FAA ATA-100 Data Discussion

[TinEar]

Yeah, we started out as a general discussion of the FAA data and then it got localized to the ZDC area. I guess we should move it to the Maryland MilAir thread -- where everything else that's MilAir winds up. :lol:

Oh, and I guess you saw the IDs for the four new UHF ZDC freqs are all recovered on that thread? We do have two new ZNY freqs to work on now though...and more coming by all indications.

 

[KC8MZM]

In the ATA-100 there is a file named ARB.txt which defines the boundaries for the ARTCC's by lat/long points. Does anybody know of a similar file for the individual sectors within an ARTCC? Perhaps I'm not seeing it but I have looked in the ATA-100 and DAFIF with no luck.

Mike

 

[Airfire]

TinEar and others:

I'm noticing a pattern when 128.6 is active on Buck's it is a high sector but when it is on Elkin's it seems to be High/low. Most of the tfc I hear on Elkins report below fl170, sometimes as low as 11000. On Buck's, they seem to be 240, 270 stuff like that. It also seems to be mainly mornings when Buck's is active. I'll try to listen an night sometime and see. Also, I have yet to hear the UHF paired freq when Buck's is active.

Maybe we should post in the WV forum to see if anyone can hear Elkins and verify the 128.6/387.1 pair there.

..

ZDC's Elkins is another one that has recently experienced a change in UHF frequencies. The UHF for the Eklins sector ZDC01 is now 226.675, paired with 128.6.

Depending on the volume of traffic and time of day, Elkins is combined with another sector, usually the Blue Ridge sector ZDC15. ZDC15 owns FL290 and below so when you're hearing stuff above 240 it's probably combined. Elkins basically owns FL240 and below and works and CKB arrivals and some PIT arrivals they hand off to ZOB.

The Elkins sector has the ability to transmit from either Elkins or Bucks Elbow RCAG.

Jim

 

[TinEar]

Well, that certainly explains why 387.1 has not been heard. Appreciate that very much Jim. I haven't caught a handoff to the Elkins UHF freq in recent memory so haven't had occasion to stumble on that new 226.675 freq. Your info obviates the confusion that would have set in the first time we did so thank you.

Alan

 

[gcgrotz]

More info, it would appear that Airfire is correct. Friday I heard ATC on 128.600 tell acft to come up on "my freq" 133.650, which is in MD someplace. The controller on 128.600 was working both freqs, I could hear acft on both freqs talking to him. 90 minutes or so later, they appeared to split. Mid-afternoon traffic picking up I guess. Same thing today. Most traffic is inbound, lining them up at DRUZZ for approach. Heard one plane handed off to Clarksburg approach.

I'll check the UHF freq 226.675 tomorrow.

 

[TinEar]

133.65 is Blue Ridge Sector 15, paired with 285.6. It was posted wrong in the database. It had 128.6 for both Elkins Sector 1 and Blue Ridge Sector 15. I submitted the correction.

 

[gcgrotz]

Airfire: BINGO, finally confirmed 128.600 on Buck's Elbow is paired with 226.675 when active. It seems to be a pattern of simulcasting with 133.65 for a period in the afternoon and then splitting as the traffic picks up.

My list was from the Monitoring Times series printed recently. It did contain a few errors.

TinEar: Is your ZDC database on the mdscanner site? I'll go there and look so I can have a correct list.

 

[TinEar]

No, it's not at that web site. I maintain that site just to facilitate the webcast I do in the evenings. However, sometime today when I get to my PC with my database, I'll send you a copy of what I have for ZDC. It should be up to date and correct. If you'll PM me with your email address, I'll send it that way.

 

[TinEar]

gcgrotz: Got the ZDC freqs to you via email. Hope they made it.

Airfire: Jim, can you check on the new ZNY freqs I've run across the past few days please? They have been 285.65/292.15/327.6.
And, if possible, can you check to see if 342.875 is used in Jax or Miami Center?
Appreciate any info you can come up with. Thanks.

