I spent a few hours this afternoon on my daughter's front porch here in Hawkins County, TN monitoring the site on 134.075. I was able to hear the controller loud and clear. I was also able to copy every aircraft the controller contacted. According to Google Maps straight line distance from my location to the site is 38.24 miles. Some aricraft were instructed to contact Atlanta on 124.32, 125.82, 125.92, 126.77, and 126.82. Others were told to contact Memphis on 124.12 and Indianapolis on 126.92 and 134.22. I'm assuming there's a "5" at the end of each frequency. What I found interesting was the conversations were much slower than what I hear on the Atlanta airport approach frequencies when I'm at home. Turbulence was much discussed and when an aircraft made contact for the first time some controller would "Welcome" the aircraft. All of this was done on an ICOM IC-A6
Monitoring Carson Spring, TN RCAG
- Thread starter jcherepy
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That's good reception if you are getting the controller loud and clear from 38 miles. I'm guessing the 134.075 transmitter is on high terrain, or you were on high terrain ?
Thanks for the detailed report. I like to keep an updated map of current frequencies and your detailed report is helpful to confirm what is actually in use. If you are interested here is my chart of the high sectors in that area. At the time it would appear that based on the handoffs ZTL40 (134.075) was combined with ZTL 36 (124.875). Both frequencies have been noted to be cross-coupled in the past, so I suspect you were also hearing the aircraft on 124.875. Both sectors are ultra-high working traffic at FL350 and above.
It's hard to tell exacly, but it appears the site is about 3800 feet. The exact location is 35.905556, -83.295833.
So about 1500-2500 feet above the surrounding terrain (38 mile arc), explains why you can hear it so well.
xlr8
Member
I have also been able to monitor both sides (aircraft and controller) of this RCAG from the Knoxville Hilton in downtown Knoxville. I was on a floor about 3/4 of the way towards the top floor using a 436. Google Earth says that's about 35 miles as the crow flies. This RCAG has excellent height above average terrain (HAAT) and is a favorite of mine to monitor whenever I'm staying in Knoxville.
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