Tower Simulator

ESE Files Description

The VCCS dialog was originally part of the voice communication section. It was used as controller-to-controller communication tool during VASTIM online sessions. But since the introduction of VACS program, it is no longer used in daily controlling sessions. But it is still part of the installation and can be used in any session. The paragraphs are moved to simulator section as VCCS is still the main voice communication tool for standalone (non-SweatBox) simulator sessions.

The dialog box can be split into three areas:

  • On the left side the air to ground channels are visible.
  • The middle section contains buttons to set up the communication. Also, many of them are just dummy and have no functionality behind.
  • The right side contains buttons for ground-to-ground communication.

VCCS setup

Before going into details of each area, let’s look at how you can change what is visible in the dialog. To open the setup dialog, press the EDIT button next to the TS server name. You can set up the content only when there is no active connection to the server.

You can enter the following data to the dialog:

  • Server data group
    • Server name – The computer name where TS server is running. You can use localhost when you run TS server (e.g. using EuroScope FSD server) on the same machine. You can enter IP address or a registered domain name. 
      Note: Custom TS3 clients can connect to only custom TS3 servers. Therefore, you need a EuroScope version of the TS3 server. It can be EuroScope FSD server, EuroScope TeamSpeak server (Windows or Linux).
    • Server port – The port used for connection on server side.
    • Nickname – The users nick name to be visible on server side.
    • G2A PTT – The PTT button for ground-to-air communications.
    • G2G PTT – The PTT button for ground-to-ground communications.
  • Ground to air channels – It is actually just a list of frequencies:
    • Frequency – Edit here the frequency value of the selected item.
    • New – To add a new entry to the list.
    • Delete – To delete the selected item.
    • Up, Down – To move the selected item up or down in the list.
  • Ground to ground channels
    • Button line 1 – The upper line text of the button.
    • Button line 2 – The lower line text of the button.
    • Position – Select the position of the button. The values are: <page>/<row>/<column>.
    • Color – The background color of the button.
    • Position ID – The ID of the position to be called by the button. It can be used in two different ways:
      • You can enter ESE file position ID here. This case EuroScope can check when the controller with this ID is online or not. When online the border color of the button changes from red to green. When you press a button like this a direct message is sent to the controller as invitation for voice communication.
      • A non-controller position ID. Like FIRE, POLICE, etc. This case EuroScope cannot help determining if anyone is on the other side. So, it sends a broadcast message to everyone. To serve a position like this you should press the button with right click. It will change the border from red to blue. This solution allows a controller (or more a pseudo pilot) to serve multiple positions in the session.
    • New, Delete – To add or delete a position from the dialog.
  • Devices
    • Capture mode – In which mode the voice is captured.
    • Capture device – What device is used for capturing voice.
    • Playback mode – In which mode the incoming voice is played back.
    • Playback device – What device is used for playing incoming voice.

Ground to air channels

Ground to air communication does not require invitation call and call accept/refuse events. Just join the frequency, listen or transmit whenever you would like to do so. Use the G2A PTT button to transmit.

One item here represents a single frequency channel.

  • Press R to start/end receiving on frequency.
  • Press T to start/end transmitting on frequency.

When connected to the server for both receiving and transmitting, the background is changed:

When receiving the background of R is changing. So as the box below T indicates when transmitting.

Air to Air channels

This is the opposite of ground to air. When you would like to call another ground station you must initiate the call. The other party should accept is. When the connection is established, you can talk to each other.

The call initiation message contains the caller server and port, so the connection will be made using that server. Therefore, that server should be reachable from the other party. It is not a good idea to use localhost when using G2G.

To call another party press the appropriate button:

It changes LINE 1 to the name of the called party while the END button shows the running call. You can use the END button to cancel it anytime.

At the caller controller the dialog changes similarly. The caller will be at LINE 1, the END can be used to cancel the call. It also has the option to mute the ring using RINF OFF button. Pressing the incoming ID (in place of LINE1) the position called can accept and enter the call.

Accepting the call stops the button flashing and starts the conversation. Both parties should use the G2G PTT for transmitting and use END to finish the conversation.

The TEST button can be used to test server connection. In this case EuroScope opens two channels to the server. One is transmitting voice while the other receives the voice back.