Feedback Thread - F-4E Phantom Patch, October 30th 2024

[IronMike]

Dear all,

as always we would like to ask you for your kind feedback for the recent patch. Primarily we want to bring to your attention the meticulously crafted new WSO startup procedure training lesson, which hopefully will entice more of you to pick up the boss's seat. We also added a plethora of set commands for JESTER, following the same example as from the F-14, to allow you to make your scripted missions even more immersive and to provide us with the tools necessary for the upcoming Yom Kippur Campaign. Noteworthy is also the JESTER Navigation Update Part 2. We hope you enjoy these and the other items from the changelog, and as always, thank you for your kind and continued feedback and support.

Your Heatblur Team
 

DCS: F-4E Phantom II by Heatblur Simulations

• NEW: Added WSO Startup Procedure Training Lesson
• NEW: Added depression tables for cannon and rockets to the kneeboard
   
• NEW: JESTER-AI: Jester Nav Improvements Part 2:
  • Added VIP_SILENT waypoint for ME (like VIP but without distance callouts)
  • Fixed a bug where JESTER would switch flyover waypoints assigned as HOLD (now holding properly)
  • You can now assign any WPT type as a holding waypoint in the ME by typing HOLD in the waypoint name field
  • JESTER will now report the new steering after it's physically in on the Nav Comp (previously he was saying it in the meantime)
  • When applicable, the waypoint name will appear instead of coordinates in the Jester Nav Menu
  • Waypoint coordinates latitide and longitude precision limited to 3 digits after comma (implementation change not to make strings unnecessarily long, no gameplay impact)
  • INS alignment state is now shown in the JESTER Nav menu wheel info
     
• NEW: JESTER-AI: Added 20 new set commands for the JESTER-AI:
  • PROXY_Jester_tune_ARC_164_channel = 20015  
  • PROXY_Jester_tune_TACAN_channel = 20016  
  • PROXY_Jester_deviate_to_tgt_zone = 20017  
  • PROXY_Jester_add_wpt_after = 20018  
  • PROXY_Jester_resume_flightplan = 20020  
  • PROXY_Jester_designate_wpt = 20021  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_cap_time = 20022  
  • PROXY_Jester_eject_WSO = 20023
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_power = 20098  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_polar = 20097  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_range = 20096  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_maneuver = 20095  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_scan = 20094  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_aspect = 20093  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_rcvr_fine = 20092  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_rcvr_coarse = 20091  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_track = 20090  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_display = 20089  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_man_vc = 20088  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_pulse = 20087  
  • PROXY_Jester_radar_mode = 20086  
  • PROXY_Jester_dispense = 20085  
  • PROXY_Jester_air_to_air = 20084  
  • PROXY_Jester_video_select = 20083  
  • PROXY_Jester_laser_code = 20082  
  • PROXY_Jester_context_short = 20081  
  • PROXY_Jester_context_long = 20080  
  • PROXY_Jester_context_double = 20079  
  • PROXY_Jester_unlock_tgt = 20078  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_laser_code = 20024  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_drag = 20025  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_alt_range = 20026  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_ew_dist = 20027  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_ns_dist = 20028  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_advance = 20029  
  • PROXY_Jester_set_wrcs_range = 20030
  • We will pin an in depth guide on the ED F-4 Forums within the next couple days
     

• JESTER-AI: Fixed JESTER asking for alignment type on hotstart
• JESTER-AI: Fixed JESTER asking for alignment type too often
   
• Systems: Fixed an issue with the RWR TGT SEP function
• Systems: Tuned INS errors
• Systems: Changed default position of ext-fuel switch, now prefers OUTBOARD over CENTER
• Systems: Adjusted autostart to incorporate the new alignment types
   
• Weapons: Corrected CL Interlock for Gunpod and 1xMk-84 (lit but launch allowed)
  • BRU-5/A with single store allows launch, despite light on (applies to "1xMk-84" and gunpod)
• Weapons: Fixed SUU-23 Gunpod having 639 instead of 1234 rounds
   
• Visual: Adjusted WRCS lamp range
• Visual: Made WRCS lamps dimmable
• Visual: Fixed UHF repeater brightness dropping too low
• Visual: Improved HUD shutter animation
• Visual: Improved TGT INSERT/FREEZE lamp art
• Visual: Reverted previous attempt for a better throttle AB detent animation, will be reattempted later
   
• Sound: Reverted the J-79 and canopies sound updates due to a severe bug - will be re-added as soon as possible.
   
