What am I listening to?

AlmostHandy · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 11:44 PM

I mean, I know that it's radio traffic from SeaTac, because that's what AirNav told me, but..

...Well, all I'm hearing is Miss Offmore, talking really fast.

I built a simple ground plane antenna tuned to 120Mhz and there really isn't any static, per se, it's just really difficult to comprehend anything.

I thought that by listening for a while, I would start to pick up what they were talking about. I mean, it took me over a month of listening + Google to really understand the Police and Fire channels. But that really isn't the case here. I listen and I listen, and I can't even distinguish words. Sometimes, I'll hear them say a bunch of letters and numbers, and then say "Right" or "Left". I think I've heard them say "United", and "Northwest" a couple of times, but it's like they're talking through a pair of Kazoos glued together end to end, with a dead mouse inside one of them.

So, my question to you fine folks is, where should I start to figure this stuff out? There must be some websites, but unlike the public safety research, I don't actually have anything I can search for. With the Cops, I can at least tell that it's English, even though the message might be cryptic, but I'm at a loss on how to Google "WAHH WAHH United WAHH WAHH WAHH One Five WAHH Niner WAHH WAHH Left..", and they talk REALLY FREAKING FAST. What's with that?

Could it be my scanner?

Do you have a favorite resource?

How did you figure this stuff out when you first started?

Do I need to go make friends with some Pilots?

immelmen · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostHandy

and they talk REALLY FREAKING FAST. What's with that?

Because at jet speeds, the seconds really do matter. The long winded radio calls that are tolerated at general aviation airports are fine for the props doing 75 knots on final, but when your trying to slow down a quarter-million pound jet and run the procedures required to get configured for the visual into New York or Chicago, seconds count! Couple that with the controller trying to keep everyone from swapping paint at those speeds and there is literally no time for BS on the radio. Listen to O'Hare approach during a bank to see what I mean...that mindset/habit then carries over onto the rest of the flight even into less demanding airspace.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostHandy

Do I need to go make friends with some Pilots?

Yes, That would be a help. Have one listen with you and translate. That would be your best resource.

AlmostHandy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelmen

Because at jet speeds, the seconds really do matter. The long winded radio calls that are tolerated at general aviation airports are fine for the props doing 75 knots on final, but when your trying to slow down a quarter-million pound jet and run the procedures required to get configured for the visual into New York or Chicago, seconds count! Couple that with the controller trying to keep everyone from swapping paint at those speeds and there is literally no time for BS on the radio. Listen to O'Hare approach during a bank to see what I mean...that mindset/habit then carries over onto the rest of the flight even into less demanding airspace.

Ahh that makes perfect sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelmen

Yes, That would be a help. Have one listen with you and translate. That would be your best resource.

I'll have to do that. Thank you!

rvictor · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 08:32 PM

Another possibility would be to record what you are hearing. You can then play it back a number of times and/or at a slower speed to get the hang of what's being said. I have a feeling that it's like learning many other skills--start slow and work your way up to full speed.

You might also want to try listening through headphones for awhile. You may find that shutting out extraneous sounds will help with the understanding.

Dick

trace1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 08:04 AM

Maybe this will help a little...

Aviation Dictionary

ianduke · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 08:45 AM

Become really familiar with your local airport. Download the charts from Airnav and see if you can "follow along" with an approach. Try to pick out waypoints on the approach chart that you're hearing.

Listen to the ATIS frequency to find out which runway is in use, and take it from there. Every runway has something called an "Outer Marker" and also an "Initial Fix" that Approach controllers will refer to quite often. Every "fix" is 5-letters, sometimes they don't all form words. You'll also hear NDBs, VORs, Jet airways, Victor airways, and all other fun stuff.

Infact I think making friends with a pilot actually isn't a bad idea

AlmostHandy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 02:46 PM

Nice! Great ideas!!

I like the idea of recording, and listening at different playback speeds. That, with that awesome dictionary should really go a long way.

I had a bit of an epiphany after reading immelmen's post.

Quote:

..long winded radio calls that are tolerated at general aviation airports are fine for the props doing 75 knots on final...

So now I listed to the props from Renton Municipal, instead of the jets from SeaTac.

ROFL. I went and looked at some of those AirNav charts...and...wow.
(Insert Jackson Pollack Joke Here)

1150RT-P · #8 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:46 PM

For what its worth, there is also radio "trainer" software for private pilots to brush up on their skills. Might help if you really get into it.

immelmen · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1150RT-P

For what its worth, there is also radio "trainer" software for private pilots to brush up on their skills. Might help if you really get into it.

