Communicating with ground crew via radio

[latearrival]

Hi!

 

I'm an absolute beginner to all this and I'm just trying to learn how to use the radios (with 'Radio Assists' off). I've RTFM and, thanks to WarriorX's excellent guide to radios, I thought I'd grasped the basics. However, I would really appreciate a little help...

 

I'm sitting idle on the runway in mission "Free flight - Black Sea - Runway" and I thought I'd try using the AM radio to communicate with the Ground Crew. With the radio set to MAN, no matter what frequency the AM radio is set to, I am always able to communicate with (and get a response from) the ground crew. In fact, if I press the Mic Switch for any of the radios, I seem to be able to interact with the ground crew. How is that?

 

While I was able to read and hear my transmission, the response was only displayed on the screen and not spoken. Is that the way it is with all radio comms?

 

Cheers!

[lobo]

Hi!

 

The communication with the ground crew is via the intercom. This means the ground crew makes a physical connection with the aircraft by plugging a headset into a jack on the aircraft. So it does not matter what freq you set on the radio as you are not using the radio to communicate with ground crew you are using the aircraft intercom system.

 

We dont see in the sim a ground crewman with a headset and cord running to the aircraft but just pretend it is there.

 

In -10a manual it also says that when you get connection with a tanker via the boom, you also get an intercom connection with the tanker. Dont think this is in the sim.

Edited February 8, 2011 by lobo**
sppeelling eeror

[StrongHarm]

It's a little bugged right now in the current beta release. There is a work around though:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=64607

[WarriorX]

Hi Latearrival,

 

There are a couple of things to know to get the Ground Crew Comms working.

 

First you need to be in the, for the lack of a better term..."Ground Crew Interaction Zone" that each airport has. The mission designers will usually give you a geographical description of where this zone is on the mission airbase. When and only when you are in that zone you can interact with the Ground Crew.

 

As to how to communicate with the Ground Crew, there are a few choices available to you.

 

The simplest is when you look at the Intercom Panel and then push down the Hot Mic (HM) switch and then pull it back up (both with left mouse).

 

Once that is done, you will see a Radio Interaction Menu pop up. Just select F8 and then you can refuel and rearm.

 

If you want to access the Ground Crew with the VHF AM or VHF FM or UHF radio's you need to turn the Intercom Selector Switch to match the desired radio you want to communicate with the Ground Crew on.

 

Then hit the appropriate HOTAS Mic Switch for the radio you are using, then select the Ground Crew and choose what you want.

 

Dont forget to put the Intercom Selector Switch back to it's original position when you are done with the Ground Crew....if you don't, you will have problems with your radio functionality.

 

You will know you were successful in communicating with the Ground Crew when you see and/or hear the Ground Crew reply to your request.

 

I hope this helps.

Edited February 8, 2011 by WarriorX

[latearrival]

Thanks lobo**, StrongHarm, WarriorX. I really appreciate your help.

 

@lobo** - To use the intercom, I'd have to use the Hot Mic switch, right? (as well as have the INT switch selected and the Rotary Dial set to INT on the Intercom Control Panel I think). I'm not using the Hot Mic switch, I'm using the VHF/UHF transmit switches.

 

@StrongHarm, @WarriorX - my problem seems to be that it's too easy to communicate with the ground crew, not too hard - doesn't seem to matter what frequency the radios are on, and I don't have to use the Hot Mic either.

 

I think I'll just chalk it up to being a little buggy.

 

One more thing though - should I hear the ground crew (and anyone else I communicate with - but I've only tried with the ground crew so far) or do you just get "copy" etc in text at the top of the screen? I can never hear the ground crew speak to me.

 

Cheers!

[nomdeplume]

One more thing though - should I hear the ground crew (and anyone else I communicate with - but I've only tried with the ground crew so far) or do you just get "copy" etc in text at the top of the screen? I can never hear the ground crew speak to me.

 

You can hear them, but the audio is played at the location of the center of the "ground crew interaction zone". If you're too far from that location you won't be able to hear it, or you'll only hear it faintly.

[latearrival]

You can hear them, but the audio is played at the location of the center of the "ground crew interaction zone". If you're too far from that location you won't be able to hear it, or you'll only hear it faintly.

 

That explains it. I was sitting at the beginning of the runway when I was playing with the radios.

Thank you!

[REL]

Hi!

 

The communication with the ground crew is via the intercom. This means the ground crew makes a physical connection with the aircraft by plugging a headset into a jack on the aircraft. So it does not matter what freq you set on the radio as you are not using the radio to communicate with ground crew you are using the aircraft intercom system.

 

We dont see in the sim a ground crewman with a headset and cord running to the aircraft but just pretend it is there.

 

In -10a manual it also says that when you get connection with a tanker via the boom, you also get an intercom connection with the tanker. Dont think this is in the sim.

 

Manual Beta 4 Page 151:

 

 

10. Rotary Selector Dial. This four-position dial allows you to select which transmitter you wish to broadcast on and monitor. Selections are INT, VHF, FM and HF. As such, to send a radio message using one of the radios or intercom to ground crew or tanker, you must first set this dial to the transmitter you wish to use.

 

[ATTACH]47436[/ATTACH]

 

So according to the manual it is in the sim ...

[Kraz75]

Hi,

 

How do you know which setting the Radio Selector Dial is using, as there's no obvious marker on the dash for the setting?

 

[Grimes]

The 12 O'clock position indicates what is currently active. In your screenshot, it is on Intercom.

[Snoopy]

Hi,

 

How do you know which setting the Radio Selector Dial is using, as there's no obvious marker on the dash for the setting?

 

[ATTACH]60995[/ATTACH]

 

Yup an error in the panel...real world we have a mark.

 

Edited January 8, 2012 by Snoopy

[Kraz75]

Thanks! UP it is then.