AvroLanc Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Hey, I'm aware this doesn't really apply to the hornet, since it's got 2 radio plus MIDS... However, in aircraft that only have one Comms radio, of which there are many A/C in DCS, what's the most realistic way to handle the freqs/channels? In an authentic scenario we will have many different frequencies and outside agencies to talk to, as well as the inter-flight housekeeping stuff. Typically you'd use COMM 2 for own flight communications and COMM 1 for outside agencies like ATC and AWACS, and possibly a common 'Strike' frequency for the whole package... So with only one radio, what's the authentic way to manage stuff? Presumably you'd move the flight from ATC to AWACS to Strike, but I guess this involves lots of frequency changes and separate check-ins, you'd also be cluttering up the active frequency with intra flight calls for formation changes etc and admins comm. Is this just accepted IRL? So how's this done in real life with only 1 radio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FZG_Immel Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 struggling with that F-5E as well ;) ? [sIGPIC]https://forums.eagle.ru/signaturepics/sigpic70550_3.gif[/sIGPIC] Asus Z390-H - SSD M.2 EVO 970 - Intel I9 @5.0ghz - 32gb DDR4 4000 - EVGA 3090 - Cougar FSSB + Virpil WRBRD + Hornet Stick - Thrustmaster TPR Pedal + WinWing MIP + Orion + TO and CO pannels - Track IR5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvroLanc Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 struggling with that F-5E as well ;) ? Haha, yeah. Been catching up with the F-5 today, it’s still fun. Posted here due probably more active and lots of informed gents here. Applies to the Viggen too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yurgon Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Been asking myself the same question. Coming from the A-10, The Hornet already feels really limited with only 2 radios. ;) But just one radio? How do people deal with all the formation and targeting stuff without annoying the hell out of everyone else on freq, and without missing the bigger picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderplayer946 Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Generally speaking, it isn't done. Modern aircraft that accomplish what you suggesting need 2 radios minium, or 1 radio and MIDS at a stretch. I've known missions to be scrubbed after dropping to 1 radio and they weren't doing anything fancy. Aircraft that usually have one radio are going to be trainers so such a radio suite isn't required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
some1 Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) With aircraft equipped with single radio, the whole flight would stay on the same frequency and change it on leader's command, for example when switching to landing freq. Also F-5 and F-86 radios also monitors on the fixed Guard frequency. At least in theory it is used for very important message to everyone around (like SAM launch or emergency) Edited February 4, 2019 by some1 Hardware: VPForce Rhino, FSSB R3 Ultra, Virpil T-50CM, Hotas Warthog, Winwing F15EX, Slaw Rudder, GVL224 Trio Throttle, Thrustmaster MFDs, Saitek Trim wheel, Trackir 5, Quest Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 You pre-brief all your frequencies and assign them "Button Numbers" and as the mission progresses, lead will tell the flight "Push Button 2" .. "Push Button 3" and then check in the entire flight after each freq change. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] http://www.476vfightergroup.com/content.php High Quality Aviation Photography For Personal Enjoyment And Editorial Use. www.crosswindimages.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvroLanc Posted February 5, 2019 Author Share Posted February 5, 2019 Generally speaking, it isn't done. Modern aircraft that accomplish what you suggesting need 2 radios minium, or 1 radio and MIDS at a stretch. I've known missions to be scrubbed after dropping to 1 radio and they weren't doing anything fancy. Aircraft that usually have one radio are going to be trainers so such a radio suite isn't required. You pre-brief all your frequencies and assign them "Button Numbers" and as the mission progresses, lead will tell the flight "Push Button 2" .. "Push Button 3" and then check in the entire flight after each freq change. Yes thankyou, that's what I expected. So let's say we are in a training environment in the real world. Can you then expect to hear lots of inter-flight specific communication on the tuned freq? Stuff like formation, ops/fuel checks etc that can be heard on the freq. (be it ATC / another controller etc) that only apply to one flight? I imagine that would clutter up even a routine ATC frequency. I guess everything would be pre-briefed or done with hand signals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin_Hood Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 (edited) When your aircraft has only one radio: 1. Radio discipline is of the utmost importance, even more so than usual 2. Comms will get saturated (in combat). Always. Learn to deal with it 3. A lot of stuff is done via visual signals (hand signals or other) 4. You can also separate aircraft a little more, between several Strike frequencies, etc... to alleviate the problem This is not something that is done nowadays, but in the Vietnam era, a lot of aircraft, particularly fighters, had only a single radio and had to make do with that. Needless to say, it almost became unusable in the heat of battle over Hanoi, for example. You can find recordings from this era to get an idea of what that sounded like. My advice, is to try to use or come up with as many visual signals as possible, practice using comms as little and as effeciently as possible, and then push through all the required frequencies trying to keep your "flight comms" to an absolute minimum. It is doable. You should remember that even nowadays, pilots can be required to fly in radio silence for the better part of a mission. In the opening strikes of Desert Storm, they flew all the way from the ramp to the target in silence. Edited February 5, 2019 by Robin_Hood 2nd French Fighter Squadron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderplayer946 Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Robin Hood has hit it on the head really, great post. I just want to mention that hand signals only really work in close formation, and by close I'm talking within one mile. It would be really cool to have the option in DCS but I feel its really impractical. At night lights can be used as well, usually its the aircraft lighting e.g. nav lights or strobe lights. Usually you'll have a air to air/tac C2 common frequency to monitor and then roll to a intra-flight frequency on a separate radio. As for having one radio, monitoring something like a Guard freq is definitely a good shout. Emmy, I believe they are referred to as "studs" so "push stud one" for example would be an expected radio call. I can probably knock together some scenarios if required? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beppe_goodoldrebel Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I dont know if AWACS can transmit on many freq. and do "package-related" calls instead of having 50-100 aircrafts using a single channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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