Why is my 9 line a 12 line? (not a lat/long)

[RichardG]

AFAC gives me this 9 line "GG318441".

 

I set CDU to UTM and enter 9 line.

 

CDU displays this instead "GG31800 44100". You can see this is not a lat long coordinate.

 

I slave TGP to this coordinate and its 90 miles away. Real target is 15-20 miles away. AFAC sends me data via link and I find target on TAD instead.

 

I did about 20 targets this way in this quick mission. Never seen this before, I suspect because I started on runway instead of ramp start like I usually do, and something was not setup correctly by default.

[Insanatrix]

9 line refers to how many lines are in the brief afaik not a reference to the coordinates.

 

I also know there is a bug with the JTAC in that it gives you off the wall coordinates sometimes. I've had it give me coordinates for the airbase I took off from.

[Speed]

You were probably on the wrong UTM grid identifier. Remember a full MGRS coordinate is <NL> <LL> <N> <N> where N is a number and L are specific letters. The UTM grid identifier is the first letter/number set there. In the Georgia theater, there are only two UTM grids, 37T and 38T. So you were probably on 37T when the real coordinate was on 38T, or vice-versa.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Speed

[636_Castle]

A track would help too.

[RichardG]

Wouldn't a hot start on the runway correctly setup the aircraft for the grid your in? Where does the track save to? Is there one saved somewhere if I didn't tell it to save a track?

[mia389]

Yes but you your target might not be in the same grid as when you started.

[RichardG]

Wheres does the grid split? I was flying a quick battle on the black sea coast. I took off 20 miles north of battlefield, and the battlefield was on the west end of the map (the coast).

[Speed]

Wheres does the grid split? I was flying a quick battle on the black sea coast. I took off 20 miles north of battlefield, and the battlefield was on the west end of the map (the coast).

 

Border between 37T and 38T is a roughly N-S line somewhere around Sukhumi. To the west of that, it's 37T, to the east of that, it's 38T.

[Ptroinks]

I think I had the same problem as you (if it's the 37T/38T thing). When you get the coordinates from AFAC, BEFORE you punch them in, look at the CDU line above the one displaying the UTM coordinates. That's the grid reference. If it says 37T, change it to 38T or vice versa. THEN you can enter the coordinates from AFAC. You can enter the UTM grid reference after the AFAC coordinates, of course, but when you have a coordinate set, and then change the grid reference, the coordinate gets erased so you'll have to type them in over again (hope you understood all that. My english isn't that good...). Grid ref. first, then AFAC coords!

[RichardG]

Ok, found a grid map, and that is indeed where the split is (where I was flying).

 

In flight, how do you know you have crossed the line? I think the line actually split the battlefield, targets on both sides.

 

Better question, how do I get the JTAC/AFAC to give me lat/long coordinates instead, and avoid this whole problem?

[RichardG]

Found a good thread about this already: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=70175&highlight=utm+grid

 

JTAC/AFAC needs to include the UTM grid in the 9 line briefing. Currently, he doesn't give you that.

[goon3r]

I don't think there is a way to request lat/long or UTM coordinates from JTAC once you are in the air. I think thats assigned in the Mission Editor. I believe it has been suggested that the grid reference be added to the JTAC 9 line UTM coordinates but I am not sure if ED is considering doing this. Right now its just a guessing game unless you have map in front of you to verify which grid you are in.

[Smokin Hole]

Just in case I always place a Mark near the target area to check the grid.

[AlphaOneSix]

You can just switch your CDU to "position" mode and it will tell you your present position, complete with grid zone identifier.

[S7_Viper]

I love this game.

[uri_ba]

He problem is that the line passes just east of betumi (less then 15km) so alot of missions in that area will pose a problem. There is the map available for download. I would suggest to print, even at low res the area, betumi to north of kobaleti, and bold out the grids, and the 37/38 grids seperation (43E if i recall correctly) that would help avoiding confusion. I'm currently working on making the Printed map "air worthy" but that would be on a separate thread when it'll be ready

[Zenra]

You can also use the TAD cursor to check the grid reference at any location you like. Just set the coordinate display mode to MGRS (OSB9, I think).

[AlphaOneSix]

The full size tactical map is available here: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/tc-1/

 

It's big, but it shows very clearly where the line lies between grid zone identifiers.

[JimMack]

You can buy the printed map here: http://www.fighter-collection.com/lockonbuy.htm