Unable to hear comms

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wlacy004

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Hello to all.
I have been monitoring Mil Air Frequencies for a while now and am perplexed as to why I hear so few comms.
I am using an SDRPlay RSPdx and an RSP1A and a Realistic PRO 2004. I have several antennas including a Tram 1411 discone. As for coax I use RG6 quad shield, and LMR 400.
I hear very little traffic on the Mil Air frequencies in this area.
I have heard, rarely, air refuling tankers, and some A10s during practice at Big Oaks and Hill Top.
However, I am not hearing ANY traffic from en-route aircraft. It seems that I should hear some traffic regarding approach, etc, especially from aircraft at 10,000 feet and above. I am situated about 70 to 80 miles from Indianapolis, Ft Wayne, Dayton, and Grissom ARB.
I can, regularly hear civilian approach tower at Indy, 67 miles from here.
I hear civilian comms all day long talking to Indy and surrounding airports.
I have the latest VHF, UHF frequencies with the proper AM FM mode settings.
? Any ideas or tips?
Thank you all.
 

N9JCQ

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I have heard Military aircraft use the civilian ATC frequencies on numerous occasions. I live in the Chicago area and I hear them on ZAU VHF ATC frequencies. Make sure you have the command post and maintenance frequencies for units based at Grissom, Ft Wayne and Wright Patterson as well as common active frequencies Jefferson Proving grounds in southern Indiana too. How high is your discone?
 

Alliance01TX

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Howdy - what frequencies do you have programmed or list the AR-Tracks you are monitoring please?

Not sure which FAA Center (RCAGS) are closest to your location. Both CHI and CLE centers have multiple MIL-AIR UHF (AM Mode) frequencies and I would pull up ADS-B Map and see what MIL Aircraft transit your area (filter MIL only). They will have comms when transitioning between centers on UHF mostly.

Just a few Mil areas of activity today your general area...

Looking at the NOTAMS for:
Cleveland Center:


06/090 - AIRSPACE DUKE MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 20:00 2022
UNTIL 01 JUN 21:45 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 14:05 2022
06/075 - AIRSPACE AR220 ACT FL190-FL210. FL190 - FL210, 01 JUN 16:15 2022 UNTIL 01 JUN
17:42 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 12:15 2022

Chicago Center:

06/069 - AIRSPACE VOLK EAST MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 17:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 20:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 11:50 2022
06/067 - AIRSPACE VOLK SOUTH MOA ACT 6000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 17:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 20:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 11:50 2022
06/029 - AIRSPACE VOLK EAST MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 13:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 16:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 07:50 2022

AR-220
Tanker / Receiver Comms
/ Primary 274.450 / Secondary 282.700
FAA Center Entry: ARCP 299.200 West (Cleveland Center)
FAA Center Exit: 291.650 East


As noted above load all Nation Wide Common & several NORAD / Command Post Radio Freqs (311.00, 319.000, 321.000, 364.200, etc.. as well if not already loaded...

Technically, if you can find a Ham Radio Club and ask if any members have a VHF/UHF SWR Meter to "sweep" your COAX & Antenna(s) and that might determine IF you have something else in play too. I use a RigExpert 500 and typically find a bad Coax Connector is the top issue...hope this helps.

See below (Attached)screenshot from 10:35AM (CST) / 15:35 GMT
 

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wlacy004

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My discone is 35 feet up.
This should be high enough to hear aircraft above 5000 feet at all of the locations needed.
My Franklin antenna cut for 1090 mhz is at 20 feet and will receive out to at least 250 miles when the aircraft are above 10000 feet.
Thanks for the info on using the command and maintenance freqs.
 

W0JOG

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Mountain Home, AR
In north-central Arkansas, I am at this moment hearing refuling practice on the southeast Missouri MOA. Tuf 29 and his tanker are loud and clear on my receiving setup. It is a Uniden BC 890XLT of some age, coupled to a mag-mount antenna setting on the windowsill just beyond my desk.
High-teck, huh?

Don't expect en-route activity or lots of activity. The military doesn't work that way.

73 de W0JOG
 
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wlacy004

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Howdy - what frequencies do you have programmed or list the AR-Tracks you are monitoring please?

Not sure which FAA Center (RCAGS) are closest to your location. Both CHI and CLE centers have multiple MIL-AIR UHF (AM Mode) frequencies and I would pull up ADS-B Map and see what MIL Aircraft transit your area (filter MIL only). They will have comms when transitioning between centers on UHF mostly.

Just a few Mil areas of activity today your general area...

