New to Aviation Monitoring

[KG5HHS]

Aviation Spectrum Resources Inc. (ASRI) is the frequency coordinator for the non-ATC aeronautical enroute frequencies in the 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.975 bands and holds most of the licenses used by ARINC.

A lot of aviation businesses have multicom licenses on 122.85 and other frequencies in the 122.8-123.5 MHz band.

129.525, 130.025, 131.55 and 136.975 are ACARS data frequencies.

131.95 is used by American Eagle in many locations in Texas.

Thank you, That clears up all the unknown frequencies.

 

[AirScan]

I'm still having a little trouble understanding how the ARTCC works with the different altitudes.Just to confirm, they only use 128.525 when its busy? so does that mean that they will use 132.0750 for FL350 and above when its not very busy?

When it's not that busy 132.075 will cover everything from FL240 and above (to FL600), as it gets busier they split the sector in half basically east/west, so that 132.075 will cover the western half (Midland area) from FL240 and above and 120.275 then covers the eastern half (San Angelo area) from FL240 and above.

When it gets even busier they add in another sector that sits overtop 132.075 and 120.275 that takes over the airspace from FL350 and above using 128.525. So then 132.075 and 120.725 would cover FL240 to FL340 when 128.525 was active.

I don't know how often they need to use 128.525 ? From what I've heard and seen it probably is not that often, I suspect it's used more in the summer when there are thunderstorms in the area requiring multiple aircraft deviations and re-routes.

A lot of ARTCC's will continue to transmit on all frequencies even if the respective sector is not active. So if one controller is working all traffic on 132.075 you would still be able to hear the same controller transmitting on 120.725 and possibly 128.525.

I'm not sure if this is the case in this area, as not all ARTCC's do it. That's why I was asking if you can hear the controller on 120.275 ?

If the sectors were combined and the controller was simulcasting on both frequencies you would hear the controller on 120.275 and the aircraft on 132.075. As opposed to when the sectors were split where you would hear the controller on 120.275 working aircraft on 120.275 only.

If that makes any sense ?

AS

 

[KG5HHS]

Makes perfect sense. I'm fortunate enough to work in a facility that has a ham radio that can monitor the VHF aviation band. I will plug in 120.275 and see if I hear anything. Thank you again to everyone that has replied and helped me understand a little bit more.

 

[jaymatt1978]

I would progam every ATC frequency in your state and even surrounding states. You'll be surprised in what you can get!! I sometimes get Virginia, EVEN North Carolina from the Southern tip of NJ

Makes perfect sense. I'm fortunate enough to work in a facility that has a ham radio that can monitor the VHF aviation band. I will plug in 120.275 and see if I hear anything. Thank you again to everyone that has replied and helped me understand a little bit more.

 

[pilotman6012]

In the area you are in you need to look at the ARTCC Sections on Radio Reference and plug in Fort Worth ARTCC and Houston ARTCC,especially the high altitude frequencies both VHF and UHF.Aircraft are line of sight so if you have an aircraft at 38,000 feet,you will be able to hear him further away 100 miles away than an aircraft at 11,000 feet about 30-40 miles.