• AI: Mitigating Pave Spike issues by giving the plane a Laser Designator:
  • (this allows the AI to also lase bombs without Pave Spike equipped, but that is better than not being able to lase at all)
• AI: F-4 AI learned how to use the trigger. Fixes most weapon issues. Remaining:
  • CBU-1/2 "pods" (AI thinks its a normal CBU, not a dispenser)
  • If the AI goes for a DIVE attack it tends to overshoot slightly
• AI: Fixed incorrect definition of Pave Spike Sensor
   
• Missions: Updated several training missions:
  • Lesson 05:
    • Removed 2x external tanks from aircraft (according to lesson plan)
    • Set internal fuel to 80% (according to lesson plan)
  • Lesson 06:
    • Re-armed the 4x AIM-9L to the aircraft, which became missing after a previous DCS Update
• Missions: Updated Red Flag mission 1, and 2 by Sedlo
• Missions: Updated Afghanistan IA BFM mission by Sedlo
• Missions: Updated Afghanistan IA missions by Activity
• Missions: Updated missions by Reflected
• Missions: Updated Frog-7 mini campaign mission 1 and 2:
  • Fixed AI issues with takeoff runway and target attack (M1)
  • Removed single unit which required High Digit Sams (M2)
     

• Inputs: Added hardware micro-interruption protection for Jester Context Command
• Inputs: Added direct binds for Jester Context Action (SHORT, HOLD, DOUBLE)
  • Workaround for those who experience issues with the “smart bind”
• Manual: Updated in-game manual
• Localization: Updated Chinese localization - thank you Alphabet_Ghost!
• Liveries: IAF Toad Livery updated to use better Camo Colors - thank you Fish!

 

Edited October 30, 2024 by IronMike

[Lexikdark]

Is there another Update coming today? or was all of this added in the background? or am I blind and not able to read/notice the changes listed in the changelog?

Either way. love the update on the changes.

[SizzlingPopcorn]

I was wondering the same as there is nothing for HB in the ED changelog for today's update.

[Sedlo]

These are the notes that were meant to be in the changelog.  Fear not, the changes above are in 2.9.9.2280.

[Iron Sights]

Nice, I was wondering if the F-4E received any updates. The INS progress is a welcome feature.

[Northstar98]

Nice changelog, though one thing I was hoping would be fixed by now is the AIM-7E and E-2 Sparrow models, which was first reported just over 5 months ago - it's a fairly trivial change to CoreMods\aircraft\F-4E\Entry\Weapons.lua to fix both missiles (the AIM-7E-2 appears as an E before launch and both missiles turn into AIM-7Ms post-launch).

Edited October 31, 2024 by Northstar98

[ssn]

Thank you for all the updates.  Is there a chance for the altimeter lever being stuck in reset or standby positions getting fixed soon?  I know it's a small thing but quite visible and hopefully also not that hard to fix...

[IronMike]

19 hours ago, Lexikdark said:

Is there another Update coming today? or was all of this added in the background? or am I blind and not able to read/notice the changes listed in the changelog?

Either way. love the update on the changes.

They have been added since, this was just a mistake on my part, I thought the patch day was a day later and thus submitted the changelog too late, even though ED was chasing me down, a case of the eyes standing cross, or whatever one can call that, my apologies. But it is all part of the same patch.

[paura19]

Great!
I hope another keybinds for Jester are coming. It is hard to create macro or voiceattack for outer "submenu". 
Keybinds: lock target, focus target submenu, go to steerpoint 1-18, scan area.
Or just to have options to NOTskip submenu (left->right).

And like in Tomcat: when Jester tunes radio then WSO is in command that radio.
 

[E69_DaniV]

On 10/30/2024 at 6:38 PM, IronMike said:

• • JESTER-AI: Fixed JESTER asking for alignment type on hotstart
  • JESTER-AI: Fixed JESTER asking for alignment type too often

 

Thanks for the big update!. Keep the good work on.

Sorry to report that I tried today and Jester still repeating the same bug. Asked for alignment type three times in a row (with intervals of 1-2 seconds).

(Started-up with the automated sequence). Will do manually to test if happens again.

Hot-start ist running ok.

