Hi folks,
When I'm receiving ACARS data from aircraft, is the signal being relayed to me from the a/c itself or from a ground station?
I'm hoping this doesn't sound too noobish, but I'm getting some signals that, if the positions are correct, are coming in from absolutely ridiculous distances.
My setup: BC72XLT with an RH77CA antenna, set to 136.85 (one of two active freqs in my area), running into a PC running ACARSD. I am at least 30 miles line-of-sight to the airport (and the lat/long indicated on the government license for the above frequency).
I am at (roughly) N50°56'34'' W114°37'00'', in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The license for that freq is N51°05'49'' W114°02'21'', on the grounds of the Calgary International Airport (CYYC).
I just received an ACARS packet which reported a position of N50°06'21'' W093°27'36'' which is over 900 miles almost due east of me.
Did I legitimately receive a signal from an aircraft over Ontario while I'm in Alberta? Or is it being retransmitted to me from a ground station?
If it matters: I never see signals originating from ground stations. I see aircraft sending messages TO ground stations all the time, including queries, but never see responses back.
Your help in educating this relative newbie to aeronautical monitoring is appreciated!
When I'm receiving ACARS data from aircraft, is the signal being relayed to me from the a/c itself or from a ground station?
I'm hoping this doesn't sound too noobish, but I'm getting some signals that, if the positions are correct, are coming in from absolutely ridiculous distances.
My setup: BC72XLT with an RH77CA antenna, set to 136.85 (one of two active freqs in my area), running into a PC running ACARSD. I am at least 30 miles line-of-sight to the airport (and the lat/long indicated on the government license for the above frequency).
I am at (roughly) N50°56'34'' W114°37'00'', in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The license for that freq is N51°05'49'' W114°02'21'', on the grounds of the Calgary International Airport (CYYC).
I just received an ACARS packet which reported a position of N50°06'21'' W093°27'36'' which is over 900 miles almost due east of me.
Did I legitimately receive a signal from an aircraft over Ontario while I'm in Alberta? Or is it being retransmitted to me from a ground station?
If it matters: I never see signals originating from ground stations. I see aircraft sending messages TO ground stations all the time, including queries, but never see responses back.
Your help in educating this relative newbie to aeronautical monitoring is appreciated!