Noob ?: How to release flair/chaff package, key stoke?

[glmccready]

I’m an old original F4 guy, and setup my Data package.
I can release chaff (Ctrl ,) but can’t seem to find the keys for releasing the preset countermeasures?
It is probably something simple I overlooked, but there is a lot to absorb.
I look for every instance of Chaff in the full manual, and couldn’t find it.
Thanks
Gary in Salisbury, MD

[Guest]

Welcome!

Check out p.32-33 of the Dash 1 manual for info on the CMDS panel and then p.54-56 (especially p. 55-56) for info on what’s on the flight stick.
The callbacks you want are
SimCMSLeft
SimCMSUp

The actual key combinations to release countermeasures will depend on what .key file you’re using. Hope that helps!

[LorikEolmin]

You could probably use some reading from BMS-Training.pdf in Docs, from your launcher menu.

@glmccready:

I’m an old original F4 guy, and setup my Data package.
I can release chaff (Ctrl ,) but can’t seem to find the keys for releasing the preset countermeasures?
It is probably something simple I overlooked, but there is a lot to absorb.
I look for every instance of Chaff in the full manual, and couldn’t find it.
Thanks
Gary in Salisbury, MD

[glmccready]

Thanks ICE, I’ll figure it out eventually, I think. I just have a Microsoft Sidewinder (still has the game port). Did find the CMS Up (Alt_home), CMS Dn (Alt End), CMS left (Atl Del) and CMS Rt (Alt-Pg Down) but none of them seems to actually release anything other than 1 chaff, 1 flare combo……rofl Obviously I messed something up…

Lorik: Funny you should mention the Training manual: There is only ONE “chaff” and one “flairs” in the whole thing. Only one “CMS” also, no instance of “counter measures” and none of these refer the switch or keystrokes used. Not really helpful, go figure?? I understand and have setup and loaded the data cart, so I don’t think that is the problem.

[Icarus]

Set them up as you like in the EWS tab of the DTC.

[Guest]

@glmccready:

Thanks ICE, I’ll figure it out eventually, I think. I just have a Microsoft Sidewinder (still has the game port). Did find the CMS Up (Alt_home), CMS Dn (Alt End), CMS left (Atl Del) and CMS Rt (Alt-Pg Down) but none of them seems to actually release anything other than 1 chaff, 1 flare combo……rofl Obviously I messed something up…

1. You have to set up your countermeasures profile on the DTC. Check out p.67-83 of the BMS-Manual.pdf, especially p.72. You may want to use WDP for this, as the interface is better.
2. Once you’ve set up your DTC, select the proper program you want via the PRGM knob on the CMDS panel.

A quick example: Set up Program 2 to Burst Quantity 2 Chaff, 1 Flare, Burst Interval 1, Sequence Quantity 3, Sequence Interval 2. You fly, select 2 on the PRGM knob, and then press CMS Up. You will release 1 chaff (burst quantity), wait 1 second (burst interval), release the 2nd chaff, wait 2 seconds (sequence interval), and do that again 2 more times (sequence quantity). You will also release 1 flare, wait 1 second, 2nd flare, wait 2 seconds, and again 2x more.

Note that you can have different intervals and quantities for chaff and flare, like 1 CMS Up would release 10 flares but only 1 chaff, and so on.

Hope that helps!

[LorikEolmin]

@glmccready:

Lorik: Funny you should mention the Training manual: There is only ONE “chaff” and one “flairs” in the whole thing. Only one “CMS” also, no instance of “counter measures” and none of these refer the switch or keystrokes used. Not really helpful, go figure?? I understand and have setup and loaded the data cart, so I don’t think that is the problem.

Sorry if my reply was confusing, I wasn’t trying to find an exact answer to your question, but rather gave you the general feeling your question awoke in my mind. Looking for keystrokes in particular, as BMS-Training.pdf trains you with the 3D cockpit.
If you don’t use a TrackIR, it’s another story.

PS: and by the way, I don’t know the answer to your question, as you guessed I never learnt to use the keys apart from numpad and F4-F6. And G.

[glmccready]

Thanks for all the help people! Really appreciate it! I’ve definitely setup the Data Cartridge, checked it, and loaded it! I know it kinda works becasue I keep changing the tower frequency for different missions and that works for Tower comms. I’ve tried keyboard commands and even checked the dials. The weird thing is it still only releases one chaff and one flare every time I press the button (alt -end) or cntl ,). Obviously I’m missing something, I’ll work on other training and get back to it later. Roger Wilco (received and will comply)

[Guest]

What’s your DTC settings? Is this issue present for all programs? Maybe you’re using Program 5 or 6 instead?

[Badger]

Sounds like your mode switch is in bypass, try setting it to man.

[Cik]

could be hitting CMS left instead of up if your slap switch is set to 1/1 C/F as well

[Frederf]

Alt-End is CMS down which shouldn’t drop anything unless you’re under attack already. Ctrl-, is not supposed to be used with the F-16 as it is for non-EWS aircraft.

[glmccready]

I did check the knobs, tried program 1,2,3 and 4. Tried “manual” and “Semi”.
Tried reloading the DTC. Probably something stupid I missed.
Doing ground strikes now, I’ll work on it later!
I really do appreciate the input from you guys, pretty awesome really.
THANKS!

[glmccready]

Thanks guys!
Well I got it work! Reinstalled and started from scratch. WORKED No clue why it didn’t before. I probably just changed something I shouldn’t have inadvertently. Maybe I was just confused by the “voice” saying “chaff flare”, when there was more going on than that. Actually went outside to watch it this time.

Not sure how you tell it is working without seeing it? I only heard it once, but it did cycle to do it again. Now back to bombing!
(had to reinstall anyway, Win 7 was getting hinky, and my C drive failed…had a backup, (Windows Home Server) but after 4 years, did a new install)

You have to have a “threat” before it will work? I as using Alt-Home and Ctrl , (or.)

[Guest]

Your CMDS panel has a display showing you how much chaff/flares you have remaining. Unless I’m mistaken, Bitchin’ Betty always says “Chaff! Flare!” even though you’re only dispensing one or the other.

[rmax]

@glmccready:

You have to have a “threat” before it will work? I as using Alt-Home and Ctrl , (or.)

I only. rmax thinks back on the times when he hit the goddamned CMS switch at stupid times, or run a long programme to end up on ingress with f*** all countermeasures apart from around 300 knots.

[Frederf]

Alt-Home is CMS Up and Ctrl-, isn’t an F-16 function at all. I think if you press SimDropChaff (Ctrl-,) or SimDropFlare in F-16 it acts the same as CMS up.

In F-16 CMS up (Alt-Home) always runs program 1, 2, 3, or 4 (whatever the knob position is) in modes MAN, SEMI, and AUTO. In mode BYP program is effectively one of each dispenser which is turned on.

CMS left (Alt-Delete) runs program 6 in the same normal modes. I don’t honestly know if it runs program 6 or does the same as CMS up in BYP.
CMS down (Alt-End) gives permission for automatic release and enables jammer pod.
CMS right (Alt-PgDn) takes away automatic permission for release, disables jammer, and (?)stops any active program(?).

Manual activation of programs 1, 2, 3, or 4; 5; and 6 is accomplished by CMS up; slap switch; and CMS left respectively.

Semi is a threat response. RWR prompts the pilot “counter!” and CMS down gives permission to dispense for the duration of that threat.

Auto is similar except the permission is permanent until removed and will dispense without pilot input against multiple threats.

[glmccready]

Awesome answers guys!
THANKS SO MUCH!
Frederf: excellent explanation, wish it was written down somewhere so concisely!