Jester context button (?)

[flavnet]

Hello everyone. I found this Youtube video that extols the use of the "Jester context button". The video would like to explain how this command works but it forgets to first explain where this command is located in the binding table. A suggestion on how the command works (long press, short press... etc.) would also be appreciated. The video is funny, but absolutely useless.Thanks for anyone who wants to help.

[HawkEXO]

Its pretty well outlined in the manual.  The context button is a great tool and very innovative, but hard to describe in any short way.  I recommend diving into your HB f4 manual.  There are also other videos on how it works in A/A.  

[Zabuzard]

Here is the quick explanation and overview:
https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/jester/combat/overview.html#context-action

The following pages have details. Cheers

[Wrcknbckr]

10 hours ago, flavnet said:

... where this command is located in the binding table.

This would sure save a lot of frustration for those that would rather fly than read manuals (let alone writing one!). Just add a search term 'context' to the related button...

Otherwise nothing but praise for the module!

[DSplayer]

The keybind is called "Jester Context Action (short, hold, double click)" in DCS. Like others have pointed out ad nauseam, the manual details its function and the manual should definitely referred to if you don't know what something does, especially when HB went through all the trouble of implementing the manual in-game in such a helpful manner.

[Zabuzard]

This would sure save a lot of frustration for those that would rather fly than read manuals (let alone writing one!). Just add a search term 'context' to the related button...
Otherwise nothing but praise for the module!

It already has context in its name :) Its called "Jester Context Action" iirc. Id also suggest using the bind categories, for example category Jester will show all Jester related commands.

[Mike_CK]

So, the Jester context action button is called “Jester contact action”? How can we be expected to find that?  

[razo+r]

Just now, Mike_CK said:

So, the Jester context action button is called “Jester contact action”? How can we be expected to find that?  

The Jester Context Action is called "Jester Context Action". It's also in the "Jester" and "Jester Command" category. Rather easy to find.

[flavnet]

Thank you for your contribution. Indeed, I have not seen the link present on the page of the YouTube video that illustrates the options possible with the "Jester context button" which is the default assigned to the "V" of the keyboard.

[Phantom711]

If only the DCS keybinds menu had a search function…

oh…wait a minute…

[silverdevil]

16 minutes ago, Phantom711 said:

If only the DCS keybinds menu had a search function…

"searching is easy when one knows the correct words to use in the search" -Anonymous

[Wrcknbckr]

7 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

It already has context in its name Its called "Jester Context Action" iirc. Id also suggest using the bind categories, for example category Jester will show all Jester related commands.

Ouch, was it there the first week already, did I overlook it? Was doing the Dive Toss and AGM65 training 'from the pilot seat' and remember I was clueless as to what to do... maybe because Jester was supposed to be involved. Anyway... thx!

[AirSenpai]

jester refuses to search or lock any target sometimes using context menu. yes radar is on and selected.

tried with auto focus on /off..

 

 

[Zabuzard]

jester refuses to search or lock any target sometimes using context menu. yes radar is on and selected.
tried with auto focus on /off..
 
 

From all the cases ive investigated so far it always turned out to be users confusing the interface and Jesters feedback.
So it would be great if you can share a track, then we can tell you immediately what might have gone wrong or clear any misconception.

Cheers :)

[AirSenpai]

10 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

From all the cases ive investigated so far it always turned out to be users confusing the interface and Jesters feedback.
So it would be great if you can share a track, then we can tell you immediately what might have gone wrong or clear any misconception.

Cheers

Hey good morning, thank you for the reply!

i had the fwd / aft and left / for the following functions, using the warthog hotas from the a10c /f16 viper stick

Fwd dms = short = select next target.

left dms = hold = lock target

down dms= double tap = drop.

