Binding F keys in DCS?

[planecrazy242]

Just got a VKB Gladiator, really like it in the first few hours.
My question is how do I bind the F keys to DCS?
I don't see them as recognized when binding keys. All the hats and buttons on the HOTAS work, just not the 3 F keys
Am I missing something?
Thanks

[fallout9]

Have you modified the joystick's default profile or loaded a custom profile?

[planecrazy242]

running the default profile I guess, since I haven't changed anything except the analog hat to digital hat

which leads to my second question, how do I get the digital hat (a1) to be recognized as 5 buttons?
Right now it is only one button (center push) and the 4 way movement is still showing up as POV settings
I want to make it a 5 button hat

BTW, thanks for the quick response, I really do like how modular this thing is and it feels great so far (now with about 4 hours of time on it)

[fallout9]

Let's start from begining: open VKBDevCfg, navigate to Tools tab and press the big square Default button. After the joystick restarts navigate to Test tab, then Axes tab and press the Start Calibr button. Move your joystick along the pitch and roll axes, twist it back and forth, push the mini-throttle up and down, press on the center button of the ministick (A1) - when the small LED on the head of the grip comes red it means the ministick is in axes mode: move it in all directions. When you're done with all this press the End Calibr button, the joystick will restart and you're ready to bind it in game.
Try to bind the F1, F2 and F3 buttons in game as digital input (buttons). Bind the ministick in buttons mode (red LED off) to digital input also. Bind the ministick in axes mode to analog (axes). To swap from buttons mode to axes mode it takes a press on the center button.

[planecrazy242]

Damn I think I got it !!
Not 100% sure, but seems like I've made progress on the ministick and the F buttons,
Thanks so much for the help
What a great stick and great help for a newbie.
Thanks again

[fallout9]

No worries, anytime!