Version 1.1.4

sequencer
messenger
radioMenu

modules/RNDFlags.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 rndFlags = {}
-rndFlags.version = "1.4.0"
+rndFlags.version = "1.4.1"
 rndFlags.verbose = false 
 rndFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ rndFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	1.3.2 - moved flagArrayFromString to dcsCommon
 	      - minor clean-up
 	1.4.0 - persistence 
+	1.4.1 - a little less verbosity 
 
 --]]
 
@@ -336,8 +337,10 @@ function rndFlags.start()
 	
 	-- process RND Zones 
 	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("RND!")
-	a = dcsCommon.getSizeOfTable(attrZones)
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
-	trigger.action.outText("RND! zones: " .. a, 30)
+		local a = dcsCommon.getSizeOfTable(attrZones)
+		trigger.action.outText("RND! zones: " .. a, 30)
+	end 
 	
 	-- now create an rnd gen for each one and add them
 	-- to our watchlist 

modules/cfxMX.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxMX = {}
-cfxMX.version = "1.2.2"
+cfxMX.version = "1.2.3"
 cfxMX.verbose = false 
 --[[--
  Mission data decoder. Access to ME-built mission structures
@@ -21,10 +21,15 @@ cfxMX.verbose = false
    1.2.2 - fixed ctry bug in countryByName
          - playerGroupByName
 		 - playerUnitByName
+   1.2.3 - groupTypeByName
+		 - groupCoalitionByName
+		 
 --]]--
 cfxMX.groupNamesByID = {}
 cfxMX.groupIDbyName = {}
 cfxMX.groupDataByName = {}
+cfxMX.groupTypeByName = {} -- category of group: "helicopter", "plane", "ship"...
+cfxMX.groupCoalitionByName = {}
 cfxMX.countryByName ={}
 cfxMX.linkByName = {}
 cfxMX.allFixedByName = {}
@@ -205,11 +210,12 @@ function cfxMX.createCrossReferences()
 											linkUnit = group_data.route.points[1].linkUnit
 											cfxMX.linkByName[aName] = linkUnit
 										end 
-										
+										cfxMX.groupTypeByName[aName] = category
 										cfxMX.groupNamesByID[aID] = aName
 										cfxMX.groupIDbyName[aName] = aID
 										cfxMX.groupDataByName[aName] = group_data
 										cfxMX.countryByName[aName] = countryID -- !!! was cntry_id
+										cfxMX.groupCoalitionByName[aName] = coaNum
 
 										-- now make the type-specific xrefs
 										if obj_type_name == "helicopter" then 

modules/cfxReconMode.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxReconMode = {}
-cfxReconMode.version = "2.1.1"
+cfxReconMode.version = "2.1.2"
 cfxReconMode.verbose = false -- set to true for debug info  
 cfxReconMode.reconSound = "UI_SCI-FI_Tone_Bright_Dry_20_stereo.wav" -- to be played when somethiong discovered
 
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ VERSION HISTORY
 	   - activate / deactivate by flags 
  2.1.1 - Lat Lon and MGRS also give Elevation
        - cfxReconMode.reportTime
+ 2.1.2 - imperialUnits for elevation
+       - <ele> wildcard in message format 
+	   - fix for mgrs bug in message (zone coords, not unit)
 	   
  cfxReconMode is a script that allows units to perform reconnaissance
  missions and, after detecting units, marks them on the map with 
@@ -424,13 +427,21 @@ function cfxReconMode.getLocation(theGroup)
 	local theUnit = theGroup:getUnit(1)
 	local currPoint = theUnit:getPoint()
 	local ele = math.floor(land.getHeight({x = currPoint.x, y = currPoint.z}))
+	local units = "m"
+	if cfxReconMode.imperialUnits then 
+		ele = math.floor(ele * 3.28084) -- feet 
+		units = "ft"
+	else 
+		ele = math.floor(ele) -- meters 
+	end 
+	
 	if cfxReconMode.mgrs then 
 		local grid = coord.LLtoMGRS(coord.LOtoLL(currPoint))
-		msg = grid.UTMZone .. ' ' .. grid.MGRSDigraph .. ' ' .. grid.Easting .. ' ' .. grid.Northing .. " Ele " .. ele .."m"
+		msg = grid.UTMZone .. ' ' .. grid.MGRSDigraph .. ' ' .. grid.Easting .. ' ' .. grid.Northing .. " Ele " .. ele .. units
 	else 
 		local lat, lon, alt = coord.LOtoLL(currPoint)
 		lat, lon = dcsCommon.latLon2Text(lat, lon)
-		msg = "Lat " .. lat .. " Lon " .. lon .. " Ele " .. ele .."m"
+		msg = "Lat " .. lat .. " Lon " .. lon .. " Ele " .. ele ..units
 	end
 	return msg
 end
@@ -483,12 +494,21 @@ function cfxReconMode.processZoneMessage(inMsg, theZone, theGroup)
 		local theUnit = dcsCommon.getFirstLivingUnit(theGroup)
 		currPoint = theUnit:getPoint()
 	end
+	local ele = math.floor(land.getHeight({x = currPoint.x, y = currPoint.z}))
+	local units = "m"
+	if cfxReconMode.imperialUnits then 
+		ele = math.floor(ele * 3.28084) -- feet 
+		units = "ft"
+	else 
+		ele = math.floor(ele) -- meters 
+	end 
 	
 	local lat, lon, alt = coord.LOtoLL(currPoint)
 	lat, lon = dcsCommon.latLon2Text(lat, lon)
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<lat>", lat)
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<lon>", lon)
-	currPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
+	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<ele>", ele..units)
+	--currPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
 	local grid = coord.LLtoMGRS(coord.LOtoLL(currPoint))
 	local mgrs = grid.UTMZone .. ' ' .. grid.MGRSDigraph .. ' ' .. grid.Easting .. ' ' .. grid.Northing
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<mgrs>", mgrs)
@@ -1019,6 +1039,10 @@ function cfxReconMode.readConfigZone()
 		cfxReconMode.lastDeActivate = cfxZones.getFlagValue(cfxReconMode.deactivate, theZone)
 	end
 	
+	cfxReconMode.imperialUnits = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "imperial", false)
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "imperialUnits") then 
+		cfxReconMode.imperialUnits = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "imperialUnits", false)
+	end
 	
 	cfxReconMode.theZone = theZone -- save this zone 
 end

modules/cloneZone.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cloneZones = {}
-cloneZones.version = "1.5.2"
+cloneZones.version = "1.5.4"
 cloneZones.verbose = false  
 cloneZones.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ cloneZones.allCObjects = {} -- all clones objects
 	1.5.0 - persistence 
 	1.5.1 - fixed static data cloning bug (load & save)
 	1.5.2 - fixed bug in trackWith: referencing wrong cloner 
+	1.5.3 - centerOnly/wholeGroups attribute for rndLoc, rndHeading and onRoad
+	1.5.4 - parking for aircraft processing when cloning from template 
 	
 	
 	
@@ -148,7 +150,7 @@ function cloneZones.allGroupsInZoneByData(theZone)
 end
 
 function cloneZones.createClonerWithZone(theZone) -- has "Cloner"
-	if cloneZones.verbose then 
+	if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: new cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
 	end
 
@@ -292,6 +294,11 @@ function cloneZones.createClonerWithZone(theZone) -- has "Cloner"
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "rndLoc") then 
 		theZone.rndLoc = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "rndLoc", false)
 	end 
+	theZone.centerOnly = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "centerOnly", false)
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "wholeGroups") then 
+		theZone.centerOnly = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "wholeGroups", false)
+	end
+	
 	theZone.rndHeading = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "rndHeading", false)
 	
 	theZone.onRoad = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "onRoad", false)
@@ -308,13 +315,16 @@ end
 --
 
 function cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone) 
-	if cloneZones.verbose then 
+	if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("wiping <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: despawn all - wiping zone <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
 	end 
 	for idx, aGroup in pairs(theZone.mySpawns) do 
 		--trigger.action.outText("++clnZ: despawn all " .. aGroup.name, 30)
 		
 		if aGroup:isExist() then 
+			if theZone.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: will destroy <" .. aGroup:getName() .. ">", 30)
+			end
 			cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "will despawn group", aGroup)
 			Group.destroy(aGroup)
 		end 
@@ -323,7 +333,7 @@ function cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone)
 		-- warning! may be mismatch because we are looking at groups
 		-- not objects. let's see
 		if aStatic:isExist() then 
-			if cloneZones.verbose then 
+			if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("Destroying static <" .. aStatic:getName() .. ">", 30)
 			end 
 			cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "will despawn static", aStatic)
@@ -334,12 +344,47 @@ function cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone)
 	theZone.myStatics = {}
 end
 
