Support
3/28/1999
Known Issues | FAQ | Suggestions/Bug Report | Contact Tech Support
For the fastest and most up to date answers to your support questions, check out the TFS Support Database.
Most issues you may run into have been addressed in the manuals or FAQ. Please consult these resources prior to asking
for tech support from either the author or the various mailing lists and news groups dealing with SquawkBox, SATCO, IVAO, etc. We all
want you to receive the most enjoyment from the various systems, but please remember...
BE PATIENT WITH EACH OTHER AND RESPECT EACH OTHER
You get this stuff free...don't abuse it!
If you have read through the manual and this FAQ, and are still having difficulty, then log a troublecall with tech support on the
TFS Bulletin Board.
SquawkBox Known Issues
Squawkbox does not support 3D with 3D side cards. It does work in 3D with 2D/3D cards.--3D Issue additional
information from Frank Hartman:
"Those pilots who have a sidecar type of 3D card, like the Monster 3D, experience this problem because the card does not
support showing 3D and 2D objects i.e. windows, at the same time. Users with a single card that does both 2D and 3D don't have this problem. It
is not a Microsoft problem, it is not a card vendor problem. It is a natural result of using two separate pieces of hardware for video."
You must set Win95 to use small fonts to display the FMS properly
Multiplayer functions only work with MSFS98
NT issues
- When using Win NT, turn off message alerts.
- NT does not support multiplayer in SquawkBox 2.1.
FAQ
General Questions | Connection | Functionality
General Questions
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Connection Problems
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Functionality
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
General Question Answers
All I want to do is fly do I need Pro Controller or the Server software to do this?
No, all you need is to download Squawk Box, and obtain a Pilot ID if you will be using SATNET.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Do I have to join SATCO to enjoy SB and PC?
No. SquawkBox and ProController are also used by the IVAO.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
When I log in I never see any controllers even though the web page says there are many people online, how come?
Squawk Box, in the normal ATC listing, will only show you ATC facilities that are within range of your communications radio. The full ATC
directory will show all worldwide ATC facilities that are online and have a valid callsign. (Observers are not shown).
Pro Controller has a variable visual range with a maximum of 600nms. People farther than your visual range will not show
up in your Who is Online dialog box.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
When will voice be implemented in SquawkBox?
Actually integrated into Squawkbox--not in the near future. SATNET is currently experimenting with the use of Battlefield Communicator to
provide real time voice controlling. Find out the latest on the SATNET voice project here.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Can I connect Pro Controller while flying with Squawk Box to see myself?
Yes, however this places extra load on the server since you now have two connections open. To help all users have an enjoyable
experience this is not recommended.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Is there a Windows version of the server software?
Not at this time but we are working on this.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Does SB and PC work with any simulators other than MSFS?
No, currently MSFS 95/98 are the only simulators that can use Squawk Box. However, anyone running a Windows 95/NT
machine can use Pro Controller. You do not need MSFS to use Pro Controller.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
I am interested in running a server where do I get the software?
Email Phillip Dale and he will get you started with the software.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Can I put a link to the SquawkBox site on my web page?
Yes. A graphical button and banner will be available shortly. Links should point to http://www.avsim.com/mike/sb_pc/.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
What did you use to write Squawkbox?
SquawkBox was written using Microsft Developers Studio Visual C++ 5.0.
Pro Controller was written using Delphi 3.0 Professional and dWinsock 2.51.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Is the source code forSquawkBox or ProController available to download?
No, not at this time.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
How long did it take to write SquawkBox? ProController?
I started writing Squawkbox in the summer of 1997, assuming development from Jason. The first version basically duplicated
Jason's effort, but ever since then, I've been adding things with no intent to stop anytime soon.
I started playing with the idea in late 1996 and have been playing with it off and on ever since.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
What do you do for a living?
Joe Jurecka, SquawkBox programmer, is a GSM (Enhanced digital cellular based on the european standard) Network Planning and Design engineer for
Northern Telecom in Richardson, TX.
Jason Grooms, ProController programmer, is a Systems Analyst for Microtrack International in Bakersfield California.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Do you have ICQ if so what is your number?
