Anybody do VATSIM?

TGVDuplex · Post by **TGVDuplex** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:40 pm

Hi,

I was looking at the VATSIM site, and it seems like a better way of doing things than the default MS ATC. I have a couple of questions for anyone who is a member, or knows anything about it-

1. Can I still go flying with it even though I cannot transmit verbally, as I have no headset?

2. What software is needed in order to fly on VATSIM?

3. Is it a lot better than the default MS ATC?

Thanks,

Matthew

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:52 pm

Used to but the date on my sig indicates the last time I flew "online" (idn't realise it was that long ago).

Phil and Martin Hodgson fly online with BAV so they'll be far more capable of telling you what you need.

TGVDuplex · Post by **TGVDuplex** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:57 pm

Post by **martinhodgson** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:37 pm

1) Yes - the software you download has a text facility
2) Squawkbox 2.3beta (latest version) plus AVC (Advanced Voice Client). FS04 users also require a bit extra, but I'm not sure what exactly
3) Yes! Though sometimes no ATC is available.

philbozz · Post by **philbozz** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 10:16 am

You also need a program called SB Relay if you want to use it with FS2004.

Theres some other stuff that helps enhance the experience like AI Bridge that allows other traffic to show up on your TCAS in FlightSim, also FS SELCAL(see http://www.selcalweb.co.uk to see what it is) if your going to be doing any longhaul flights.

TGVDuplex · Post by **TGVDuplex** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:31 pm

So, do oceanic flights use SELCAL codes and transmit on HF with VATSIM? If so, that's more than I expected. I'd love to do an oceanic flight with that. It'd be so much more realistic! Thanks for the help!

Matt

philbozz · Post by **philbozz** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:09 pm

No it hasn't got HF but you can use the FS SELCAL and when the controller types e.g selcal jp-ch all the selcal equipped aircraft recieve the tone, but whichever aircraft has the code jp-ch also recieves a "bing-bong" noise.

Or, if the controller types e.g .msg G-TTIA selcal jp-ch, only the aircraft callsign G-TTIA recieves the call. Hope you understand that - I dont

TGVDuplex · Post by **TGVDuplex** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:41 pm

I do. That sounds pretty neat. A lot better than default ATC.

philbozz · Post by **philbozz** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:12 pm

Yes, lot more like ATC than the default one.