-function cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(theData, zoneDelta, adjustAllWaypoints)
+function cloneZones.assignClosestParking(theData)
+	-- on enter: theData has units with updated x, y 
+	-- and waypoint 1 action is From Parking 
+	-- and it has at least one unit 
 	
+	-- let's get the airbase 
+	local theRoute = theData.route  -- we know it exists
+	local thePoints = theRoute.points 
+	local firstPoint = thePoints[1]
+	local loc = {}
+	loc.x = firstPoint.x
+	loc.y = 0
+	loc.z = firstPoint.y 
+	local theAirbase = dcsCommon.getClosestAirbaseTo(loc)
+	-- now let's assign free slots closest to unit 
+	local slotsTaken = {}
+	local units = theData.units
+	local cat = cfxMX.groupTypeByName[theData.name] 
+	for idx, theUnit in pairs(units) do 
+		local newSlot = dcsCommon.getClosestFreeSlotForCatInAirbaseTo(cat, theUnit.x, theUnit.y, theAirbase, slotsTaken)
+		if newSlot then 
+			local slotNo = newSlot.Term_Index
+			--trigger.action.outText("unit <" .. theUnit.name .. "> old slot <" .. theUnit.parking .. "> to new slot <" .. slotNo .. ">", 30)
+			theUnit.parking_id = nil -- !! or you b screwed
+			theUnit.parking = slotNo -- !! screw parking_ID, they don't match
+			theUnit.x = newSlot.vTerminalPos.x 
+			theUnit.y = newSlot.vTerminalPos.z -- !!!
+			table.insert(slotsTaken, slotNo)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(theData, zoneDelta, adjustAllWaypoints)
+	-- enter with theData being group's data block 
 	-- remember that zoneDelta's [z] modifies theData's y!!
 	theData.x = theData.x + zoneDelta.x 
 	theData.y = theData.y + zoneDelta.z -- !!!
 	local units = theData.units 
+	local departFromAerodrome = false 
+	--local departingAerodrome 
+	local fromParking = false 
 	for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
 		aUnit.x = aUnit.x + zoneDelta.x 
 		aUnit.y = aUnit.y + zoneDelta.z -- again!!!!
@@ -373,8 +418,11 @@ function cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(theData, zoneDelta, adjustAllWayp
 				loc.y = 0
 				loc.z = firstPoint.y 
 				local bestAirbase = dcsCommon.getClosestAirbaseTo(loc)
+				--departingAerodrome = bestAirbase
 				firstPoint.airdromeId = bestAirbase:getID()
 --					trigger.action.outText("first: adjusted to " .. firstPoint.airdromeId, 30)
+				departFromAerodrome = true  
+				fromParking = dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(firstPoint.action, "From Parking")
 			end
 			
 			-- adjust last point (landing)
@@ -393,8 +441,20 @@ function cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(theData, zoneDelta, adjustAllWayp
 			
 			end
 		end
+	end -- if theRoute 
+	
+	-- now process departing slot if given 
+	if departFromAerodrome then 
+		-- we may need alt from land to add here, maybe later 
+	
+		-- now process parking slots, and choose closest slot 
+		-- per unit's location 
+		if fromParking then 
+			cloneZones.assignClosestParking(theData)
+		end
 	end
 end
+
 function cloneZones.uniqueID()
 	local uid = cloneZones.uniqueCounter
 	cloneZones.uniqueCounter = cloneZones.uniqueCounter + 1
@@ -670,6 +730,9 @@ function cloneZones.handoffTracking(theGroup, theZone)
 end
 
 function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)
+	if cloneZones.verbose or spawnZone.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: spawning with template <" .. theZone.name .. "> for spawner <" .. spawnZone.name .. ">", 30)
+	end
 	-- theZone is the cloner with the template
 	-- spawnZone is the spawner with settings 
 	-- if not spawnZone then spawnZone = theZone end 
@@ -697,17 +760,34 @@ function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)
 		local theCat = cfxMX.catText2ID(cat)
 		rawData.CZtheCat = theCat -- save cat 
 		
-		-- update their position if not spawning to exact same location 
+		-- update their position if not spawning to exact same location
+		if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 	
+			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: tmpl delta x = <" .. math.floor(zoneDelta.x) .. ">, y = <" .. math.floor(zoneDelta.z) .. "> for tmpl <" .. theZone.name  .. "> to cloner <" .. spawnZone.name .. ">", 30)
+		end
 		cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(rawData, zoneDelta, spawnZone.moveRoute)
 		
 		-- apply randomizer if selected 
+
 		if spawnZone.rndLoc then 
+			--trigger.action.outText("rndloc for <" .. spawnZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			-- calculate the entire group's displacement
 			local units = rawData.units
+			local r = math.random() * spawnZone.radius
+			local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
+			local dx = r * math.cos(phi)
+			local dy = r * math.sin(phi)
+				
 			for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
-				local r = math.random() * spawnZone.radius
+				if not spawnZone.centerOnly then 
-				local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
+					-- *every unit's displacement is randomized
-				local dx = r * math.cos(phi)
+					r = math.random() * spawnZone.radius
-				local dy = r * math.sin(phi)
+					phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
+					dx = r * math.cos(phi)
+					dy = r * math.sin(phi)
+				end
+				if spawnZone.verbose or cloneZones.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: <" .. spawnZone.name .. "> R = " .. spawnZone.radius .. ":G<" .. rawData.name .. "/" .. aUnit.name .. "> - rndLoc: r = " .. r .. ", dx = " .. dx .. ", dy= " .. dy .. ".", 30)
+				end
 				aUnit.x = aUnit.x + dx
 				aUnit.y = aUnit.y + dy 
 			end
@@ -715,44 +795,71 @@ function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)
 		
 		if spawnZone.rndHeading then 
 			local units = rawData.units
-			for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
+			if spawnZone.centerOnly and units and units[1] then 
-				local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
+				-- rotate entire group around unit 1
-				aUnit.heading = phi
+				local cx = units[1].x 
+				local cy = units[1].y 
+				local degrees = 360 * math.random() -- rotateGroupData uses degrees
+				dcsCommon.rotateGroupData(rawData, degrees, cx, cy)
+			else
+				for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
+					local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
+					aUnit.heading = phi
+				end
 			end
 		end
 
 		-- apply onRoad option if selected 			
 		if spawnZone.onRoad then 
 			local units = rawData.units
-			local iterCount = 0
+			if spawnZone.centerOnly then 
-			local otherLocs = {} -- resolved locs
+				-- only place the first unit in group on roads
-			for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
+				-- and displace all other with the same offset 
-				local cx = aUnit.x
+				local hasOffset = false 
-				local cy = aUnit.y 
+				local dx, dy, cx, cy
-				-- we now iterate until there is enough separation or too many iters
+				for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
-				local tooClose
+					cx = aUnit.x
-				local np, nx, ny					
+					cy = aUnit.y 
-				repeat 
+					if not hasOffset then 
-					nx, ny =  land.getClosestPointOnRoads("roads", cx, cy)
+						local nx, ny =  land.getClosestPointOnRoads("roads", cx, cy)
-					-- compare this with all other locs
+						dx = nx - cx 
-					np = {x=nx, y=ny}
+						dy = ny - cy
-					tooClose = false
+						hasOffset = true
-					for idc, op in pairs(otherLocs) do 
+					end
-						local d = dcsCommon.dist(np, op)
+					aUnit.x = cx + dx 
-						if d < cloneZones.minSep then 
+					aUnit.y = cy + dy
-							tooClose = true 
+				end
-							cx = cx + cloneZones.minSep
+			else
-							cy = cy + cloneZones.minSep
+				local iterCount = 0
-							iterCount = iterCount + 1
+				local otherLocs = {} -- resolved locs
-							-- trigger.action.outText("d fail for <" .. aUnit.name.. ">: d= <" .. d .. ">, iters = <" .. iterCount .. ">", 30)
+				for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
-						end
+					local cx = aUnit.x
-					end						
+					local cy = aUnit.y 
-				until (iterCount > cloneZones.maxIter) or (not tooClose)
+					-- we now iterate until there is enough separation or too many iters
-				-- trigger.action.outText("separation iters for <" .. aUnit.name.. ">:<" .. iterCount .. ">", 30)
+					local tooClose
-				table.insert(otherLocs, np)
+					local np, nx, ny					
-				aUnit.x = nx
+					repeat 
-				aUnit.y = ny 
+						nx, ny =  land.getClosestPointOnRoads("roads", cx, cy)
-			end
+						-- compare this with all other locs
+						np = {x=nx, y=ny}
+						tooClose = false
+						for idc, op in pairs(otherLocs) do 
+							local d = dcsCommon.dist(np, op)
+							if d < cloneZones.minSep then 
+								tooClose = true 
+								cx = cx + cloneZones.minSep
+								cy = cy + cloneZones.minSep
+								iterCount = iterCount + 1
+								-- trigger.action.outText("d fail for <" .. aUnit.name.. ">: d= <" .. d .. ">, iters = <" .. iterCount .. ">", 30)
+							end
+						end						
+					until (iterCount > cloneZones.maxIter) or (not tooClose)
+					-- trigger.action.outText("separation iters for <" .. aUnit.name.. ">:<" .. iterCount .. ">", 30)
+					table.insert(otherLocs, np)
+					aUnit.x = nx
+					aUnit.y = ny 
+				end
+			end -- else centerOnly
 		end
 		
