Airline Company Freq's & Map Questions

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Am interested in aero monitoring, commercial and Mil, and have been trying to locate some reasonable up to day commercial airline frequencies that I might be able to pick up in the Boston area. Anyone know of where there might be an up to date list, or possibly supply some ? I guess they all use ARINC these days; true ?

It was suggested that I look at: http://www.arinc.com/downloads/flight_check_map.pdf

Interesting map, but I guess I really don't understand it. These are supposed to be ARINC company frequesncies. Are these airline company frequencies via ARINC that are shown ?

Was wondering if anyone might be able to explain the terminology on the map for me ?
e.g.

What is Maritime Net ?

What are the +4, -4, 0 numbers mean after the JFK and LGA freq's of 129.45 etc ?

What is "JW/129 N" mean around Boston.

What are the colored lines, or routes, signifying ?

Much thanks,
Bob

[markinillinois]

I allocate one scanner just to monitor the 126 airline operational and FBO frequencies in the 128.85-132.0 range. I've got all of the frequencies programmed in and scan them all on a daily basis. Living directly between the three busiest airports on Earth (Atlanta, Chicago & Dallas), I've heard something on almost 90% of the frequencies.

Regardless of whether folks monitor aircraft comms or not, a little bit of everything can be heard on these frequencies over the course of a week. Since most comms are generally at high altitude, signals are good and fancy equipment isn't required to do it.

Mark Holmes
Marion, IL

[wrr20891]

I've never seen a list of those frequencies, just found some hit or miss. Can you provide a link to them, Mark?
Or is it simply all the valid frequencies in that range? (Have to take my shoes off to count that high).
Thanks.

[Jose_Pointero]

I'm curious about this as well.

What I've been trying to find is just a list of frequencies that airline companies use nation/worldwide. I already have quite a few such as Northwest, AA, and some others that I have programed and I hear interesting stuff on them from time to time.

The problem I've had when searching for them is that every site that lists them implies that they are only used at such-and-such airport. But I've put a few of those in and hear traffic on some of them, so they're wrong about those few at least.

Is there a comprehensive list of "airline company" frequencies that their pilots use all over? And all of the other common air-to-air air-to-ground pilot chat freqs would be handy as well.

[captaincraig44]

Airlines are required to be able to contact any of their flights at any time while they are operating on their typical routes. To accomplish this, airlines will contract out to AIRINC or other service providers that have a nationwide radio network. With Delta/Comair, we use "Atlanta Radio", which to my understanding is Delta's own radio network. In the aircraft we have US maps that show the coverage for each frequency. There is one frequency assigned for a given geographical area, which covers many states. Two of the more common ones out east are 129.5 and 129.6. I can write down all of the freqs from the map this weekend when I fly again. I would assume that this is the norm for most airlines.
Keep in mind that those freqs are for enroute comms, then each airline will probably have a set number of frequencies that they use to communicate directly with individual airports. You will hear these as "in range" calls. These calls will typicall be made around 10,000' on the descent so you will have to be substantially closer to the aircraft to receive the transmission. A very common one to Comair on the east coast is 131.85. To the best of my knowledge, we don't have a master list of freqs that I could copy from, but I am sure that somewhere on the net, someone has an extensive list compiled.
Hope this helps! I'll try and remember to get all the Atlanta Radio freqs this weekend and post them here.

[Jose_Pointero]

Thanks for the info!

[fuzzyscanner]

I heard that 122.5 was the air distress beckon is that true?

[captaincraig44]

Originally Posted by fuzzyscanner

I heard that 122.5 was the air distress beckon is that true?

121.5 is the universal VHF aircraft distress/ELT (emergency locater transmitter) broadcast frequency. Double it and you get the military freq of 243.0MHz

[fuzzyscanner]

Thanks for the info.

[spooney]

Non-Emergency comm's are usually sent via ACARS

[captaincraig44]

Originally Posted by spooney

Non-Emergency comm's are usually sent via ACARS

Most US airlines do have ACARS, however, most turboprops do not have ACARS. And it just so happens that Comair, whose fleet is entirely CRJ's (200,700 and 900 models) do not have ACARS on the 200 or 700 models. I believe that the 900's have it, but I'm not sure Comair is utilizing it. I swear Comair is the only US CRJ operator that does not have ACARS installed, hence the "in range" calls and the requirement for us to monitor Atlanta Radio while enroute.

[jimlawrence]

While you're looking for airline company voice comms, don't forget to search the 136 Mhz range as well. JetBlue, for instance, uses 136.6 at many of its destinations. I also have in my database that they use 136.550 at Pittsburgh. I've also recently logged 136.525 carrying an as-of-now-unidentified company's traffic.

Happy hunting.

[PHL_Approach]

Originally Posted by captaincraig44

Most US airlines do have ACARS, however, most turboprops do not have ACARS. And it just so happens that Comair, whose fleet is entirely CRJ's (200,700 and 900 models) do not have ACARS on the 200 or 700 models. I believe that the 900's have it, but I'm not sure Comair is utilizing it. I swear Comair is the only US CRJ operator that does not have ACARS installed, hence the "in range" calls and the requirement for us to monitor Atlanta Radio while enroute.

Republic also does not have/use ACARS. We have to get all the calls from them on Company Radio at PHL.

[JRM5204]

What is ACARS?

[wrr20891]

Simple version, ACARS is a data radio system that allows aircraft to exchange data and text messages with ground stations. You can Google for ACARS to obtain lots of information.

While I was bored last night, I put together a spreadsheet with the frequencies in the range used by ARINC and airlines. There could possibly be an error or a frequency left out, so feel free to change it for your use. I went ahead and marked the ACARS frequencies as described by as least one website. The information is theirs, so it may not be the most up to date or accurate. I know I'm getting data signals on the frequency listed for Primary in Japan.

There should be enough room in the field next to the frequency where you can add information on the use of the frequency in your area.

The attachment should show up as a zip file, if all goes well.

[captaincraig44]

Even better than a written list . . .
Enjoy!

[Deepsky]

Thanks for those freqs guys!

[FreqOfNature]

We wrote an article for Scanning USA magazine a few years ago regarding airline company frequencies. Looking at the recent logs, most if not all, are still the same in use today. The article focuses on best practices for logging these frequencies and includes a list frequencies we have logged in Southern California; most company airline frequencies are common nationwide so the list should be of some help.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.freqofnature.com/mwiki/in...ne_Frequencies

Tracy
www.freqofnature.com

[MWillyG]

Greetings all,

In the original post in this thread, Bob asked: "What are the +4, -4, 0 numbers mean after the JFK and LGA freq's of 129.45 etc ?"

I am also wondering about the + and - signs with different values.

I've hunted around and haven't found the answer.

Anyone know the answer?

Thanks!

[k2epm]

Originally Posted by fuzzyscanner

I heard that 122.5 was the air distress beckon is that true?

I think you are talking about 121.500