DCS F-4 Phantom - Essential Guide for Beginners

Welcome to my DCS F-4 Phantom Tips & Tricks video with keybindings. We will go over various tips and tricks I learned while flying the F-4 Phantom the last week to assist you on your learning journey. I hope you enjoy the Phantom release!
Startup Guide:
• Learn to Cold Start th...
Jester Context Button Guide:
• DCS F-4 Phantom - Air ...
Manual:
f4.manuals.heatblur.se/f4e_ma...
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 In game Manual
01:35 Bombing Table
02:04 Uncage the Sidewinder
03:16 Mavericks Brief Overview
04:17 Landing Aural Tones
04:43 Grease Pencil
05:16 Keybindings
06:30 Outro
Support me and join!
/ @trickerdcs
Join my Discord!
/ discord
Twitch:
/ tricky_tricker
Social Media:
/ flytricker
My Settings (April 2024):
tinyurl.com/bdha4crr
My TrackIR Profile:
drive.google.com/open?id=1WN6...
*************Current Specs****************
CPU: Intel® Core™ Processor i9-11900KF
MOBO: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO Z590 ATX
CPU Cooler: Phanteks Glacier One 360MP Liquid Cooling
Video Card 1: MSI Nvidia RTX 4090
HD: 1TB WD BLACK SN850 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
HD2: Samsung 970 2TB M.2
HD3: Samsung 512 GB SSD
HD4: WD 4TB 7200 RPM HD
RAM: G.Skill 64GB (16GBx4) DDR4/3200MHz
HOTAS: WinWing Orion 2
TrackIR 5 with Proclip
MFG Crosswind Rudder Pedals
GoXLR with Shure SM7B Microphone
*****************************************************
Hey pilots! Tricker here and I want to welcome you to my channel on combat aviation. I’m a real world pilot in the Airbus 319/320/321 series and I enjoy DCS World, Falcon BMS, Falcon 4.0, IL-2 Sturmovik, X-plane 11, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
If you want to fly WWII aircraft over Normandy and the English Channel, then DCS World WWII is for you and they have plenty of aircraft to choose from such as the BF-109, FW-190, Spitfire, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang. If you enjoy modern aerial combat then you want to focus more on DCS World products such as the F-16, A-10C Warthog, AH-64D Apache, F-15, F-14, JF-17, SU-27, Mirage, Mig-29, F-18 Hornet, Mi-8, Mi-24 Hind, Uh-1 Huey, Ka-50, F-5, Mig-21, AV-8b Harrier, and the F-4 Phantom. Some of the mods that are out there for DCS World are the F-22 Raptor, SU-57, A-4 Skyhawk, Rafale, and Gripen.
I enjoy other games such as Total War, Battlefield, War Thunder, Escape from Tarkov, as well as Squad.
#dcsworld #f4 #f4phantom #heatblur #update

[@TrickerDCS]

Enjoy the Release of the Phantom! I hope this provides you with some basics to get you started on your journey! Startup Guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6S8nnSVo8mWb7c Jester Context Button Guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqOsk6dpfLWVqdE

[@CarpetEater]

how do you fly it so well lol when i'm in it its like a brick and i keep dropping and spinning out

[@lgbarons9233]

I highly recommend not to tune the tone down, because you need to learn to fly the Phantom by "ear". Flying the F-4 is all about flying AOA i.e. listen to the tone.

[@jesterv2]

That manual function is actual genius.

[@algroyp3r]

every module needs this fr

[@solidlift]

This is awesome!!

[@InterstellarTaco]

​@harrybirchall3308 I can do full missions in the F14 provided I don't have to aerial refuel. Thing is a menace to keep steady during refueling.

[@acebubbles5023]

I love the phantom already It’s such a smooth and stable platform. Formation with buddies is sooo easy and old jets are so intuitive.

[@travistolbert2647]

Maybe I’m just fanboying here, but I feel Heatblur dropped a ten ton gauntlet on the ground and dared ED and the third parties to step up their game.

[@keithbriscoe99]

100% totally agree. I'd just be happy if Heatblur does all future modules at this stage.

[@gamereditor59ner22]

Can't wait! Once I get a proper gaming/working PC, I want to fly it!

[@owensks]

Bought it immediately when I got the email, set up the basic key binds and started up and took off, it is a beast

[@steliopapazoglou5980]

Good job dude, probably the most useful quick phantom guide on KZbin right now

[@splashfreelance2376]

Fabulous video. And I'm also really impressed at the amount of usability features of this module, particularly the manual.

[@linecraftman3907]

Phabulous

[@FighterOperationsGroupFOG]

Outstanding job

[@davidlawrence3230]

Sheesh.. right off teh bat, the manual assist makes me want it. All aircraft need this, should be a standard to be accepted into DCS.