 		
@@ -946,6 +1053,7 @@ function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)
 end
 
 function cloneZones.spawnWithCloner(theZone) 
+	trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: enter spawnWithCloner for <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
 	if not theZone then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: nil zone on spawnWithCloner", 30)
 		return 
@@ -966,14 +1074,17 @@ function cloneZones.spawnWithCloner(theZone)
 			local templates = dcsCommon.splitString(templateName, ",")
 			templateName = dcsCommon.pickRandom(templates)
 			templateName = dcsCommon.trim(templateName) 
-			if cloneZones.verbose then 
+			if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: picked random template <" .. templateName .."> for from <" .. allNames .. "> for cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
 			end 
 		end
+		if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: spawning - picked <" .. templateName .. "> as template", 30)
+		end
 		
 		local newTemplate = cloneZones.getCloneZoneByName(templateName)
 		if not newTemplate then 
-			if cloneZones.verbose then 
+			if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: no clone source with name <" .. templateName .."> for cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
 			end  
 			return 
@@ -1118,10 +1229,10 @@ function cloneZones.update()
 	end
 end
 
-function cloneZones.onStart()
+function cloneZones.doOnStart()
-	--trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: Enter atStart", 30)
 	for idx, theZone in pairs(cloneZones.cloners) do 
 		if theZone.onStart then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: onStart true for <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
 			if theZone.isStarted then 
 				if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 					trigger.action.outText("+++clnz: onStart pre-empted for <" .. theZone.name .. "> by persistence", 30)
@@ -1422,7 +1533,7 @@ function cloneZones.start()
 	-- cycles to go through object removal
 	-- persistencey has loaded isStarted if a cloner was 
 	-- already started 
-	timer.scheduleFunction(cloneZones.onStart, {}, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cloneZones.doOnStart, {}, timer.getTime() + 1.0)
 	
 	-- start update 
 	cloneZones.update()

modules/dcsCommon.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 dcsCommon = {}
-dcsCommon.version = "2.7.1"
+dcsCommon.version = "2.7.2"
 --[[-- VERSION HISTORY
  2.2.6 - compassPositionOfARelativeToB
 	   - clockPositionOfARelativeToB
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.7.1"
        - dcsCommon.trimArray(
 	   - createStaticObjectData uses trim for type 
 	   - getEnemyCoalitionFor understands strings, still returns number
-       - coalition2county also undertsands 'red' and 'blue'
+       - coalition2county also understands 'red' and 'blue'
  2.5.0 - "Line" formation with one unit places unit at center 	
  2.5.1 - vNorm(a)  
  2.5.1 - added SA-18 Igla manpad to unitIsInfantry()
@@ -92,6 +92,12 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.7.1"
  2.7.1 - new isPlayerUnit() -- moved from cfxPlayer
          new getAllExistingPlayerUnitsRaw - from cfxPlayer
 		 new typeIsInfantry()
+ 2.7.2 - new rangeArrayFromString()
+         fixed leading blank bug in flagArrayFromString
+		 new incFlag()
+		 new decFlag()
+		 nil trap in stringStartsWith()
+		 new getClosestFreeSlotForCatInAirbaseTo()
  
 --]]--
 
@@ -388,6 +394,64 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.7.1"
 		return closestBase, delta 
 	end
 
+	function dcsCommon.getClosestFreeSlotForCatInAirbaseTo(cat, x, y, theAirbase, ignore)
+		if not theAirbase then return nil end 
+		if not ignore then ignore = {} end 
+		if not cat then return nil end 
+		if (not cat == "helicopter") and (not cat == "plane") then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++common-getslotforcat: wrong cat <" .. cat .. ">", 30)
+			return nil 
+		end
+		local allFree = theAirbase:getParking(true) --  only free slots
+		local filterFreeByType = {}
+		for idx, aSlot in pairs(allFree) do 
+			local termT = aSlot.Term_Type
+			if termT == 104 or 
+			(termT == 72 and cat == "plane") or 
+			(termT == 68 and cat == "plane") or 
+			(termT == 40 and cat == "helicopter") then 
+				table.insert(filterFreeByType, aSlot)
+			else 
+				-- we skip this slot, not good for type 
+			end
+		end
+		
+		if #filterFreeByType == 0 then 
+			return nil
+		end 
+		
+		local reallyFree = {}
+		for idx, aSlot in pairs(filterFreeByType) do 
+			local slotNum = aSlot.Term_Index
+			isTaken = false 
+			for idy, taken in pairs(ignore) do 
+				if taken == slotNum then isTaken = true end 
+			end
+			if not isTaken then 
+				table.insert(reallyFree, aSlot)
+			end
+		end
+		
+		if #reallyFree < 1 then 
+			reallyFree = filterFreeByType
+		end
+		
+		local closestDist = math.huge 
+		local closestSlot = nil 
+		local p = {x = x, y = 0, z = y} -- !!
+		for idx, aSlot in pairs(reallyFree) do 
+			local sp = {x = aSlot.vTerminalPos.x, y = 0, z = aSlot.vTerminalPos.z}
+			local currDist = dcsCommon.distFlat(p, sp)
+			--trigger.action.outText("slot <" .. aSlot.Term_Index .. "> has dist " .. math.floor(currDist) .. " and _0 of <" .. aSlot.Term_Index_0 .. ">", 30)
+			if currDist < closestDist then 
+				closestSlot = aSlot 
+				closestDist = currDist 
+			end
+		end
+		--trigger.action.outText("slot <" .. closestSlot.Term_Index .. "> has closest dist <" .. math.floor(closestDist) .. ">", 30)
+		return closestSlot
+	end
+
 -- 
 -- U N I T S   M A N A G E M E N T 
 --
@@ -1823,6 +1887,7 @@ end
 	end
 	
 	function dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(theString, thePrefix)
+		if not theString then return false end 
 		return theString:find(thePrefix) == 1
 	end
 	
@@ -2473,6 +2538,7 @@ function dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(inString, verbose)
 	local rawElements = dcsCommon.splitString(inString, ",")
 	-- go over all elements 
 	for idx, anElement in pairs(rawElements) do 
+		anElement = dcsCommon.trim(anElement)
 		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWithDigit(anElement) and  dcsCommon.containsString(anElement, "-") then 
 			-- interpret this as a range
 			local theRange = dcsCommon.splitString(anElement, "-")
@@ -2498,7 +2564,7 @@ function dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(inString, verbose)
 			end
 		else
 			-- single number
-			f = dcsCommon.trim(anElement) -- DML flag upgrade: accept strings tonumber(anElement)
+			local f = dcsCommon.trim(anElement) -- DML flag upgrade: accept strings tonumber(anElement)
 			if f then 
 				table.insert(flags, f)
 
@@ -2513,6 +2579,81 @@ function dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(inString, verbose)
 	return flags
 end
 
