1) anyone know the syntax to bind a command like "activate charge" to a key ...
Easy! Just open your autoexec.cfg and add:
Code:
bind r "voicemenu 1 6"
2) tried to bind sm_admin to "-" in autoexec.cfg (had to create it) - but no luck - can someone confirm the location this bind is supposed to be in
autoexec.cfg is where I would suggest you to put your bind. It does seem strange that it's not functioning correctly... Displaying the contents of your autoexec.cfg would make it easier for me/us to help you.
3) anyone know the syntax for changing respawn times ...
It looks like
this mod is what you are looking for.