ARTCC Frequency question

[druhe]

I see this listed on several ARTCC frequency listings. LOW ALTITUDE and LOW ALTITUDE DISCREET, what is the difference ?


Thanks in Advance

 

[kmacka]

Lol, good question!

 

[Colin9690]

I believe low altitude covers a generally wide area, where low altitude discreet covers a smaller area.

 

[bessiedawg]

I just happened across the link below. I'm a newbie here, so this may have been posted before. Lot's of technical info on ATC. Chapter Five has references to the "discreet" air control.

http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/atc/INDEX.HTM

 

[Yokoshibu]

for certain situations you might want to have an aircraft move to discrete... for instance planes that fly for the dea fly under the direction of the faa if the faa has made contact with an unidentified aircraft in the ADIZ (air defense identification zone) you might not want the dea talking on the same freq as the aircraft untill after the dea/customs guys have made a positive identification of the suspect aircraft.... I think that would be a good use for a discrete

 

[Yokoshibu]

Chapter Five has references to the "discreet" air control.

oh yeah thats discrete squak code not discrete frequencie.... when the radar hits the airplane the transponder will send back several things. There are 4 modes to a transponder most run mode c with altitude and it allows the aircraft to enter a squak. 1200 is used for vfr but ifr will usually recive a discrete squak for the flight that will only be used by that plane so ATC can easily keep track of it. ... the atc system uses squak to differentiate the aircraft in the sky to make it easier for the controler on the ground

 

[scanner_nut]

DISCRETE FREQUENCY- A separate radio frequency for use in direct pilot-controller communications in air traffic control which reduces frequency congestion by controlling the number of aircraft operating on a particular frequency at one time. Discrete frequencies are normally designated for each control sector in en route/terminal ATC facilities. Discrete frequencies are listed in the Airport/Facility Directory and the DOD FLIP IFR En Route Supplement.

 

[scanner_nut]

CONTROL SECTOR- An airspace area of defined horizontal and vertical dimensions for which a controller or group of controllers has air traffic control responsibility, normally within an air route traffic control center or an approach control facility. Sectors are established based on predominant traffic flows, altitude strata, and controller workload. Pilot-communications during operations within a sector are normally maintained on discrete frequencies assigned to the sector.