DCS AH-64D: Communications tutorial- The basics on setting up your radios

Just a quick walk through of basic radio functionality and how to set up frequencies.
#DCSWorld #DCS #Apache #RealPilot
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Hardware:
OMEN by HP Obelisk Gaming Desktop Computer, 9th Generation Intel Core i9-9900K Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB, HyperX 64 GB RAM, 2x 1 TB NVMe SSD, Windows 10 Home
Joystick: VKB Gunfighter III with 20cm extension
Pedals: VKB MkIV
Throttle: Virpil Mongoose 3

[@velamenradicum]

The "RTS Depress" moving only in one direction was something that made me wonder, too... Yesterday I took an Apache nugget through the treetops in the caucasian valleys. He's on VR since few weeks, first ride in the Apache after just installed the module. I can say he had some fun!😁

[@kalli71]

just to add for the frequencies. from quickstart guide The communications system includes an intercom for crewmember communication, an ARC-186(V) VHF AM radio, an ARC-164(V) UHF AM radio, two ARC-201D VHF FM radios, and an ARC-220 HF radio. The VHF AM radio can receive between 108 and 115.975 MHz and transmit/receive between 116 and 151.975 MHz. The UHF radio can transmit and receive between 225 and 399.975 MHz. It has a dedicated guard receiver always tuned to 243 MHz. The radio is capable of HAVE QUICK and HAVE QUICK II frequency hopping as an electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) technique. The two VHF FM radios can transmit and receive between 30 and 87.975 MHz. The radios support SINCGARS combat nets and Fire Support (FS) protocols. The FM1 radio can be augmented by an improved FM amplifier capable of providing up to 40 watts of transmit power. The HF radio can transmit and receive between 2 and 29.9999 MHz. A KY-58 is installed to provide voice message encryption for the UHF radio, and a KY-100 provides voice and data encryption for the HF radio. All radios are connected to the battery bus and can be used prior to engine start. The AH-64D includes an MD-1295A Improved Data Modem (IDM) that can transmit and receive TACFIRE (Tactical Fire Direction System) and Longbow AFAPD (Air Force Applications Program Development) messages over any radio. It can also utilize either FM radio for Fire Support artillery messages.

[@slow9573]

You'd think the swap radio button was obvious but I still managed to not understand it lmao. Thanks for the quick and dirty comms vid.

[@discofishing]

Wow this brings back memories from the daysnof yore

[@TommyTactix]

Thank you so much! I appreciate this video!

[@neillander2922]

Excellent sir ! Top drawer, top drawer!!

[@IRONIC1688]

Much appreciated sir! Thank you very much.

[@belgeode]

This is a big help, thank you!!

[@Sven2157]

CAS, you F'Ing rock! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE!

[@ItsJones]

These vids help a lot, thanks dude!

[@polarbear4198]

very helpful as usual, i too forget when making my own missions, be like where the heck is my home plate, look up, be like, wtf, defualt 2000meters, now i can do it in game without restarting and editing, thanks bro

[@mrsteel250]

I needed this one, didn't have the attention span to read this part of the manual

[@bugsiez]

Thanks Casmo.

[@poochies0316]

Thank you for clearing up the comms another system I’ve learned I’ll need a new hotas with all these radio switches and eventually FCR doo dads

[@stephengilmore2741]

Hey Casmo, thank you for this series so far, it's been a huge help and greatly appreciated! I have a request for a video... when the Hind came out, you showed us how to do a return to target maneuver with it, and it was actually not too difficult. I've been trying the same technique with the Apache, but it is nothing short of terrifying. She just dives straight down on me like an out-of-control rollercoaster. Any chance we could get a video demonstrating some basic combat maneuvers like return to target?

[@heefie8659]

Ahh, didn't know there was only 1 transmit radio and the arrow is which one you're using. Thanks for the vid

[@Zatracenec]

Well, You can remove that SRS........just kidding. Great video! Thank You!

[@kzdcs9574]

Hey Casmo, there is a thing in "adjust controls" called "modifiers" where you can add a modifier bind that virtually changes all the binds on your keyboard to another set of binds by just hitting the modifier switch bind you created. I use it for the KU keys with my actual keyboard and it makes a hell of a difference. If you're interested in doing this I can reply with instructions. It's rather simple.

