DCS A-10C QUESTIONS

[Scepter]

Flight Stick

 

I am contemplating whether to purchase the Saitek X52, CH Fighter Stick or the CH Combat Stick 568. I am simming with the DCS A-10C and have a Thrustmaster X which is to say the least, light on its ability to be programmed. The HOTAS Warthog would be ideal, but for now it's a little pricey. Any ideas?:joystick:

[Zenra]

I would say the consensus on these forums would be to go with the X-52. I am lucky enough to have been able to swing the TM Warthog, but when I was deliberating the X-52 was clearly my next choice. From what I've read here most people using the X-52 are quite satisfied with it for DCS A-10C.

[jpanside]

 

Got a question about some of the options within the game.

 

1. What is the Radio Assist option and what does it do?

2. Easy communication sounds a lot like radio assist so I want to know the difference between both.

3. Permit crash RCVR? No idea.

 

4. Sync cockpit controls with HOTAS at mission start? once I get my hotas do I want to enable this option?

 

Thank you! I added pictures for clarity!

[nomdeplume]

1. What is the Radio Assist option and what does it do?

It provides some audio messages for certain situations, including a 'shoot shoot' message when you're within release parameters, and probably some other stuff.

 

2. Easy communication sounds a lot like radio assist so I want to know the difference between both.

This refers to the use of the A-10C radios to hear other flights and communicate with JTAC and ATC. With this option disabled, you need to tune the appropriate radio to the correct frequency manually, and use the corresponding HOTAS MIC switch to 'activate' the radio - this will bring up the comms menu where you can select any asset to communicate with, but you'll only receive a response if they're on the frequency the radio you're using is tuned to.

 

With 'easy comms' enabled, you can use the \ key to open the comms menu, and communicate with anyone. Assets which are on one of the frequencies your radios are tuned to will be shown in white, while assets on different frequencies are shown in grey. If you select a grey option, the appropriate radio will be automatically tuned to the appropriate frequency before your call is made.

 

3. Permit crash RCVR? No idea.

Permits crash recovery from the 'escape menu'. If you fly your plane into the ground, I think this lets you hit escape then 'rcvr', and you'll get a new plane. Not quite sure exactly how it works as I haven't used the option since I was learning Black Shark, and that was a looooong time ago. But it might be helpful to enable this while learning, especially if it takes a while to load the sim on your system.

 

4. Sync cockpit controls with HOTAS at mission start? once I get my hotas do I want to enable this option?

From what I've read, I think this just makes it so that when you unpause the game when it first loads, it'll still be paused - you can then look around the cockpit and make sure your own switches and whatnots are in the same position as those in the simualated aircraft cockpit, and adjust as needed. Then you can unpause (again) and start flying, secure with the knowledge that the position of your real-life doodads matches that of the in-game wotsitz.

 

Personally I don't use it, someone who does might be able to explain its utility better than me.

[jpanside]

It provides some audio messages for certain situations, including a 'shoot shoot' message when you're within release parameters, and probably some other stuff.

 

This refers to the use of the A-10C radios to hear other flights and communicate with JTAC and ATC. With this option disabled, you need to tune the appropriate radio to the correct frequency manually, and use the corresponding HOTAS MIC switch to 'activate' the radio - this will bring up the comms menu where you can select any asset to communicate with, but you'll only receive a response if they're on the frequency the radio you're using is tuned to.

 

With 'easy comms' enabled, you can use the \ key to open the comms menu, and communicate with anyone. Assets which are on one of the frequencies your radios are tuned to will be shown in white, while assets on different frequencies are shown in grey. If you select a grey option, the appropriate radio will be automatically tuned to the appropriate frequency before your call is made.

 

Permits crash recovery from the 'escape menu'. If you fly your plane into the ground, I think this lets you hit escape then 'rcvr', and you'll get a new plane. Not quite sure exactly how it works as I haven't used the option since I was learning Black Shark, and that was a looooong time ago. But it might be helpful to enable this while learning, especially if it takes a while to load the sim on your system.

 

From what I've read, I think this just makes it so that when you unpause the game when it first loads, it'll still be paused - you can then look around the cockpit and make sure your own switches and whatnots are in the same position as those in the simualated aircraft cockpit, and adjust as needed. Then you can unpause (again) and start flying, secure with the knowledge that the position of your real-life doodads matches that of the in-game wotsitz.

 

Personally I don't use it, someone who does might be able to explain its utility better than me.

 

 

many thanks nomdeplume!

[Scepter]

I would say the consensus on these forums would be to go with the X-52. I am lucky enough to have been able to swing the TM Warthog, but when I was deliberating the X-52 was clearly my next choice. From what I've read here most people using the X-52 are quite satisfied with it for DCS A-10C.

Thanks Zenra...looks like the X-52.

[luckybob9]

From what I've read, I think this just makes it so that when you unpause the game when it first loads, it'll still be paused - you can then look around the cockpit and make sure your own switches and whatnots are in the same position as those in the simualated aircraft cockpit, and adjust as needed. Then you can unpause (again) and start flying, secure with the knowledge that the position of your real-life doodads matches that of the in-game wotsitz.

