Installation
From download to your first connection, in eight steps. Mark each one when done: the portal saves your progress in this browser.
Download the latest version
Go to the vacs releases page and, in the Assets section of the release marked Latest, download the file for your system. If the list is collapsed, click Show all assets.
| System | File |
|---|---|
| Windows | ..._x64-setup.exe |
| macOS (Apple Silicon) | ..._aarch64.dmg |
| macOS (Intel) | ..._x64.dmg |
| Linux | ..._amd64.deb (Debian and Ubuntu), ...x86_64.rpm (Fedora, RHEL and openSUSE) or ..._amd64.AppImage |
The Download latest button on the vacs website leads to the same place.
Install
Run the installer and follow the steps.
Open the .dmg and copy vacs to the Applications folder, or install it with Homebrew:
macOS builds are not signed yet. If the system says the app is damaged, run in Terminal:
macOS also asks for the Input Monitoring and Accessibility permissions for keyboard shortcuts.
vacs updates itself: when a new version is out, UPDATE AVAILABLE shows in the top bar.
Sign in with your VATSIM account
On the login screen, click Login via VATSIM and sign in. vacs receives only your CID, never your password.
Choose the audio devices
In Settings › Audio:
| Field | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Headset / Output Device | The headset, the same as in TrackAudio |
| Microphone / Input Device | The microphone |
| Speaker / Notification Device | Optional: a speaker for rings and clicks, so you hear calls even with the headset off |
Adjust the Output, Input, Click Volume and Chime Volume levels. The Input meter should stay green while you talk.
Use a headset
vacs has no echo cancellation. With a speaker, the other controller hears their own voice back.
Set up PTT and TrackAudio integration
Open Settings › Transmit. The recommended setup:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| CALL MIC MODE | Push-to-Talk (PTT), with the key you already use for the radio |
| RADIO INTEGRATION | TrackAudio |
| Radio PTT | Leave empty to use the same key as the line |
That way, one key serves both radio and line: during a call it talks to the other controller; otherwise it transmits on frequency through TrackAudio.
Remove the key from TrackAudio
With integration on, do not keep the same key set as PTT in TrackAudio. The two programs will fight over the transmission.
The dot next to Endpoint shows the integration state:
| Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Connected to TrackAudio, ready |
| Blue | Transmitting on the radio |
| Yellow | TrackAudio is open but not connected to VATSIM voice |
| Grey | Not ready yet |
| Red | Connection error |
If you prefer separate keys for radio and line, choose a different Radio PTT.
Set up the shortcuts
In Settings › Hotkeys, all shortcuts are optional:
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Accept first call | Answers the first ringing call |
| End active call | Hangs up the current call |
| Toggle RADIO PRIO | Turns radio priority over the line on or off |
| SAY AGAIN | Replays the last transmission received on the radio |
Tip
Use the same key for Accept first call and End active call: it answers when a call rings and hangs up when a call is in progress.
Windows and administrator mode
If EuroScope or TrackAudio run as administrator, vacs shortcuts do not work while their window has focus. Run all three the same way: all as administrator or none.
Review the call options
In Settings › Call, the defaults suit most people. Worth knowing:
- Enable priority calls: lets you make and receive PRIO calls.
- Use default call sources: picks the source station of your calls automatically.
- End active call on accept: answering a second call hangs up the current one.
- Always relay calls: routes audio through the vacs server. Turn it on if you use a VPN or calls connect and drop.
- Ring sounds: replaces the rings with WAV files of 0.1 to 30 seconds.
Connect for the first time
In your next session, with the position connected in EuroScope and the primary frequency set, click Connect in vacs. Keys for online sectors become clickable, and you show up for the other controllers.
Where the files are
Settings are kept in .toml files. The Open Config button, under Settings › Miscellaneous, opens the folder:
| System | Folder |
|---|---|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\app.vacs.vacs-client\ |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/app.vacs.vacs-client/ |
| Linux | ~/.config/app.vacs.vacs-client/ |
Close vacs before editing the files by hand: the program rewrites audio.toml and client.toml and undoes your changes.