+function dcsCommon.rangeArrayFromString(inString, verbose)
+	if not verbose then verbose = false end 
+	
+	if verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: processing <" .. inString .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+
+	if string.len(inString) < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: empty ranges", 30)
+		return {} 
+	end
+	
+	local ranges = {}
+	local rawElements = dcsCommon.splitString(inString, ",")
+	-- go over all elements 
+	for idx, anElement in pairs(rawElements) do 
+		anElement = dcsCommon.trim(anElement)
+		local outRange = {}
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWithDigit(anElement) and  dcsCommon.containsString(anElement, "-") then 
+			-- interpret this as a range
+			local theRange = dcsCommon.splitString(anElement, "-")
+			local lowerBound = theRange[1]
+			lowerBound = tonumber(lowerBound)
+			local upperBound = theRange[2]
+			upperBound = tonumber(upperBound)
+			if lowerBound and upperBound then
+				-- swap if wrong order
+				if lowerBound > upperBound then 
+					local temp = upperBound
+					upperBound = lowerBound
+					lowerBound = temp 
+				end
+				-- now add to ranges
+				outRange[1] = lowerBound
+				outRange[2] = upperBound
+				table.insert(ranges, outRange)
+				if verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: new range <" .. lowerBound .. "> to <" .. upperBound .. ">", 30)
+				end
+			else
+				-- bounds illegal
+				trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: ignored range <" .. anElement .. "> (range)", 30)
+			end
+		else
+			-- single number
+			local f = dcsCommon.trim(anElement) 
+			f = tonumber(f)
+			if f then 
+				outRange[1] = f
+				outRange[2] = f
+				table.insert(ranges, outRange)
+				if verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: new (single-val) range <" .. f .. "> to <" .. f .. ">", 30)
+				end
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: ignored element <" .. anElement .. "> (single)", 30)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	if verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rangeArray: <" .. #ranges .. "> ranges total", 30)
+	end 
+	return ranges
+end
+
+function dcsCommon.incFlag(flagName)
+	local v = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(flagName)
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag(flagName, v + 1)
+end
+
+function dcsCommon.decFlag(flagName)
+	local v = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(flagName)
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag(flagName, v - 1)
+end
+
 function dcsCommon.objectHandler(theObject, theCollector)
 	table.insert(theCollector, theObject)
 	return true 

modules/groupTrackers.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 groupTracker = {}
-groupTracker.version = "1.2.0"
+groupTracker.version = "1.2.1"
 groupTracker.verbose = false 
 groupTracker.ups = 1 
 groupTracker.requiredLibs = {
@@ -24,10 +24,11 @@ groupTracker.trackers = {}
 		  - allGone! output 
 		  - triggerMethod
 		  - method 
-		  - isDead optimization 
+		  - isDead optimiz ation 
 	1.2.0 - double detection
 		  - numUnits output 
 		  - persistence 
+	1.2.1 - allGone! bug removed 
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -362,7 +363,7 @@ function groupTracker.update()
 		-- see if we need to bang on empty!
 		local currCount = #theZone.trackedGroups
 		if theZone.allGoneFlag and currCount == 0 and currCount ~= theZone.lastGroupCount then 
-			cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.allGoneFlag, aZone.trackerMethod, aZone)
+			cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.allGoneFlag, theZone.trackerMethod, theZone)
 		end 
 		theZone.lastGroupCount = currCount
 	end

modules/messenger.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 messenger = {}
-messenger.version = "1.3.3"
+messenger.version = "2.0.0"
 messenger.verbose = false 
 messenger.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -26,6 +26,22 @@ messenger.messengers = {}
 		  - can interpret <lat>, <lon>, <mgrs>
 		  - zone-local verbosity
 	1.3.3 - mute/messageMute option to start messenger in mute 
+	2.0.0 - re-engineered message wildcards
+		  - corrected dynamic content for time and latlon (classic)
+	      - new timeFormat attribute 
+		  - <v: flagname>
+		  - <t: flagname>
+		  - added <ele> 
+		  - added imperial 
+		  - <lat: unit/zone>
+		  - <lon: unit/zone>
+		  - <ele: unit/zone>
+		  - <mgrs: unit/zone>
+		  - <latlon: unit/zone>
+		  - <lle: unit/zone>
+		  - messageError 
+		  - unit 
+		  - group 
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -48,6 +64,7 @@ end
 -- read attributes
 --
 function messenger.preProcMessage(inMsg, theZone)
+	-- Replace STATIC bits of message like CR and zone name 
 	if not inMsg then return "<nil inMsg>" end
 	local formerType = type(inMsg)
 	if formerType ~= "string" then inMsg = tostring(inMsg) end  
@@ -58,27 +75,172 @@ function messenger.preProcMessage(inMsg, theZone)
 	if theZone then 
 		outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<z>", theZone.name)
 	end
+	return outMsg 
+end
+
+-- Old-school processing to replace wildcards
+-- repalce <t> with current time 
+-- replace <lat> with zone's current lonlat
+-- replace <mgrs> with zone's current mgrs 
+function messenger.dynamicProcessClassic(inMsg, theZone)
+
+	if not inMsg then return "<nil inMsg>" end
 	-- replace <t> with current mission time HMS
 	local absSecs = timer.getAbsTime()-- + env.mission.start_time
 	while absSecs > 86400 do 
 		absSecs = absSecs - 86400 -- subtract out all days 
 	end
-	local timeString  = dcsCommon.processHMS("<:h>:<:m>:<:s>", absSecs)
+	local timeString  = dcsCommon.processHMS(theZone.msgTimeFormat, absSecs)
-	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<t>", timeString)
+	local outMsg = inMsg:gsub("<t>", timeString)
 	
 	-- replace <lat> with lat of zone point and <lon> with lon of zone point 
 	-- and <mgrs> with mgrs coords of zone point 
 	local currPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
-	local lat, lon, alt = coord.LOtoLL(currPoint)
+	local lat, lon = coord.LOtoLL(currPoint)
 	lat, lon = dcsCommon.latLon2Text(lat, lon)
+	local alt = land.getHeight({x = currPoint.x, y = currPoint.z})
+	if theZone.imperialUnits then 
+		alt = math.floor(alt * 3.28084) -- feet 
+	else 
+		alt = math.floor(alt) -- meters 
+	end 
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<lat>", lat)
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<lon>", lon)
+	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<ele>", alt)
 	local grid = coord.LLtoMGRS(coord.LOtoLL(currPoint))
 	local mgrs = grid.UTMZone .. ' ' .. grid.MGRSDigraph .. ' ' .. grid.Easting .. ' ' .. grid.Northing
 	outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<mgrs>", mgrs)
 	return outMsg
 end 
 