[@CasmoTV]

I’ve been playing DCS since 2004 lol. I’m familiar with the modifier button. 😉 thanks tho.

[@kzdcs9574]

@@CasmoTV LOMAC?

[@CasmoTV]

Affirm

[@michaelchen7203]

nice

[@stevedavey1343]

As always, great instructionals :wink: How are you getting on with your collective? Are you still using it or have you gone back using the throttle?

[@ghostdog688]

Hi Casmo, thanks for this, it’s greatly useful for people multiplayer who fly with SRS. How often did HF get used and what was it typically used for?

[@ravenmiller6376]

when I first saw this video my reaction was "how can he use 7 minutes to explain how to go to Coms -> manual -> and type in your desired freq. Then came some information which was rather useful.. Keep up the good work!

[@macieksoft]

Can you talk a bit about fire support datalink system and using Apache to guide Copperhead artillery munitions? I know this is not in DCS but it is very interesting thing.

[@utley]

dumb question for the video but related...how do I get the CPG or pilot to see what I am seeing using the monocle? having a hard time describing that and finding it in the manual

[@RaySpainPlayer]

Excellent tutorial. Clear and to the point. Thanks buddy

[@MrTacticalShooter]

I noticed when there’s a hot start the RLWR in the utilities page has a solid dot. But when there’s a cold start for some reason after startup I goto the utilizes page and Click I think is the right 4 button and the dot never goes solid. Like if I click Any other sensors in that page. For some reason I either missing a step at startup or it’s just a bug.

[@slyderace]

Showing how to map the buttons would be useful too. I already knew how to change frequencies as many other videos have demonstrated this. However no one has talked about how to map it to actually use it in game. How do you talk to your CPG/Pilot?

[@CasmoTV]

Discord. I don’t mess with the ICS.

[@ComdrStew]

Think there is a switch on the right side you can move it to PTT or Hot Mic. I believe that sets the ICS to work, like the F-14. Edit: Yeah he showed it on here. You have to make sure the VOIP is on also in the settings.

[@slyderace]

@@ComdrStew yes I know which switch you're talking about bud :) I mean which key binds are needed in dcs to use the radios, either to contact tower at airfields or to communicate in the helo :)

[@Elvinsilvester]

Had the exact same question. Great video but still the same question. In the f16 you bind two ptt buttons; uhf and vhf. How i see it now in the 64, there is only one ptt button. Are you still able to hear the vhf when tuned in on uhf? Great video as always.

[@ComdrStew]

@@slyderace The radio keybinds are under the Cyclic Stick. There are VOIP and the Radio Call Menus.

[@ARFF1Tampa]

Where in the mission briefings and kneepad are all the frequencies listed? I only seem to see one. (Tower) listed for airports, ect.

[@willsmith1430]

Is there a way to change the iff/xpdr code? And if so is in implemented in SRS and Lotatc?

[@MrPhantom453]

Hi Casmo. You mentioned that the two triangles indicate which radio the pilot and CPG is using (respectively), but I was wondering what does the green square (currently alongside VHF) represent/ do? Thanks.

[@Cormac433]

If you check out the quick start manual page 183 has the symbology and descriptions for the EUFD, in short a full square means both crew members have the radio (in this case the VHF) selected for IDM transmission, a square with a Diamond cut out in the middle indicates "you have this radio selected for IDM transmission" and a diamond by itself indicates that "the other crew member has this radio selected for IDM transmission" hope that helps :)

[@MrPhantom453]

@@Cormac433 Thanks.

[@123TheCloop]

any way to make the ICS not auto start in hot mic? legit everytime I run in the CPG seat and start up with SRS its always hot mic'ng or is this just something ive gotta get use to toggling off :D

[@launchsquid]

That's a question for ED. You should make a request on their forum, this is a good idea.

[@adiel220]

is there any option to tune the backup or the preset Radio Freq ?

[@FritzMeowstro]

What does the idm rocker do

[@louhodo5761]

Fun fact in DCS. If an Apache fires a hellfire and a Su-25t fires a vikrs near each other... Both get missile launch warnings and everybody scatters...lol.

[@plantsofwar8834]

that zoom jitter 😭 otherwise fantastic vid, thank you

[@CasmoTV]

You’ll be ok.

[@JoJo-vm8vk]

Please what are the _ _ _ _ _ _ on the right of the frequency on the display ?

