VATSIM - Software Installation

Software Installation - FS2002 Version

Squawkbox is the gateway to connecting FS2002 to VATSIM (or IVAO if you prefer that network) for flying online with ATC and other aircraft. Using it you will be able to see other aircraft, file flight plans, communicate with ATC, obtain METAR reports, and use the FMS for letting your autopilot track the flight plan entered. Some add-on payware have their own Flight Management Systems which are more realistic than the SB FMS, and FSNavigator can provide a better alternative. But if you have neither of these, then the SB FMS allows you to enter waypoints which your autopilot will automatically follow. You'll have to manage airspeed and vertical navigation yourself, but automatic tracking of your route is handy when it gets busy online and there are so many things to do. There is also a nifty traffic collision and avoidance sytsem (TCAS) which shows when other aircraft are within 40 miles.

Go to the VATSIM Downloads Page to download the software, read FAQs and check the support forums. You will also find a detailed operating manual that you must read before using the software. We will be using Squawkbox version 2.3 (build 5) with FS2002. Much of the documentation refers to older versions of SB, Flight Sim and even refers to earlier incarnations of VATSIM (i.e. SATCO), but the directions still apply.

Ok, you've downloaded the software, have read the FAQs and the manual, so let's install it, shall we?

Open the SB.zip with the Winzip utility, and extract the files into a temporary folder on your hard drive. Then click on the "setup" icon in the temp folder. It should find your FS2002 by itself, but if it doesn't, specify the path to your FS2002 installation carefully. NOTE: This version of SB (2.3.5) works with FS2002 only and not FS2000. Follow the setup wizard. You should be able to accept all the default options, clicking 'next" as you go.

INSTALL FSUIPC at this point to obtain the latest version.

If you will be running Squawkbox on the same PC as FS2002, and you do not have two monitors, you will also want to download and install a small utility called HOSTSB. This allows Squawkbox to run as module within FS2002 and allows you to access it without having to task-switch out of the sim to change frequencies, file flight plans, etc. Go to the AVSIM file library and search for HOSTSB. Download the latest version you find. It's easy to install. Open the zip file and read the readme file. Extract the HostSB.dll into the ..\fs2002\modules folder. To uninstall it, simply delete this dll.

Ok, last install is Roger-Wilco for voice. Download the shareware version. No need to register. This downloads an exe rather than a zip file. Just click on it to install.