F-4E / Jester Radar – How to Make Him Track a Contact Without Locking?

[Zev]

Hi all,

I’ve got a question about handling radar contacts in the F-4E with AI Jester.

Let’s say I already see a (IFF) contact on the radar. At this point I don’t want to hard lock it yet — I just want Jester to keep following that contact area so he doesn’t lose it when he resumes his wider search pattern. Sometimes it feels like if I don’t lock immediately, Jester just keeps scanning, contact is lost and it can take too long before he reacquires the same blip.

So my question is:

Is there a way to tell Jester to “track” or “focus” on a contact without going to a hard lock?

Do you guys use specific Jester Wheel entries or context button tricks to make him hold a radar focus on a contact?

Any tips or workflow that help reduce the chance of losing a contact before I’m ready to commit to a lock?

Curious to hear how others handle this — thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Zev

[Zabuzard]

Yes, this feature is called "focus" in Jester for the F4. You can use the context command (V) or the Jester Wheel for it. Details in the manual:

https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/jester/combat/radar.html#target-selection

[PhantomHans]

I want to point out that "focus" isn't like TWS in a more modern jet.

@Zabuzard does using the "focus" command make Jester keep a closer eye on the target or just keep the cursor over it?

[Zabuzard]

11 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

@Zabuzard does using the "focus" command make Jester keep a closer eye on the target or just keep the cursor over it?

He will enter NARROW mode and adjust the antenna of the radar to always point at this bandits altitude. He will also follow the bandit with the screen distance setting to keep him mostly centered. And of course also keep the cursor on them.

In other words, the radar beam is pointed straight at the bandit (provided you also point the aircraft at the bandit azimuth-wise).

It is the closest you get to a TWS in this aircraft.

Edited 7 hours ago by Zabuzard