+--
+-- new dynamic flag processing 
+-- 
+function messenger.processDynamicValues(inMsg, theZone)
+	-- replace all occurences of <v: flagName> with their values 
+	local pattern = "<v:%s*[%s%w%*%d%.%-_]+>" -- no list allowed but blanks and * and . and - and _ --> we fail on the other specials to keep this simple 
+	local outMsg = inMsg
+	repeat -- iterate all patterns one by one 
+		local startLoc, endLoc = string.find(outMsg, pattern)
+		if startLoc then 
+			local theValParam = string.sub(outMsg, startLoc, endLoc)
+			-- strip lead and trailer 
+			local param = string.gsub(theValParam, "<v:%s*", "")
+			param = string.gsub(param, ">","")
+			-- param = dcsCommon.trim(param) -- trim is called anyway
+			-- access flag
+			local val = cfxZones.getFlagValue(param, theZone)
+			val = tostring(val)
+			if not val then val = "NULL" end 
+			-- replace pattern in original with new val 
+			outMsg = string.gsub(outMsg, pattern, val, 1) -- only one sub!
+		end
+	until not startLoc
+	return outMsg
+end
+
+function messenger.processDynamicTime(inMsg, theZone)
+	-- replace all occurences of <v: flagName> with their values 
+	local pattern = "<t:%s*[%s%w%*%d%.%-_]+>" -- no list allowed but blanks and * and . and - and _ --> we fail on the other specials to keep this simple 
+	local outMsg = inMsg
+	repeat -- iterate all patterns one by one 
+		local startLoc, endLoc = string.find(outMsg, pattern)
+		if startLoc then 
+			local theValParam = string.sub(outMsg, startLoc, endLoc)
+			-- strip lead and trailer 
+			local param = string.gsub(theValParam, "<t:%s*", "")
+			param = string.gsub(param, ">","")
+			-- access flag
+			local val = cfxZones.getFlagValue(param, theZone)
+			-- use this to process as time value 
+			--trigger.action.outText("time: accessing <" .. param .. "> and received <" .. val .. ">", 30)
+			local timeString  = dcsCommon.processHMS(theZone.msgTimeFormat, val)
+			
+			if not timeString then timeString = "NULL" end 
+			-- replace pattern in original with new val 
+			outMsg = string.gsub(outMsg, pattern, timeString, 1) -- only one sub!
+		end
+	until not startLoc
+	return outMsg
+end
+
+function messenger.processDynamicLoc(inMsg, theZone)
+	-- replace all occurences of <lat/lon/ele/mgrs: flagName> with their values 
+	local locales = {"lat", "lon", "ele", "mgrs", "lle", "latlon"}
+	local outMsg = inMsg
+	for idx, aLocale in pairs(locales) do 
+		local pattern = "<" .. aLocale .. ":%s*[%s%w%*%d%.%-_]+>"
+		repeat -- iterate all patterns one by one 
+			local startLoc, endLoc = string.find(outMsg, pattern)
+			if startLoc then
+				local theValParam = string.sub(outMsg, startLoc, endLoc)
+				-- strip lead and trailer 
+				local param = string.gsub(theValParam, "<" .. aLocale .. ":%s*", "")
+				param = string.gsub(param, ">","")
+				-- find zone or unit
+				param = dcsCommon.trim(param)
+				local thePoint = nil 
+				local tZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(param)
+				local tUnit = Unit.getByName(param)
+				if tZone then 
+					thePoint = cfxZones.getPoint(tZone)
+					-- since zones always have elevation of 0, 
+					-- now get the elevation from the map 
+					thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z})
+				elseif tUnit then 
+					if Unit.isExist(tUnit) then 
+						thePoint = tUnit:getPoint()
+					end
+				else 
+					-- nothing to do, remove me.
+				end
+
+				local locString = theZone.errString
+				if thePoint then 
+					-- now that we have a point, we can do locale-specific
+					-- processing. return result in locString
+					local lat, lon, alt = coord.LOtoLL(thePoint)
+					lat, lon = dcsCommon.latLon2Text(lat, lon)
+					if theZone.imperialUnits then 
+						alt = math.floor(alt * 3.28084) -- feet 
+					else 
+						alt = math.floor(alt) -- meters 
+					end 
+					if aLocale == "lat" then locString = lat 
+					elseif aLocale == "lon" then locString = lon 
+					elseif aLocale == "ele" then locString = tostring(alt)
+					elseif aLocale == "lle" then locString = lat .. " " .. lon .. " ele " .. tostring(alt) 
+					elseif aLocale == "latlon" then locString = lat .. " " .. lon 
+					else 
+						-- we have mgrs
+						local grid = coord.LLtoMGRS(coord.LOtoLL(thePoint))
+						locString = grid.UTMZone .. ' ' .. grid.MGRSDigraph .. ' ' .. grid.Easting .. ' ' .. grid.Northing
+					end
+				end
+				-- replace pattern in original with new val 
+				outMsg = string.gsub(outMsg, pattern, locString, 1) -- only one sub!
+			end -- if startloc
+		until not startLoc
+	end -- for all locales 
+	return outMsg
+end
+
+function messenger.dynamicFlagProcessing(inMsg, theZone)
+	if not inMsg then return "No in message" end 
+	if not theZone then return "Nil zone" end 
+	
+	-- process <v: xxx> 
+	local msg = messenger.processDynamicValues(inMsg, theZone)
+	
+	-- process <t: xxx>
+	msg = messenger.processDynamicTime(msg, theZone)
+	
+	-- process lat / lon / ele / mgrs
+	msg = messenger.processDynamicLoc(msg, theZone)
+	
+	return msg 
+end
+
 function messenger.createMessengerWithZone(theZone)
 	-- start val - a range
 	
@@ -147,6 +309,7 @@ function messenger.createMessengerWithZone(theZone)
 		theZone.lastMessageOn = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.messageOnFlag, theZone)
 	end
 	
+	-- reveiver: coalition, group, unit 
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "coalition") then 
 		theZone.msgCoalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "coalition", 0)
 	end 
@@ -155,11 +318,45 @@ function messenger.createMessengerWithZone(theZone)
 		theZone.msgCoalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "msgCoalition", 0)
 	end 
 	
-	-- flag whose value can be read 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "group") then 
+		theZone.msgGroup = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "group", "<none>")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "msgGroup") then 
+		theZone.msgGroup = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "msgGroup", "<none>")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "unit") then 
+		theZone.msgUnit = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "unit", "<none>")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "msgUnit") then 
+		theZone.msgUnit = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "msgUnit", "<none>")
+	end
+	
+	if (theZone.msgGroup and theZone.msgUnit) or 
+	   (theZone.msgGroup and theZone.msgCoalition) or
+	   (theZone.msgUnit and theZone.msgCoalition)
+	then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++msg: WARNING - messenger in <" .. theZone.name .. "> has conflicting coalition, group and unit, use only one.", 30)
+	end
+	
+	-- flag whose value can be read: to be deprecated
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "messageValue?") then 
 		theZone.messageValue = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "messageValue?", "<none>") 
 	end
 	
+	-- time format for new <t: flagname>
+	theZone.msgTimeFormat = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "timeFormat", "<:h>:<:m>:<:s>")
+	
+	theZone.imperialUnits = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "imperial", false)
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "imperialUnits") then 
+		theZone.imperialUnits = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "imperialUnits", false)
+	end
+	
+	theZone.errString = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "error", "")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "messageError") then 
+		theZone.errString = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "messageError", "")
+	end
+	
 	if messenger.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++Msg: new zone <".. theZone.name .."> will say <".. theZone.message .. ">", 30)
 	end
@@ -182,12 +379,22 @@ function messenger.getMessage(theZone)
 	
 	
 	-- replace *zone and *value wildcards 
-	msg = string.gsub(msg, "*name", zName)
+	--msg = string.gsub(msg, "*name", zName)-- deprecated
-	msg = string.gsub(msg, "*value", zVal)
+	--msg = string.gsub(msg, "*value", zVal) -- deprecated
+	-- old-school <v> to provide value from messageValue
 	msg = string.gsub(msg, "<v>", zVal) 
 	local z = tonumber(zVal)
 	if not z then z = 0 end  
 	msg = dcsCommon.processHMS(msg, z)
+	
+	-- process <t> [classic format], <latlon> and <mrgs>
+	msg = messenger.dynamicProcessClassic(msg, theZone)
+	
+	-- now add new processing of <x: flagname> access
+	msg = messenger.dynamicFlagProcessing(msg, theZone)
+	
+	-- now add new processinf of <lat: flagname> 
+	-- also handles <lon:x>, <ele:x>, <mgrs:x>
 	return msg 
 end
 
@@ -212,6 +419,20 @@ function messenger.isTriggered(theZone)
 	if theZone.msgCoalition then 
 		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theZone.msgCoalition, msg, theZone.duration, theZone.clearScreen)
 		trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theZone.msgCoalition, fileName)
+	elseif theZone.msgGroup then 
+		local theGroup = Group.getByName(theZone.msgGroup)
+		if theGroup and Group.isExist(theGroup) then 
+			local ID = theGroup:getID()
+			trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, msg, theZone.duration, theZone.clearScreen)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForGroup(ID, fileName)
+		end
+	elseif theZone.msgUnit then 
+		local theUnit = Unit.getByName(theZone.msgUnit)
+		if theUnit and Unit.isExist(theUnit) then 
+			local ID = theUnit:getID()
+			trigger.action.outTextForUnit(ID, msg, theZone.duration, theZone.clearScreen)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForUnit(ID, fileName)
+		end
 	else 
 		-- out to all 
 		trigger.action.outText(msg, theZone.duration, theZone.clearScreen)
@@ -312,5 +533,10 @@ end
 
 --[[--
 Wildcard extension: 
-  messageValue supports multiple flags like 1-3, *hi ther, *bingo and then *value[name] returns that value 	
+ - general flag access <v flag name>
+ - <t: flag name>
+ - <lat: unit/zone name>
+ - <mrgs: unit/zone name>
+ 
+  
 --]]--

modules/radioMenus.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 radioMenu = {}
-radioMenu.version = "1.1.0"
+radioMenu.version = "2.0.0"
 radioMenu.verbose = false 
 radioMenu.ups = 1 
 radioMenu.requiredLibs = {
@@ -15,8 +15,18 @@ radioMenu.menus = {}
 	1.1.0 removeMenu 
 	      addMenu 
 		  menuVisible 
+	2.0.0 redesign: handles multiple receivers
+		  optional MX module 
+		  group option
+	      type option
+		  multiple group names 
+		  multiple types 
+		  gereric helo type 
+		  generic plane type 
+		  type works with coalition 
 	
 --]]--
+
 function radioMenu.addRadioMenu(theZone)
 	table.insert(radioMenu.menus, theZone)
 end
@@ -35,44 +45,192 @@ end
 --
 -- read zone 
 -- 
-function radioMenu.installMenu(theZone)
+function radioMenu.filterPlayerIDForType(theZone)
-	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+	-- note: we currently ignore coalition 
-		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenu(theZone.rootName, nil) 
+	local theIDs = {}
+	local allTypes = {}
+	if dcsCommon.containsString(theZone.menuTypes, ",") then 
+		allTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(theZone.menuTypes, ",")
 	else 
-		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootName, nil) 
+		table.insert(allTypes, theZone.menuTypes)
 	end
 	
