Hollo Pointe (DCS Server)

Wes · June 25, 2019, 1:19pm

A HolloPointe Intro

About:
Originally a single server started by @WreckingCrew, now split in two with HolloPointe: Caucasus and HolloPointe: Persian Gulf (And Nevada) with the addition of my HolloPointe: North (which was originally just a backup server to “HP”).

Missions:
Almost all of the missions are designed by @WreckingCrew and are typically beginner friendly. Some have well-defined objectives, others are more free-form. The by far most popular mission is Erl Sis on the Caucasus, which was an open A2G environment for A-10’s that now features carriers, AWACS and refueling - you can do a bit of everything there.
HolloPointe: North (“HPN”) typically features @Franze’s Offensive Posture (“Off.Pos”) that started as a mini-sim of Operation Allied Force, but has grown and is now a multiple role air superiority mission with CAS, CAP & SEAD all needing to work their magic to succeed. I also keep a full copy of WreckingCrew’s missions on hand.

Joining:
Just drop in! We’re publicly listed on the DCS server list - no passwords. If you are on Discord, the invite to our server is in the MudSpike server’s general chat (we have our own so we don’t flood everyone with our design notes etc.). HPN now has an SRS server, which we are starting to use more - the IP address (which may change infrequently from time to time) is in our Discord, and the DCS server will prompt you to auto-connect if you open SRS before hopping in.

EDIT: Discord direct open invite here:

Mission Flow:
We more or less figure it out as we go, depending on how many people are there and what aircraft people have chosen. No rigid system in place.

When to Fly:
Myself and Franze are there almost daily. 7-12PM EST is sort of the rough time you’ll see us on, peak is 9-11ish. It can run a bit later too, as more of the guys are CST or MT.

I’m sure there’s more to say, but that’s all I got for now!

Kinger · June 25, 2019, 1:40pm

Thanks Wes! I’m an EST guy myself so 7 to say 10 is in my sweet spot. I’m a horrible pilot, but enjoy flying/learning with others and can offer great SAM and A2A bait for others more capable

WreckingCrew · June 25, 2019, 2:08pm

Hi @Kinger! Welcome aboard. Everybody is welcome on the HP servers. I tend to fly the A-10C and stumble about in Combined Arms, and get along ok in the F/A-18 as long as it’s daylight. What do you fly?

Kinger · June 25, 2019, 2:15pm

I have the Hog, Huey, P-51, Tomcat and the Bug. 99% of my time is in the Bug though.

Bearhedge · July 5, 2019, 8:22pm

Hi team! Just wondering - it looks like the server settings are currently preventing Tacview from picking up other objects.

That’s fair enough if you do lots of competitive MP but so far I’ve mostly seen co-op.

I wondered if having the tacview data available would be quite fun for post flight analysis and not a big risk for abuse given the co-op / friendly nature?

Please don’t take this as criticism - the server is awesome and if you rather play it safe that’s perfectly understandable - just a thought Thank you for hosting!

Wes · July 5, 2019, 9:02pm

I think the allow sensor and object data export options are OFF by default. For HolloPointe North, I turned them ON. Give that a try and let me know if it works.

Bearhedge · July 5, 2019, 9:44pm

Sweet - thanks man, I will!

EDIT:

Works now!

Wes · October 18, 2019, 1:08am

Just adding an update to this post regarding SRS!

If you would like to mimic Hollo Pointe North's SRS feel:

Here are the settings I am using and the rationale:

