Mic Switch vs. Intercom Selector Dial

[Flagrum]

I feel right now a bit stupid (i.e. more than usual), but I have some troubles understanding something about the usage of the radios ...

 

The mic switch allows to transmit via the FM, AM or UHF radios. Okay. But how does that functionality relate to ...

 

Intercom Control Panel

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.

?

 

If I want to talk to the ground crew, the selector dial has to be set accordingly. But what about the positions VHF (= AM?), FM and HF (= UHF?). I.e. what if I dialed in FM and use the mic switch for AM? Who wins? I suppose, mic switch overrides the selector dial?

 

Ahhhrgh .... *confused*

[MTFDarkEagle]

MIC switch FWD (on the hotas) let's you transmit on the radio that is selected on the intercom control panel. Normally in flight this would be VHF. But if you want to talk to your groundcrew when you've got engines running, you set the rotator dial to INT, and with the MIC FWD switch you talk to your groundcrew.

 

So basically the rotary selector dial is the selector for which radio is assigned to MIC switch FWD on the HOTAS.

 

Hope this helps :)

[Flagrum]

MIC switch FWD (on the hotas) let's you transmit on the radio that is selected on the intercom control panel. Normally in flight this would be VHF. But if you want to talk to your groundcrew when you've got engines running, you set the rotator dial to INT, and with the MIC FWD switch you talk to your groundcrew.

 

So basically the rotary selector dial is the selector for which radio is assigned to MIC switch FWD on the HOTAS.

 

Hope this helps :)

hrmmyeah...

So, I could for example dial the selector to "HF" and would be able to send via UHF by mic switch FWD and mic switch DOWN?

[MTFDarkEagle]

You can try it yourself.

If you hit a mic switch, the radio dialog comes up with at the top which radio you are transmitting on :)

[Kaiza]

HF is a different band (not UHF) and not functional, so it shouldnt work.

[MTFDarkEagle]

HF is a different band (not UHF) and not functional, so it shouldnt work.

True. But you can still see the difference in the radiomenu from VHF/Intercom.

[Kaiza]

Roger :)

 

Random fact, in the real A-10C there is also an unplacarded position (full CCW) that enables TACAN to be monitored regardless of tacan monitor switch position.

 

What this is for I have no idea...? Maybe just an easier way to quickly ident the TACAN without having to use the fiddly monitor switch.

[Flagrum]

You can try it yourself.

If you hit a mic switch, the radio dialog comes up with at the top which radio you are transmitting on

HF is a different band (not UHF) and not functional, so it shouldnt work.

The selector rotary has FIVE positions of which are only FOUR are labeled. Of these 4 labeled positions, only INT and VHF seem to work - HF and also FM seem to do nothing.

 

Guess one has to live with such ... inconsistencies if you want to enjoy the benefits of the A-10C over the A-10A :o)

 

PS: last question ... for now: at the intercom panel, there is a switch "Hot Mic". What is it good for? Enabes that, how is it called ... the ability to directly talk and transmit without the need to use any PTT button/hotas mic switch? Obviously not implemented in DCS, but would it work that way in a real A-10C?

[MTFDarkEagle]

Not implemented, but yes. That's what a hot mic is :)

[Flagrum]

Allright, thanks guys! :thumbup:

[Robin_Hood]

I would just like to clarify one thing for you :)

 

But what about the positions VHF (= AM?), FM and HF (= UHF?).

 

I think the radios are the following:

 

UHF ("Uniform") = Ultra High Frequency AM

VHF ("Victor") = Very High Frequency AM

FM ("Fox Mike") = Very High Frequency FM

HF ("Hotel Fox") = High Frequency (no idea if it is FM or AM)

 

The two VHF are slightly confusing, I know.

[howie87]

So the hot mic switch doensn't need to be depressed to talk to the ground crew?

 

Do you just turn the rotary dial to INT?

[Eddie]

If the hoc mic switch is pulled up, as it is by default, you don't need to do anything to talk to ground crew as hot mic is enabled.

[MTFDarkEagle]

What makes you say that? In real life MOST military aviation comms are done in the UHF band, whenever possible. There are a few reasons for this:

 

separation from commercial and civil radio traffic,

 

much greater range and better clarity of communications,

 

crypto also works/sounds better on UHF.

Yep right on all accounts ;)

 

That's why there is mic switch down (or aft.. my brain is failing at the moment lol) :)

[Kaiza]

What makes you say that? In real life MOST military aviation comms are done in the UHF band, whenever possible. There are a few reasons for this:

 

separation from commercial and civil radio traffic,

 

much greater range and better clarity of communications,

 

crypto also works/sounds better on UHF, as does freq hopping such as with Have Quick.

 

I think what makes him say this is that without the selector on VHF you have lost the use of VHF for plain voice, while UHF is always available with mic switch down. Nothing to do with the preference of bands.