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Making a call

This article explains how to place and manage calls in vacs. We will use the Tabbed Layout to show different things related to making calls directly in vacs.

In vacs, calls are made by selecting the sector you want to coordinate with. The system automatically routes the call to the controller currently responsible for that sector, taking into account sector coverage and top-down operations.

Placing a Call​

To initiate a coordination call:

  1. Identify the sector you want to coordinate with. Take a look at the different Direct-Access Pages (Tabs) available in the bottom bar, to find your call recipient.
  2. Click the corresponding Direct Access Key to initiate a call.

If the button is active (clickable) and the text appears in black color, this sector is online on VATSIM & vacs, and is ready to recieve your call. vacs will initiate a call to the controller currently covering this sector.

vacs Settings Page

During the call setup phase (until the recipient accepts the call):

  • The selected Direct Access Key indicates the outgoing call.
  • The Phone button indicates that a phone call is active.
  • The recieving controller will be made aware of the incoming call (visual & (if activated) audible).

Once the receiving controller accepts the call, the connection will be established automatically.

Call Establishment​

After the recieving controller accepts the call, vacs establishes audio connection.

vacs Settings Page

A successful connection is indicated by:

  • the green connection indicator in the top status bar
  • optionally an audible sound, if enabled

See Top Status Bar for more information about the status indicator.

There may be a short delay (approximately 150–200 ms) before audio transmission becomes active while the call connection is established.

Selecting a Call Source​

If you are covering multiple sectors simultaneously (as is often the case), vacs allows you to choose which sector appears as the caller.

vacs Settings Page

The call source can be selected on the relevant Direct Access Page. The sectors, which you are covering, from the position you are logged in with, are indicated by active buttons in grey color. By clicking one of these, you define your call source:

  • A single click sets this sector as the Temporary Call Source (light orange). It is then used as the call source for the next call only.
  • A double click sets this sector as the Fixed Call Source (dark orange). It is then used as the call source for all calls in your session, except, if you defined a relevant Temporary Call Source.

The call source determines which sector name is shown to the recieving controller of your call. It is particularly useful, as the recipient of your call can directly identify, which precisely sector is calling.

Recommended Practice

It is recommended to select a fixed call source at the beginning of your session.

If necessary, you can temporarily change the call source for individual calls by selecting a different sector as temporary call source before initiating the call.

If no call source is explicitly selected, vacs will use a default identifier for your station when placing calls. This identifier will be visible to the receiving controller instead of a specific sector.

PRIO Calls​

A PRIO call indicates an urgent call.

vacs Settings Page

To place a PRIO call:

  1. Activate the PRIO button.
  2. Click the sector you want to call.
vacs Settings Page

The recieving controller can detect a PRIO call using visual and audible aids. A PRIO call is highlighted by a yellow border around the caller indication. Also, PRIO calls are indicated by a special sound for the recipient.

PRIO calls can be disabled in the settings.

It is suggested to only use PRIO calls when coordinate is time-critical or operationally urgent.

Transmission during a Call​

How audio transmissions (frequency & coordination via vacs) behaves during a coordination call depends on your configured Transmit Mode.

Typical options include:

  • Separate push-to-talk/mute keys for radio and phone.
  • Shared transmission key (Radio Integration) for both communication channels.
  • Voice Activation.

These settings and their configuration are explained in Audio Settings.

Your chosen configuration determines how you speak during coordination calls.

RADIO PRIO​

During calls, the RADIO PRIO button is also relevant, if you decide to use the Radio Integration Transmit Mode. It allows you to prioritize radio transmissions over coordination calls.

vacs Settings Page

When RADIO PRIO is enabled during an active call:

  • Radio transmissions always take priority.
  • Phone tramission are temporarily suppressed.

Otherwise, during an active call using the Radio Integration Transmit Mode, your push-to-talk is used to transmit in the active call.

Call Errors​

In some situations, a call cannot be established.

vacs Settings Page

Common reasons include:

  • The remote controller did not answer.
  • The call was rejected.
  • A technical issue occured during call establishment.
vacs Settings Page

In these cases, vacs will display a call error indication and the corresponding sector button will change its colour.

You may simply attempt the call again if coordination is still required.

Ending a Call​

To terminate an active call:

  • Press the END button in the bottom control bar.

This will immediately terminate the call and return the interface to its normal state.