<<that's just for the scan, when he wants to lock or manages to find anyone, yes i have to manipulate via the A menu. ( has the f5 2016 module) and its a pain to find tgts bellow you if you don't have the parameters (yes the radar on the f5 sucks) unless you fly lower than your targets to avoid clutter and mess with your antenna elevation/gain etc.>>

if i manage to get jester to move at all and do his scan. ( he wont let me scan myself using the antenna elevation and the antenna hand control slews. he centers it making impossible for me to find anything from the front seat)
when he locks, it works.

nulli just press what i need.
so there is no multi-function buttonon the way ( like george on the apache ) a.k.a. press and hold to change the type of missile, instead of tap to change the weapons for example.
i can manipulate stuff on the kiowa just fine from the pilot seat.

jester wont allow me to move his antenna elevation anymore and the radar cursor. =/ (managed to do it 3mo ago) haven't changed the binds. had to resort to this method .

 

2 minutes ago, AirSenpai said:

Hey good morning, thank you for the reply!

i had the fwd / aft and left / for the following functions, using the warthog hotas from the a10c /f16 viper stick

Fwd dms = short = select next target.

left dms = hold = lock target

down dms= double tap = drop.

<<that's just for the scan, when he wants to lock or manages to find anyone, yes i have to manipulate via the A menu. ( has the f5 2016 module) and its a pain to find tgts bellow you if you don't have the parameters (yes the radar on the f5 sucks) unless you fly lower than your targets to avoid clutter and mess with your antenna elevation/gain etc.>>

if i manage to get jester to move at all and do his scan. ( he wont let me scan myself using the antenna elevation and the antenna hand control slews. he centers it making impossible for me to find anything from the front seat)
when he locks, it works.

nulli just press what i need.
so there is no multi-function buttonon the way ( like george on the apache ) a.k.a. press and hold to change the type of missile, instead of tap to change the weapons for example.
i can manipulate stuff on the kiowa just fine from the pilot seat.

jester wont allow me to move his antenna elevation anymore and the radar cursor. =/ (managed to do it 3mo ago) haven't changed the binds. had to resort to this method .

 

i have radar selected on and i have the aim7 selected.

Edited March 28 by AirSenpai
description was named"null" automatically. had to change to dms down.

[Zabuzard]

i have radar selected on and i have the aim7 selected.

You are not supposed to play WSO from the front seat. So no, you are not able to move the antenna around. If you truly want to do this, disable Jester first.

There should be no need for you to mess with the antenna. Instead, you can tell Jester where you expect the bandit and he will play the antenna correspondingly.

I would suggest you have a read over the Jester Radar chapter in the manual that explains how to use Jester effectively. Other than that I have some trouble following your thoughts.

[AirSenpai]

2 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

You are not supposed to play WSO from the front seat. So no, you are not able to move the antenna around. If you truly want to do this, disable Jester first.

There should be no need for you to mess with the antenna. Instead, you can tell Jester where you expect the bandit and he will play the antenna correspondingly.

I would suggest you have a read over the Jester Radar chapter in the manual that explains how to use Jester effectively. Other than that I have some trouble following your thoughts.

Just saying that back then i could lock the targets like in the f5, by adjusting the antenna elevation and flying lower than your targets. adjusting the gain etc.
now i can't do the same. i have the half action and full action from jester in the front. now it wont work anymore.

Thus i had to read the jester context action.
i know how to use the f4 radar, the problem is manipulating jester to do the things i do in the back but as a pilot

in the kiowa for example, you can move the MMS in the pilot seat ( its like the wso/rio function ) but a camera ( mass mounted sight).
with george on the apache you can use the george direction wheel ( i don't even look at it, i know all of his function by memory like a checklist)
 now that i said what problem i had, like manipulating the radar from the front. i had learned and read the context menu, SOMETIMES  like 70% of the time he wont track targets, right in front of him, i try to move steady as possible ( i can see the tgt horizontal line that is approaching my on my radar repeater in front) but he won't lock, i even lower my altitude so its easy for him to see it but he won't select it by pressing short and holding for track it.

i'll try disabling him. tbh i only have him to compliment my landings and for the comic dialog.
 

