So I hopped online today for the first time (thought maybe I could dogfight, hehe)...can't, well, can but a tad confused on the dynamics of it online. I know from training that the triangle is an enemy and circles are allies, so I lock onto a triangle get my launch authorization and fire, strike one...however, looking back at it in TACview I see they were on my team? And I was shot down twice by two different pilots also on my team?

Well, as you can see this is quite confusing. Is online just free-for-all?

See this post...
IFF in Lock On

The 169th server and some others use a mod that will make the F-15 HUD flash when a friend is locked.

There is no free for all in HL. Maps can only be one sided co-op or coalition vs coalition. Most likely u teamkilled and others were mad and TK'd you.


There

quote:

Originally posted by Crunch_:
See this post...
IFF in Lock On

The 169th server and some others use a mod that will make the F-15 HUD flash when a friend is locked.

There is no free for all in HL. Maps can only be one sided co-op or coalition vs coalition. Most likely u teamkilled and others were mad and TK'd you.


There

That's exactly how my engagement looked when I locked, single line (2 or 4)...would be helpful if everyone flew planes according to what side they were on as well, bit confusing seeing a friendly F-15 when you are on the Russian side and flying the Mig-29.

a. Russian planes have a thermal targeting sensor/site (EOS)- that is the default sensor on many CAC modes. There is no way to tell friendly heat from enemy heat. Acquisition of ANY aircraft using this sensor will result in unknown/hostile symbology. If you acquire on RADAR, and lose it- the plane will SWITCH to EOS trying to help reacquire..


b. Read the brief, and look at the map BEFORE you take off. You should know where you're at, and therefore- the likelihood of finding a hostile aircraft in any given area. Approximately- where would I fly to find enemy units? Is this unknown aircraft flying from or towards that area? You should have been using TWS mode to scan about. This would have resulted in a positive ID of the aircraft without the need to even lock him. You've got to THINK before firing.

c. If you had been on the server's communications channel, certainly the chances of this, (or any other situation caused by a NOOB) happening are greatly reduced. If you have a lock, and you hear BUDDY SPIKE!! you better think..

This is the learning curve you've heard about. Don't take the pointed criticism personally. Everyone else went through it too. What varies is people's willingness/ability to learn, and how they deal with the ugly situations that come up.

There's only one excuse for a teamkill that holds ANY water at all. If some NIMROD is returning to base after a fight and flying the whole way in with his jammer on- then he is setting himself up to get shot blue on blue. However- being on COMMS fixes this 99% of the time. You will often hear "blue/red jammers off" and anyone that is tactically able to turn them off- will. Obviously the guy flying in will look down, turn his off. The guy NOT on comms? well... he's almost as guilty as the the other party.

By communications you mean Teamspeak, right? I am just learning, so this is that learning curve you speak of...I am however willing to learn. I've just flown the Mig online and not the F-15, I read the brief and constantly check the map...but to be honest I can't make heads or tails of the brief. I do look at the map before taking off to get a bearing on where I will find enemy units, typically they are entrenched with friendly units.

I'm going to go back through the training for the EOS and take notes, as well any feedback on the Teamspeak thing would be appreciated...would be nice to be able to hear my allies yell at me to stop locking them haha.

Sometimes the mission briefs are very sub-par. Best you can do is study the map, and ascertain what the point of the mission is. Often it's a relatively simple combination map that has both air to air & air to ground targets. Simply check it over- note the area you'll be fighting in, note where the enemy is in relation to your waypoints so you have that as another reference.. (don't shoot ground targets before crossing WP#2 for example)

Yes- Teamspeak or ventrilo. Usually you will see the comms information right in the joining box in hyperlobby. (click on the server, read before clicking join) or in the brief itself.

You can save this info in an address book of sorts with both applications. That way you just join up when you decide where you're going, then have at it. Once your on- get yourself on the proper subchannel. If you're on RED- join the sub channel designated for red.

By the way- on both apps- You may need to do some audio tuning or config before using it for flight. Typically others on the channel will be happy to help out/ give feedback as you tune.

Don't use voice activation- assign a PTT (push to talk) button. The sound of your speakers or other background noise will jam your mic open, and drive everyone nuts.

Sometimes new user's mics are not turned on, or muted in their audio properties.. you can hear them, but they can't hear you.

Volume almost always has to be adjusted.. being too soft won't help you over the noise of the sim, and being too loud will annoy others.

Keep chatter down to what NEEDS to be said.

quote:

Originally posted by exitiummachina:

quote:

Originally posted by Crunch_:
See this post...
IFF in Lock On

The 169th server and some others use a mod that will make the F-15 HUD flash when a friend is locked.

There is no free for all in HL. Maps can only be one sided co-op or coalition vs coalition. Most likely u teamkilled and others were mad and TK'd you.


There

That's exactly how my engagement looked when I locked, single line (2 or 4)...would be helpful if everyone flew planes according to what side they were on as well, bit confusing seeing a friendly F-15 when you are on the Russian side and flying the Mig-29.

As Konkussion said, most likely you were using EOS and not radar. The link I provided explains this.

Having the same planes on both sides gives variety and allows people who prefer 1 plane the option to fly either side.