Advanced Simulated Radar Client (ASRC) v 1.0 installation

(edition 1.2 - November 2003)

This guide is written for anyone who wants to start observing on Vatsim. It sets out the minimum configuration and software needed to observe ATC. Further information required for active controlling can be obtained via the links on the Essex ASRC resources page.

The combined Installation and Observers Guide can also be downloaded in Word format as ASRC Observers Guide.doc

Setting up ASRC

1. Download ASRC 1.0 (asrcsetup.exe) from the ASRC web page
2. Install into the directory of your choice
3. Once ASRC is installed the manual can be found under "Documentation". It is also available online at www.asrc.info both as webpages and as a pdf download. It assumes quite a lot of knowledge of ATC procedures, so don't feel put off when you first look at it - it will all make sense in due course.
4. Download the UK radar map (egtt_airacxx2003.zip where xx is the month of the latest release). These maps are known as sector files. It can be found in the files section of the Essex website, or on www.vatsim-uk.org under Downloads/sector files/CTR-TMA.
5. You may also want to download a more detailed file for particular airports - for example essex_radar covers the Essex and East London area (Luton, Stansted, London City, Biggin Hill, Southend, Cambridge and Norwich).
6. Create a folder for sector files, and unzip into this.
7. You will need an up-to-date server list, as several of those on the default list no longer exist.
   1. The easiest way is to use the ServInfo programme. Use File/Export ipaddr.txt and save the file in the ASRC root directory (where your asrc.exe is installed).
   2. If you do not have ServInfo you can obtain a recent copy of ipaddr.txt from the ASRC/resources page on the Essex website.
      
8. Now open ASRC - the radar screen will appear.
9. From the drop down menus select File/Open. Navigate your way to the unzipped UK sector file and open it. Your radar screen will show a map of the UK. The default settings are adequate to start observing, but feel free to experiment.
10. If you want to listen to voice as well as use text you need to turn on the voice settings. If you are only using text, then go straight to the Observers Guide. It is perfectly possible to be a controller on text only, but when you are observing other controllers the majority of communications will be on voice.
11. Turning on the voice setting
    1. From the drop down menus select Options/Settings.
    2. Click on the box marked Enable Voice Enhancements. A tick will appear in the box.
    3. In the next box (Voice Server) enter the IP address of the UK2 voice server (80.249.98.88). You may need to change this later, but it will do to start with.
    4. In the bottom box enter your name and/or a callsign. Most people enter their name, and add their aircraft callsign or ATC position e.g. Ruth McTighe (G-RMCT, Essex_ATC).
    5. Now close ASRC and install and configure Roger Wilco.

Setting up Roger Wilco

1. Download Roger Wilco Mk1d3 (from now on referred to as RW) from VATSIM-UK download page or from the Roger Wilco website . Please note that earlier versions of RW will not work with ASRC.
2. Unzip and install into the directory of your choice.
3. Documentation and support are available on the Roger Wilco website
4. Open Roger Wilco.
   It is important to note that when using ASRC, RW is used only to link between ASRC and the voice servers. To do this it is set to use voice activation, and the push-to-talk (PTT) control is set from within ASRC. This is the opposite of how it is used when flying with Squawkbox, and will need to be reset whenever you switch between flying and controlling.
5. Be aware that the voice system is very sensitive to firewall and router settings. If you have problems connecting using the procedures on this page check out the Configuration section and Appendix in the ASRC manual, or ask on the official ASRC forum or the simflight.support.asrc forum
6. Now configure RW.
7. Click on the "Transmit" tab
   1. Set it to Voice Activated with maximum sensitivity (slider all the way to the right).
   2. Set the "Mute Key" box to L_CTRL. To do this, click in the "Mute Key" box and press the LEFT CTRL key.
8. Click on the "Adjust" tab.
   1. Use the "test mike" to set your microphone level correctly
   2. Click on "Configure", then "Next"
   3. Most of the remaining settings can be left at their default values. If you are getting poor quality sound, then experiment with changing them.
   4. The "transmit" key acts as a Mute Key when in voice activated mode. This should have already been set to L_CTRL using the Transmit Tab.
   5. The internet connection speed must be "Slow modem" regardless of your real connection speed. If it is set faster it causes technical problems with voice transmission.
   6. Your call-sign will allow people to recognise your name on Roger Wilco. Most people enter their name, and add their aircraft callsign, or ATC position as appropriate e.g. Ruth McTighe (G-RMCT, Essex_ATC).
9. Once you have configured Roger Wilco, close it and reopen ASRC. Roger Wilco should then open automatically. If you are not already online, RW will force your dialer dialog to pop-up. If you do not want to dial up at the moment, ignore this - ASRC will still load.
10. Set your Push-to-talk key from within ASRC by typing .rwkey <enter>and then the key you want to use for transmitting. Use a key you will not want for anything else, and which does not type a character to screen e.g. RIGHT_CTRL.

Now go to the ASRC Observers Guide

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