5JAN2026 - Version 1.0
===============
Installation
Make a backup of your original files and then place these files into your SRS installation
C:\Program Files\DCS-SimpleRadio-Standalone\Client\RadioModels
Description
===============
F-16 Radio Audio Presets
These JSON presets implement an attempt to provide more authentic F-16 cockpit radio sound for DCS SRS using the narrowband voice passband and realistic noise character, matched to recordings and MIL narrowband practice.
Changes mnade
===============
Strict voice bandpass
Implemented 300–3000 Hz voice window using cascaded high-pass + low-pass filters to steepen skirts and prevent “presence spill” above 3 kHz.
Rationale: Mirrors narrowband AM/FM voice specifications used on ARC-164/ARC-222 so audio is intelligible without hi-fi coloration.
De-brightened presence, added subtle body
Added a very small low-mid lift (~520–560 Hz, +0.8 to +1.2 dB) and a broad presence de-emphasis (~2.4–2.5 kHz, −1.6 to −1.8 dB).
Rationale: Tape references often sound slightly fuller and less “bitey.” These shifts stay within an ≈ ±2 dB in-band envelope (i.e., still spec-faithful) but remove the extra “radio brightness.”
Mode-appropriate noise floors (no artificial grit)
UHF AM (ARC-164): modest, constant bed to emulate AM carrier hiss.
VHF AM (ARC-222): slightly cleaner than UHF.
VHF FM (ARC-222/SINCGARS): cleanest when strong; still narrowband tone.
Rationale: Perceived realism depends as much on background noise character as on EQ. Levels are conservative to avoid fatigue.
No dynamic coloration
No compression, no saturation, no enhancement.
Rationale: Let SRS range/line-of-sight modeling and the filters define the sound, as the real sets rely on in-set ALC/AGC rather than audible “audio processing.”
================
Files and intended effect
arc186.json
Role: AN/ARC-186 UHF AM.
Filters (TX & RX):
HPF 280–300 Hz (Q≈0.9), LPF 3000 Hz (Q≈0.9), applied in two cascaded stages.
Peak +1.2 dB @ 560 Hz (Q 1.0) for slight body.
Peak −1.8 dB @ 2450 Hz (Q 0.5) to tame presence.
Noise: noiseGain: -34 (audible but restrained AM hiss).
Intended effect: Classic UHF AM timbre with a hint more low-mid weight and reduced glare; closer to exercise tapes without sounding hyped.
arc222.json
Role: AN/ARC-222 VHF AM (airband).
Filters (TX & RX):
Same cascaded HPF/LPF scheme to 3000 Hz.
Peak +1.0 dB @ 520 Hz (Q 1.1).
Peak −1.6 dB @ 2400 Hz (Q 0.55).
Noise: noiseGain: -36 (slightly cleaner than UHF).
Intended effect: Nearly the same voice tone as UHF AM but with a marginally cleaner bed.
===============
Installation
Make a backup of your original files and then place these files into your SRS installation
C:\Program Files\DCS-SimpleRadio-Standalone\Client\RadioModels
Description
===============
F-16 Radio Audio Presets
These JSON presets implement an attempt to provide more authentic F-16 cockpit radio sound for DCS SRS using the narrowband voice passband and realistic noise character, matched to recordings and MIL narrowband practice.
Changes mnade
===============
Strict voice bandpass
Implemented 300–3000 Hz voice window using cascaded high-pass + low-pass filters to steepen skirts and prevent “presence spill” above 3 kHz.
Rationale: Mirrors narrowband AM/FM voice specifications used on ARC-164/ARC-222 so audio is intelligible without hi-fi coloration.
De-brightened presence, added subtle body
Added a very small low-mid lift (~520–560 Hz, +0.8 to +1.2 dB) and a broad presence de-emphasis (~2.4–2.5 kHz, −1.6 to −1.8 dB).
Rationale: Tape references often sound slightly fuller and less “bitey.” These shifts stay within an ≈ ±2 dB in-band envelope (i.e., still spec-faithful) but remove the extra “radio brightness.”
Mode-appropriate noise floors (no artificial grit)
UHF AM (ARC-164): modest, constant bed to emulate AM carrier hiss.
VHF AM (ARC-222): slightly cleaner than UHF.
VHF FM (ARC-222/SINCGARS): cleanest when strong; still narrowband tone.
Rationale: Perceived realism depends as much on background noise character as on EQ. Levels are conservative to avoid fatigue.
No dynamic coloration
No compression, no saturation, no enhancement.
Rationale: Let SRS range/line-of-sight modeling and the filters define the sound, as the real sets rely on in-set ALC/AGC rather than audible “audio processing.”
================
Files and intended effect
arc186.json
Role: AN/ARC-186 UHF AM.
Filters (TX & RX):
HPF 280–300 Hz (Q≈0.9), LPF 3000 Hz (Q≈0.9), applied in two cascaded stages.
Peak +1.2 dB @ 560 Hz (Q 1.0) for slight body.
Peak −1.8 dB @ 2450 Hz (Q 0.5) to tame presence.
Noise: noiseGain: -34 (audible but restrained AM hiss).
Intended effect: Classic UHF AM timbre with a hint more low-mid weight and reduced glare; closer to exercise tapes without sounding hyped.
arc222.json
Role: AN/ARC-222 VHF AM (airband).
Filters (TX & RX):
Same cascaded HPF/LPF scheme to 3000 Hz.
Peak +1.0 dB @ 520 Hz (Q 1.1).
Peak −1.6 dB @ 2400 Hz (Q 0.55).
Noise: noiseGain: -36 (slightly cleaner than UHF).
Intended effect: Nearly the same voice tone as UHF AM but with a marginally cleaner bed.
