After answering many questions about Squawk Box and realizing there is nothing out there in plane (get it, plain) English, I thought I would connect and write process down as best as I could.

Please remember I am a amateur Flight enthusiast that enjoys this hobby. This was drafted to help others. I have used so many of the great freeware products that I felt guilty not giving something back (its not much, but its a start)

Please contact me with any suggestions or comments on this article, because it is just in its infancy. I appreciate the time you would take to help me.

I like my installation of Squawk Box in a directory close to Flight Simulator, I believe this helps when in operation.

After downloading and installing Squawk Box please follow the steps below to connect for the first time and you will see how easy it really is.

Keep in mind this list seems long, but I did not want to miss a little step!!! It is very easy after two connects and you will be glad you did!

This information is not copyrighted except for the names of software by their respective authors, I wrote this not to infringe on any one or any company, I doubt you would be able to make money from this document LOL

This Section sets up Flight Simulator for Squawk Box

1. First, start up flight simulator and move your plane off the runway.  Save a flight at your favorite airport, then set that flight as your default flight. This way when you connect to the Multiplayer server your plane does not magically appear in front of incoming traffic on the runway.YIKES!!!!!!!
2. Select FILE in top menu bar
3. Select MULTIPLAYER
4. Select CONNECT
5. Enter your callsign(I use my GLE #)
6. Select HOST a session and then select NEXT
7. Enter a name for your session (again I use my GLE # for simplicity)
8. Select HOST AS AN OBSERVER (VERY IMPORTANT)
9. Set number of pilots to 30 to 40 (so you will see that many planes in area of flight)
10. Select NEXT
11. Select IP/internet connection in box
12. Click HOST button
13. Click little X in corner of chat box when it pops up (you will not use it like other multiplayer situations)
14. At this state your flight simulator is up and you are connected thru it to the internet

This section now connects Squawk Box

15. Click on Squawk Box startup icon/exe program, ( i have set up my start up icon on the START MENU of windows 95 so I do not have to collapse Flight sim to start it, Its a good spot to place your flight sim programs start ups)
16. A few seconds a large window pops up
17. Select in the left box Internet/TCP/IP connection
18. Select LIST CONNECTIONS
19. In the little pop-up box, enter this and this only IP# 127.0.0.1 (this is very important, it makes Squawk Box look for your IP game you hooked up in step 12
20. The session you named in step 7 should appear in the right box/click on it/then click on JOIN SESSION button below
21. Then the main Squawk Box Title window appears (it takes a few seconds) Click "GET INTO THE ACTION" bar on bottom.
22. After a few seconds, a gray bar should appear across top of flight simulator screen.  You are home now!

This section now hooks Squawk Box to SATCO server to connect

23. Put mouse pointer in anywhere in gray area in top bar and RIGHT CLICK with your mouse.  A long menu bar should appear downward
24. Select CONNECT on menu drop down bar
25. A big box will now appear, this is where you will install your pilot number, license number you received when you ask for one from SATCO (Without it you cannot connect! Read the SATCO homepage for how to apply for your Pilot Number)
26. The field for the server IP# depends on where you live, I use 129.109.80.161 (its the main SATCO server for NA.
27. After entering infor, click OK/JOIN, after a few seconds you should here the SATCO PING and a connection message in the top gray box. Please note if you miss information you can click and drag bottom of gray area to enlarge message area! You are officially connected to SQUAWK BOX congratulations!!!

This sections deals with protocol when first hooking up to squawk box

28. Right click in gray area again
29. Select ATC DIRECTORY
30. A box will appear on the left side of screen, it displays available ATC hooked up, sometimes not all show, so you can click ok and start step 31 over again
31. In the box, select the airport ATC you are wanting to fly out of, take your time and relax
32. You can double click on the ATC freq. and your comm radio will automatically change to his (cool)
33. Open drop down menu again and select ATC Functions
34. Select FILE FLIGHT PLAN
35. Fill out pop up box with ALL information and click ok, remember this information is the only info the ATC has on you.
36. Click in white message area in gray box and contact the Tower that you are ready for taxi instructions.
37. It is ok to tell the ATC that you are new, and you are just learning for the first time, they are all really cool and they enjoy the same hobby as we do!!! don't be bashful, its for all of us!!!
    
    Coming soon/added voice instructions.
    
    I hope this helps, if you have any questions, please write
    Chuck King
    GLE332