Questions tagged [radio]

Radio equipment, including antennas, receivers, two-way radio systems, and more.

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What is the meaning of (HR) (LY) (FOR) in radio phraseology?

Need help! Can’f figure out what’s the meaning of (HR) (LY) (FOR) beside some words from this document: Source.
AerospaceX's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
230 views

Can I share ACARS messages online?

ACARS messages are transmitted via radio just like normal ATC communications are. In the UK, for example, it is illegal to listen to and broadcast ATC chatter. Does the same apply to ACARS? If an ...
user38116's user avatar
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4 answers
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What format is the output from a GA aircraft microphone? WAV? MP3? or some other format

I'm trying to develop a personal weather station observation to a voice output on Unicom when pilot activated. To start, I need to know what format is in the output from a GA aircraft microphone? WAV?...
wwindus's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
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How does the emergency frequency work?

When I'm flying from my airfield, I usually am out of range of the airfield's radio within 50 miles or so, at low altitudes. How does the emergency frequency (121.50) work? Where is the location of ...
Cloud's user avatar
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4 votes
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Is it possible to use Morse code for communication?

Let's say your radio fails, but luckily you brought your keychain Morse code transmitter as a backup! Is there any way to use it? ICAO defines Q-codes for aviation use. Q-codes were initially ...
Zaz's user avatar
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EASA procedures for radio/comm failure under VFR rules

Trying to find the VFR communication failure procedure in EASA, but can't find anything clear enough, maybe someone have a link for clear instructions for that procedure? I want to figure out what ...
Meir Tolpin's user avatar
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Do other countries have the no-cell-phones-on-planes rule?

The answers to this question list mobile apps that presumably need Internet and are intended for use on small planes. I assume Cessnas and similar planes don't have satellite internet; how do these ...
Someone's user avatar
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What is the bandwidth of a 1090ES ADS-B signal?

I cannot find an official, trustworthy source on the bandwidth of the 1090 Mode S extended squitter ADS-B signal. It is not even listed in DO-260C standard. I've seen ranges from 50 kHz to 11 MHz (...
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Why is there a short tone in the ATC recording that cuts the pilot transmission using VOX?

I had an experience of listening to tower-to-pilot conversation and noticed that there was a short tone in the audio stream that suppresses the voice/audio signal and causes muting on the recording. I ...
CommSys_noob01's user avatar
19 votes
3 answers
5k views

Do pilots ever talk directly to each other over radio?

Do pilots ever talk directly to other pilots over air band radio, or only to air traffic control?
Someone's user avatar
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What licenses do I need to transmit on AirBand frequencies?

I am not a pilot, but at my company we are trying to figure out what FCC licenses we need to use to talk to our pilot when we are on the ground and they are flying. My research has led me to mixed ...
Max's user avatar
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Can fighter jets still fly with their radios being jammed?

Imagine a scenario, a squadron flies through an area and suddenly their radio is getting jammed. Even when they try to go back, it's still getting jammed. Would something bad happen if they can't ...
IseedeadpeopleNOT's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
536 views

Which radar altimeters are susceptible to 5G C-band altimeter interference?

There is apparently a great deal of consternation over the pending expansion of 5G The emergency petition claimed that interference from the C-Band "will cause irreparable harm and jeopardize ...
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What does a DME indicator do in HOLD or RNAV mode?

I found this DME indicator on the Cessna 210. Its mode switch has four positions - NAV1, NAV2, RNAV and HOLD. NAV1 and 2 are clear - it uses the NAV1 and 2 freq respectively. I'm wondering what the ...
TheEagle's user avatar
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What is the Correct Procedure to Test Portable Backup Airband Radio (US)?

I recently obtained a portable air band radio for use as a backup radio in flight. As this is a backup, it isn't much use without being tested. I'm trying to determine the proper way to test the ...
AJ Henderson's user avatar
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5 answers
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Does ATC hear the same poor audio I hear on LiveATC?

When listening to air traffic control (ATC) communications on something like LiveATC there is a lot of feedback/static that often makes it difficult to hear. Do controllers hear the same feedback and ...
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Portable radio for cockpit communication [closed]

I am a private pilot based at Van Nuys airport in Los Angeles. Recently due to traffic congestion we have to hold short for extended periods of time, 20-25 minutes. I thought to get a portable radio ...
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What can cause my radio to transmit nothing but a terrible noise?