-	local menuA = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemA", "<no A submenu>")
+	-- now iterate all types, and include any player that matches
-	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+	-- note that a player may match twice, so we use a dict instead of an 
-		theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommand(menuA, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+	-- array. Since we later iterate ID by idx, that's not an issue
+	
+	for idx, aType in pairs(allTypes) do 
+		local theType = dcsCommon.trim(aType)
+		local lowerType = string.lower(theType)
+		
+		for gName, gData in pairs(cfxMX.playerGroupByName) do 
+			-- get coalition of group 
+			local coa = cfxMX.groupCoalitionByName[gName]
+			if (theZone.coalition == 0 or theZone.coalition == coa) then 
+				-- do special types first 
+				if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(lowerType, "helo") or dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(lowerType, "heli") then 
+					-- we look for all helicoperts
+					if cfxMX.groupTypeByName[gName] == "helicopter" then 
+						theIDs[gName] = gData.groupId
+						if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+							trigger.action.outText("+++menu: Player Group <" .. gName .. "> matches gen-type helicopter", 30)
+						end
+					end
+				elseif lowerType == "plane" or lowerType == "planes" then 
+					-- we look for all planes 
+					if cfxMX.groupTypeByName[gName] == "plane" then 
+						theIDs[gName] = gData.groupId
+						if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+							trigger.action.outText("+++menu: Player Group <" .. gName .. "> matches gen-type plane", 30)
+						end
+					end
+				else
+					-- we are looking for a particular type, e.g. A-10A
+					-- since groups do not carry the type, but all player
+					-- groups are of the same type, we access the first 
+					-- unit. Note that this may later break if ED implement 
+					-- player groups of mixed type 
+					if gData.units and gData.units[1] and gData.units[1].type == theType then 
+						theIDs[gName] = gData.groupId
+						if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+							trigger.action.outText("+++menu: Player Group <" .. gName .. "> matches type <" .. theType .. ">", 30)
+						end
+					else 
+						
+					end
+				end
+			else 
+				if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++menu: type check failed coalition for <" .. gName .. ">", 30)
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return theIDs
+end
+
+function radioMenu.filterPlayerIDForGroup(theZone)
+	-- create an iterable list of groups, separated by commas 
+	-- note that we could introduce wildcards for groups later
+	local theIDs = {}
+	local allGroups = {}
+	if dcsCommon.containsString(theZone.menuGroup, ",") then 
+		allGroups = dcsCommon.splitString(theZone.menuGroup, ",")
 	else 
-		theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuA, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+		table.insert(allGroups, theZone.menuGroup)
+	end
+
+	for idx, gName in pairs(allGroups) do 
+		gName = dcsCommon.trim(gName)
+		local theGroup = cfxMX.playerGroupByName[gName]
+		if theGroup then 
+			local gID = theGroup.groupId
+			table.insert(theIDs, gID)
+			if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++menu: Player Group <" .. gName .. "> found: <" .. gID .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++menu: Player Group <" .. gName .. "> does not exist", 30)
+		end
+	end
+
+	return theIDs
+end
+
+function radioMenu.installMenu(theZone)
+--	local theGroup = 0 -- was: nil
+	local gID = nil 
+	if theZone.menuGroup then 
+		if not cfxMX then 
+			trigger.action.outText("WARNING: radioMenu's group attribute requires the 'cfxMX' module", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+		-- access cfxMX player info for group ID
+		gID = radioMenu.filterPlayerIDForGroup(theZone)
+	elseif theZone.menuTypes then 
+		if not cfxMX then 
+			trigger.action.outText("WARNING: radioMenu's type attribute requires the 'cfxMX' module", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+		-- access cxfMX player infor with type match for ID
+		gID = radioMenu.filterPlayerIDForType(theZone)
+	end
+	
+	theZone.rootMenu = {}
+	theZone.mcdA = {}
+	theZone.mcdB = {}
+	theZone.mcdC = {}
+	theZone.mcdD = {}
+	theZone.mcdA[0] = 0
+	theZone.mcdB[0] = 0
+	theZone.mcdC[0] = 0
+	theZone.mcdD[0] = 0
+		
+	if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then 
+		for idx, grp in pairs(gID) do 
+			local aRoot = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(grp, theZone.rootName, nil) 
+			theZone.rootMenu[grp] = aRoot
+			theZone.mcdA[grp] = 0
+			theZone.mcdB[grp] = 0
+			theZone.mcdC[grp] = 0
+			theZone.mcdD[grp] = 0
+		end
+	elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		theZone.rootMenu[0] = missionCommands.addSubMenu(theZone.rootName, nil) 
+	else 
+		theZone.rootMenu[0] = missionCommands.addSubMenuForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootName, nil)		
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemA") then 
+		local menuA = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemA", "<no A submenu>")
+		if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then
+			theZone.menuA = {}
+			for idx, grp in  pairs(gID) do  
+				theZone.menuA[grp] = missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(grp, menuA, theZone.rootMenu[grp], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A", grp}) 
+			end
+		elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommand(menuA, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+		else 
+			theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuA, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+		end 
 	end 
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemB") then 
 		local menuB = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemB", "<no B submenu>")
-		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then 
-			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommand(menuB, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
+			for idx, grp in  pairs(gID) do 
+				theZone.menuB[grp] = missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(grp, menuB, theZone.rootMenu[grp], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"}) 
+			end
+		elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommand(menuB, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
 		else 
-			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuB, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
+			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuB, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
 		end
 	end
 
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemC") then 
 		local menuC = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemC", "<no C submenu>")
-		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then 
-			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommand(menuC, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
+			for idx, grp in  pairs(gID) do 
+				theZone.menuC[grp] = missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(grp, menuC, theZone.rootMenu[grp], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"}) 
+			end
+		elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommand(menuC, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
 		else 
-			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuC, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
+			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuC, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
 		end
 	end
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemD") then 
 		local menuD = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemD", "<no D submenu>")
-		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then 
-			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommand(menuD, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
+			for idx, grp in  pairs(gID) do 
+				theZone.menuD[grp] = missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(grp, menuD, theZone.rootMenu[grp], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"}) 
+			end
+		elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommand(menuD, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
 		else 
-			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuD, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
+			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuD, theZone.rootMenu[0], radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
 		end
 	end
 end
@@ -81,6 +239,18 @@ function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
 	theZone.rootName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "radioMenu", "<No Name>")
 	
 	theZone.coalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "coalition", 0)
+	-- groups / types 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "group") then 
+		theZone.menuGroup = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "group", "<none>")
+		theZone.menuGroup = dcsCommon.trim(theZone.menuGroup)
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "groups") then 
+		theZone.menuGroup = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "groups", "<none>")
+		theZone.menuGroup = dcsCommon.trim(theZone.menuGroup)
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "type") then 
+		theZone.menuTypes = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "type", "none")
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "types") then
+		theZone.menuTypes = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "types", "none")
+	end	
 	
 	theZone.menuVisible = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "menuVisible", true)
 	
@@ -99,22 +269,22 @@ function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
 	
 	theZone.itemAChosen = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "A!", "*<none>")
 	theZone.cooldownA = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cooldownA", 0)
-	theZone.mcdA = 0
+	--theZone.mcdA = 0
 	theZone.busyA = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "busyA", "Please stand by (<s> seconds)")
 	
 	theZone.itemBChosen = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "B!", "*<none>")
 	theZone.cooldownB = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cooldownB", 0)
-	theZone.mcdB = 0
+	--theZone.mcdB = 0
 	theZone.busyB = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "busyB", "Please stand by (<s> seconds)")
 	
 	theZone.itemCChosen = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "C!", "*<none>")
 	theZone.cooldownC = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cooldownC", 0)
-	theZone.mcdC = 0
+	--theZone.mcdC = 0
 	theZone.busyC = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "busyC", "Please stand by (<s> seconds)")
 
 	theZone.itemDChosen = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "D!", "*<none>")
 	theZone.cooldownD = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cooldownD", 0)
-	theZone.mcdD = 0
+	--theZone.mcdD = 0
 	theZone.busyD = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "busyD", "Please stand by (<s> seconds)")
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "removeMenu?") then 
@@ -160,24 +330,43 @@ function radioMenu.redirectMenuX(args)
 	timer.scheduleFunction(radioMenu.doMenuX, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
 end
 
