Installing and configuring ACRE (Advanced Combat Radio Environment)

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

The install can be a bit tricky so I thought I'd create another thread just for ACRE. See the next post for install instructions (please let me know if anything is wrong!!)

Still need to document: How to increase power on each radio to max



What is ACRE?

The ACRE mod links ArmA2 and Teamspeak3 to create a more immersive environment in which we play in, including positional audio, real radio communications and complete compatibility with the ACE2 ArmA2 project.

We intend to create the most realistic and immersive radio system within the current gaming world; based off of real life experience and knowledge, as well as the use of physical terrain obscuration, radio loss, distortion, and all other considers a real radio operator must make on a daily basis.

Features
* Two ACRE-Specific Radios
. PRC-119 man pack radio
. PRC-148 handheld radio
* 100% ACE2 Compatible
. Integration with all ACE2 man pack radios, using default AN/PRC-119 statistics.
* PRC-148 now replaces the default ArmA2 'ItemRadio'
* Realistic GUI interfaces for radios, they are the real thing
* Directional speaking for non-radio, normal communications
. Real-time 3d positional information
* Realistic terrain affects for radios
. Signal lose & distortion from buildings, hills, trees, and other objects
. Realistic power output and antenna length considerations for all radios that effect signal
. Realistic frequency wavelength falloff; higher frequencies do not travel as far
. Real-time positional calculation for fast-moving objects
* Separate Push-To-Talk key (non-toggle) for using your radio
. If a person speaks on their radio and you aren?t on that frequency, you can hear them 'directly'
* Multiple hotkeys and quick-displays for fast information about your radios
* Players can carry multiple radios on different frequencies
. Hot-swap radio hotkey
. Current radios selection menu
. Pop-up display on broadcast to know current radio in use
* Radios are now considered unique objects within the ArmA2 world
. Radios are droppable and maintain ALL settings for anyone who picks them up
. Program a radio and trade it with a player!
. Pick up your dead enemies radio and discover his platoon's frequency
* Man pack Radios have the ability to use 'PA' mode in a vehicle, broadcast at 40,000mW!
* Custom Squawk sounds for all radio transmissions (credits to Krause)
* Realistic distortion effects
. Normal broadcasting distortion
. Signal lose distortion and noise
* 100% BattlEye compatible
* Performance and desync considerations
. All time critical radio information is communicated via TeamSpeak3, server desync doesn't break ACRE
. Crash/Desync fallback functionality. Sound "anomalies" are no longer possible with lag/desync.
. Optimized distance, terrain, positional and signal calculations
. Use of JayArmA2Lib for Named pipes communication; 0-latency inter-process communication between TS3-ArmA2
. Server side garbage collection of radios to prevent object clutter/long mission lag
. Many fixes for ts3/arma2 crashes, server/mission disconnects
- Global 15 second reset for any of these scenarios

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

ACRE Comms Installation

Download the ACRE mod file from the ACE TS3 channel file browser

Exit out of Teamspeak and Arma2

Extract the file somewhere and go into the Teamspeak3\Plugins folder

Copy and paste the appropriate .dll file (if you have 32bit Windows use the acre_win32.dll file) into your Teamspeak plugins directory (default is c:\program files\teamspeak 3 client\plugins)

Back to the ACRE folder you extracted from the .rar file - Copy all files/folders under the ArmA 2 folder (@ACRE, @JayArma2Lib, Expansion, Keys, userconfig, dsound.dll) into the root of your Arma2 installation - For Steam users this is C:\Program Files\Steam\Steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead

Fire up Teamspeak and go into Settings > Plugins - make sure ACRE plugin is checked (for added fun select ACRE and click on Settings at the bottom)

Restart Teamspeak


** You must change the default Push To Talk key (caps lock) in Arma2 after installing ACRE (I just removed it from the key binding), otherwise you will broadcast on TS as well as in-game VOIP **

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

ACRE Comms Usage

The Default Hot-Keys for ACRE Are as follows:

CTRL + SHIFT + X
. Open your current radio GUI, if you have one

CTRL + SHIFT + S
. Hot-swap between the radios you are carrying as your active radio


Direct Speaking
Use your normal Teamspeak PTT Key, whatever you have configured it as. You will hear people move about you in 3D.