I have replaced the noise filter and checked the jacks. It does not matter what headset or jacks are used. I replaced the audio panel and had the radio serviced. When I transmit all I hear is a low ...
Jeff Leard's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
599 views

Question about congestion of the 1090MHz frequency

I'm no expert so there's likely to be a lot of mistakes in this post. ADS-B - Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast, (out) transmits (in) receives position data from/to other aircraft and to ...
Rory McDonald's user avatar
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2 answers
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Why does a phone's flight mode also disable FM radio? [closed]

I had two phones being capable of listening to VHF FM radio (in Germany about 90 to 104 MHz). However when turning on flight mode, the radio receiver is also disabled, and I wonder why: Listening to ...
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Which FCC license do I need to operate an aviation radio on the ground?

I'm in the process of buying a handheld radio as a backup for when I go flying. According to the owner's manual, I'd need a ground station license to operate it when I'm not actually in an airplane, ...
HiddenWindshield's user avatar
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Volume differences between intercom and outside communications [duplicate]

While flying I can hear my instructor in my headset talking no problem, but when they (and me) are speaking with ground/tower the volume in my headset is much lower. Is there anyway to increase the ...
Alfie's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
412 views

Do aircraft carry commercial VHF radios?

Years ago, I was working in the bush and we used portable radios on something like 154MHz. When it came time for pickup, we were able to talk to the helicopter pilot on that frequency. Since it's ...
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Where can I listen online to live VOLMET broadcasts?

Are there sites that stream live VOLMET broadcasts? I need to listen to the format but haven't have the time to put together an amateur radio.
Nederealm's user avatar
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Just how inaccurate are (Las Vegas) VOR radials?

I was discussing VOR-based navigation with a pilot, and he mentioned that VOR doesn't provide a very high level of integrity and safety (at least, compared to GPS or DME). He explained that the FAA ...
Cody P's user avatar
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What are some alternate methods of communication with aircraft (specifically small drones)?

I've been thinking about his alot but I've yet to find an answer. Most of the time drones use radio, wi-fi, GPS and Bluetooth signals to communicate with their controllers but all of these methods ...
Cryptic's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
5k views

Can I listen to control tower frequencies on a ham radio legally [duplicate]

Is there a frequency I can tune into to listen to airport I’m in Durham by RDU AIRPORT and would like to listen in on a ham radio only legally
Luis justiniano's user avatar
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Are lhe old King KX170B Nav/Com radios monaural?

If so, does this mean I need to use an adaptor to play the output on stereo headphones? My Stereo-Mono switch does not produce a two-ear audio. Would this be solved with a converter? Would be nice ...
David's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
680 views

How feasible digital radio communications would be? [closed]

Its been over 100 years since we first flew and we still use analog radio with parasites and "radio effect" which changes your sound. Why don't we ditch the old system and make a mandate a new law ...
Delta Oscar Uniform's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
408 views

Can ADS-B used for voice communications?

Everyone knows the radio communications doesnt sound great altough they work perfectly. But can the brand new ADS-B communications be used for carrying audio signal? Would it be clearer? The ADS-B ...
Delta Oscar Uniform's user avatar
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915 views

Instructor can't talk when H10-13.4 is plugged in

I'm a student pilot and I just bought my first own headset because the standard one in the plane does not really fit me. I got a david clark h10-13.4. My instructor uses either his private Bose A20 ...
Florian's user avatar
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0 answers
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What are the procedures for radio malfunction [duplicate]

I was reading this question Do airline pilots ever risk not hearing communication directed to them specifically, from traffic controllers? and there is a answer mentioning radio malfunction If it's ...
Kyslik's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Do left and right mic buttons control both headset microphones?

The aircraft I was flying today has a push to talk integrated button on each control yoke. I was sitting in the right seat, but my headset was plugged into the jacks on the left side of the cockpit. ...
Lee's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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How unusual were MH370's final ATC exchanges?