[@mateusfcl]

Just started my first match with. Great video to make learning this beast more easily and quicker!

[@TrickerDCS]

Good luck!

[@tarnlicht3657]

Very good video! Explains alot. There was nothing about the uncage Button in the Manuel so I was searching for it. Thanks

[@airline3hum]

Thank you for this! Great tips for newbies like me.

[@MrScar88]

Thanks for this man. Just took the Phantom for a spin the first time and it became quickly my second fav module after the Hind. Just love how that thing feels, so your tutorials will be very helpful.

[@TrickerDCS]

It’s lovely, have fun with it!

[@FlameBot]

What is the Hind?

[@MrScar88]

@@FlameBot Mi-24P and its awesome.

[@MrScar88]

@@TrickerDCS Thanks!

[@OceanPiper013]

Thanks Tricker I was looking for mapping controls & other info. You are my go to source for DCS.

[@TrickerDCS]

Glad to hear it!

[@funkee05]

Amazingly helpful. Thanks and seeking for more.

[@TrickerDCS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SteonCZ]

Thank you for great tips

[@SemyonBoshy]

We are being lazy with this keybindings lmao. Thanks for the video

[@SkyraiderOpsOnline]

Thank you Tricker! You make quick work. Very much appreciated. 😎

[@TrickerDCS]

You’re welcome double rep machine

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I must admit, I was VERY harsh with Heatblur. Especially the last month prior to release. But now having this module I am feeling not only guilty af, but stupid. I have not had one single issue or glitch or bug with anything. I was not expecting this. I have read some other forums and channels where some are having a few issues with multiplayer and dual pilots with a human in each seat. It's more of a server sync thing than a problem with the module. And, like a Boss, Tricker is here dumping tons of useful shit in our heads. Not a deep dive like Reflected Simulation does, that's not what we need. Tell me how to get into the air, how to get things done and I will figure out the rest later. That's the beauty of Tricker. Well made and consice tutorials. Hell, I am having a blast just taking off, flying the pattern and landing. I have just started with bombs and rockets. Next will be air to air, then Walleye's, then Mavericks...so many weapons to choose from! Love it all!

[@ArcFire_Fox]

Thanks for the video, the tips are most welcome especially since I am a complete newbie to DCS XD

[@jantimmer5558]

Goated tutorials as always, trying to get the mav on target is so annoying tho

[@_zeranom]

Awesome 🤩 your tricks and tips, pls more from this. Thank you very much 🙏👍

[@TrickerDCS]

You got it!

[@Vedoji]

Heatblur just did a great job. Can't say anything less

[@facethefaceandmore44]

“Heatblur did a great job”

[@sedlo]

This is so good!

[@TrickerDCS]

Thanks Mr Sedlo!

[@YlmazDALKIRANscallion]

Thank you.

[@TrickerDCS]

Appreciate the super thanks!

[@DTMCRAZYGAMING]

You save me so much time!

[@TrickerDCS]

Make some dang videos already!

[@DTMCRAZYGAMING]

@@TrickerDCS day job first followed by small trailer today (hopefully)

[@jarroberts27]

@@DTMCRAZYGAMING I'm hyped for your phantom videos

[@ronnywolf1ify]

Looking forward to get stuck into this, manual is great

[@memamomum]

Fantastic video! They really outdone themselves this time with the addition of the ingame manual and that jester layout is brilliant. How does one utilize the selfie cam out of curiosity? I seem to be stuck in my own face looking forward 😂

[@TrickerDCS]

You gotta movie your face with your track ir

[@Antarialus]

Downloaded: 15106.4 of 50678.0 MBytes Speed: 11.2 MB/s ... Thanks for this video ;-) ;-) ;-)

[@godfreynet]

Noice! 🤙

[@georobGWJ]

I don't have the time to learn a new module! (Alt-tabs back to DCS to finish setting up F-4 controls...) Thanks for the tips.

[@TomP-148]

Thanks

[@NNiSimulations]

thanks

[@hanzandfranz5337]

I'm at BLC right now so I can't fly this till mid June. I can't wait.

[@Dcs-Brasil]

Thx for sharing this video. How to pop UP the bomb table?

[@TrickerDCS]

Ctrcl + B

[@Britchot]

Kneeboards provided by the developer should be the standard! Thanks for the entertainment while I d/l my pleb F-4E :)

[@TrickerDCS]

Totally agree

[@diabeticmonkey]

The sunglasses are the single most important part of this entire video.

[@craig8724]

I do with the visor toggle put a shader on like the M-200c and Mig-21.

