Posted by: ellobo

Message: I'm not one of the hottest pilots on WB as many opponents already know much to my shame. But if I have one real strength it's in using SA to call 6 to a fellow Countryman. Maybe I even call too many but no one has complained yet. Of late it has been increasingly obvious that many warbirders neither call 6's nor pay attention to their radio buffers to get 6 calls.

Online yesterday I called 6 on four (4) accasions to different pilots. All calls were in plenty of time to evade and none of the four were engaged in combat. Only ONE took action and got away from hi attacker. the others all died horrible,flaming deaths.

On the other hand I did NOT RECEIVE a single 6 call when bandits were closing on me. I like the kind of teamwork one usually find in the MA but of late it seems to be slipping. when not flying with my squad I still try to be join in and help my color win. that includes calling 6's and going to the aid of someone in trouble.

So, a reminder and a plea: Watch your buffer for 6 calls and don' be shy about calling 6's. PARTICULARLY if I'm the guy in trouble ;-)

ellobo out

Posted by: Strykr

Message: : I'm not one of the hottest pilots on WB as many opponents already know much to my shame. But if I have one real strength it's in using SA to call 6 to a fellow Countryman.

Wish I could make 6-calls. :-( If I see a fellow countrymen in danger and try to make a 6-call and fly at the same time I usually lose my bearing and end up fodder for some observent 109 jock or spin out and lose my e advantage. If I set auto-trim I am a true sitting duck. You guys that can type and fly at the same time amaze me! I feel I will be more effective by concentrating on the a/c that is closing on my countryman and shake him with some 50 cals. I feel bad about not making calls and if I am in a safe position to do so I will, but you guys that can fight and type at the same time are great. Sure wish I could do it, but I can't. I have to look when I type. Maybe no 6-calls, but I'll never run from a fight, won't rtb with one round left, and never leave ya hanging if you need a clear.

C'ya in the skies

Strykr out

Radar calls help too! (NT) - Quagmire (The Volunteers)

Amen! Try to call ALL enemy cons. Never assume your countrymen has spotted a bandit. NT - funked =925 CABS=

Posted by: Stiglr Stab JG5

Message:

Before I get into this, let me say that personally, I give 6 calls whenever I can! But I never *expect* or *rely* on them, except for my squadies. Now, that out of the way....

I've said this before and I'll say it again:

YOUR 6 is YOUR responsibility; don't try to pawn it off on others because YOU'RE fixated or inattentive. Work on your SA!!!!

You assume a *helluva* lot when griping about not receiving a 6 call; here's the list of assumptions you make:

1) The other guy(s) sees what's happening and doesn't himself assume you see the bogie on his 6.

2) The other guy can type fast enough to warn you, and speaks your language. And oftentimes, he may be faced with the dillemma, "Do i type a warning or fly in and blast the guy off his 6"? He may choose the latter.

3) The other guy has country radio in his buffer (he may be a committed squaddie who ignores anyone not in his squad and tunes out 100).

4) The other guy is experienced enough to see what's going on and make the decision to warn you.

5) The other guy *gives* a rat's butt. (in all seriousness, not everyone plays with the team approach)

Too many variables. And, how many times have you been pissed about not getting a 6 call, died in a orange and yellow fireball, then looked back at the buffer to find 2 or 3 people actually *did* warn you, but it scrolled by too fast or you just didn't notice it??? Be honest...I know it's happened to me many times.

Posted by: -deft- VVS -=Red Falcons=-

Message:

Keep calling sixes. If you dont get any in return call them anyway.

I think you will find, if you call peoples sixes, although they may not return the favor immediattely, they will in the future (as they learn).

deft

Posted by: Jester ~Hell's Aces~

Message: I find that I call 6 very often, better than most, to my fellow purples and in general find that they call 6 for me as well.

When i call 6 I tell the guy (usually) the position of the con..

ie --jstr long hi 6... so the purp doesnt just split -s right away..

because bad 6 Calls are annoying..!

sometimes I call 12o, a con is in front of you.... as you may know you cant see all of whats in front and below you when flying.

i may call 12o lo..

ie --jstr 2x 12o lo (2 cons 12 o clock low)

if your in a fight or bz about to be in a fight....you may want to call "ibs" or inbounds. I tend call ibs to get that purp im flying near ready to either ditch the inital fight we or he/she may be in or prep for the "in bound bogeys".

ie --jstr 3x ibs ur 3o (3 cons inbound your 3 o clock)

remember that the way you call 6 can dramatically improve your survival.the more friendlys in the area the greater YOUR chances of staying alive are if it gets hot.

cya,

Jester ~Hell's Aces~

Posted by: =Gryf=, CO Rogue Gryffons

Message:

I have to agree with the issue if six calls even work sometimes. I know I call them as regulaly as my SA and level of ability allow. it's hard deciding on getting the guy on someones six, or calling the six.

Too often you call the six, miss your shot because of the call, and the guy dies anyway cause he's not reading the buffer.

Ellobo, If I see your 6 in trouble, I'll call before I chase :)

Gryf

Posted by: delta-

Message:

Good post ellobo,

I try whenever possible to give 6 calls. However, I am usually not in a level attitude situtation, where I can jump to the key board and take (perception here) the inordinately long time to get the buffer up and type away. Another minor problem is my cheap keyboard. The key spacing is definitely tighter than what I use at work. 70 to 80 % or so of my typing at a keyboard is done at work. Thus, I 'm used to a certain feel and when I attempt to type anything on WB, I usually get the world's worst "fat-fingered" text you've ever seen. My gut reaction is to correct the typos (usually do). It's an artifical limitation but one none the less.

Back to level attitude. It usually bad (for me) to leave the stick and go (two handed) to the keyboard, especially when the A/C in Not on Auto and level. I am trying to develope a one handed technique (left one at that - I am right handed) to type calls. It'll take some time.

I do agree with you 100% that giving and receiving 6 calls is extremely important. The current computer and software limitations are such that sometimes it's

1) put yourself in a possible dangerous situation by taking the time to type (the majority of the prob) the 6 call - or

2) apply 100% of your resources to your immediate situation.

If there were an easier (I've read of some using macros to do so) and faster way to give 6 calls - you certainly would hear them from me, *** provided you fly for gold ***.

delta-

PS maybe someone who uses macros to type 6 calls could post on the details.

Posted by: popeye

Message: : PS maybe someone who uses macros to type 6 calls could post on the details.

I use a programmable throttle (CH Pro), and have a simple macro that helps with six calls. A single button will send: (space)666(return)". To transmit a six call, I need to type the player ID, then hit the macro button. I also have the impluse to correct typos, but find that a quick garbled ID is better than a slow corrected one.

When I find myself winging with a particular player, I'll tune a private radio channel to him. Then I need only hit two buttons, the radio and the macro, to send "666".

Other macros that I use are: "dragging", "in", and "out".

popeye