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ATIS Hosting Guide

Summary

There are two ATIS hosting solutions supported by VATSIM UK - VATATIS uses the native EuroScope ATIS generator, whereas vATIS is a standalone program.

This page how to set up an ATIS using the two systems and the pros and cons of each.

VATATIS

Pros:

  • Native to EuroScope (set up for you already).
  • Automatic online station detection (it will automatically know who to tell departing aircraft to contact).

Cons:

  • Less scope for customisation than vATIS.

Usage

VATATIS is set up in the pack ready-to-go. The main difference is that due to the server-side synchronisation of the ATIS letter, you will need to bring your EuroScope ATIS letter into line with VATATIS's when first connecting it.

These are the steps to connect using VATATIS (an active connection to VATSIM is required):

  1. Select the active runway in use using the EuroScope runway selector dialog. Runway Selector Dialogue

  2. Click the appropriate '-' in the top bar to open the ATIS Setup Dialog. ATIS Setup Dialogue (There are 4 - one for each ATIS you may host if covering multiple aerodromes).

  3. Select the ATIS Callsign for the airport you wish to connect an ATIS at e.g. EGKK_ATIS.

  4. Press Get METAR.

  5. To add any required 'extra' items into the ATIS, such as Low Visibility Procedures or PDC availability, insert extra arguments into the ATIS Maker URL, e.g. &lvp or &dcl=EGKK (see Custom Parameters).

  6. Press Test URL.

  7. Press the - or + buttons to synchronise the 'Current ATIS info' Current ATIS Info Selection with that in the 'Text ATIS' box.

  8. Tick Automatically generate new ATIS using the URL Generate new ATIS

  9. Press Connect ATIS!

ATIS Connection Dialogue

Custom Parameters

Some additional parameters can be added to the URL to add information to the ATIS.

Parameter Result
&lvp "Low visibility procedures are in operation"
&wndshrrwy=[text] "Windshear reported at [text]"
&dcl=[code] "Datalink clearances are available from [code]"

A full list can be found on 🔗 the VATATIS documentation.

Support

For issues relating to VATATIS, you can contact the team directly on 🔗 the VATATIS Discord.

vATIS

Pros:

  • Profiles are more customisable, and open source.
  • Synchronises online ATIS stations (useful for handovers).
  • Automatic updating profiles.

Cons:

  • Requires a standalone piece of software.
  • No server side synchronisation of ATIS letter.
  • Doesn't automatically detect who's online.

Setup

vATIS is a standalone piece of software, which requires some first time setup:

  1. Select the correct version for your operating system from 🔗 the vATIS website. (This documentation was written using Version 4.1.0-beta.16, you must be using a version newer that 4.1.0-beta.5).

  2. Run the Downloaded vATIS-Setup.exe.

  3. Run vATIS

  4. Click Import

  5. Navigate to your UK Controller pack location (usually in AppData\Roaming\EuroScope\UK).

  6. Open the 'vATIS` folder.

  7. Select the profile for the position you are controlling. e.g. ADC/Essex(EGSS & EGGW & EGSC).json (you can select multiple profiles to import at once).

  8. Double click to open the imported profile.

  9. In User Settings fill in your VATSIM credentials and preferences, then Save Settings.

Your vATIS is now ready to use, and for this example will look like this when you first load vATIS:

vATIS Default View

Usage

  1. Open the desired profile

  2. Ensure the correct airport is selected (for example ESSEX has 3) vATIS Airport Select

  3. From the bottom drop down menu select the current runway in use. vATIS Runway Select

  4. Click the ARPT COND text and select any that apply, e.g. current staffing, or weather conditions. Airport Conditions

  5. Click CONNECT

  6. Shift and double click the ATIS letter and type the desired letter in (Enter to confirm). (if you are taking over from someone, the letter should already be correct)

To add custom NOTAMs or Airport Conditions, click the type in the relevant field

Once setup, to use less screen space, this button at the top-right vATIS minimise will collapse it into a 'mini' mode.

REMEMBER Unlike VATATIS, vATIS will not automatically detect changes to who is online, so if the controller state changes, the ATIS needs to be manually updated.

Support

If you're still having problems after following this guide, you can ask for help in the #community-help forum in the 🔗 VATSIM UK Discord.

If you spot an error in the profiles or wish to update them, raise an issue on the 🔗 Controller Pack GitHub.