There are 2 noteworthy occurrences in the ATC radio transcript within just minutes of a 3rd noteworthy, quite unprecedented occurrence in aviation history: At 01:07:55 MH370 unnecessarily reported ...
summerrain's user avatar
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1 answer
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ground staff radio controll [closed]

Hoping someone can help me in understand who is who when using a aviation radio. eg: "Delta Delta, Tac" I understand some of them but am still quite unsure as to who is a sierra, whiskey, alpha etc. ...
meow cats's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

What types of antennas are used in a Piper Seneca PA34-200?

What types of antenna are used in the Piper Seneca PA34-200 and where are they are located? The manual is not giving the specific answer to the question. Also, what is the frequency range of the ...
Divishekh's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Should I monitor the emergency frequency (121.5 Mhz) at all times?

When flying on a plane with two or more radios, should I set the second radio to 121.5 at all times? (Assume I'm not using it to listen on other frequencies) I've heard that sometimes when an ...
kevin's user avatar
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2 votes
4 answers
1k views

What to look for when purchasing a headset

I'm currently a student pilot, and I'm starting at an aviation university this fall to major in commercial aviation. Needless to say, I will be flying a lot. I'm looking to upgrade to a nice headset ...
Logs's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

What requirements do A&Ps (AMT) have to work on avionics?

Is there any additional requirement for A&Ps to work on avionics or is that even a totally different license? I just wonder why only a few A&Ps I met, also do avionics.
David's user avatar
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1 answer
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Why does "airplane mode" turn off Bluetooth and WLAN if I can just turn them on again? [closed]

On my (Android) phone, enabling airplane mode automatically disables all wireless antennas except for GPS and NFC (I assume the latter is either passive or way too low power for anyone to care about). ...
Kevin's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Carrier frequency and transmit power of a commercial aircraft

I have a few questions on the radio comms. aspects of commercial aircrafts. At what (central) frequency does an aircraft communicate with a control tower? Is the communication over one frequency only?...
Teodorism's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the name or part number of the Bose 'Lemo' aviation headset connector?

In a similar direction to this question, I was wondering if anyone knows the name or part number of the connector commonly featured on Bose aviation headsets such as the A20. It is commonly know as ...
initramfs's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
916 views

What is that wire on the picture? [duplicate]

I thought it was HF antenna the What is the purpose of that? What kind of nav aid use HF frequency?
Arian's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
3k views

How strong would a servo motor need to be to power the control surfaces of a fixed wing ultralight aircraft?

I'm looking to build an ultralight aircraft. The video above shows a good example of how one is controlled with wires or with metal fulcrums/levers, but I am ...
TrapAlcubierreDrive's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
398 views

Did the Westland Lysander have a helmet/face mask for radio communication during WW2?

I have a character in some war-time fiction I'm writing 'acquiring' an aircraft (a Westland Lysander). Just need to know: was there a helmet/face mask for radio communication for these aircraft? And,...
Grateful_Jim's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
760 views

What are the ways to perform air traffic control on long distance flights? [closed]

I have a few questions on air traffic control. From my understanding, there are three major ways of sending control messages to an aircraft: 1) Direct radio link from control as long as the aircraft ...
Teodorism's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
11k views

How many antennae are there on a typical small aircraft, and how are they connected to the avionics?

As far as i know there are a bunch of antennas on board of a small (EASA CS-23) plane: GPS is for GPS navigation in MHz VHFVOR is for NAV and Glideslope/Localizer ADF is for ADF DME is for DME ...
MightyMirko's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there a radio frequency that is sure to be quiet?

When flying in beautiful VFR weather, I often search for a quiet frequency so I don't listen to a lot of chatter. Guard (121.5) sometimes works, but sometimes has "Guard"-ians on it. ("Yer on gaaard")...
abelenky's user avatar
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11 votes
4 answers
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Can normal PC headsets replace 'aviation' headsets?

Aviation headsets have noise reduction and a larger jack (1/4") than most PC headset counterparts (1/8"). But there are many excellent quality PC headsets with sound-proofing materials which ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is there an ATC radio backup?

I was thinking, what would happen if the radio systems for an ATC tower fail due to power loss or faulty systems? Is there any kind of backup radio that would be used to contact the planes and/or ...
Mark's user avatar
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