[Zabuzard]

Just saying that back then i could lock the targets like in the f5, by adjusting the antenna elevation and flying lower than your targets. adjusting the gain etc.
now i can't do the same. i have the half action and full action from jester in the front. now it wont work anymore.
Thus i had to read the jester context action.
i know how to use the f4 radar, the problem is manipulating jester to do the things i do in the back but as a pilot
in the kiowa for example, you can move the MMS in the pilot seat ( its like the wso/rio function ) but a camera ( mass mounted sight).
with george on the apache you can use the george direction wheel ( i don't even look at it, i know all of his function by memory like a checklist)
 now that i said what problem i had, like manipulating the radar from the front. i had learned and read the context menu, SOMETIMES  like 70% of the time he wont track targets, right in front of him, i try to move steady as possible ( i can see the tgt horizontal line that is approaching my on my radar repeater in front) but he won't lock, i even lower my altitude so its easy for him to see it but he won't select it by pressing short and holding for track it.

i'll try disabling him. tbh i only have him to compliment my landings and for the comic dialog.
 

We believe that the interface we offer for you to communicate with Jester and get him to do what you want (once its fully fleshed out and the missing bits have been added) will be more effective while also represent a more authentic way of natural pilot to WSO communication rather than you trying to fulfill both roles simultaneously.

If you are not happy with the current state of this interface during Early Access the best you can do is to bind the Jester Enable/Disable buttons, allowing you to take full control of the backseat from the frontseat with ease - provided you can manage the workload. Once you acquired your lock you can also reenable Jester, he has been coded to support a lock made while he was deactivated and roll with it.

[PhantomHans]

Could I sugest a "Jester Context Helper Bar" option?

 

An option to tick on or off to show a small status bar in a corner of the window showing what mode Jester is in and what the context actions are.

 

So in top right corner you might see:

 

BVR: • TGT SEL, ▄ LOCK, •• RESET

You lock the BVR target, the helper bar becomes:

BVR LOCK: •/▄ BRK LOCK, •• BRK LOCK + UNFOCUS

 

This can help train us on context actions while in the sim and as future actions are added help discover them without resorting to RTFM.

 

Edit: also because I rarely if ever get a target on scope or found by Jester before I have visual on the target, I would love a "HES RIGHT THERE LOCK HIM UP!" function some day similar to the Cue Eyeballs function for the LANTIRN pod on the F-14.  A single button press to enable a ring in my view that I put over the little dot i can see coming my way, and another single press to initiate Jester  trying to lock him.

Edited April 2 by PhantomHans

[Zabuzard]

Could I sugest a "Jester Context Helper Bar" option?
 
An option to tick on or off to show a small status bar in a corner of the window showing what mode Jester is in and what the context actions are.
 
So in top right corner you might see:
 
BVR: • TGT SEL, ▄ LOCK, •• RESET
You lock the BVR target, the helper bar becomes:
BVR LOCK: •/▄ BRK LOCK, •• BRK LOCK + UNFOCUS
 
This can help train us on context actions while in the sim and as future actions are added help discover them without resorting to RTFM.
 
Edit: also because I rarely if ever get a target on scope or found by Jester before I have visual on the target, I would love a "HES RIGHT THERE LOCK HIM UP!" function some day similar to the Cue Eyeballs function for the LANTIRN pod on the F-14.  A single button press to enable a ring in my view that I put over the little dot i can see coming my way, and another single press to initiate Jester  trying to lock him.

That control hint idea is somewhere in the backlog already.
Definitely a good idea for an optional UI. Similar to how most AAA games show control hints in the corner of the games "HUD"

The idea with the eyeballs thing is an already planned bigger and more general feature. Some form of general smart context menu that lets you point either outside or inside the cockpit, also on a gauge. And then giving you context sensitive options.