+function radioMenu.cdByGID(cd, theZone, gID)
+	if not gID then gID = 0 end 
+	--if not gID then return cd[0] end 
+	return cd[gID]
+end
+
+function radioMenu.setCDByGID(cd, theZone, gID, newVal)
+	if not gID then gID = 0 end
+		--theZone[cd] = newVal 
+		-- 
+	--end
+	local allCD = theZone[cd]
+	allCD[gID] = newVal
+	theZone[cd] = allCD
+end
+
 function radioMenu.doMenuX(args)
 	theZone = args[1]
 	theItemIndex = args[2] -- A, B , C .. ?
-	local cd = theZone.mcdA
+	theGroup = args[3] -- can be nil or groupID 
+	if not theGroup then theGroup = 0 end 
+	
+	local cd = radioMenu.cdByGID(theZone.mcdA, theZone, theGroup) --theZone.mcdA
 	local busy = theZone.busyA 
 	local theFlag = theZone.itemAChosen
 	
 	-- decode A..X
 	if theItemIndex == "B"then 
-		cd = theZone.mcdB
+		cd = radioMenu.cdByGID(theZone.mcdB, theZone, theGroup) -- theZone.mcdB
 		busy = theZone.busyB 
 		theFlag = theZone.itemBChosen
 	elseif theItemIndex == "C" then 
-		cd = theZone.mcdC
+		cd = radioMenu.cdByGID(theZone.mcdC, theZone, theGroup) -- theZone.mcdC
 		busy = theZone.busyC 
 		theFlag = theZone.itemCChosen
 	elseif theItemIndex == "D" then 
-		cd = theZone.mcdD
+		cd = radioMenu.cdByGID(theZone.mcdD, theZone, theGroup) -- theZone.mcdD
 		busy = theZone.busyD 
 		theFlag = theZone.itemDChosen
 	end
@@ -193,13 +382,13 @@ function radioMenu.doMenuX(args)
 	
 	-- set new cooldown -- needs own decoder A..X
 	if theItemIndex == "A" then
-		theZone.mcdA = now + theZone.cooldownA
+		radioMenu.setCDByGID("mcdA", theZone, theGroup, now + theZone.cooldownA)
 	elseif theItemIndex == "B" then
-		theZone.mcdB = now + theZone.cooldownB
+		radioMenu.setCDByGID("mcdB", theZone, theGroup, now + theZone.cooldownB)
 	elseif theItemIndex == "C" then 
-		theZone.mcdC = now + theZone.cooldownC
+		radioMenu.setCDByGID("mcdC", theZone, theGroup, now + theZone.cooldownC)
 	else 
-		theZone.mcdD = now + theZone.cooldownD
+		radioMenu.setCDByGID("mcdC", theZone, theGroup, now + theZone.cooldownC)
 	end
 	
 	cfxZones.pollFlag(theFlag, theZone.radioMethod, theZone)
@@ -208,10 +397,10 @@ function radioMenu.doMenuX(args)
 	end
 
 end
+
 --
 -- Update -- required when we can enable/disable a zone's menu
 --
-
 function radioMenu.update()
 	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
 	timer.scheduleFunction(radioMenu.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/radioMenu.ups)
@@ -221,15 +410,15 @@ function radioMenu.update()
 		if theZone.removeMenu 
 		and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.removeMenu, theZone.radioTriggerMethod, "lastRemoveMenu") 
 		and theZone.menuVisible
-		then 
+		then 			
-			if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+			if theZone.menuGroup or theZone.menuTypes then 
-				trigger.action.outText("+++menu: removing <" .. dcsCommon.menu2text(theZone.rootMenu) .. "> for <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+				for gID, aRoot in pairs(theZone.rootMenu) do 
-			end 
+					missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(gID, aRoot) 
-			
+				end
-			if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			elseif theZone.coalition == 0 then 
-				missionCommands.removeItem(theZone.rootMenu) 
+				missionCommands.removeItem(theZone.rootMenu[0]) 
 			else 
-				missionCommands.removeItemForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootMenu) 
+				missionCommands.removeItemForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootMenu[0]) 
 			end
 			
 			theZone.menuVisible = false 
@@ -304,5 +493,6 @@ if not radioMenu.start() then
 end
 
 --[[--
-	callbacks for the menus 
+	callbacks for the menus  
+	check CD/standby code for multiple groups 
 --]]--

