MSFS and Vatsim step-by-step tutorial for PSX?

[Aleks]

Is there any step-by-step tutorial for dummies on connecting PSX to MSFS and Vatsim?

I am completely new to this and my brain is lost when reading various posts in the forums.

Thanks in advance.

[macroflight]

It's a big topic... here are my relatively recent notes (got PSX a month ago):

At the moment, I'm using WidePSX to connect PSX to MSFS. To connect to VATSIM I use the regular vPilot client.

I've also tried PSXMSFS and ExternalSim (for P3D). PSXMSFS was similar to WidePSX but with fewer features. ExternalSim is very smooth but you will of course not get that nice MSFS scenery... I actually prefer ExternalSim for flights when I have good P3D scenery for both airports.

WidePSX is OK but not perfect. MSFS movement can be a bit stuttery. Even when stationary, I'm sometimes comments on VATSIM saying "you're moving".

There's a problem where the PSX altitude does not match the MSFS one (which is what is sent to VATSIM). I can be at FL370 in PSX but at FL362 in MSFS. One workaround is to disable live weather in MSFS. Another is to climb or descend a little in PSX once in cruise so that the MSFS altimeter shows your VATSIM assigned FL.

There are rumors about both a better connection between MSFS and PSX (which should reduce the stuttering) and a native VATSIM client for PSX. Hopefully both will become a reality.

You can download the latest version of WidePSX (2.5.8) at https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php/topic,4558.0.html

In MSFS I use the Asobo 748. There's been working 744 models out there, but they seem to have disappeared or been broken by some MSFS update.

Remember to start the engines in MSFS, otherwise the VATSIM radio won't work.

MSFS settings I've tweaked:

- Sound: off (I just use the Windows sound mixer and set MSFS to muted)
- Throttles, rudder pedals: nothing mapped (PSX will use these)
- Joystick: nothing mapped except some buttons to change MSFS view (look left and right)

WidePSX settings - network tab:

- PSX main and boost IP and port: set to my PC IP, ports 10747 and 10749 (which I believe are the defaults)
- Enable SimConnect bridge: yes
- Enable Scenery Generator bridge: yes
- SimConnect Host IP: my PC IP
- SimConnect Host port: 29747
- Scenery Generator: MSFS

WidePSX settings - SceneryGen Bridge tab:

- Doors sync: off
- Set height ref: 16 (on auto, my 748 model would sink into the ground, and this would cause my plane to jump around, and this was visible to others on VATSIM)
- Startup Synch Slave: either works. You can either load MSFS at the correct gate and tell WidePSX to move PSX to the MSFS position when it starts, or load PSX at the correct gate and tell WidePSX to move MSFS to the PSX position. Once the scenery bridge has started, PSX always controls MSFS

WidePSX settings - AloftWx tab:
I usually don't use this (instead I use BACARS and the SimFest planning portal to get enroute winds into PSX), but it seems to work.

WidePSX settings - GndServices tab:

I don't use this as BACARS handles fuel loading, etc. I tried to use only the external pushback option (since MSFS pushback is better than the PSX built-in one), but never got it to work properly.

WidePSX settings - TrafficRadioXpndr tab:

- Send Scenery Generator traffic data to PSX: on (if you want VATSIM traffic to show up on TCAS)
- Send PSX Altimeter ... : on
- Send PSX TAR ...: on

Things I'm not happy with yet:

- MSFS stuttering when moving (mostly when taxiing)
- No native PSX VATSIM client. It would solve the altitude problem, but it would also be possible to fly on VATSIM without MSFS. Useful in cruise or if MSFS crashes.
- Pushback. I have not found any better way to pushback than to use the built-in PSX pushback, and that is very limited for VATSIM use (it will turn to a specific heading and then go straight until you stop)
- Flight trackers (Volanta, Pegasus, ...) can give strange results, e.g a very different landing rate than what PSX shows.
- No good 744 model for MSFS, so my external view screenshots don't look right.


There's probably something I forgot to mention. Don't hesitate to ask. It's been a steep learning curve. But fun!

[Aleks]

Thank you very much!

I will follow your instrcutions and come back with more noob questions.