The first thing you need to do is get registered with VATSIM and you can do that here: Go to VATSIM Note: VATSIM has a policy of not accepting e-mail addresses that are from yahoo or hotmail. If this is all you have I suggest, just setting up a basic (Free) Netzero account. The netzero e-mail works fine.
2) Ok you have you VATSIM PID# now and are ready to get rolling with getting the programs required for Connecting to VATSIM. Here is what you will need.
REQUIRED-
Squawkbox 3- ( this is the current software for FS2002 and FS9) this is avaliable here SB3 Client This download is a self installing file...so all you need to do is run the installer and poof you are good to go
. SB3 includes all the model/texture files also so you no longer need to install any aircraft packages to see other aircraft online . Finally the voice communication software is also integrated into SB3...so it will install you voice modules also. After running the SB3 installer... PLEASE, take some time to read the SB3 manual... view it here SB3 Manual
FSUIPC- This cool little program allows FS to communicate with other associated programs, like Squawkbox. It is required and can be found here: Click Me! The newest version of FSUIPC is vs 3.47 and this is avaliable for free, but I highly recommend (if you can afford it) to think about registering it. The way the free version is set up is it requires a code for each program you want it to work with and entering all the codes can be a little confusing and all the codes have to be entered perfectly or FSUIPC doesn't recognize the programs its supposed to. If you have the $20, just save yourself the headache.....FSUIPC is utilized by so many add-ons I promise you will get your moneys worth. However the SB3.exe that installs SB3 for you will include FSUIPC and the needed code for SB3 to operate if you do not already have FSUIPC installed
With the above programs you have the basics covered. The rest are optional, but I highly recommend them all.
Roger Wilco (RW): Roger Wilco is another Voice Client that is avaliable. It does the same thing as AVC (this is integrated into SB3), but seems to be a bit more CPU friendly. AVC is the recommended client, but if after trying it you are experiencing voice issues...please try Roger Wilco. Also RW is not required to be connected to VATSIM to work...so it is a great program to have if you just want to be able to talk to others when not online! Get RW here: Click Me!
Servinfo- Finally this program, Servinfo, is a must have. It communicates with all the VATSIM servers and gives you all sorts of information. What Pilots and ATC are online, what they are/or going. It tells you which servers are online and which RW (Roger Wilco) Channels are in use. It shows the location of all air traffic control areas and displays all this info on a very helpful map. You must first download Version 2.0 ....then get the Upgrade to version 2.1 Get it Here!!
This is just a beginning....but I wanted to get something up that had this VATSIM info on it. If there are any questions with the process of getting setup for VATSIM please e-mail me with them; I am happy to do all I can to help. E-Mail Greg Gemelli