Questions tagged [radio]
Radio equipment, including antennas, receivers, two-way radio systems, and more.
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2answers
423 views
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 ...
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1answer
70 views
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. ...
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1answer
184 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 ...
2
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1answer
342 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 ...
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3answers
256 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 ...
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2answers
63 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.
2
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1answer
195 views
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). ...
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2answers
173 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?...
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2answers
390 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 ...
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0answers
141 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?
3
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2answers
778 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 ...
5
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1answer
304 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,...
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1answer
389 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 ...
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3answers
3k 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
...
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4answers
624 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")...
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4answers
2k views
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 eliminate ...
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2answers
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 ...
6
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3answers
929 views
Why is radio communication still used?
Why is radio still the method of communication from the ground to air? If i'm not mistaken, cellular services should be much better in quality and reliability
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1answer
47 views
Which authority is responsible for RT licensing in the Netherlands?
Which authority does issue the separate RT license for pilots in the Netherlands?
I had a conversation with Netherlands CAA and they could not help me.
6
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2answers
364 views
What will be in 'radiotelephony privileges' part of EASA PPL without practical RT examination?
My question is addressed to pilots who recently obtained PPL in Europe (preferably in Czech Republic, but not so important).
As I understand, EASA itself does not require separate radiotelephony ...
3
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0answers
104 views
Is it normal for airport to transmit unmodulated carrier on its ATIS frequency for extended periods of time?
So I'm around 4 km away from the City-Airport Mannheim (EDFM/MHG). Various websites tell me that its ATIS frequency is 136.550 MHz.
When I tune to 136.550 with my VHF AM receiver, I can see a strong ...
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1answer
694 views
Is there anything better than LiveATC to get accustomed with RT phraseology?
I would like to "train my ear" for RT communications and I tried to listen to approach of Dublin's Airport. I simply can't understand more than 50% words because of loud background whistle and poor (...
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1answer
5k views
What is the night effect?
I read the night effect takes place in radio navigation, especially VOR and NDB. My questions are:
What is its nature?
Why does it occur?
What are the consequences of it?
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5answers
1k views
Is there a solution to radio interference?
I was reading about the Tenerife Disaster and came across what seemed to be the probable cause behind the accident.
A simultaneous radio call from the Pan Am crew caused mutual interference on the ...
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1answer
2k views
Do transoceanic airliners monitor marine VHF emergency frequencies?
I know that modern jetliners often have a multitude of radio equipment on board, including VHF, HF, satellite, etc.
From what I've read (such as here), it's customary for jetliners to monitor 121.5 ...
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2answers
2k views
How to check if (small) aircraft's radio is working properly?
Is there a standard way to test/check aircraft's radio without calling anybody (Ground/Tower) to see if it is receiving and transmitting?
Is there a way to check aircraft radio with your own ...
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1answer
3k views
What's the meaning of underlined frequency in sectional chart nav aid box?
There is a statement to describe the underlined frequency in legend, it says:
Underline indicates no voice on this frequency.
What does this mean? We still need to ident the Morse code, doesn't it?...
6
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1answer
621 views
What do the radiation patterns of ADS-B transmissions on large airliners tend to look like?
In the recent article Flightradar24 gears up for a new wave of flight tracking I've read about FR24's experimental Wave Glider ADS-B receiver - essentially a self-propelled, solar power buoy as a ...
6
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2answers
886 views
What was the range of a low-frequency radio range station?
The low-frequency radio range is a historic navigation aid that was in use from the 20's to the 70's.
I find it quite interesting. Using AM frequencies, what was the range of a high power LFR station?...
3
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1answer
176 views
Do new VHF radios need to be flight tested?
I'm in the process of upgrading all our VHF radios and the local regulator has asked us to follow the guidance/recommendations from ICAO, as we have more or less cancelled many of our local rules. The ...
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2answers
206 views
How to avoid talking over others when using different send/receive frequencies?
Related to this question about flight services: when I talk to FSS over the generic or the local receive-only frequency while listening to the VOR voice channel, how do I avoid talking over others on ...
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2answers
587 views
How can I find the location and coverage of aviation VHF transmitters?
In the USA, is there a way to find locations of VHF transmitters that are used for air traffic communication, and the frequencies they transmit/receive on? There are some places (Northern Bay Area, CA)...
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1answer
517 views
What is the expected range of handheld radio?