Looking at the NOTAMS for:
Cleveland Center:


06/090 - AIRSPACE DUKE MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 20:00 2022
UNTIL 01 JUN 21:45 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 14:05 2022
06/075 - AIRSPACE AR220 ACT FL190-FL210. FL190 - FL210, 01 JUN 16:15 2022 UNTIL 01 JUN
17:42 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 12:15 2022

Chicago Center:

06/069 - AIRSPACE VOLK EAST MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 17:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 20:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 11:50 2022
06/067 - AIRSPACE VOLK SOUTH MOA ACT 6000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 17:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 20:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 11:50 2022
06/029 - AIRSPACE VOLK EAST MOA ACT 8000FT UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. 01 JUN 13:45
2022 UNTIL 01 JUN 16:15 2022. CREATED: 01 JUN 07:50 2022
AR-220
Tanker / Receiver Comms
/ Primary 274.450 / Secondary 282.700
FAA Center Entry: ARCP 299.200 West (Cleveland Center)
FAA Center Exit: 291.650 East


As noted above load all Nation Wide Common & several NORAD / Command Post Radio Freqs (311.00, 319.000, 321.000, 364.200, etc.. as well if not already loaded...

Technically, if you can find a Ham Radio Club and ask if any members have a VHF/UHF SWR Meter to "sweep" your COAX & Antenna(s) and that might determine IF you have something else in play too. I use a RigExpert 500 and typically find a bad Coax Connector is the top issue...hope this helps.

See below (Attached)screenshot from 10:35AM (CST) / 15:35 GMT

Thank you. I have the freqs for all the surrounding Air Refueling tracks....217 218 219 311 455 etc.
I have a nano VNA coming so will check this out. Thanks
 

empireco

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Apr 20, 2009
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195
Location
Central Ky
Your best bet is to have two different radios searching 30 to 88 MHz NFM Mode and 225 to 400 MHz AM Mode 24/7.
Many .mil helos traveling in groups will talk air to air anywhere between 30 and 88. Just had 3 different groups of UH-60s fly over Central Kentucky this afternoon first a group of 5 then two more groups of four. The first group was using 45.0 and the 2nd 30.100, I was unable to find the third group. Often when traveling together they'll pick a completely random freq every time they go up for air to air.
So programming in freqs ain't gonna work, you need to be searching 24/7 and using radios with Close Call function like Uniden scanners.
 

wlacy004

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Your best bet is to have two different radios searching 30 to 88 MHz NFM Mode and 225 to 400 MHz AM Mode 24/7.
Many .mil helos traveling in groups will talk air to air anywhere between 30 and 88. Just had 3 different groups of UH-60s fly over Central Kentucky this afternoon first a group of 5 then two more groups of four. The first group was using 45.0 and the 2nd 30.100, I was unable to find the third group. Often when traveling together they'll pick a completely random freq every time they go up for air to air.
So programming in freqs ain't gonna work, you need to be searching 24/7 and using radios with Close Call function like Uniden scanners.
Thank you......I will search these freqs. I thought 30mhz to 45mhz was for long distance. VHF for below 150 miles and UHF for up to 50 miles. Am I wrong about this?
 

Alliance01TX

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Messages
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Location
DFW Texas
Howdy - I would echo "empireco's" note on the VHF LOW Band for Military Helo traffic. The primary reason they use VHF-LOW Band is that ground troops typically use that range for SINCGARS Radio communications & yes the VHF Low Band does have longer range propagation for the most part. Some units do have standard radio frequencies programmed in the radio for common frequencies such as Military Tower(s) or training frequencies. Some have a few standard "calling frequencies" Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground, but thats a toss up as some just agree on a couple prior to take off when in training routes....Lots of IR/SLOW Training Routes that can be found in the AP-1/B Post of mine a few weeks ago in this forum. You will just need to dig into the notes to see what the specific training routes / MOA have for the basic's....along the routes Helo's will use those Air-to-Air or INTERPLANE freq s...ADS-B site (map) will give you best opportunity to see if any help activity is in your area & NOTAMS will indicate any active MOA and-or Training Routes to give non-mil Pilots advice to de-conflict airspace...
 

scannersnstuff

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Mar 31, 2006
Messages
1,940
In north-central Arkansas, I am at this moment hearing refuling practice on the southeast Missouri MOA. Tuf 29 and his tanker are loud and clear on my receiving setup. It is a Uniden BC 890XLT of some age, coupled to a mag-mount antenna setting on the windowsill just beyond my desk.
High-teck, huh?

Don't expect en-route activity or lots of activity. The military doesn't work that way.

73 de W0JOG
Same setup here. bct898t on a mag mount mounted to metal in wall by window.
 
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