Hi all,

New to trying to use PF3 with MCE.  I have flown standalone with PF3 just fine and standalone with MCE just fine.  But I can't seem to do both with much success.  I have asked the FO to handle the radios.  When I ask him to call for clearance, he does, and we receive the clearance, but then he doesn't read it back.  However, half of the time PF3 then says readback correct.  It's almost like he is interacting with it without me hearing anything.  I've look for as much reference as I can with no luck. Any advice?

Matt

On 9/26/2025 at 11:59 PM, OrionGuy said:

Hi all,

New to trying to use PF3 with MCE.  I have flown standalone with PF3 just fine and standalone with MCE just fine.  But I can't seem to do both with much success.  I have asked the FO to handle the radios.  When I ask him to call for clearance, he does, and we receive the clearance, but then he doesn't read it back.  However, half of the time PF3 then says readback correct.  It's almost like he is interacting with it without me hearing anything.  I've look for as much reference as I can with no luck. Any advice?

Matt

There are settings in PF3 that are crucial. Do not use the option that appends word not allowed markers to the call-sign.

Co-pilot will typically read PF3 Clearance.log (which requires opening "PF3-MCE.ini and setting active=1

Any message addressed to your call-sign he'll respond to automatically. Others will be assumed directed to others.

Some call-signs are more tricky than others. Which one are you using?

Which call-sign is showing in MCE UI <ATC> tab?

Quick update to my scenario:

• I start both MCE and PF3 as administrator
• I tell FO "You have ATC"
• I instruct him to "request ifr clearance"
• He contacts Clearance Delivery and asks for the clearance.
• Clearance delivery issues the clearance
• FO reads it back
• Clearance delivery never says "readback correct"

All of my hotkeys in PF3 are checked on and are default. I am using a TTS voice in MCE. 

PF3_MCE.ini is:

[MCE]
Active=1
Logged=1
PF3Transmitting=0

My clearance.log is only one line:

Delta 1810 cleared to EDDF on Delta Papa departure climb and maintain flight level 70  squawk 6234  

Call sign in MCE flight info:

Delta one eight one zero

I currently have the Use <DEL> or <END> key for transn box unchecked.  The PTT joystick button is assigned as my trigger button on my joystick and that box is checked.

"Ctrl + Shift + \" is my default "roger" hotkey

Thanks for any help you may provide.

18 hours ago, OrionGuy said:

Quick update to my scenario:

• I start both MCE and PF3 as administrator
• I tell FO "You have ATC"
• I instruct him to "request ifr clearance"
• He contacts Clearance Delivery and asks for the clearance.
• Clearance delivery issues the clearance
• FO reads it back
• Clearance delivery never says "readback correct"

All of my hotkeys in PF3 are checked on and are default. I am using a TTS voice in MCE. 

PF3_MCE.ini is:

[MCE]
Active=1
Logged=1
PF3Transmitting=0

My clearance.log is only one line:

Delta 1810 cleared to EDDF on Delta Papa departure climb and maintain flight level 70  squawk 6234  

Call sign in MCE flight info:

Delta one eight one zero

I currently have the Use <DEL> or <END> key for transn box unchecked.  The PTT joystick button is assigned as my trigger button on my joystick and that box is checked.

"Ctrl + Shift + \" is my default "roger" hotkey

Thanks for any help you may provide.

Thanks. Setup looks OK.

Could be something to do with how Hotkeys are set to the sim. MSFS, Prepar3D? FSX?

Just to confirm, temporarily assign a single key to the acknowledgment, instead of a 3 keys combination, since requests with a single '0' are going through.

 

I removed and reinstalled both PF3 and MCE before seeing your reply. On initial try, no change. But then I tried the single key option you mentioned (I used the letter 'i') and it worked fine. I just changed it back to Ctrl + Shift + \ and it still works fine. So strange but I'm glad it's fixed! 

Thanks for the help.