Installation Guide
How to download and install SRS
What SRS is
SRS, as it is often referred to, is short for DCS SimpleRadio Standalone. It is a separate voice-radio app for DCS World that ties your voice comms to the radios in your aircraft, rather than acting like a normal, always-open Discord call. When it is installed correctly, SRS can follow aircraft radios, frequencies, volumes, guard behavior, and related radio states, especially in full-fidelity modules. It is meant to complement Discord rather than fully replace it. It is also the most commonly used Voice Communication Tool in DCS Multiplayer.
Why its used
SRS is popular because it makes multiplayer comms feel more like actual aviation radio use, and the in-game COMMs, while improving, lack many of the comms features our Jets have. It supports push-to-talk, radio switching, an overlay showing current radios and frequencies, stereo channel separation, intercom support in some aircraft, and optional server-side realism features like line-of-sight and distance-based radio limits.
Current release note
As of April 8, 2026, the GitHub releases page shows 2.3.6.0 as the latest stable release and 2.3.7.1 as a pre-release beta.
How to install SRS
Recommended method
The official wiki says the preferred method is to download and run the latest SRS-AutoUpdater.exe and follow the installer prompts carefully.
Manual backup method
If you do not want to use the auto-updater, the official manual method is:
- Download the latest SRS release zip and extract it first.
- Run Installer.exe from the extracted folder. If Windows blocks it, use Show More and then Run Anyway.
- Choose an install location, typically something like C:\Program Files\DCS-SimpleRadio-Standalone.
- Point the installer to your Saved Games folder, typically under C:\Users\<YourUser>\Saved Games.
- Click Install/Update SimpleRadio. The wiki notes the installer can appear to hang briefly until the completion dialog appears.
- After install, the folder should open and you can make a shortcut to SR-ClientRadio.exe. If you are hosting your own SRS server, you can also use SR_Server.exe.
First-time setup after install
Open SR-ClientRadio.exe first. In the client, the wiki says you should set:
- your Input device for microphone,
- your Output device for speakers or headset,
- any mic or output boost you need,
- your Push-To-Talk binding,
- your radio-switch bindings,
A useful starter setup is:
- one easy-to-reach Common PTT button,
- one or more radio select keys,
- your specific airframe and HOTAS will dictate your binding setup
How it works in DCS
Once you are in DCS and connected to an SRS server:
- In full-fidelity aircraft, SRS generally follows the cockpit radio settings directly.
- In FC3 / Su-25T / spectator / GCI style slots, there are no full cockpit radio controls, so you use the SRS overlay and SRS keybinds to manage frequencies and active radios.
- The overlay can show radio status, current frequencies, and transmit/receive state.
The wiki also notes that some aircraft still require SRS client keybinds for active radio changes because not every cockpit has all needed animations or radio-switch integration. It specifically calls out the Hornet as one of the exceptions.
Simple step-by-step quick start
- Install SRS with the auto-updater.
- Launch SR-ClientRadio.exe.
- Set your mic and speakers.
- Bind Common PTT and, ideally, radio select keys.
- Join your multiplayer server in DCS.
- Connect SRS to that server, or use the server’s auto-connect flow if it is configured for that. The client has an Auto Connect Prompt option for this behavior.
- Open the overlay and verify that your radios are showing correctly.
- Test transmit with your PTT before the mission starts.
Common install issue
If SRS does not seem to hook into DCS correctly, the official troubleshooting guidance includes backing up and deleting the Export.lua in your relevant Saved Games\DCS...\Scripts folder and then running the installer again. The wiki also says that if you still cannot hook into DCS, deleting the SRS install folder and reinstalling can help, while preserving saved settings.
Practical advice
For normal multiplayer use, you usually only need the client, not the server executable. Use Discord for briefing, admin, and casual talk, then use SRS for in-mission radios. That is also consistent with the project’s stated goal of complementing Discord or TeamSpeak rather than replacing them.