modules/sequencer.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,440 @@
+sequencer = {}
+sequencer.version = "1.0.0"
+sequencer.verbose = false 
+sequencer.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+--[[--
+	Sequencer: pull flags in a sequence with oodles of features
+	
+	Copyright (c) 2022 by Christian Franz
+--]]--
+
+sequencer.sequencers = {}
+
+function sequencer.addSequencer(theZone)
+	if not theZone then return end 
+	table.insert(sequencer.sequencers, theZone)
+end
+
+function sequencer.getSequenceByName(aName) 
+	if not aName then return nil end 
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(sequencer.sequencers) do 
+		if aZone.name == aName then return aZone end 
+	end
+	return nil 
+end
+
+--
+-- read from ME 
+--
+
+function sequencer.createSequenceWithZone(theZone)
+	local seqRaw = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "sequence!", "none")
+	local theFlags = dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(seqRaw)
+	theZone.sequence = theFlags
+	local interRaw = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "intervals", "86400")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "interval") then 
+		interRaw = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "interval", "86400") -- = 24 * 3600 = 24 hours default interval 
+	end
+	
+	local theIntervals = dcsCommon.rangeArrayFromString(interRaw, false)
+	theZone.intervals = theIntervals
+	
+	theZone.seqIndex = 1 -- we start at one 
+	theZone.intervalIndex = 1 -- here too
+	
+	theZone.onStart = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "onStart", false)
+	theZone.zeroSequence = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "zeroSequence", true)
+	
+	theZone.seqLoop = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "loop", false)
+	
+	theZone.seqRunning = false 
+	theZone.seqComplete = false 
+	theZone.seqStarted = false 
+	
+	theZone.timeLimit = 0 -- will be set to when we expire 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "done!") then 
+		theZone.seqDone = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "done!", "<none>")
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "seqDone!") then 
+		theZone.seqDone = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "seqDone!", "<none>")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "next?") then 
+		theZone.nextSeq = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "next?", "<none>")
+		theZone.lastNextSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.nextSeq, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "startSeq?") then 
+		theZone.startSeq = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "startSeq?", "<none>")
+		theZone.lastStartSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.startSeq, theZone)
+		--trigger.action.outText("read as " .. theZone.startSeq, 30)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "stopSeq?") then 
+		theZone.stopSeq = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "stopSeq?", "<none>")
+		theZone.lastStopSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.stopSeq, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "resetSeq?") then 
+		theZone.resetSeq = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "resetSeq?", "<none>")
+		theZone.lastResetSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.resetSeq, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- methods
+	theZone.seqMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "inc")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "seqMethod") then 
+		theZone.seqMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "seqMethod", "inc")
+	end
+	
+	theZone.seqTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "triggerMethod", "change")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "seqTriggerMethod") then 
+		theZone.seqTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "seqTriggerMethod", "change")
+	end
+	
+	if (not theZone.onStart) and not (theZone.startSeq) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++seq: WARNING - sequence <" .. theZone.name .. "> cannot be started: no startSeq? and onStart is false", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function sequencer.fire(theZone)
+	-- time's up. poll flag at index
+	local theFlag = theZone.sequence[theZone.seqIndex]
+	if theFlag then 
+		cfxZones.pollFlag(theFlag, theZone.seqMethod, theZone)
+		if theZone.verbose or sequencer.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++seq: triggering flag <" .. theFlag .. "> for index <" .. theZone.seqIndex .. "> in sequence <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+		end
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++seq: ran out of sequences for <" .. theZone.name .. "> on index <" .. theZone.seqIndex .. ">", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function sequencer.advanceInterval(theZone)
+	theZone.intervalIndex = theZone.intervalIndex + 1
+	if theZone.intervalIndex > #theZone.intervals then 
+		theZone.intervalIndex = 1 -- always loops 
+	end
+end
+
+function sequencer.advanceSeq(theZone)
+	-- get the next index for the sequence
+	theZone.seqIndex = theZone.seqIndex + 1
+	
+	-- loop if over and enabled
+	if theZone.seqIndex > #theZone.sequence then 
+		if theZone.seqLoop then 
+			theZone.seqIndex = 1
+		else 
+			return false
+		end
+	end
+	-- returns true if success
+	return true
+end
+
+function sequencer.startWaitCycle(theZone)
+	if theZone.seqComplete then return end 
+	local bounds = theZone.intervals[theZone.intervalIndex]
+	local newInterval = dcsCommon.randomBetween(bounds[1], bounds[2])
+	theZone.timeLimit = timer.getTime() + newInterval
+	if theZone.verbose or sequencer.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++seq: start wait for <" .. newInterval .. "> in sequence <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function sequencer.pause(theZone)
+	if theZone.seqComplete then return end 
+	if not theZone.seqRunning then return end 
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	theZone.timeRemaining = theZone.timeLimit - now 
+	theZone.seqRunning = false 
+end
+
+function sequencer.continue(theZone)
+	if theZone.seqComplete then return end -- Frankie says: no more 
+	if theZone.seqRunning then return end -- we are already running 
+	
+	-- reset any lingering 'next' flags so they don't 
+	-- trigger a newly started sequence 
+	if theZone.nextSeq then 
+		theZone.lastNextSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.nextSeq, theZone)
+	end 
+	
+	if not theZone.seqStarted then 
+		-- this is the very first time we are running.
+		if theZone.zeroSequence then 
+			-- start with a bang 
+			sequencer.fire(theZone)
+			sequencer.advanceSeq(theZone)
+		end
+		theZone.seqRunning = true 
+		theZone.seqStarted = true 
+		sequencer.startWaitCycle(theZone)
+		return 
+	end 
+
+	-- we are continuing a paused sequencer 
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	if not theZone.timeRemaining then theZone.timeRemaining = 1 end 
+	theZone.timeLimit = now + theZone.timeRemaining
+	theZone.seqRunning = true 
+end
+
+function sequencer.reset(theZone)
+	theZone.seqComplete = false 
+	theZone.seqRunning = false 
+	theZone.seqIndex = 1 -- we start at one 
+	theZone.intervalIndex = 1 -- here too
+	theZone.seqStarted = false 
+	if theZone.onStart then 
+		theZone.continue(theZone)
+	end
+end
+
+---
+--- update 
+---
+function sequencer.update()
+	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	timer.scheduleFunction(sequencer.update, {}, now + 1)
+	
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(sequencer.sequencers) do
+		-- see if reset was pulled
+		if theZone.resetSeq and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.resetSeq, theZone.seqTriggerMethod, "lastResetSeq") then
+			sequencer.reset(theZone)
+		end
+		
+		--trigger.action.outText("have as " .. theZone.startSeq, 30)
+		-- first, check if we need to pause or continue
+		if (not theZone.seqRunning) and theZone.startSeq and
+		cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.startSeq, theZone.seqTriggerMethod, "lastStartSeq") then 
+			sequencer.continue(theZone)
+			if theZone.verbose or sequencer.verbose then
+				trigger.action.outText("+++seq: continuing sequencer <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		else 
+			-- synch the start flag so we don't immediately trigger 
+			-- when it starts
+			if theZone.startSeq then 
+				theZone.lastStartSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.startSeq, theZone)
+			end
+		end
+	
+		if theZone.seqRunning and theZone.stopSeq and
+		cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.stopSeq, theZone.seqTriggerMethod, "lastStopSeq") then 
+			sequencer.pause(theZone)
+			if theZone.verbose or sequencer.verbose then
+				trigger.action.outText("+++seq: pausing sequencer <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		else 
+			if theZone.stopSeq then 
+				theZone.lastStopSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.stopSeq, theZone)
+			end
+		end
+	
+		-- if we are running, see if we timed out 
+		if theZone.seqRunning then 
+			-- check if we have received a 'next' signal 
+			local doNext = false 
+			if theZone.nextSeq then 
+				doNext = cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.nextSeq, theZone.seqTriggerMethod, "lastNextSeq") 
+				if doNext and (sequencer.verbose or theZone.verbose) then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++seq: 'next' command received for sequencer <" .. theZone.name .. "> on <" .. theZone.nextSeq .. ">", 30)
+				end
+			end 
+			
+			-- check if we are over time limit
+			if doNext or (theZone.timeLimit < now) then 
+				-- we are timed out or triggered!
+				if theZone.nextSeq then
+					theZone.lastNextSeq = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.nextSeq, theZone)
+				end 
+				sequencer.fire(theZone)
+				sequencer.advanceInterval(theZone)
+				if sequencer.advanceSeq(theZone) then 
+					-- start next round
+					sequencer.startWaitCycle(theZone)
+				else 
+					if theZone.seqDone then 
+						cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.seqDone, theZone.seqMethod, theZone)
+						if theZone.verbose or sequencer.verbose then 
+							trigger.action.outText("+++seq: banging done! flag <" .. theZone.seqDone .. "> for sequence <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+						end
+					end
+					theZone.seqRunning = false 
+					theZone.seqComplete = true -- can't be restarted unless reset
+				end -- else no advance
+			end -- if time limit 
+		end -- if running 
+	end -- for all sequencers 
+end
+
+--
+-- start cycle: force all onStart to fire 
+--
+function sequencer.startCycle()
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(sequencer.sequencers) do
+		-- a sequence can be already running when persistence
+		-- loaded a sequencer
+		if theZone.onStart then 
+			if theZone.seqStarted then 
+				-- suppressed by persistence 
+			else 
+				if sequencer.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++seq: starting sequencer " .. theZone.name, 30)
+				end 
+				sequencer.continue(theZone)
+			end 
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- LOAD / SAVE 
+--
+function sequencer.saveData()
+	local theData = {}
+	local allSequencers = {}
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	for idx, theSeq in pairs(sequencer.sequencers) do 
+		local theName = theSeq.name 
+		local seqData = {}
+ 		seqData.seqComplete = theSeq.seqComplete
+		seqData.seqRunning = theSeq.seqRunning
+		seqData.seqIndex = theSeq.seqIndex 
+		seqData.intervalIndex = theSeq.intervalIndex 
+		seqData.seqStarted = theSeq.seqStarted
+		seqData.timeRemaining = theSeq.timeRemaining
+		if theSeq.seqRunning then 
+			seqData.timeRemaining = theSeq.timeLimit - now 
+		end
+			
+		allSequencers[theName] = seqData 
+	end
+	theData.allSequencers = allSequencers
+	return theData
+end
+
+function sequencer.loadData()
+	if not persistence then return end 
+	local theData = persistence.getSavedDataForModule("sequencer")
+	if not theData then 
+		if sequencer.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++seq Persistence: no save date received, skipping.", 30)
+		end
+		return
+	end
+	
+	local allSequencers = theData.allSequencers
+	if not allSequencers then 
+		if sequencer.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++seq Persistence: no sequencer data, skipping", 30)
+		end		
+		return
+	end
+	
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	for theName, seqData in pairs(allSequencers) do 
+		local theSeq = sequencer.getSequenceByName(theName)
+		if theSeq then 
+			theSeq.seqComplete = seqData.seqComplete
+			theSeq.seqIndex = seqData.seqIndex
+			theSeq.intervalIndex = seqData.intervalIndex
+			theSeq.seqStarted = seqData.seqStarted
+			theSeq.seqRunning = seqData.seqRunning
+			theSeq.timeRemaining = seqData.timeRemaining
+			if theSeq.seqRunning then
+				theSeq.timeLimit = now + theSeq.timeRemaining
+			end
+			
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++seq: persistence: cannot synch sequencer <" .. theName .. ">, skipping", 40)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- start module and read config 
+--
+function sequencer.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("sequencerConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("sequencerConfig")
+		if sequencer.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("***RND: NO config zone!", 30)
+		end 
+	end 
+	
+	sequencer.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	if sequencer.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***RND: read config", 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+function sequencer.start()
+	-- lib check
+	if not dcsCommon then 
+		trigger.action.outText("sequencer requires dcsCommon", 30)
+		return false 
+	end 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Sequencer", 
+		sequencer.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	sequencer.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- process RND Zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("sequence!")
+	
+	if sequencer.verbose then 
+		local a = dcsCommon.getSizeOfTable(attrZones)
+		trigger.action.outText("sequencers: " .. a, 30)
+	end 
+	
+	-- now create an rnd gen for each one and add them
+	-- to our watchlist 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		sequencer.createSequenceWithZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		sequencer.addSequencer(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+
+	
+	-- persistence
+	if persistence then 
+		-- sign up for persistence 
+		callbacks = {}
+		callbacks.persistData = sequencer.saveData
+		persistence.registerModule("sequencer", callbacks)
+		-- now load my data 
+		sequencer.loadData()
+	end
+		
+	-- schedule start cycle 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(sequencer.startCycle, {}, timer.getTime() + 0.25)
+
+	-- start update 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(sequencer.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Sequencer v" .. sequencer.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go!
+if not sequencer.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Sequencer aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	sequencer = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+	to do: 
+	- currSeq always returns current sequence number 
+	- timeLeft returns current time limit in seconds 
+--]]--