DLINK Behaviour at start up?

[speed-of-heat]

has this changed it now seems to default to GPS, I'm sure it didn't before ?

[skywalker22]

As far as I know, the only thing that has recently changed is functionalty of the MIDS switch, which you have to put from OFF to ON after the alignment is done (not before) for Datalink to work.

So move the MIDS switch to ON, after putting the INS switch to NAV mode.

[speed-of-heat]

no that not what the issue i am seeing.

once you turn on MIDS, DLNK automatically switches to GPS, in the past  you would have to select DLNK and set it to GPS, indeed it's documented that way in Chucks Guide.

[speed-of-heat]

Here's a track , as you can see DLNK is automatically set to GPS, in the past it required you to select it ?  @BIGNEWY Is this a bug or a change in behaviour?

DLNK automatically set to GPS .trk

[skywalker22]

It seems to me that you are mixing 2 things here: datalink and gps. These are 2 different things. GPS is for navigation, while Datalink is a combination of Link16 and MIDS radio and is meant for exchanging data among other aircrafts which are in the same network.

But since Datalink also requires GPS to be sync-ed, I suppose that's why you can only turn MIDS on, after alignement is complete. Thats how I understand that, but I might be wrong.

[speed-of-heat]

No, Im not mixing them up ...  but i may not be explaining myself clearly ...  GPS TIME: OFF should be the default state ... it's now ON...  this is a change in behaviour ... 

Edited April 25 by speed-of-heat

[Maverick806]

It’s in the patch notes for the April 16th patch:

• Fixed: Hot/Air start should activate GPS Time.

[speed-of-heat]

34 minutes ago, Maverick806 said:

It’s in the patch notes for the April 16th patch:

• Fixed: Hot/Air start should activate GPS Time.

this is from a COLD START 

[DimSim]

I'm new to F16 and trying to play a campaign.

I can't get the data link elements to display on the HSD, or anywhere else.

I am using auto start, which could be an issue, after reading thread:

Which suggests there is special order during startup, which may not be honored by the auto start sequence

"...the MIDS switch, which you have to put from OFF to ON after the alignment is done (not before) for Datalink to work."

If so, is there a way to 'fix' this after startup?

I have seen a fix which involves turning data link off then on again via the LIST -> DLNK screen.

This has no effect. Everything else appears to be in the correct state.

 

Edit: Repro steps:

Show working:

1. Instant Action -> F16 -> Caucasus -> Ready on ramp
2. Observe friendlies on HSD, at least after they take off after a short time.

Show not working:

1. Instant Actions -> F16 -> Caucasus -> Cold and dark
2. Press Auto startup
3. Observe no friendlies on HSD, all instruments set to expected states.

Edit: I can get the Datalink working with auto startup.

Edited May 11 by DimSim
Rename HSI to HSD

[Mapi]

HSD?

Edited May 4 by Mapi

[DimSim]

HSD, not HSI, sorry. Edited post.

Bottom right on your image.

Edited May 4 by DimSim

[NytHawk]

3 hours ago, DimSim said:

If so, is there a way to 'fix' this after startup?

Did you exit the hangar you were in (if applicable) and ensure you have enabled GPS time in the DLINK page? 

This should be done before MIDS is powered on ideally.

[speed-of-heat]

@BIGNEWY was the fix only meant to impact hot/air starts or was it also meant to impact cold starts

[DimSim]

1 hour ago, NytHawk said:

Did you exit the hangar you were in (if applicable) and ensure you have enabled GPS time in the DLINK page? 

This should be done before MIDS is powered on ideally.

Yes, tested outside hanger, on runway and in the air.

Yes, DLINK shows GPS Time and Fine.

[Roy35150]

@Mapi

Hi.

Could you tell me how to get my hud only view like yours?

Looks really good and makes things so much easier to see.

[ViSzKe]

On 5/4/2025 at 11:45 AM, Roy35150 said:

@Mapi

Hi.

Could you tell me how to get my hud only view like yours?

Looks really good and makes things so much easier to see.

Alt + F1 I think

[Roy35150]

16 hours ago, ViSzKe said:

Alt + F1 I think

Thanks.

[DimSim]

If DLINK requires careful startup sequence to work, it stands to reason that either the module is bugged or the auto startup features is bugged.

Edit: I was able to get data link working with both auto and manual startups, but not for every mission. Still investigating, could relate to mission instead of aircraft.

Edited May 10 by DimSim
More observations

[Yaga]

If all the switches are turned on and you don't see DLworking, troubleshooting is almost always as simple as cycling MIDS Off/On. 

I'm in the habit of waiting until after alignment is complete and set to Nav before I turn MIDS on, but I don't think anything breaks if you turn it on before. Again, if it does break, just power cycle it and it should be fine.

If that doesn't work, I suspect there may be an issue with your alignment. 

[DimSim]

5 hours ago, Yaga said:

...

If that doesn't work, I suspect there may be an issue with your alignment. 

Thanks for responding. That is what I have been doing and having success for Instant action missions. Seems this campaign mission behaves differently for unknown reason.

[speed-of-heat]

this thread was not about making DLNK work. please if you have a problem that is different create your own thread

[DimSim]

2 hours ago, speed-of-heat said:

this thread was not about making DLNK work. please if you have a problem that is different create your own thread

I did make a new thread, but mod merged it into this one.

[speed-of-heat]

@BIGNEWY this is a separate problem @DimSim is having a problem getting DLNK to work, my issue is that the fix from April 16 

On 4/25/2025 at 6:13 PM, Maverick806 said:

It’s in the patch notes for the April 16th patch:

• Fixed: Hot/Air start should activate GPS Time.

is also impacting cold starts, rather than just hot/air starts.

[BIGNEWY]

I will ask the team to check, we do already have a report open internally for checking GPS time. 

thanks 

[Yaga]

21 hours ago, speed-of-heat said:

@BIGNEWY this is a separate problem @DimSim is having a problem getting DLNK to work, my issue is that the fix from April 16 

is also impacting cold starts, rather than just hot/air starts.

The LST ENT DED page does indeed 'turn on' with GPS time set to On, whereas before it would be Off. Same was true for hot starts and was a recent update.

Is there a specific issue you're encountering during startup? Idk if this is the correct behavior, but I haven't noticed any in my starts. GPS time shows correctly when verified against the f10 map clock. 

I'm not 100% sure GPS time does anything currently, but I could be wrong. 

Edited May 13 by Yaga
lst -> ent