Basic Radio Guide
Foreword
Simple Radio Standalone is one of the best things that has happened to DCS in quite a while. However unlike TeamSpeak, it requires more thought to be used effectively.
This is not due to the program itself, the program is very nicely made and simple to use. Complications come from the fact that it simulates different radios, frequencies, distances and line of sight.
This means that a SOP had to be made order to ensure working comms in our flights.
The KISS Principle
KISS or "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is how we handle radio comms. As simple as possible, but also effective. This article will teach you how and when to use your radios.
Main Radio
This is your main radio, Radio 1. This radio is used for general purpose communications in your Area of Operations, or AO, and not for communicating with your flight. What is your AO, what frequency to use? It's very simple actually.
Example:
Briefing gives you two Area of operations frequencies:
You are taking off from your aircraft carrier, which uses frequency 127.5 MHz FM for it's ATC. While you are on carrier's deck OR in it's immediate airspace and preparing to take-off or land, you set your primary radio to 127.5 MHz.
After take off and when few miles away from the carrier, you switch primary radio to 255 MHz AM, in other words to AWACS's frequency. AWACS is the boss, he sees the whole picture and coordinates the coalition's effort in this AO, this is why every flight in his AO needs to be able to talk with him. Many planes can be using this frequency at the same time, so observe strict radio discipline and don't jam the comms.
On this frequency AWACS, and other flights in the same AO, will call out where and what they're doing. This includes, but is not limited to:
Secondary Radio
Secondary radio or Radio 2, is used for communicating with your flight and with tanker during aerial refuel operations. All frequencies will be provided during the briefing.
Example:
Along with the AO frequencies seen in the previous chapter, the briefing also gives you two frequencies to be used on your secondary radio:
SECONDARY RADIO AND TANKER
When your Flight Leader decides it's time to refuel, your flight will need to contact Shell 4-1 on 257 MHz AM. But when do you make the frequency switch? When your Flight Leader tells you so! Do not switch before that or you risk losing comms with the rest of your flight. Don't do that or you will be put in the dummies corner.
Generally speaking, Flight Leader should first contact AWACS for available tankers and after that, your flight should switch to tanker's frequency and start arranging the refuel operation with the tanker.
After all the planes in your flight are refueled and in the Reform Area, only then should Flight Leader tell his flight to switch back to flight's frequency.
FEW SIMPLE RULES
Foreword
Simple Radio Standalone is one of the best things that has happened to DCS in quite a while. However unlike TeamSpeak, it requires more thought to be used effectively.
This is not due to the program itself, the program is very nicely made and simple to use. Complications come from the fact that it simulates different radios, frequencies, distances and line of sight.
This means that a SOP had to be made order to ensure working comms in our flights.
The KISS Principle
KISS or "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is how we handle radio comms. As simple as possible, but also effective. This article will teach you how and when to use your radios.
Main Radio
This is your main radio, Radio 1. This radio is used for general purpose communications in your Area of Operations, or AO, and not for communicating with your flight. What is your AO, what frequency to use? It's very simple actually.
Example:
Briefing gives you two Area of operations frequencies:
- ATC AO under control of Aircraft Carrier's ATC on 127.5 MHz FM.
- Tactical AO under control of AWACS, Wizard, on 255 MHz AM.
You are taking off from your aircraft carrier, which uses frequency 127.5 MHz FM for it's ATC. While you are on carrier's deck OR in it's immediate airspace and preparing to take-off or land, you set your primary radio to 127.5 MHz.
After take off and when few miles away from the carrier, you switch primary radio to 255 MHz AM, in other words to AWACS's frequency. AWACS is the boss, he sees the whole picture and coordinates the coalition's effort in this AO, this is why every flight in his AO needs to be able to talk with him. Many planes can be using this frequency at the same time, so observe strict radio discipline and don't jam the comms.
On this frequency AWACS, and other flights in the same AO, will call out where and what they're doing. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Calling out bogeys and bandits
- Calling out weapon releases
- Calling out flight's position
- Coordinating with other flights
Secondary Radio
Secondary radio or Radio 2, is used for communicating with your flight and with tanker during aerial refuel operations. All frequencies will be provided during the briefing.
Example:
Along with the AO frequencies seen in the previous chapter, the briefing also gives you two frequencies to be used on your secondary radio:
- Vixen flight, 270 Mhz AM. (this is you and your flight)
- Tanker, Shell 4-1, on 257 MHz AM.
SECONDARY RADIO AND TANKER
When your Flight Leader decides it's time to refuel, your flight will need to contact Shell 4-1 on 257 MHz AM. But when do you make the frequency switch? When your Flight Leader tells you so! Do not switch before that or you risk losing comms with the rest of your flight. Don't do that or you will be put in the dummies corner.
Generally speaking, Flight Leader should first contact AWACS for available tankers and after that, your flight should switch to tanker's frequency and start arranging the refuel operation with the tanker.
After all the planes in your flight are refueled and in the Reform Area, only then should Flight Leader tell his flight to switch back to flight's frequency.
FEW SIMPLE RULES
- Write down all the frequencies that are given in the briefing
- Don't switch frequencies without being told so by Flight Leader
- Flight Leaders, always inform your flight about frequency switch
- Do not chat over AO frequencies
- Always follow this SOP unless explicitly told otherwise by Flight Leader
- Utilize the TPS (Think, Push, Speak)