Radio Transmission
Whenever a person speaks or you yourself speak on a radio, you will hear two different types of 'squawks'. indicating both begin and end of transmission. Be careful! Transmitting at the same time as someone else creates feedback, and will make everyone listening angry. If you do not hear anything, that means you are out of range. Additionally, you will hear a background fuzz and distortion on a person speaking when they are on radio. Lastly, you can hear a person speak 'directly' when they speak on a radio, if you are not listening to that frequency. If you don't hear the distortion and buzz, that means you aren?t receiving their radio transmission.

Basic Operation
1. If you're player has started with ItemRadio, it will automatically be replaced with a PRC-148
2. If it is the only radio on you, it is active by default
3. Press either CTRL+SHIFT+S to swap between active radios, or CTRL+SHIFT+V to view your radios
4. Select the radio you want to use in step #3
5. Press CTRL+SHIFT+X, the Radio GUI will open
6. Press ESC to leave the GUI (or Ctrl-Shift-X again)

AN/PRC-148
1. click the UP and DOWN arrows on the radio
. The channel and frequency will be displayed. Be on the same channel/frequency as someone else
2. Press and HOLD your Radio PTT Key (CAPSLOCK)
. You will hear a 'squawk', or beep, which indicates you are transmitting
3. Say "I am a jolly Rodger"
4. Let go of your Radio PTT Key (CAPSLOCK)
. You will hear another 'squawk', or radio "cut", indicating you have stopped transmitting

AN/PRC-119
The AN/PRC-119 consists of multiple functions on the radio. Currently, some are not enabled. The functionality available as of right now is as follows:
* 6 pre-programmed channels.
. You are able to click the knob to 'turn' it between channels
* Switching between power(PWR) modes. These are 400mW, 2200mW, 4000mW, and 40,000mW
. 40,000mW is "PA Mode", which is only avialable in vehicles
* Programming to a custom frequency. This is not savable in a channel.

In a simple scenario, you can simply click the channel knob, and you will be on those frequencies. If you wish to program a custom frequency, you can do the following:

1. Click the 'CLR' button to clear the current frequency
2. Program the 5-digit frequency you wish to use.
. Ex: if you want the frequency 3.111, this would be programmed by clicking: 0 - 3 - 1 - 1 - 1
3. Click 'CTO' to use that frequency.


CTRL + SHIFT + V
. Window displaying information on the radios you are carrying, and ability to change active radio

CAPSLOCK
. Radio PTT(Push-To-Talk) Key

** ALL OF THESE KEYS ARE CONFIGURATION VIA: ARMA 2\USERCONFIG\ACRE\ACRE_KEYS.HPP **

[=VG= SemlerPDX]

NOTE: Your standard PUSH TO TALK button will be your radio "cue" button. Your TS3 PTT button will become your "local communication", like speaking out loud and it is 3D positional. You will not hear someone "talking" if you are more than 15 feet from them. This is where the Radios and their Ranges come in to pick up the load.
You WILL be talking LOCALLY when using Radio, and any around you, friend or foe, will hear you as well - but, those on the same radio channel will hear you over that radio, range permitting.

SETTING RADIOS TO MAX RANGE FOR THE AN/PRC's 148, 119, & 117:

Here is your standard squad radio, the AN/PRC-343:



It's range is not adjustable. All personel should carry this radio, and it will be on your person when you first enter an ACE/ACRE game. If not, grab one. It fills a Map/Compass gear slot.

The two knobs on top are Channel on the left and Volume on the right. Left and Right mouse clicks adjust either up or down. There are 16 channels and the range on this radio is the smallest of all 4.

Remeber, you can carry 2 radios at a time and each can be assigned to playback out of one, the other, or both ears. Press ctrl+shift Left, Right, or Up to set this for your current radio. It's recommended to set your AN/PRC-343 Squad Radio to your LEFT ear and your other (Command) Radio to your RIGHT ear. This way you can more easily differentiate who is transmitting and on what radio. If you are, say, squad 4, have your soldiers set 343 to channel 4, and you will not hear any other squad's chatter on the 343 - just your own. If you are KIA, some radio settings revert. Verify proper setup again before returning to action.

COMMAND RADIOS:
These radios all have adjustable range and are suitable for cross-squad communications and long distance transmission. Generally, only one person in a squad needs to have one of these, such as a squad leader or designated "radio man".

You can use the radio on the "radio man's" back using the ACRE Interaction Menu, simulating real life radio usage in the field. Begin transmission stating who you are, who you are trying to contact, and ask for copy.
Example: "Squad 4 to Squad 1, come in" then they should reply something like "Squad 4 this is Squad 1, copy (or go ahead)" - Now transmit your message ending with "Over" or "How Copy?".

