to use it so maybe not the best ‘tester’ but it’s all ok as far as I can tell.

If I get any bother with it I’ll come to you for some cuttlefish, seeds or a mirror .

if nobody’s having any trouble with it, it really is doing well, more than ok. Cheers again for doing it.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

Works as advertised! Thank you  

[Swiso]

36 minutes ago, jamie_c said:

Just checking in with everyone, I know it’s a weekday but if any of you have flown, any issues to report with Budgie? Over 1500 unique visitors to github now, still no idea how many actual users and beyond the initial thanks, there’s no feedback, so I assume all is ok! I still only know of one person who it didn’t work for noted above which I suspect was an anti-virus issue with the Mudhen itself, so if that’s correct I think it has done ok as a mod.

Hi !

For my part I can confirm that  AA, AG and TFR works !

Thanks !

[Beirut]

46 minutes ago, jamie_c said:

Just checking in with everyone, I know it’s a weekday but if any of you have flown, any issues to report with Budgie? Over 1500 unique visitors to github now, still no idea how many actual users and beyond the initial thanks, there’s no feedback, so I assume all is ok! I still only know of one person who it didn’t work for noted above which I suspect was an anti-virus issue with the Mudhen itself, so if that’s correct I think it has done ok as a mod.

 

Works and loving it! 

 

Great big fat thank you for bringing my Space Shuttle of Death back to it's full glory. 

[jamie_c]

Good stuff, I've just spotted another Mudhen on GS, poor guy pushed negative G for too long and shut his engines off, wont name them, but just to be clear Budgie can't help with that sort of thing!

I did the same a few minutes earlier so they're not alone. 

Edited July 1, 2024 by jamie_c