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Reference

Radios

UOAF radio setup guidance for BMS, especially the comms plan, IVC, and the pre-flight IVC check flow used before large events.

IVC Pre-flight setup IVC check

Comms Plan

The comms ladder adds more structure to BMS communications, but it also adds complexity. Each airbase may have multiple frequencies, AWACS may live on another, and wingmen may use a different intra-flight frequency across two radios.

The ATO automatically builds a comms plan for each flight so pilots can switch presets instead of hand-entering every frequency.

To view the comms plan in the briefing:

  1. Click the flight in the ATO list.
  2. Click the seat.
  3. Click Briefing.

Warning:

  • If the wrong flight is selected, the wrong briefing opens. The ATO cares which flight was last selected, not where the pilot is seated.

IVC

BMS uses IVC, Internal Voice Comms, for in-sim radio communication and its associated realism features like terrain masking and distance effects.

To start IVC:

  1. In the Comms connection window, make sure the IVC checkbox is enabled.
  2. Enter the correct IVC IP address.

2D UI IVC controls:

  • UHF transmit: F1
  • VHF transmit: F2
  • UHF GUARD transmit: F3

These keys are hardcoded for 2D IVC use and are not the 3D transmit bindings.

3D world IVC controls:

  • UHF transmit: Comms Switch Down, default Alt + 1
  • VHF transmit: Comms Switch Up, default Alt + 2

Pre-Flight Radio Setup

Each pilot should do two things before committing to 3D:

  1. Load the comms plan for the flight.
  2. Perform the IVC check with the flight.

Loading the Comms Plan

The comms plan must be loaded manually into the DTC as one of the last steps of the flight briefing. No further flight changes should happen afterward.

Steps:

  1. Click the flight in the ATO list.
  2. Click the seat.
  3. Open the DTC.
  4. Click Comms.
  5. Click Comms Plan. Load the IFF plan at this point as well.
  6. Click Save.

Important note:

  • If the wrong flight is selected, the wrong comms plan will be loaded.

Setting Default Channels

After loading the correct comms plan, assign default channels in the DTC if needed.

UOAF SOP defaults:

  • UHF: DEP Ground [2]
  • VHF: Intra-Flight Channel [15-19]

Interpretation:

  • DEP Ground is always UHF 2 and is required for things like taxi clearance and chock removal at the departure base.
  • The intra-flight VHF preset is assigned automatically by ATO order.
  • First flight: VHF 15
  • Second flight: VHF 16
  • Third flight: VHF 17
  • Fourth flight: VHF 18
  • Fifth flight: VHF 19

Steps:

  1. Open the DTC.
  2. Click Comms.
  3. Select UHF.
  4. Move to the desired preset.
  5. Check the Default box.
  6. Click Save.
  7. Repeat for VHF.

Note:

  • Some operations may require different starting presets. If package or flight leads brief something else, follow that instead of the default.

IVC Check

After the mission briefing, flights usually perform an IVC check so every pilot confirms transmit and receive are working. The order usually follows the flight order shown on the briefing page.

Standard behavior:

  • Each pilot sounds off with F1 and says their callsign in sequence.
  • If the next seat is AI, or if there is no more human in the flight, that should be included in the call.

Example:

Viper 1-3, no 4.

Rules During the IVC Check

  1. Do not transmit over Discord, TeamSpeak, or another voice program during the IVC check. Mute yourself, but do not deafen, if needed.
  2. Make sure the Falcon BMS window has focus.
  3. Wait your turn in sequence.
  4. Press F1 and say your callsign.
  5. If there are no more humans after you and you are not in the fourth seat, say so immediately.

If someone hears you over Discord or another voice tool, the flight may think IVC is working when it is not, so keep those channels quiet during the check.