gwpettit
Member
I'm having a bit of trouble explaining our communication system differences to a coworker. We primarily utilize a UHF radio system with a repeater. So naturally we have 2 frequencies licensed to our program. We have a backup VHF system that is also repeated. We monitor UNICOM (123.050MHz) for military as well as other medical rotorcraft inbound to our facility that do not have UHF capabilities. We also utilize that frequency to activate our traffic control devices around our helipad. We hear traffic on a fairly regular basis from aircraft calling FBO's 50-100 miles away (depending on the weather). They may not be able to hear us (I think we have a 10 watt transmitter) but we can hear them. Last night we had a total console radio failure due to unscheduled facility maintenance. We switched over to portables for UHF and UNICOM & were essentially fine because our repeater was still working. However, UNICOM is not repeated. Our dispatch console is on a lower level, fortunately it has a window so we get some reception, but its range was dramatically decreased since we were then transmitting from the 2nd floor of a 9-story downtown building instead of off a rooftop antenna that the radio console connects to. My coworker thought UNICOM was repeated. I'm having trouble explaining why it is not and why it cannot be.
Can anyone help me out here a little?
Can anyone help me out here a little?