Omaha Eppley (KOMA) ATIS Not Broadcasting?

Status
Not open for further replies.

dunestalker

GMRS: WRDN689
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
31
Location
Bellevue, NE
So my scanner (BCD436HP) doesn't constantly stop on the airports' ATIS channels around me, I have put all of them on permanent 'Avoid'. However, I was in the middle of testing something yesterday and wanted to verify my audio settings were working properly and (since I was already on one of Eppley's channels anyway) decided to tune-in their ATIS channel. However, I wasn't hearing anything on that frequency. Mind you, I have received their ATIS transmissions in the past; I can't remember when, but that's why I put that frequency/channel on permanent avoid when I initially setup my scanner.

According to the AirNav site (AirNav: KOMA - Eppley Airfield), Eppley's ATIS channel is supposed to be on 120.4 MHz. That's what RR has indicated, as well. I was tuned-in to that frequency on two separate radios (my new BCD436HP and my old BC245XLT), but neither of them would pick-up the ATIS broadcast, and we all know it's supposed to be running 24x7.

Anyone else in the Omaha area mind verifying whether or not Eppley is broadcasting anything on their ATIS channel (120.4 MHz)?

Thanks!
 

autovon

Ø
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
449
I can hear it right now on 120.4. You might also try Offutts on 126.025/273.5, Plattsmouth 118.975, Council Bluffs 126.575
 

dunestalker

GMRS: WRDN689
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
31
Location
Bellevue, NE
I'll check it again when I get home tonight (after 6pm). In the meantime, I just did a Google search for D-ATIS and found the following on this page:

is traditionally a voice recording of someone reading the weather. D-ATIS is a way to deliver the information digitally so onboard equipment can interact with it. From the requirements

Digital ATIS is an enhancement of the Tower Data Link Service (TDLS) and uses the Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) System microcomputer to automate the delivery of airport and terminal area operational and meteorological information to aircraft flightcrews. Two phases of development are planned. The first phase will provide, via data link, a digital version of the ATIS /4 to flightcrews. Voice recording will continue to be utilized in the preparation of the ATIS broadcast. The second phase will add automated voice generation for the ATIS broadcasts.
Its part of a larger data link system that allows aircrafts and controllers to communicate certain things (weather info, clearances etc) with out clogging the radio channel.

Some ATIS systems now have a voice synthesizer reading out the reports so that no one needs to manually update the recording every hour.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_terminal_information_service
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_terminal_information_service

This may explain why I could not hear anything yesterday, but we'll see when I get home tonight and can check again.

Anyway, thanks for checking, @autovon (I like your handle. I remember those days in my early AF career (long ago!)! ;) ) BTW, I could pick up Offutt's and CB's ATIS channels. I guess I should have mentioned that in my OP. O well . . .
 

autovon

Ø
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
449
A simplified version of D-ATIS is:
1) A computer makes the ATIS and broadcasts it via a computer voice on the traditional ATIS freq.
2) It's accessible via datalink. Meaning the pilots don't actually have to tune a radio to hear a radio transmission of the ATIS info. It shows up on the magic box with a few button pushes.

Continuous ATIS broadcasts via VHF/UHF aren't going anywhere soon. The controller making a voice recording is quickly on the way out however. Outages to ATIS should be reported via NOTAM.
 

dunestalker

GMRS: WRDN689
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
31
Location
Bellevue, NE
So, what's generally the range of an ATIS signal? I'm about 11 miles from the airport with a Tram 1410 discone in my upstairs office. I'm picking up the Eppley Approach/Departure signal as well as the rest of their ground-to-air signals (among many other more-distant signals - conventional, trunked, analog, digital, etc.), but I'm not getting their ATIS signal. I couldn't get the signal while driving back from work this evening, either, with my 436HP and my Procomm mini magnetic roof-mounted antenna (but I could get Offutt's just fine since I was leaving Offutt to go home! :giggle: ).

Maybe I'll have to take a drive closer to Eppley to see if I can pick up their ATIS signal while closer. I just don't remember NOT getting their ATIS signal before on either of my radios (my 436HP or my older 245XLT - which I'm using to listen to Eppley's Approach/Departure signal right now with its original 'rubber duckie' antenna!).

Oh the joys of radio scanning! :geek::geek::geek:
 

autovon

Ø
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
449
It's been a bit, but I think OMA changed their ATIS freq a few years ago and if I remember correctly, the signal was not as good for me after they made their swap. There isn't a set range for ATIS; it's designed for air RX so who knows what the characteristics are for ground RX. I don't know if there's a standard of where they place the transmitters, but at Offutt, I'm pretty sure the ATIS TX is on the hill by the golf balls. At other airports, ATIS might be at the tower. OMA approach freqs are on the towers by the golf balls likely, but one of the VHF freqs is much better on RX than the other for me. Like you said, the joys of scanning!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top