TACCOM v2 Brings Clear Radio Style Comms to Multiplayer Games

Multiplayer games can get very noisy when many players are talking at the same time. BlueUplink has come up with a simple and interesting solution. The company is now shipping the TACCOM v2, a real handheld radio designed to work with voice communication inside multiplayer games.

The TACCOM v2 is mainly aimed at flight simulators, space games, and military simulation titles. Instead of joining a normal voice chat, players can tune the radio to different in game frequencies and talk with others on the same channel.

A real radio for game communication

The idea behind TACCOM v2 is easy to understand. Players can select a public frequency and hear other players using that same channel. There is no need to invite people to a voice group first.

The system is also designed to keep busy channels easier to follow. TACCOM uses a message queue system that plays incoming transmissions one after another instead of allowing several voices to talk over each other. This could be especially useful for large multiplayer groups.

The radio connects to the internet over Wi-Fi using an Espressif ESP32 based custom board. It does not need special PC software, an overlay, or another program running in the background.

Built like a real handheld radio

TACCOM v2 has an OLED display that shows information such as the operator’s callsign, current channel, and the last person who spoke. It also uses physical controls, including metal buttons, a rotary tuning dial, and a volume control.

The Wireless version has a rechargeable battery and can monitor up to four channels at the same time. Each channel can have its own volume setting. It also includes a button that can broadcast to all monitored channels at once.

BlueUplink has also added small details to make the experience feel more like using a traditional radio, including radio style sounds and a roger beep.

The system is designed around callsigns rather than personal information, giving players another layer of privacy while communicating.

TACCOM v2 – Two versions and plenty of customization

TACCOM v2 is available in two versions. The Wired model costs $99, while the Wireless version is priced at $199. The first customer units are now being shipped.

BlueUplink also says the radio is designed to be repaired instead of simply replaced. Buyers can choose from seven shell colors and ten faceplate colors. Custom text, logos, and patterns can also be engraved on the front panel.

For players who spend a lot of time in large flight, space, or milsim communities, TACCOM v2 offers a more physical and organized way to handle in game voice communication. It turns something normally done through a PC headset into an experience that feels much closer to using an actual radio.