[@UWfalcin]

Leggooooooo

[@cromwellthesynth]

Do you have any tips for trying to set up srs in the phantom? Mine is permanently stuck to intercom and even though i have loaded the comm frequencies into chans 1 and aux 1, they dont switch to green when i press the ptt

[@TrickerDCS]

Hmmm I haven’t experienced this yet, i’ll ask

[@Crazy-Bear-Gamer-Channel]

Tricker I have 2 questions bout mavs: If i click a second time the trigger I don't have any zoom 😢 Some times after firing one, the tv remains black as there's a warmup time needed.. is it normal? 🤔 Thank You ❤

[@dienkhungtung]

Hopefully I can learn how to map controls to fly xD

[@haackhaack4217]

need some help understanding this AB detent - thrustmaster warthog

[@theamericanpatriot9165]

I have no stick input whatsoever with my controller, and same issue with an actual hotas. The buttons work and do stuff, but not the flight controls, pitch up, down, left, right. They work in every other aircraft in DCS. Anyone know what is going on? Won’t let me bind the axis for controller, but I haven’t had to do that in any other aircraft, and they all work.

[@CustomBikes1]

Can't get the Manual to work like in video. I have a asterisk in the Keyboard column. Waiting for a REALLY good video on setup up this aircraft. Struggling to configure it correctly.

[@LimaTangoFoxtrot]

Why doesnt uncageing the siderwinder work against the SU25 in the Low Level Intercept mission? Its super hard to get a tone and uncageing does nothing

[@eatthisvr6]

after uncaging the sidewinder do you ned to keep holding the uncage button constantrly?

[@TrickerDCS]

Yes until you shoot it

[@iPerso576]

could you make a quick guide for a-a and a-g like you did with the maverick?

[@TrickerDCS]

I’m off flying the next couple of days but I’ll try my best when I get home

[@iPerso576]

@@TrickerDCS ❤️

[@crazedpilot747]

Hey Tricker, I got a quick question. So I'm thinking of binding Aerial refueling to my first stage trigger, and the actual gun trigger to my second stage. Would there be any problems that arise by doing so? Would there be a conflict at some point where I'm required to use the gun trigger without touching the Aerial refueling button?

[@TrickerDCS]

I would choose something else since you need to hold down the aar switch and then fire the missile

[@crazedpilot747]

@@TrickerDCS Thanks! I'm running a bit short on buttons on my HOTAS, so is there anything else you would recommend as the first stage trigger?

[@TrickerDCS]

@@crazedpilot747 honestly I’m not sure, I just use the one button on my two stage gun trigger. The F4 doesn’t require a lot of buttons to be honest but I use a button near the trigger to make it easy for me to hold while uncaging

[@h0rn9t42]

1 Tip from me: dont turn RWR power on, jester will do it for you AFTER he completed INS alligment so if you were afk and you see that RWR is on = YOU ARE REAAADY!!

[@gallagherthewolf5845]

2nd like, first view, 30 seconds early

[@jackcurzon1133]

Worth mentioning that it seems you can’t uncage the seeker of the base model Aim-9P

[@TrickerDCS]

Interesting, I was using the Ls in this one

[@simonespaziani3236]

What is the “pinky switch for sidewinder”

[@TrickerDCS]

It’s one switch on the throttle, called pink switch, three position switch for weapons

[@robh4671]

Whats the button to bring up knee board for engine start you didn't say

[@TrickerDCS]

Rshift k

[@shinobi61]

Nice one @Tricker

[@___wamp___]

I'm not able to bind a key on my keyboard or a button on my joystick to the air refuel release button. If you know how to fix this please let me know

[@___wamp___]

Just found out I was trying the SimPit thing instead of the other option.

[@DaylightRobberyCA]

Forgive the totally naive question - i was completely lost when you were saying aerial refueling is sidewinder

[@TrickerDCS]

If you hold it down, it uncages the sidewinder

[@stewsaquarium1397]

How do I bring up the knee board?

[@TrickerDCS]

Rshift k

[@petersursaenke7193]

Just downloaded it and cant make the stick move. How do you activate the flight stick and throttles? Using X52.

