correct as-is F-16C inputting coordinate in Mark changes to totally different map grid

[Mac D]

So I'm trying to do CAS missions, with a JTAC, using AGM-65H Mavericks.

Long story short : I suck because I just can't find the targets with the TGP or the 65H head.

Enter new idea :
Input JTAC 9 line coordinate as Mark and change it to steerpoint.
Idea good, but that's about it.

Every time I input the MSGR coordinate, it changens to a totally different map grid.
For instance, I'm using the Cold War map, and put some training targets in Berg Höhne.
Grid is 32U ND 5490 5392
After inputting this, the Mark coordinate changes to 31U ND 6690 5392 ????

What is going on here ??

[Tholozor]

Remember to input 10-digit MGRS and not 8. Add an extra 0 to the end of each set.

[Furiz]

I don't see elevation there.

[Mac D]

16 hours ago, Tholozor said:

Remember to input 10-digit MGRS and not 8. Add an extra 0 to the end of each set.

Did that, still the coordinate changes to a totally different grid.

2 hours ago, Furiz said:

I don't see elevation there.

Elevation was 300 feet, inputted that as well : again changes to a totally different grid.

[d0ppler]

19 hours ago, Tholozor said:

Remember to input 10-digit MGRS and not 8. Add an extra 0 to the end of each set.

No need to enter 10. If you enter 8 digits it just assumes the last digit is 0 for each set. You can also type 6, even 4 digits. But less and less accurate.

2 hours ago, Mac D said:

Did that, still the coordinate changes to a totally different grid.

Elevation was 300 feet, inputted that as well : again changes to a totally different grid.

Just to be clear, are you selecting CNVRT and then press enter after you've typed the coordinates?

Edited October 20 by d0ppler

[Mac D]

On 10/20/2025 at 11:47 AM, d0ppler said:

No need to enter 10. If you enter 8 digits it just assumes the last digit is 0 for each set. You can also type 6, even 4 digits. But less and less accurate.

Just to be clear, are you selecting CNVRT and then press enter after you've typed the coordinates?

No, I didn't see this on the mark screen (button 7) on the ICP.
Isn't this the sep screen ? (button 4? )

[NineLine]

From the DCS F-16 manual. It specifically says that inputting a markpoint via MGRS direct entry cannot be done.

[Gilligan]

20 hours ago, Mac D said:

No, I didn't see this on the mark screen (button 7) on the ICP.
Isn't this the sep screen ? (button 4? )

You need to use steerpoints 21-25 to create steerpoints using mrgs. 

 

You you describe, step-by-step, the process you are using to create your mark/steer points in this instance?

[Mac D]

On 10/21/2025 at 6:48 PM, NineLine said:

From the DCS F-16 manual. It specifically says that inputting a markpoint via MGRS direct entry cannot be done.

Sorry people for the late response.

Okay, this is clear : no MGRS in Mark, use steerpoint 21-25 : got it
 

On 10/22/2025 at 2:03 PM, Gilligan said:

You need to use steerpoints 21-25 to create steerpoints using mrgs. 

 

You you describe, step-by-step, the process you are using to create your mark/steer points in this instance?

- Button 4 on ICP (Mark)
- put Mark display on HUD
- scroll to the end and fill in the MGRS coordinates (which Nineline pointed out can't be used in Mark)
- Then TMS right long to switch the Mark point to steerpoint (which it doesn't do because the grid coordinate is change to somewhere over the Atlantic)

[Gilligan]

9 hours ago, Mac D said:

Sorry people for the late response.

Okay, this is clear : no MGRS in Mark, use steerpoint 21-25 : got it
 

- Button 4 on ICP (Mark)
- put Mark display on HUD
- scroll to the end and fill in the MGRS coordinates (which Nineline pointed out can't be used in Mark)
- Then TMS right long to switch the Mark point to steerpoint (which it doesn't do because the grid coordinate is change to somewhere over the Atlantic)

try:

 

-Button 4 on ICP (STPT)

-Press "2" then "1" (Should set steerpoint number as 21)

-hold dobber right (long) (the DED Display will change to MRGS input mode after a couple seconds)

-enter the MRGS as specified by JTAC

-cursor over CNVRT and press ENTR

-You will see the DED display change back into LAT LONG mode

[Mac D]

3 hours ago, Gilligan said:

try:

 

-Button 4 on ICP (STPT)

-Press "2" then "1" (Should set steerpoint number as 21)

-hold dobber right (long) (the DED Display will change to MRGS input mode after a couple seconds)

-enter the MRGS as specified by JTAC

-cursor over CNVRT and press ENTR

-You will see the DED display change back into LAT LONG mode

Thanks, I'll give it a go 

[MeanJim]

10 hours ago, Gilligan said:

try:

 

-Button 4 on ICP (STPT)

-Press "2" then "1" (Should set steerpoint number as 21)

-hold dobber right (long) (the DED Display will change to MRGS input mode after a couple seconds)

-enter the MRGS as specified by JTAC

-cursor over CNVRT and press ENTR

-You will see the DED display change back into LAT LONG mode

That will work, but you will momentarily change your active steerpoint while editing.  Page 202 in the manual describes the easiest way to input a MGRS coordinate and/or add/edit a steerpoint without changing your current steerpoint.  Press the LIST button on the ICP, then press 1 for DEST.  The first page that comes up will be the UTM DEST page which is where you enter MGRS coordinates, and steerpoints 21 will already be selected.  To edit other steerpoints, dobber right to page two, the DEST DIR page, and it's the same as editing from the STPT page.