 

[gcgrotz]

Thanks, got it, and the corrections. I'll just cut and paste and upload. Ya gotta love this technology!

 

[Larry51]

Thanks very much for checking those freqs. It's appreciated. Looks like you've hit on the usage and the reason for the split transmitting locations. Agree that we now have to check out the 387.1 freq to see if it's still active. That would be a logical freq to change due to the LMR system takeover of that range. We're now up to four ZDC UHF freqs that have changed and are not contained in any of the documents - including the June issue of ATA-100 information.

I believe we're making progress though. So far, here's what it looks like:
235.625 Blackstone Sector
290.425 Franklin Sector
307.025 Possibly Potomac Sector
323.225 (Not a clue so far)


I've been following this thread with great interest and updating my ZDC database at the same time. I understand that 307.025 replaces 381.5, but I'm unclear as to what 235.625 and 290.425 replace. Can anyone help? Thanks.

 

[TinEar]

Thanks very much for checking those freqs. It's appreciated. Looks like you've hit on the usage and the reason for the split transmitting locations. Agree that we now have to check out the 387.1 freq to see if it's still active. That would be a logical freq to change due to the LMR system takeover of that range. We're now up to four ZDC UHF freqs that have changed and are not contained in any of the documents - including the June issue of ATA-100 information.

I believe we're making progress though. So far, here's what it looks like:
235.625 Blackstone Sector
290.425 Franklin Sector
307.025 Possibly Potomac Sector
323.225 (Not a clue so far)

I've been following this thread with great interest and updating my ZDC database at the same time. I understand that 307.025 replaces 381.5, but I'm unclear as to what 235.625 and 290.425 replace. Can anyone help? Thanks.

235.625 replaces 380.3 Blackstone
290.425 replaces 269.4 Franklin
323.225 replaces 269.3 Hopewell
226.675 replaces 387.1 (Not on the new list above but it's new for the Elkins 1 Sector)

Alan

 

[Larry51]

Thanks, Alan.

 

[gcgrotz]

See this months MT (Larry?) with a list of freqs in 380-400 that are staying aero not land mobile. 387.100 is listed as being one.

I have the Buck's Elbow ice pics scanned but they are on another pc. Will post them for you probably Monday.

Heard ATC on 128.600 last night from Buck's. Guess they use it when things are slow too?

 

[gcgrotz]

Photos as promised

Maybe These should be posted somewhere else also...

Photos of Buck's Elbow (VA) FAA site after an ice storm in 1998 (late Feb or more likely early March). Note the horizontal icicles, that is what happens with gale force winds and pouring rain at 28 degrees. Ice only affected above 3000ft elevation. It was very pretty from the flatlands. It was very pretty up there for that matter.

Three of us tried to go up after it stopped to check on our generators (I worked for a cellular company, we had microwave up there). I was with an FAA guy and someone from County PD. We couldn't make it and had to be pulled out by someone we had following behind. The next day the county sent a guy up with a bulldozer to clear the road, mainly so the propane truck could get up.. It was 5 days before the power was restored. I remember chunks of ice sliding down the guy wires and crashing, as big around as my wrist. Several antennas were broken but everyone's generators stayed up.

 

[gcgrotz]

More photos

Here are 2 more. I could only get 2 to upload.

 

[TinEar]

How bad was the weather? It was so bad the earth turned sideway.

Nice pictures George. Those "mil spec" vertical antennas sure took a beating. Amazing to see them frozen in a bent over position.

 

[gcgrotz]

One side of our tower was iced solid. It was actually the old FAA site we shared with the county. The legs were heavy angle stock - not tubular, with beefy guy wires. Also note the solid ice on the fences. We had 4 Andrew HP dishes and panels for the cellular, no damage at all. County had a diploe array lose all of its elements. Can't imagine the weight load.

There are some houses up there, mostly summer homes, but I think there were a few people lower down year-round. Haven't been up there since late 1999, changed companies but I still have access. It is a beautiful spot.