Secure Coalition Radios: [ON]
This setting stops radio transmissions from one coalition being heard by the other, stopping eavesdropping. In real life there is a good chance adversaries don’t speak the same language and that encryption would be used when possible. Not all the real-life encryption capable planes currently support that in DCS, and we have to publish the radio frequencies so that the players know what to use. Since you can easily swap sides to read the enemy’s briefing I believe this lock-out provides the best and most fair experience. This also means that spectators are isolated from the coalitions, but can talk with one another so long as…
Spectator Audio: [ON]
Allows spectators to manually tune the SRS radios from the overlay panel while in the spectator role. Spectators can only communicate with each other. This also means when you get shot down you cannot alert your wingman - remember to check in regularly, and that silence can be worse than a cry for help!
Auto Export List: [OFF]
This setting allows the client list to be exported to a JSON file, and interpreted to display info on a webpage for example. Currently not needed, so it is off.
Line of Sight: [OFF]
This settings limits radio transmissions within line of sight, signal will fade as LOS is lost. Currently off, but may get turned on in the future.
Distance Limit: [OFF]
This setting limits radio transmissions by distance, signal will fade over distance. Currently off, but may get turned on in the future.
IRL Radio Tx Behavior: [ON]
Prevents receiving audio when transmitting, like real life.
IRL Radio Rx Behavior: [ON]
Means when receiving multiple radios you will hear distortion.
Expansion Radios: [OFF]
This allows more radio function than an aircraft has, more for training type uses so it is turned off.
Allow Radio Encryption: [OFF]
Since encryption doesn’t overall work with all the various aircraft, this is off just to make lives easier. Should that be well implemented in the future, encryption will be allowed and coalition security turned off as well as spectator audio going off.
Check for Beta Updates: [OFF]
Prefer a stable build.
External AWACS Mode: [OFF]
This allows a users not in an aircraft to act as a GCI / Awacs - for one coalition or the other. They get a radio panel allowing up to ten frequencies to be monitored. These slots can also be password protected. Currently do not have a need for this, it would be better served on busy servers to coordinate multiple flights like playing an RTS game.
Other Information:
The SRS server is set to automatically prompt you to connect to it when you join the DCS server, if your SRS client is running - no need to remember IP addresses!

I have also activate the “Nudge” feature - which would send a message to players not connected to SRS to give it a go. Not sure if this works yet, as I tried going in sans-SRS and didn’t notice a notice!

Client settings to follow…

Wes · October 18, 2019, 1:26am

My SRS Client Settings:

Not all of these are really well documented. My settings allow that the switch-radio buttons mapped in SRS can also be the PTT, plus a universal PTT, which ties in with the DCS radio switch assignments.

Play with the settings to get the desired effect.

Of course, enable the Rx/Tx effects and radio voice effects for maximum realism!

USMCBEANS · October 18, 2019, 2:28am

I like SRS so much better than discord. Gives me a reason to fiddle with the radios.

schurem · October 18, 2019, 6:23am

I love the immersion factor of it.
But it’s not as n00bfriendly as discord or team speak.
However, if we can figure out A-10C DSMS pages, having radios actually work is but a small hurdle definitely worth the hassle.

So guard (251) is the lobby freak?

Aginor · October 18, 2019, 7:31am

Same here. SRS rules.

Wes · October 18, 2019, 4:41pm

Hollo Pointe North has been updated to today’s DCS patch and is back up and running. I may do a restart later on if @Franze finds any issues in the mission’s warehousing for example, due to the update.

If anyone is on in that case, I will let you know via the chat from the server. You can keep flying and I’ll wait until players finish / mission time out.

Wes · October 21, 2019, 4:40pm

Today’s hotfix has been applied to the server.

Wes · October 22, 2019, 1:29am

A thanks to Franze for catching this before I got to my computer this evening:

Hollo Pointe North’s public IP address has changed.
I would prefer not to post it publicly, but you can see it in the discord chat (scroll up!!) or via the DCS server browser.

SRS will prompt with the new address now, so update your bookmarks if you’ve made any.

Brix · October 22, 2019, 2:41pm

I take it you’re using the open beta?

Kinger · October 22, 2019, 2:49pm

Yes the server is on open beta.

Sryan · October 27, 2019, 12:24pm

Hey guys, I’m getting constant time-outs or infinite loading screens when trying to connect to Hollo Pointe North. Other servers including the normal Hollo Pointe are fine.

Wes · October 27, 2019, 2:05pm

North was hung, I have restarted DCS so it should be available in a minute or so.

Sryan · October 27, 2019, 2:14pm

All good now @wes! I’ll be flying there in 15 mins or so.