Seriously!? Now that is funny.

1150RT-P · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelmen

Seriously!? Now that is funny.

Comm1 Radio Simulators

rmiller818 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 12:06 PM

I think your best bet is to refer to the Pilot Controller glossary in the AIM. It has the correct phraseology to be used by both pilots and controllers, that can help you some.

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraff.../media/pcg.pdf

I have been asked by non-pilots how I can understand all that, honestly I got used to it from listening to transmissions on my scanner. Once you start flying you come to expect what is next and its not that hard.

Your reception may not be the best where you are which could contribute to the difficulty. Give a read through of the glossary and that may help you pick out what is being said. Also knowing who exactly your listening to can help, you said it was Seattle but was it Tower, Ground, an approach or departure? Each of those would be giving different instructions.

NW0U · #12 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 12:31 PM

You're listening to a foreign language that has some similarities to English.

I think the best bet really is to befriend a pilot who will patiently explain it using the charts and the instrument approach plates.

There's a lot of meaning in the few words being transmitted and airspace can be quite complex.

immelmen · #13 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1150RT-P

Comm1 Radio Simulators

WOW, a lot has changed since the days when I had to learn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller818

I think your best bet is to refer to the Pilot Controller glossary in the AIM. It has the correct phraseology to be used by both pilots and controllers....

when using the FAR/AIM for this purpose, keep in mind, while controllers almost always use correct phraseology, pilots almost never do...especially airline crews which tend to be the most non-standard on the radio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW0U

You're listening to a foreign language that has some similarities to English.

I think the best bet really is to befriend a pilot who will patiently explain it using the charts and the instrument approach plates.

There's a lot of meaning in the few words being transmitted and airspace can be quite complex.

Bingo.

rmiller818 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelmen

when using the FAR/AIM for this purpose, keep in mind, while controllers almost always use correct phraseology, pilots almost never do...especially airline crews which tend to be the most non-standard on the radio.

Yep, that's why I say, "The correct phraseology to be used"

I think I am in the minority of Pilots that tries to use the correct phraseology at all times, but whatever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW0U

You're listening to a foreign language that has some similarities to English.

I think the best bet really is to befriend a pilot who will patiently explain it using the charts and the instrument approach plates.

There's a lot of meaning in the few words being transmitted and airspace can be quite complex.

haha, that's a good way to put it!

immelmen · #15 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller818

Yep, that's why I say, "The correct phraseology to be used"

Sorry, I was directing my comment to the OP as a heads up what he hears from the crews he most likely wont find in the book...should have made that more clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller818

I think I am in the minority of Pilots that tries to use the correct phraseology at all times, but whatever.

But, since you brought it up.....If your in the airline industry, be aware this is one of the things that will earn you the title of "THAT guy". By the end of a four-day the guy next to ya is going to want to take a dump in your flight kit....and for the love of God, don't say "tree" or "fife" on the radio....its nails on a chalkboard.

rmiller818 · #16 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelmen

Sorry, I was directing my comment to the OP as a heads up what he hears from the crews he most likely wont find in the book...should have made that more clear.

But, since you brought it up.....If your in the airline industry, be aware this is one of the things that will earn you the title of "THAT guy". By the end of a four-day the guy next to ya is going to want to take a dump in your flight kit....and for the love of God, don't say "tree" or "fife" on the radio....its nails on a chalkboard.

No need to apologize.

And no, I am not "THAT guy" I don't say tree or fife. Heck, I hardly use niner. I try to be correct and succinct otherwise, some of the slang I have heard just makes you go hmmmmm.

hertzian · #17 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 11:36 PM

Quite a few years ago I think I remember seeing aircraft monitoring articles from PopComm magazine entitled something like "Plane Sense" or something like that. Wonder if they still have back-issues?

I wasn't into aircraft monitoring then, so I wish I had kept those articles now...

datainmotion · #18 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostHandy

but it's like they're talking through a pair of Kazoos glued together end to end, with a dead mouse inside one of them.

Are you sure the scanner is in AM mode?

AlmostHandy · #19 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 03:03 AM

Yup, AM mode indeed.

I like the radio trainer. That's a cool idea.

You're right when you say it's a foreign language. It's fun to learn though. I've been looking through that FAA glossary, and that's a really cool reference.

NW0U · #20 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller818

No need to apologize.

And no, I am not "THAT guy" I don't say tree or fife. Heck, I hardly use niner. I try to be correct and succinct otherwise, some of the slang I have heard just makes you go hmmmmm.

But do you call TCAS your "fish finder?"

Now that's funny right there.
(But you have to be a pilot to get it.)