[@brianthibault5929]

Hi Casmo, thanks for responding to my last question, what your computer setup is, but I wasn’t able to locate it in your about page on KZbin. Am I not looking in the correct spot? Thanks in advance.

[@spc83]

Below the video itself is info of his page such as how subscribers and what not but below that is the 'SHOW MORE', if you click that it will have his hardware spec.

[@daniellegraham]

Why I cant switch the freq by pressing the swap button?

[@shikkaka]

Is it not common to use the HOCAS button to change radios or is it really situational?

[@BooMaster97]

On the Comm panel on the right knee, the knobs are able to be rotated as well as lifted when clicked. What function does the lifting have in the actual aircraft since it does nothing in game?

[@CasmoTV]

Mute

[@LostCloudx4]

Is anyone using the integrated comms? I have never tried as yet but it does get lonely flying in multiplayer and not talking to anyone

[@agostonbazmajer1100]

I wonder how deep ED will go down the comm page rabbit hole in the final product. Reading through the -10, that aspect is complicated as hell.

[@ziljanvega3879]

What do the squelch toggles do? Cut down on background noise, or mute the channel altogether?

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

They filter the background noise out, just leave them on. Switching them off basically lets you check if the radio is still working at all. If you can't hear the noise, it's dead.

[@dannyd7714]

When I was on SRS, I was only able to use the intercom for some reason. My radio 1 and 2 buttons didn't work.

[@BooMaster97]

Because the apache doesn't use two different radio buttons like every other aircraft. The RTS selects which radio you want to transmit on, then the RTS PTT switch allows you to transmit on that ONE radio. You need to map your "Special Intercom Select and PTT" hotkey in SRS instead of a "Radio #_" hotkey.

[@yonathanengineer]

Hey Casmo, do we have push to talk (RTS) button on the TEDAC ?.

[@CasmoTV]

Don’t think so…. It’s been a while. I would use the floor mics.

[@yonathanengineer]

@@CasmoTV you mean the button on the cyclic ?.

[@CasmoTV]

@@yonathanengineer no in the real aircraft their are buttons you step on.

[@JSpidey]

👍

[@TheMuricanMerc]

Just figured this out ther other day but didn't realize I had "always allow srs hotkeys" enabled, which causes issues with SRS reading the EUFD. That was frustrating and I hope no one else has to experience that.

[@dannyd7714]

That might be my problem. I could only use intercom on SRS. Was it the same for you?

[@Kaneguy]

I'm not sure if this is the same problem I'm having. I change the active radio with the RTS button but my SRS doesn't change the frequency or the active radio. Is this what you're talking about and does enabling "always allow SRS hotkeys" fix it?

[@TheMuricanMerc]

@@Kaneguy *dis*abling that option lets SRS read the cockpit switches and interact accordingly.

[@TheMuricanMerc]

@@dannyd7714 Didn't have that problem. I'm assuming your SRS PTT was bound properly so I would check settings on that profile you used.

[@BooMaster97]

Does no one ever read changelogs anymore? When SRS updated, the changelog gave instructions on how to set it up for the Apache...

[@JoseJimeniz]

It's odd that entering a custom frequency goes straight into the active frequency, rather than the standby one. It overwrites the active frequency, with no way to undo it. I always thought it was genius that you tune the standby frequency, and then swap it into active when you're ready.

[@wedgie502]

Ah, so that's why my wingman didn't do what I told him, lol.

[@Britchot]

Thank you so much for clarifying how the simulated build we have in DCS entered the new frequency to the active slot and not the standby, like most GA aircraft do. While watching I wondered why and how frustrating that would be and I'm sure many -64 pilots thought the same thing before the update you mentioned. It's great having an SME not only give us the low-down but also the background and catering it to the way we play DCS.

[@CasmoTV]

I was confused too cause I didn’t fly this block much and didn’t remember it working that way lol

[@Tepnox]

Wiggle wiggle. Won't fix it?

[@mattdaly9553]

Mine just flashes at me

[@CasmoTV]

Check that the freq is correct. If you try to put the wrong type freq into a radio it flashes and wont let you.

[@elliseichorn6141]

Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo. 125 sentadillas son unos SEXBABY.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖 los mortalesk abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.k

[@jontrout2010]

This is by far the most convoluted, awful radio implementation i've ever experienced in an aircraft, real or simulated. Apache is a hoot though so IDGAF.