Hoping its not only happening to me. Maybe Jester is playing tricks on me

 

Edited October 31, 2024 by E69_DaniV

[Kalasnkova74]

In line with the change log entry about the engine sounds being reverted- I noticed in the above video that as the F-104 slows to subsonic (approximately 30 seconds in), the J-79 howl/engine noise fades back into the cockpit. Which makes sense, seeing as the engine’s behind the pilot and thus you’d be outrunning the engine’s noise.

Given the F-4Es similar engine placement- as in far behind the pilot/WSO/RIO seats - shouldn’t the J-79 engine sound fade down above the Mach also for the Phantom II?
 

Figured since the sounds were being reviewed anyway I’d point this out. OFC, if the SMEs say it never did this in real life please disregard. 

[Hikaruncat]

11 hours ago, IronMike said:

これらはその後追加されましたが、これは私のミスでした。パッチの日は 1 日後だと思っていたため、ED が私を追いかけていたにもかかわらず、変更ログを送信するのが遅すぎました。目を背けている状態、または何と呼べばよいのかわかりませんが、申し訳ありません。しかし、これらはすべて同じパッチの一部です。

Hello
Thank you for the F-4E update.
I thought there would be no F-4E this time, but I'm glad.

By the way, have you still fixed the bugs that have been bothering you for a while,
the jagged edges of the HUD at night or when the light is hitting it, and the phenomenon where the pilot and jester have the same helmet when putting down their helmets?
Appearance is important, so I'm particularly concerned about the HUD.
I've heard it's difficult, but I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you　

[Tshark]

Since the new patch this week the pilot can no longer see what his human WSO see's on radar.  You can see the cursor move, but top readouts do not work and there are no radar returns.  If the human WSO leaves the aircraft, Jester takes over and the radar works.  As soon as the human WSO rejoins, the radar again only displays the grid and radar cursor.  This currently makes the F-4 unplayable as a two player aircraft.

 

[Pillowcat]

Guys reporting HOBOS got broken

[233Pilot]

On 10/31/2024 at 8:04 PM, Tshark said:

Since the new patch this week the pilot can no longer see what his human WSO see's on radar.  You can see the cursor move, but top readouts do not work and there are no radar returns.  If the human WSO leaves the aircraft, Jester takes over and the radar works.  As soon as the human WSO rejoins, the radar again only displays the grid and radar cursor.  This currently makes the F-4 unplayable as a two player aircraft.

 

Flying with a human WSO I had this same thing happen. Additionally, the human player wasn't able to re-slot and had to leave the server. When they rejoined they had the same issue as mentioned in the quote. Then when I tried to re-slot to start over, I wasn't able to switch slots and had to leave and rejoin the server as well.

After restarting the mission, we also had an issue where we were fighting an SA2, the WSO said the jet exploded and he was dead but myself (the pilot) had evaded the incoming missile with no damage at all.

To save other players time - don't bother doing any complex two-crew missions until this is figured out.

[Comstedt86]

On 11/1/2024 at 2:59 PM, Pillowcat said:

Guys reporting HOBOS got broken

So that explains why I never got ARM ready / picture in scope I suppose. Thanks 

[Tomcatter87]

I really like the option to designate Waypoint Types in the mission editor. Is there a list of the different waypoint types and which abbreviations to use for them?

Edited November 7, 2024 by Tomcatter87

[Zabuzard]

I really like the option to designate Waypoint Types in the mission editor. Is there a list of the different waypoint types and which abbreviations to use for them?

Yup, manual section DCS > Mission Editor:
https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/dcs/mission_editor.html#flight-plan-preparation

[312_strycekFido]

Is there ETA for multi crew fix? thx

[Oesau]

Quote

NEW: JESTER-AI: Added 20 new set commands for the JESTER-AI:

We will pin an in depth guide on the ED F-4 Forums within the next couple days

Has this been done, I can't see it pinned in this forum?

[Zabuzard]

NEW: JESTER-AI: Added 20 new set commands for the JESTER-AI:
We will pin an in depth guide on the ED F-4 Forums within the next couple days

Has this been done, I can't see it pinned in this forum?
Yes, details in the manual section DCS Mission Editor:
https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/dcs/mission_editor.html#setcommands

Is there ETA for multi crew fix? thx

We are on it

[Beirut]

Just had a few great flights but there was an issue.

 

After the first landing the WSO told me the landing was as pretty as Meg Ryan. After my second landing the WSO said the landing was like stretching out on the couch. But after several more landings he had yet to say it was like stretching out on the couch with Meg Ryan.

 

Can this please be addressed in the next update?