For training, you should become familiar with each of these.

The AN/PRC-148:



The 148 has a range of 5000 feet and fills a weapons slot in the Map/Compass area of your gear. Bring up your 148 by selecting it as your current radio (default: ctrl+shft C) then press view radio (default: ctrl+shft X).
EDIT: Switch Radios button differ for different ACRE versions(example: crtl+shft A or S for ACRE 1.3.2)

At the very top are the Channel knob on the left and Volume knob on the right. As with the 343, left click to increase, right click to decrease. Alternatively, the Up and Down arrow keys below MENU and SCAN also adjust channel.

To set range, click MODE button 2 times. You will see Current (Range) 500 and New (Range) blinking. Click up or down arrow keys to change new range - 5000 MAX. Click ENT (Enter) to set and lock it. Follow the same procedure to check and adjust as needed.

The AN/PRC-119:



The 119 is a Soviet/Vietnam-Era radio. It is a backpack radio, and as such, can be packed with plenty of gear and equipment. It has 3 range settings and when inside a vehicle, a 4th.

Change between 6 channels by clicking the CH knob at the top left. Below that knob is the RF PWR selector. Click this to set range to LO, Medium, or HI. When in a vehicle, set it to PA for maximum range. The SQ or Squelch knob is not modeled in the game, but is clickable. On the right side is the Volume knob, and above that is another selector that is not needed for your use (or not modeled).

The AN/PRC-117:



Here is the modern bad-boy of the portable VHF radio world. Like the 119, it is a backpack radio and can carry loads of items. It has a maximum range of 20,000 feet.
The Volume + or - on the left is just that. The PRE + or - on the right is your Channel selector. There are 100 preset channels.

To set maximum range, click the #8 (PGM) button and then click ENT (Enter). You will see the five settings modes, the first one blinking:

FREQ CS DATA
SQL POWER NAME

Click the Left or Right arrow buttons untill POWER is blinking, then click the ENT (Enter) button. Now you will see a familiar display:

CUR: 5000
NEW: 5000

Click the left or right arrow buttons to adjust NEW to max range (20,000), then press ENT (Enter).

Like the 117, there is a special channel knob on the right - it's either not needed for standard use or not modeled in the game. Just leave it set to PT.

FINAL NOTE: Backpacks are invaluable in the field, but the 119, and particularly the 117, have very large antennas and can give you away (to human players, at least). Remember, Shape/Shadow/Shine/Silhouette.
Lastly, make sure you are mindful of your stamina. 40kg of gear is a managable weight, and I find I don't pass out too much. Listen for your heart beat and to your breathing, don't run all the time (especially up a grade or hill!) and sit down behind some cover to rest up fast. GOOD LUCK!

[=VG= Calv]

BTW Semler, I figured out how to use other people's radio packs (117/119).

You target them and press CTRL-ALT-Q to bring up the ACRE interaction menu. (CTRL-ALT-E is the ACRE self interaction menu) Should then give the option to use their radio.

Also, it seems that you can use this menu to mount upto 2 148 radios in a humvee and have them on speaker.
Plus, all helicopters seem to have a 117 pre-mounted that is also accessed using that menu.

[=VG= SemlerPDX]

The Right Windows button and Right App button on many keyboards (between right alt and right ctrl) will also act as the ACE Self Interaction and ACE Interaction menus.
(For donning masks, handsignals, healing, etc.)

EDIT: NOT to be confused with ACRE Interaction and ACRE Self Interaction Clav is describing. Sorry, Calv. ACE/ACRE training is a TMI overload, for sure!

PUT THOSE EARPLUGS IN, PEOPLE!!!

[=VG= Calv]

SemlerPDX LAN_WROTE ...

The Right Windows button and Right App button on many keyboards (between right alt and right ctrl) will also act as the ACE Self Interaction and ACE Interaction menus.

PUT THOSE EARPLUGS IN, PEOPLE!!!

Yeah Ctrl-ALT-Q menu is only for ACRE, it isn't the ACE interaction menu.

[=VG= BLuDKLoT]

wow great posts guys I'm missing out on the training and I need to get in there more :(

[Jager]

Dsound.dll crashes my arma 2 on launch, any ideas?

[=VG= Calv]

Are you getting any specific error messages?

Couple things that may sort it.
Go into your steam/oa folder and make sure the game is set to run in admin mode.

