Work Around for the FBWA320 TELEX NOT ENABLED Warning

This is an updated posting that includes some important information left out of my first effort of only a few days ago. Chiefly that of the need to recognize the lag time that it takes for the FBW Moving Map server to respond to your request for enabling the very unique free text function.

Having problems getting the fun FBW FMC free text function to work? Are you getting the dreaded TELEX NOT ENABLED message despite trying and trying? FBW did issue the following video, which starts to clue you in, but not entirely. It does not caution you that there is a lot of lag time between your enabling the function and the FBW moving map feature working. So first, here is the video: 

The video is a very nice touch, but does not explain what happens when you try and text after you supposedly have just enabled the feature only to get the dreaded TELEX NOT ENABLED (TNE) message again and again and again despite best and repeated efforts. So the video gets you started and then helps no further.

I finally have figured out at least for myself how to stop the dreaded TNE message utilizing the information presented to you on the FBW moving map in your browser. First, check that your ability to free text is functioning or not by simply placing any message in the free text screen and pressing send. You will either send the text and not get the error message or more likely you will see: “TELEX NOT ENABLED.” If you do not get the message stop right there, you need read no further. OR read on.

If you get the TNE error message then you will have to try my procedure or develop one for yourself. My solution was to observe that along with the TNE message that the moving map info panel did NOT show my simbrief departure and destination airport ICAO codes. To my knowledge by the way, free text functioning is only available to simbrief users. In any case it seems that displaying the ICAO codes from your simbrief flight goes hand in hand with proper in-flight free texting. 

This being the case, next you must confirm to disable the function without your FMC options for AOC free text functioning. Next, you MUST observe that your blue plane icon disappears from the moving map entirely. Very importantly, now you must be patient. Apparently, when you send the disable message to the FBW moving map server, there is very significant lag time. Or there is on my system and internet connection with the FMW moving map server. My lag time is consistently almost 6 minutes. Your lag time may vary from more or less than 6 minutes. 

Once your plane icon finally disappears, then and only then do you go to AOC options and then ENABLE the free text function anew. Once you do that, your blue plane icon will appear actually in a short amount of time and finally will correctly show your simbrief departure and destination ICAO codes signaling to you that your free text function is now truly active. Then you are set. Test your free text feature by sending some characters and that you do not get the dreaded TNE message. I hope this postings help some of you to get this very unique feature of the FBW online free text system to work properly.

United001

Edited April 27, 20215 yr by united001