VAICOM and SRS

[Smokey]

Anybody use the VAICOM VA plugin? I have mixed stellar and p poor performance with it.

If you use both does it play well with SRS?

[AG-51_Lahsoldier]

My understanding is there is a bug with it and the current version of DCS that causing allot of issues.  You may want to not use it until that bug is fixed. 

[AG-51_Razor]

A lot of us are using the VA utility but I don't know of anyone that is currently using  VAICOM with it.

[Smokey]

Im going to try this, more straight forward than VAICOM so less to mess up

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=235766

[AG-51_Sabot]

I killed off VIACOM and use just straight VA

[AG-51_Endo]

So I’m using both.  I like the AI comms with Viacom.  I’ve been messing around with different modes and the one that works best is the middle one (TX Link). 

Ideally I’d use ‘Broadcast Panel’ with hot comms.  That way when I broadcast on SRS I’m also broadcasting to the AI units.  With the ‘realistic ATC comms’ extension this should work well.  I’ve had some struggles with this one and have one more thing to try now that I’m thinking about it.  In this config I shouldn’t have Viacom inhibit set in SRS.  Anyway, I’ll see what I can come up with.  As I’ve had it set it works well but then Viacom seems to stop working after a while.  I’ve been testing on the training server.

TX Link though works without a hitch.  Short press initiates Viacom or VA commands (AI or cockpit - I have Baileys f18 profile merged).  Then you state the command and short press again to activate.  Long press and hold inhibits Viacom and broadcasts SRS.
I’ve delayed the ‘long press’ in VA so that others don’t hear me doing short presses (750ms currently).

The other way that works well is enable a push to talk (separate from the comm select, maybe on hat depress) in SRS.  Then you can use broadcast link.  Press and hold the comms link with comm to AI and select the radio.  Press the SRS PTT and then can broadcast to the group on the last selected radio.
 

[AG-51_Endo]

So I've got another method working now.  Though I haven't tested it live with a person yet.  But appears to be working on the server as near as I can tell.

I want to have it setup so that when I give an AI command via Viacom that it is also broadcast over SRS.  More realistic for that channel rather than just hearing AI responses.  Also I want to be able to give Voice Attack commands for cockpit functions.  I don't use many but it's invaluable when I do. 

The Viacom method of using the 'Rel/Hot' function with Broadcast set in the MP panel flat out doesn't work.  The function inhibits Viacom commands (comes up in VA window as 'command disabled for this session'). 

The way I have it functioning is the following;

• set 'Broadcast' in MP tab (Viacom)
• disable 'Allow inhibit by Viacom' in SRS (subject to testing but should need to be disabled)
• setup a 'hotkey' in VA global settings and enable it.  I'm using Throttle button 1 on my Warthog.  I have it set to enable when the button is pressed.

The results are with my comm button I can comm to AI and SRS concurrently.  Then with my VA button I can use my bailey's commands (daisy chained in VA) for the cockpit and comm to the AI if desired without SRS.

The rest of the Viacom, SRS, etc. settings are per the manuals.

*edit - issue with this method is Viacom kneeboard commands only work with the broadcast on SRS.  I use it often so I’ll need to sort this out.  I like all the different pages with the commands on there and the dictate function is handy

*next edit - got it working now.  Remove the hotkey mapping and setup TX5 push and release as intercom (I mapped to throttle button 1).  Now that will work thru Viacom but not SRS (assuming TX5 is not mapped in SRS which I don't have it mapped).