 

Personally I don't use it, someone who does might be able to explain its utility better than me.

 

ehhh. on the right track i suppose..

 

It synchronizes your ingame virtual cockpit switches with how your HOTAS is. For instance. from a cold start all switches are off normally. Lets say I have my two fuel flow switches set UP before i start the game. Once i start the game and it is done loading, those switches in the virtual cockpit will now be in the UP position.

[nomdeplume]

ehhh. on the right track i suppose..

 

It synchronizes your ingame virtual cockpit switches with how your HOTAS is. For instance. from a cold start all switches are off normally. Lets say I have my two fuel flow switches set UP before i start the game. Once i start the game and it is done loading, those switches in the virtual cockpit will now be in the UP position.

 

That's what I assumed it would do from the name of the option, but it didn't seem to do that. And I read here later a description that was more along the lines of what I said above.

 

And I've just now enabled the option, and set my TM Warthog HOTAS switches in various positions: both fuel flow switches to 'override' (down position), left engine operate switch to 'motor' (down), autopilot to alt (down), radar altimeter to 'nrm' (up), and the throttle pinky switch to 'aft'. None of these non-standard switch positions were reflected in the in-game cockpit. Additionally, after unpausing the game everything was frozen - even the normal 'zoom out to default fov' didn't occur until I pressed the pause button again to resume.

 

If you have a different experience with that option I'd like to know how, as the way you describe it is what I thought it would do and seems like a useful function. The way I described it is what it's always done for me when I've tried it. The only benefit I can see is that it allows you to remove the 'press pause to start' dialog (or whatever it says) when the sim loads and still have the game paused while you sort yourself out.

[rddaos]

Can someone please tell me how to reset the keyboard key assignments to default? I wasn't thinking when I mapped spacebar key to the pause function. So now, when I try to do the training missions, I cannot press the spacebar to continue(as the game is asking me to do), because pressing the spacebar now just pauses the game. And I cannot figure out what the spacebar key used to be mapped to before I messed with it. Thanks...

[cichlidfan]

Can someone please tell me how to reset the keyboard key assignments to default? I wasn't thinking when I mapped spacebar key to the pause function. So now, when I try to do the training missions, I cannot press the spacebar to continue(as the game is asking me to do), because pressing the spacebar now just pauses the game. And I cannot figure out what the spacebar key used to be mapped to before I messed with it. Thanks...

 

Try this information:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1024281&postcount=1

 

P.S. Search works fairly well. "reset keyboard" :music_whistling:

[rddaos]

Thanks, and sorry for the duplicate posts guys. I forgot to click email notification and had to repost to get email notification of replies.

[Shootist]

104th Phoenix in California?

 

Didn't know where to put this one. So, quickly before I get bounced to obscurity. I am tired of all the locked servers and, being on the west coast of Canada, I am looking to check out a server that's not too far away. So, is it? Before I go and sign up?

[Ghillied raptor]

I pre-ordered dcs A-10 and downloaded it during the beta stage. I'm not sure if I'm running the 'full' version. I don't recall downloading any updates. How do I go about updating Dcs A-10 to the latest version? Thanks.

[nemises]

Hi Ghillied,

First off, have a look in Options / Credits, this will tell you the current version.

I believe the "Full" version (ie. post Beta) is 1105

Since then, patch 1106 and 1107 have been released, and patch 1108 is only a few days away from being released (hopefully!).

 

If you have the beta version still (ie a version that is lower than 1105) , then my advise is to download the full 1107 (or if you can wait a few days, the full 1108) release from:

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Log into the main page and click on "downloads" and "Software" to see all the available downloads.

 

You can download the patches seperately, but it will be much easier to get the whole 1107 (or 1108) release instead, with the patches integrated already.

[Scepter]

At a loss

 

I am configuring a profile on my HOTAS, and unfortunately I did not write down how in the world I targeted and then set up my options for delivery. Whether that be guns, CCIP, CCRP etc. Each time I target (V) I push the button for master (M) though it does target, it does not show me any options on how I am to deliver the ordinance. Probably quite simple, but I am at wits end. Thanks.:surrender:

[nomdeplume]

I am configuring a profile on my HOTAS, and unfortunately I did not write down how in the world I targeted and then set up my options for delivery. Whether that be guns, CCIP, CCRP etc. Each time I target (V) I push the button for master (M) though it does target, it does not show me any options on how I am to deliver the ordinance. Probably quite simple, but I am at wits end. Thanks.

Ummm... you sound very confused. I'd suggest running through the tutorial missions and/or watch tutorial videos.

 

Assuming you're using realistic mode, 'V' is the china hat fwd keybinding, so pressing that will for most sensors toggle between narrow and wide FOV. M cycles the weapon master modes. Neither of these 'target' anything.

 

If you're using game mode, they both target surface targets of some kind, but M doesn't cycle maser modes so I don't think you'd be referring to it as such. So... I'd really recommend running through the tutorials (again?).

