# MIDS Voice COMMs in the F/A-18C Hornet

The **MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System)** in the F/A-18C Hornet isn’t just for Link-16 data—it also supports **encrypted voice communication** over two digital voice channels: **VOCA** and **VOCB**.

These can be used as additional comm channels for secure, low-latency coordination between flights, elements, or mission commanders—**especially useful when normal UHF/VHF radios are saturated or compromised**.

---

### 🔊 **VOCA and VOCB – What They Are**

- **VOCA (Voice Channel A)** and **VOCB (Voice Channel B)** are two **digital voice channels** built into the MIDS terminal.
- They **do not use traditional UHF/VHF frequencies**—instead, they ride on **Link-16 waveforms**, piggybacking off the tactical data link infrastructure.
- Voice transmission is **digital, secure, and line-of-sight (LOS)** only.

---

### ⚙️ **How MIDS Voice Works in the F/A-18C**

1. **Channel Selection:**
    
    
    - VOCA and VOCB are each assigned a **MIDS Voice Channel** between **1 and 126**.
    - These channels **must be set identically across all aircraft** intending to communicate on the same VOCA or VOCB net.
    - Channel **127 is a special case**—**selecting channel 127 disables MIDS voice on that channel** entirely.
2. **Radio Binding:**
    
    
    - Once set, you can transmit over VOCA/VOCB just like a normal radio.
    - Voice activity over VOCA/VOCB is not displayed in the normal ARC-210 frequency windows but can be monitored using the **AUDIO PANEL** toggles.
3. **Setup in DCS:**
    
    
    - MIDS channels are typically set via the **D/L (Data Link) page** on the UFC or **MIDS Control Panel**.
    - Ensure VOCA/VOCB are on assigned, matching channels across aircraft.
    - Toggle VOCA or VOCB transmit via the **Audio Panel’s rotary selector** behind your left hip

---

### ✅ **Advantages of MIDS Voice**

- ✅ **Encrypted and secure** – immune to most jamming and eavesdropping in DCS.
- ✅ **Frees up UHF/VHF radios** for other roles (e.g., AWACS, tower, package net).
- ✅ **Integrated with Link-16**, so all participants on the network have voice and data link automatically aligned.
- ✅ **Very low latency**, ideal for tactical comms between close-range cooperating flights.

---

### ❌ **Limitations / Caveats**

- ❌ **Line-of-sight only** – no ground station relays; if terrain blocks LOS, comms will drop.
- ❌ **No feedback on frequency or signal strength** like UHF/VHF radios.
- ❌ **Can be hard to manage if your team isn’t disciplined about VOCA vs. VOCB roles.**

---

### 📋 **Quick Setup Checklist (DCS)**

1. On the D/L UFC page:
    
    
    - Set **MIDS A Voice Channel** to e.g., `10`
    - Set **MIDS B Voice Channel** to e.g., `20`
2. On the **Audio Control Panel**:
    
    
    - Rotate COMM selector knob to **VOCA** or **VOCB**
    - Toggle transmit switch ON for that channel
3. Transmit like any other radio using the assigned COMM switch (usually HOTAS bound)

---

### 🛠️ **SRS Note (if using Simple Radio Standalone)**

- MIDS voice isn’t supported directly in SRS.
- However, VOCA/VOCB behavior can be **simulated** by binding a separate SRS channel (e.g., SRS Radio 3 and 4) and assigning it to your VOCA/VOCB function for training or realism purposes.