I use this a lot in MP servers with dynamic missions.  I plot my waypoints out before entering the jet, but quite often, by the time I take off and are en route, things change and I will need to edit or add a waypoint, while I have the autopilot in nav hold.

[Gilligan]

1 hour ago, MeanJim said:

That will work, but you will momentarily change your active steerpoint while editing.  Page 202 in the manual describes the easiest way to input a MGRS coordinate and/or add/edit a steerpoint without changing your current steerpoint.  Press the LIST button on the ICP, then press 1 for DEST.  The first page that comes up will be the UTM DEST page which is where you enter MGRS coordinates, and steerpoints 21 will already be selected.  To edit other steerpoints, dobber right to page two, the DEST DIR page, and it's the same as editing from the STPT page.

I use this a lot in MP servers with dynamic missions.  I plot my waypoints out before entering the jet, but quite often, by the time I take off and are en route, things change and I will need to edit or add a waypoint, while I have the autopilot in nav hold.

I usually set heading hold, so it hasn't really been an issue. However, that does sound simpler. I will give that a shot next time. 

[Mac D]

13 hours ago, Gilligan said:

try:

 

-Button 4 on ICP (STPT)

-Press "2" then "1" (Should set steerpoint number as 21)

-hold dobber right (long) (the DED Display will change to MRGS input mode after a couple seconds)

-enter the MRGS as specified by JTAC

-cursor over CNVRT and press ENTR

-You will see the DED display change back into LAT LONG mode

Did it precisly like you said, yet the same story as with mark :
It changes right back to grid coordinate 31U ****

[rob10]

10 hours ago, Mac D said:

Did it precisly like you said, yet the same story as with mark :
It changes right back to grid coordinate 31U ****

It would be very helpful if you post as short of possible trackfile of this happening and maybe someone will be able to spot what's going on.

[Mac D]

8 hours ago, rob10 said:

It would be very helpful if you post as short of possible trackfile of this happening and maybe someone will be able to spot what's going on.

I'll try to do it next weekend.
Found out there's something not right with DCS after the update from thursday : keeps crashing when I try to use the HB F-14 and the AV-8BNA keeps disappearing from my module list.

Need to figure out what's going on first.

[RogueSpecterGaming]

7 hours ago, Mac D said:

I'll try to do it next weekend.
Found out there's something not right with DCS after the update from thursday : keeps crashing when I try to use the HB F-14 and the AV-8BNA keeps disappearing from my module list.

Need to figure out what's going on first.

Are you sure you are putting the correct grid in? If you don't put the correct grid it will revert back to the 31U and whatever else. So, JTAC never tells you the Grid only the square meaning you need to check the F10 prior to see what Grid you are operating in. 

[Mac D]

15 hours ago, RogueSpecterGaming said:

Are you sure you are putting the correct grid in? If you don't put the correct grid it will revert back to the 31U and whatever else. So, JTAC never tells you the Grid only the square meaning you need to check the F10 prior to see what Grid you are operating in. 

I just compared the coordinates you get from the JTAC during the 9-line against a real MSGR map of the area and they're correct.

 

(It does have it's advantages, working as civilian in the army)

Edited October 27 by Mac D

[d0ppler]

There are free, public map apps for your phone which will give you mgrs coordinates

 

[Gilligan]

On 10/25/2025 at 12:34 PM, Mac D said:

Did it precisly like you said, yet the same story as with mark :
It changes right back to grid coordinate 31U ****

I did a few short missions with JTAC over the last week.

 

Something is up with MRGS input. Whether I used the method I described or the method MeanJim, I get the same weird result.

Basically after inputting the info and CZ'ing, the SOI indicator was way off over the horizon, and the TGP was looking out that direction.

To "Fix" the issue, I had to go to my Mav's and cycle the fire modes through PRE/VIS/BORE and back to Pre, that put the cursor and sensors where they should be.

 

 

I will repeat to confirm the issue (I had it twice, back to back) and provide a track later this week.

 

 

Something is definitely up. 

[RogueSpecterGaming]

Track files would be nice to confirm what everyone is doing please. 

[d0ppler]

I've done literally more than 200 unit kills with the built in JTAC/AFAC feature and MGRS coordinates the last week due to testing of my new campaign and haven't had any problems with it. A track file would be appriciated, @Gilligan, to see if there's anything you do wrong

[Mac D]

Just did a quick-and-dirty, just to get a track.

And offcourse, now it works : now it converts the MSGR grid to long/lat, stays in the correct map grid AND keeps showing the inputted correct MSGR grid
Don't asked me what I did differently because I can't tell you.

LastMissionTrack.trk

[Mac D]

Got the steerpoint working... but now the pod doesn't want to slew to the steerpoint
And after manually putting the pod on the target, it won't pass the info to the maverick.
Then, after manually putting the maverick seeker head on the target and locking it ... the Maverick does a stage dive : going every where except were it's suppose to go.

This s#!t is driving my bats#!t crazy.

Gonna switch to something else for the time being : play kamikaze pilot or something.

[RogueSpecterGaming]

10 hours ago, Mac D said:

Got the steerpoint working... but now the pod doesn't want to slew to the steerpoint
And after manually putting the pod on the target, it won't pass the info to the maverick.
Then, after manually putting the maverick seeker head on the target and locking it ... the Maverick does a stage dive : going every where except were it's suppose to go.

This s#!t is driving my bats#!t crazy.

Gonna switch to something else for the time being : play kamikaze pilot or something.

A track file would've been nice. Just sounds like you are doing things wrong at this point.