 

The short version is: TMS UP will generally lock your currently active sensor (SOI) onto whatever it's pointing at; TMS UP LONG will make it your SPI which is required for some weapons, and generally useful anyway; use the Master mode button to cycle the HUD into either CCIP or CCRP mode and then use either the UFC SEL buttons -or- make the HUD the SOI and use DMS LEFT/RIGHT to cycle weapons profiles that you've configured in the DSMS. You can also directly activate a weapons profile from the DSMS Profiles page.

[zyph3r]

For some reason when I start my take off the plane veers left dramatically. I correct and then take flight. During my flight to target it has a tendency to do the same thing. I have even taken my hands off of the joystick and throttle to make sure I am not doing something unconsciously. Trying to line up a bomb run in CCRP is virtually impossible. Ideas?:cry:

 

Had this problem also, how much load do you carry? Happens to me when i had 6*mav and 4*GBU 105...

[jpanside]

Just did my flying for today, but I ran into some problems, here are my questions!

 

1. Can you tell me why the flaps do not go down sometimes? Sometimes it works and sometime it don't. Other times, I press F to lower flaps and nothing happens, 5 minutes later I look at my wings and my flaps are down. wtf? :P

 

2. Pretty sure the ILS volume is bugged. No matter which way I turn it, it is still loud and annoying as hell. =)

 

3. When the tower clears me for taxi to runway, do I hold short before the runway and then ask to takeoff? Usually in the aviation field, they tell you to hold short but in this game the dialogue is not there.

 

Thank you!

 

4. Most important thing! almost left it out. Is there a way to ENGAGE autopilot without having to press the button? I looked through the key list and could not find the hotkey. They have hotkeys for setting the type of autopilot you want but nothing about engaging it. Is there a default key to engage autopilot? Thanks!

[hog_driver111th]

1. Check your speed. You need to be around 180kts indicated in order for your flaps to drop.

2. ILS Volume will be fixed with the new patch.

3. As far as I know, ATC will also be fixed in the new patch (don't have the changelog infront of me)

4. The hotkey for the LAAP is A or Control A, one of the two. I have mine set for Left Control A, so I can use the "A" key for my CDU... so I'm not sure if the Control should be in there.

 

Hope this helps!

[jpanside]

1. Check your speed. You need to be around 180kts indicated in order for your flaps to drop.

2. ILS Volume will be fixed with the new patch.

3. As far as I know, ATC will also be fixed in the new patch (don't have the changelog infront of me)

4. The hotkey for the LAAP is A or Control A, one of the two. I have mine set for Left Control A, so I can use the "A" key for my CDU... so I'm not sure if the Control should be in there.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

beauty! thanks!!!!!!!!

[nomdeplume]

3. When the tower clears me for taxi to runway, do I hold short before the runway and then ask to takeoff?

Yes, if you taxi onto the runway they'll keep telling you you're not cleared for takeoff. There's a stretch of taxiway before the runway at each airport where they'll respond to your request to takeoff with permission. If the runway is occuppied they will say 'unable to clear for takeoff' and then automatically give you permission once it's clear.

[Cibit]

 

 

4. Most important thing! almost left it out. Is there a way to ENGAGE autopilot without having to press the button? I looked through the key list and could not find the hotkey. They have hotkeys for setting the type of autopilot you want but nothing about engaging it. Is there a default key to engage autopilot? Thanks!

 

I believe that it is

1 for alt/heading hold.

2 for path

3 for alt

 

Thats on the keyboard numbers not the numberpad on the right:)

[jpanside]

I believe that it is

1 for alt/heading hold.

2 for path

3 for alt

 

Thats on the keyboard numbers not the numberpad on the right:)

 

yup that is exactly what I have been pressing, but it only controls the toggle to what type of autopilot you want, it doesn't engage the auto. I think hog driver is right in pressing A or Ctrl A to engage. I will double check!

[159th_Viper]

LAAP Engage/Disengage = A

 

Left Throttle Button = Q

 

 

Both engage the LAAP.

[jpanside]

if it wasn't for this thread I think I would have like 10 threads on the front page :P

 

okay, so I am buying trackir 5 but I wanted your advice. Should I buy the x52 HOTAS first or buy the trackir first? Which is more important? I have a microsoft sidewinder joystick *cringe* that I am using currently so I am not sure how much more enjoyable it would be to ugprade to a real HOTAS. trackir 5 just seems really cool and it would free up some of my movements.

 

Also, where is the best place to buy trackir 5 (living in the USA) and what is the difference between the x52 and x52 pro?

 

Thank you!

 

1. Should I buy trackir 5 or x52? Which one first?

2. Best place to buy TrackIR 5 in the USA.

3. Difference between the x52 and x52 Pro?

 

edit:

 

omg too late sorry I bought the trackir 5 T_T Should be here tomorrow or Thursday. Hehehe next month I will think about getting a HOTAS.

Edited May 31, 2011 by jpanside