If you have combined ops, make sure you have launched Arma2 and OA from steam without any mods to ensure correct register entries are present.

Did you install ACRE via sixupdater?

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

You put the dsound.dll file from the ACRE mod in the root of your Arma folder? If so try deleting it and copying it again from the ACRE zi p file.

[Jager]

Tried that exact thing several times.

[kilgore]

try writing a command line to launch arma -mod = @ACE and rest etc

got dll not loading messages all time .
Did above and loaded just fine . Launchers wouldnt do it ,including one in arma itself.

[=VG= SemlerPDX]

here, kilgore. This is my shortcut's paths. Snip out what you need, (remove the 4 core line if you dont have one...) and good luck!

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2oa.exe" -noSplash -noFilePatching -showScriptErrors -cpucount=4 -exThreads=7 -mod=;@CBA;@ACE;@JayArma2Lib;@ACRE;@ACEX;@ACEX_USNavy;@ACEX_RU;@JSRS-E;@JSRS-V;@JSRS-VW;@JSRS-W;@stmovement;@sthud"

[Jager]

Calv LAN_WROTE ...

Are you getting any specific error messages?

Couple things that may sort it.
Go into your steam/oa folder and make sure the game is set to run in admin mode.

If you have combined ops, make sure you have launched Arma2 and OA from steam without any mods to ensure correct register entries are present.

Did you install ACRE via sixupdater?

Linked error message.
OA does run as admin.
Thinking about just reinstalling arma and oa to see if it will fix it.
And yes I first installed ACRE via sixupdater then I deleted the updated version and used the ACRE version supplied with ts.

[Jager]

After mucking about with the damn thing on and off for a few days I finally got past the launch and into arma but ts (with plugin) still won't talk with acre.
Any ideas?

[Jager]

Suppose I will have to learn ACRE now

[=VG= Calv]

Jager LAN_WROTE ...

Suppose I will have to learn ACRE now

Awesome, glad it is working. Any idea what the problem was?

Learning the radios is pretty easy, I'm happy to go through them with ya if ya give me a shout ingame or send me a msg on steam if I'm not ingame.

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

Yes if you can please post how you fixed it..others may run into the same issue.

As Calv said it's much easier if one of us goes thru a quick trainer for the radios in game.

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

I just realized my instructions on usage say Ctrl-Shft-S to swap radios but I'm pretty sure I was using Ctrl-Shft-C yesterday with ACRE 1.2 - does anyone know if the default keys get changed with ver 1.3 or am I just plain wrong??

[=VG= Calv]

BTW Semler, in your description of each of the radios you may want to add in that the 119 is the best radio for someone to use if they are going to be in a vehicle mostly e.g. the chopper pilot. As when set to PA (only possible when inside a vehicle) it goes upto 40,000w which is double what the 117f can achieve.

Typical radio assignments I think would be:
343 - Everyone
148- Squad Leader
117f - Squad Radio Man/Mortar Crews
119 - Pilots

[=VG= SemlerPDX]

For me, ctrl+shft Q or E are NOT the ACRE Interaction menus. My guy just leans left or right as normal. Someone must know another default command. I cannot find the actual control listed under ACE Settings.

[=VG= Calv]

SemlerPDX LAN_WROTE ...

For me, ctrl+shft Q or E are NOT the ACRE Interaction menus. My guy just leans left or right as normal. Someone must know another default command. I cannot find the actual control listed under ACE Settings.

The ingame text that lists Ctrl+shift+q/e is wrong, it is Shift+Alt+q/e.
Shift/Alt/E will bring up a menu that just lets you lower your headset or access the radio list.
The vehicle radio racks I mentioned were only added in the latest version so we won't have them on our server at moment.
Haven't had chance to test whether being able to use a backpack radio someone else is wearing works in this version yet.

[Jager]

Conflicting dll's, I went through http://dev-heaven.net/projects/171/wiki/Troubleshooting_FAQ_Bug_Reporting as my last resort which should probably have been my first thing to check.
As for the dsound.dll bug I have no idea what caused it, my guess was that I had a bad version of it as it would crash my game every time.

[=VG= SavageCDN (Inactive Duty)]

Some good ACRE videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BsQBTQtiQQ&feature=player_embedded

This one is a 7-parter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSH2-NJbI3Q&feature=player_embedded

Also some manuals here:

http://dev-heaven.net/projects/171/wiki/Radio_Manuals