For a handheld VHF radio carried as an emergency backup, how should I expect the effective radius of a handheld radio to compare with on-board radios in two-way communications? I figure reception ...
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1answer
484 views
Why do some airport towers avoid monitoring 121.5?
In the USA airport facilities directory (AFD), some towers (eg KSJC) are listed with the note:
Emerg frequency 121.5 not avbl at tower.
Why do these facilities not monitor guard? Does the note ...
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1answer
625 views
Can I use my aviation handheld transceiver on MURS?
Is there a regulation or rule about using handheld aviation transceivers e.g. Icom A-24 for ground to ground communication on MURS frequencies?
Can I just use Icom A-24 for ground to ground? or do I ...
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2answers
1k views
Is it legal to use handheld radios to listen to airport frequencies in Australia?
I am a student pilot at ABX (YMAY) in Australia. It is a single engine aerodrome with three frequencies:
123.25;
125.80; and
the ATIS frequency
I live very close to the airport, directly under the ...
26
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5answers
10k views
Why is the quality of radio communication bad?
Why don't modern planes and ATC centers have good-quality audio for communication? For example in this video:
Or basically any other example of pilot communication(...
10
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3answers
943 views
Why don't transponders have active and stand-by value like radios?
This answer explains how pilots when switching code on transponder should either carefully avoid temporarily squawking one of the emergency codes, or should temporarily put the transponder in stand-by....
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1answer
281 views
Can aviation HF radios receive while transmitting?
I was listening to Gander Radio on HF at 5616 kHz today and I've noticed that operator at Gander would often start transmitting reply before the airplane finished transmission, as if trying to ...
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1answer
1k views
Does radar altimeter work over the ocean?
I'm wondering if radio waves are reflected by the sea. If so then the usual radar altimeter would work. If not, then is there any other fallback besides barometric altimeter?
According to the wiki ...
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2answers
732 views
As a passenger, can I use my handheld radio in commercial flights?
During flight from one country to another, can I use my hand held radio during flight to listen to ATC?
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2answers
4k views
How does the PTT button on the radio work?
I've always seen a button either built into the yoke or attached to the yoke with velcro on older aircraft. However, the other day my instructor used an older-looking headset that had a push to talk ...
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4answers
1k views
How do pilot and copilot operate and coordinate the radio?
How do the pilot and copilot of a large commercial jet operate the radio when talking to ATC? Is there a push-to-talk button, or some voice-triggered mechanism?
Also, how do they coordinate it? How ...
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2answers
7k views
OBI, RMI, HSI… What combination do GA aircraft w/o glass typically have?
I'm learning about radionavigation, and all the various analog displays that can be used:
Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) - Provides basic bearing information to practically any radio source the ...
4
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3answers
900 views
Exactly what kind of radios are prohibited for passengers inside an aircraft?
I know that passengers are asked to put their cell phones on flight mode. But some carriers allow use of WLAN on-board. So, what radios should passengers refrain from using?
Also, if a person uses a ...
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2answers
2k views
What radio frequency bands are associated with the long wire antennas, why do some aircraft have them and others don't?
On many older aircraft, and in vintage aircraft photos, you can often see long wire antennas strung from some point on the top of the fuselage to the top front of the vertical fin. On newer aircraft, ...
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2answers
113 views
Do regulations permit an airliner be equipped with a radio transmitter which cannot be controlled by the crew? [duplicate]
In response to the case of MH370, an idea which has been floated is that of a device to transmit an aircraft's GPS position. Not specified is whether such a device would be operable by the flight crew....
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3answers
1k views
How would ATC try to establish contact with a VFR craft?
Example: I'm in a 172 tailed N1234A, on a pleasure hop between Hicks Field and Addison, circling around DFW International to the north, flying at 1500ft within DFW's Mode C veil under VFR (so I'm ...
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5answers
2k views
Can VOR indication be reliable if one of its antennas breaks?
What will be the reliability of the VOR indication inside the cockpit if one of the two outside antenna is broken ?
Can we trust it to make a VOR approach?
What will be the consequences assuming ...
8
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2answers
906 views
What is transmitting this radio signal @~110.515MHz and for what purpose?
I was scanning the local aviation radio frequencies, and came across an odd signal (listen to a recording here).
It's at around 110.515MHz, and it seems strong within a 30 mile radius of Shropshire, ...