[@TrickerDCS]

Go to key bindings, axis at the top drop down, and bind the pitch, roll, and rudder

[@petersursaenke7193]

@@TrickerDCS ah yes. Thank you 😃

[@c0pe777]

Wish someone would make a video for getting SRS to work in this jet. I can hear ppl but cant toggle between radios the same way i can in every other aircraft. I can only ptt on intercom. even when i turn ICS hotmic off in the cockpit, still cant toggle to the other radios. Works fine in every other jet but the F4 for me. Ppl keep referring me to a picture of settings from SRS thats confusing the F outta me. my settings work fine in every other module but the F4

[@MrKotasuperhero]

Can you plz do a video on finding enemy aircraft on a mp environment

[@TrickerDCS]

I’m waiting on a hotfix from HB for the f4 on the radar

[@MrKotasuperhero]

@@TrickerDCS what needs a hotfix? Plz forgive my lack of knowledge. Also ty for the response

[@zbeen-ah-lah]

did Heatblur say when the f-14 would get Jester 2.0 or is that just classified as soon™

[@TrickerDCS]

I asked IronMike at Heatblur and this is his response. "We will try to backport as much as possible, but what will be possible remains to be seen after the release of the F-4. On release the Tomcat will not include any technology from the F-4 yet"

[@zbeen-ah-lah]

@@TrickerDCS that “yet” gives me hope

[@PappaBear_yt]

If only I could run this thing!... 🥺

[@TrickerDCS]

One day

[@PappaBear_yt]

@@TrickerDCS Yeah!... 😂

[@carsongardner3284]

Im at the point i can shoot down mig 23s with heaters but for the life of my the 7E2s will not track im doing the Auto aquire thing and waiting 4 seconds but the just wont work 😒

[@c0pe777]

Ive only flown the instant action mission low level intercept. I'm doing everything you are and I get ZERO tone im my aim 9. I hear only the growl but never a tone. I can fire them and everything but no tone. caged/uncaged.... nothing. regardless of anything , shouldnt I be able to obtain tone, if I select the heater, master arm is on, and A/A is slected? shouldnt the growl go to a high pitch tone when aiming the reticle at the enemey in front of me? because it does none of that for me. whether they are cold, hot, or beam targets.

[@southernbear736]

Doing research into this right now, part of the problem I think is that the instant action missions give you some type of AIM-9P rather then a AIM-9L/M which might be why since those earlier AIM-9Ps didn't have the feature

[@aendrinftw]

What monitor are you using?

[@TrickerDCS]

My specs are in the description

[@aendrinftw]

@@TrickerDCSyour monitor isn’t listed

[@TrickerDCS]

@@aendrinftw seriously? Dang it, I updated it too… LG UltraGear QHD 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 34GP83A-B

[@aendrinftw]

@@TrickerDCS thanks!

[@solidlift]

Cockpit textures missing/look generic, nothing clickable in mine...I even unimstalled, reinstalled. Im did something wrong

[@TrickerDCS]

Oof, I’d join the heatblur discord and ask

[@vihurah9554]

i have been unable to uncage the sidewinders, seems like A/A refule just doesnt do anything

[@TrickerDCS]

I was slapping with it earlier. Get Tone and then hold the AAR button to uncage

[@vihurah9554]

@@TrickerDCS maybe it doesn't work with the Js? I get tone, hold down the button, and just silence, weird. Ig it'll take some tweaking

[@TrickerDCS]

@@vihurah9554ah ok, the manual states that the tone disappears with those 😊

[@vihurah9554]

@TrickerDCS ah yep, missed that part, seems other people on the forum had the same problem. I'll let em off the rail next time lol

[@hueyfoo]

Steam user here. My wheel brake left/right does not seem to work. Thereby I can't steer the nose gear. Am I alone on this issue? Or is it a bug in which I doubt?

[@arguy3297]

Im using rudder to steer with nose gear engaged. Also steam user.

[@PredatorFly]

Keybind for bomb table?

[@TrickerDCS]

RCNTRL + B

[@Shadow-cw4yq]

yooo Hi

[@TrickerDCS]

Hiiii

[@N238E]

Чиж - Фантом

[@Fahreun]

I've always said ED doesn't deserve Heatblur

[@tacticalbacon9877]

Whys that now?

[@EagleLeader1]

This would be a better tutorial if it had some kind of click notification. Sometimes I don't know what or where you're clicking.

[@TrickerDCS]

I’ll do better

[@EagleLeader1]

@@TrickerDCS 🙏🏽 thanks

[@operator1192]

Can I bribe anyone to make a 178th Fighter Squadron “Happy Hooligans”skin for this airframe?

[@conboygaming9568]

Full keybind video with explinations? Please? Not a single youtuber has made a useful video to set up the F4 i just wanna fly 😅

[@TrickerDCS]

I think everyone was just enjoying her for once instead of making videos lol

[@SportDCS]

I came here for just the tip no tricks…

[@Rhynocx]

Jester too loud???? I can barely hear him.

[@topgears7775]

''Ultimate beginner guide'' Starts the video at air....

[@yogiparashara4016]

Awesome Video buddy just what is needed to get started , much appreciated

[@TrickerDCS]

Have fun!