Joe doesn't, Jason does (321358), but prefers you use e-mail.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Connection Problem Answers
The most common connection problem is trying to connect to a server that is not online. Be sure to check the list of currently
available servers at SATNET before connecting.
When I attempt to log on I get an error saying "Invalid Protocol Revision".
Upgrade to the latest version of the software from the SquawkBox or ProController downloads page.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
When I attempt to log on I get and error saying "Callsign in use".
You have likely been disconnected from the server and have not timed out. You can either wait a few minutes to time out or change your callsign.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
When I attempt to log on I get nothing.
Try another server.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Functionality Answers
I can't customize my readbacks or I get lots of lines that say check sb.ini file?
Patiently go through this process step by step. Different computers seem to name the .ini file differently....I don't know why, but they do.
- Start>Find>Files or Folders
- Search all your drives for a wildcard sb*.ini
- Whatever shows up that looks like sb.ini sb2.ini sb95.ini or sb98.ini >Delete it (don't delete any files like sbwin.ini....that's for Sound Blaster).
- Start SB, change something like your callsign or flightplan.
- Shut down SB
- Repeat Step 1 and 2
- Note the new filename and path of the file that looks like sb.ini sb2.ini sb95.ini or sb98.ini
- This file that you noted in step 7 is the actual file that SB looks at when it initializes and contains your callsign, flightplan, readback messages, and URL for Full ATC directory.
- Replace the contents of the file found in step 7 with that of the generic sb98.ini or sb95.ini that comes with SB in the sb2B.zip file.
- You may now run SB again...All should be well.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
My full ATC listing doesn't work properly?
Make sure that you are sure of which .ini file SB is looking at (see previous question). Then make sure that the ini file has the following lines:
[ATC_BOX]
ATC_LIST_URL=http://www.satnet.satco.org/cgi-bin/mgen.cgi?file=all.mhtml
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
I can only see about half of the FMS.
You MUST set windows to use small fonts. You can do this by Clicking on the Win95 start button, then selecting Settings, Control Panel, Display,
Settings, then look near the bottom of the dialog box....Change it to small fonts.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
I am logged in but ATC does not respond nor do I show up on radar.
You may not have correctly installed FS6IPC.dll or you have a controller who has taken a nap. Start up Squawkbox, click the FMS button, then click
the POS button on the FMS. If your LAT and LON read correctly, you've done it right, if it reads 0 or a wrong position, you didn't.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
The weather is not updating.
SB checks to see what the nearest ICAO registered weather reporting station every 5 minutes. If that station did not report the weather in the last
hour, then no update will occur.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Is it the controller's responsibility to give me weather and NAVAID frequencies?
No way! The controller may do it if the workload permits. The ACARS primary function right now is to allow you to get the weather.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Can I send a private message to a controller?
Yes. The format is .msg <callsign> <message>. (notice the period before msg)
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
Controllers only see part of my transmission?
Never use a colon (:) in your messages....If you really want to make a smiley face, use the semi-colon instead ;).
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
FS crashes with SB in operation?
This is almost always related to video card drivers. Make sure that you have the latest for your card.
Top | Known Issues | FAQ
The FMS now comes up only partially visible (And Windows is already set to use small fonts)?
In your /windows directory, find sb95.ini or sb98.ini. You will see entries like.
[SBWINDOW]
SBWINDOWLEFT=0
SBWINDOWRIGHT=948
SBWINDOWTOP=0
SBWINDOWBOTTOM=187
[FMSWINDOW]
WINDOWLEFT=10
WINDOWRIGHT=420
WINDOWTOP=90
WINDOWBOTTOM=360
WINDOWLEFTSMALL=626
WINDOWRIGHTSMALL=886
WINDOWTOPSMALL=531
WINDOWBOTTOMSMALL=746
Delete them and the default values will be restored. Then...
Restart SquawkBox, open the FMS, move the FMS slightly by dragging it a little (the amount doesn't matter...just the fact that you move it does). Then...
Click the button to make the FMS smaller and move the FMS a little.
After that, you should not encounter any more difficulty. What this does is forces the coordinates to be saved properly.
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Copyright ©1999 by ProController/SquawkBox Development Team. All rights reserved.
Errors on this web site should be reported to sbpcwebmaster@fs2real.com
Tech support is NOT provided at this address.
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