Mark/Travis/Dave and anyone else with a Mode-S receiver in this area:
For the past few days I've been seeing an Omni International DC-10 (N603AX) showing up on the ADS-B display giving the "on the ground" indicator. The signal seems to stay up for an hour or two. I'm assuming two things - (1) it's on the ground at BWI and, (2) they're working on the Mode-S transponder aboard the aircraft. I could be wrong on both counts. The constant position being displayed is 39.661N/-76.000W. That never changes but those coordinates place him up in the northeast corner of Maryland and not at BWI. Is anyone else seeing this signal (doubtful if he's really at BWI but possible if he's not?)
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A couple of minutes before noon and I'm logging three of those unknown hex codes currently flying at low altitudes -- AE138E/AE1393/AE1395. Anyone?
I'm also currently displaying AE1214 showing 60 9825 in his callsign block but that tail number isn't computing on Scramble as valid. It's an unknown hex code in my system. Anyone have anything for it? It's flying at 17,000 feet and showing a Mode3 of 1636. On the log since 1152.
Beginning to descend at 1205
1215: This aircraft is now showing at 4500 feet. Hopefully, he's landing at ADW and I'll be able to get a callsign at least. Need help guys.
Nope...apparently not going into ADW...lost the Mode-S signal at 4500 feet which indicates somewhere else. That altitude is where I lose them at Dover/Pax/Wilmington. At night those three bases can get me down to around 3000 feet.
Also displaying SCORE 12, an unknown KC-130F from Patuxent. Along with that, I have someone refueling SALTY DOG 102 (F/A-18E, 166421, VX-23 Pax) on Pax freq 277.0. The tanker is very probably my SCORE 12 - although I haven't heard him report that callsign on the radio. It's displayed in his Mode-S transponder. They're having a problem with bumpy weather around 1210. He just mentioned going lower to about 15,000 feet (currently showing at 17,000) but then said it's smoothing out now. A possible BuNo for the KC-130F is 149808.
1213: Tanker resetting the hose and then invites SD 102 back in for contact...277.0
1220: Confirm SCORE callsign for the tanker...277.0 (Didn't use the suffix though)
1225: SCORE 12 and SALTY DOG 102 have completed their work...say they'll see each other later...277.0
1228: SCORE and SD 105 (F/A-18A, 163093, VX-23) now make contact on BayWatch freq...270.8 (Mention freq 123.525 or .575....123.525 is a Navy refueling freq heard often w/Pax aircraft)
1235: SCORE and SD 105 on 123.525 for refueling activity.
1245: And a SALTY DOG 402 (F/A-18C, 163706, VX-23) also refueling with the SCORE tanker...123.525
1311: SCORE 12 still being logged.
1330: SCORE 12 still up and still at 17,000 feet (91 minutes on the log)
Also had TROUT 98 (C-20E, 87-0139, U/I Unit) land at ADW around 1220. All the weird ones flying today. Actually, he's working the pattern around ADW and then departs.
1231: SUNNY 882 (TC-12B, 161306, VT-35 NAS Corpus Christi) w/ADW Twr for landing...118.4
1233: MARINE 378 (C-37B, 166378, VR-1 Andrews) w/ADW Twr for landing...118.4 (Displaying VV101)
1235: Customs aircraft (PC-12, N541PB) on Mode-S at 3000 feet with VFR squawk of 1200. No voice yet.
1245: FBI Cessna 206, N969JL (probably JENA 096) in the area at 4400 foot orbit.
1247: NAVY 7N514 (UC-12B, 161309) departs ADW w/Twr and then TRACON...118.4/118.95
Been tracking REACH 2580 (KC-135R, 62-3580, 77th ARS Seymour Johnson) since 1226 as it arrives after a long trip to Europe. This is an ex-756th ARS tanker that came from SJ on loan I guess and then was returned. It left for Europe about nine days ago with this same callsign, operated as REACH 656 and REACH 404 on missions while there and is finally coming home. At 1258, I still have a strong signal on him since he was flying at FL 400 and is just beginning a slight descent at 1259.
1303: He's passing through FL 320 and still tracking (Mode3 is 6043)
1306: REACH 2580 calls LIGHTHOUSE Control with arrival message...30 minutes out, Code 2 with five writeups, needs trans/airstairs/parking/Customs and AG...311.0
1309: REACH 2580 currently at FL 280 and still tracking....spoke too soon...just faded from Mode-S tracking.
In addition to all this different "stuff," there are all the usual transports flying through the area but I've ignored them in favor of some of the other things flying.
1311: BOXER 21 [displays 41] (C-40C, 02-0201, 201st AS Andrews) in pattern work at ADW...118.4 (First logged at 1303)
There has also been a TITUS 26 that should be a C-130T from VR-53 working the Andrews pattern but he's not showing a Mode-S signal which is unusual since I always see those guys when they fly.
BOXER 99 (C-38A, 94-1569) is also working around Andrews.
02-0201 displays callsign as "BOXER41" and 94-1569 displays it as "BOXR99"
1315: The Warren Grove Range freq 283.1 is active but activity is very weak from here. (PA-ANG A-10s...heard UGLY callsign mentioned)
1333: Hearing a FLYER callsign now...283.1
Non-Mil: A Canadian Cessna 560 belonging to Pratt and Whitney Canada through the area (C-GPAW)
Even showed a logo that I had made at some point in the past and forgot about so he's been here before this trip.
Can't forget the Harrah's "whale" plane (F2TH, N89CE) into the area at FL330 at 1314 and starting a descent (to ACY?)
Have also had a couple of those big, lumbering Russian Antonov 124s from Volga-Dnepr Airlines through the area today:
1057: VDA 4707, AN-124, RA-82046 from Burgas, Bulgaria (LBBG -Летище Бургас
to Charleston (KCHS) at FL 280
1325: VDA 4712, AN-124, RA-82044 from Charleston (KCHS) to Bangor (KBGR) at FL 290
1344: SPAR 29 (C-37A, 01-0029, 310th AS MacDill) off from ADW...118.95 (Using partial ADS-B...coordinates tracking, no course or speed but he's on about a 220 degree heading following his radar track)
1344: CRAB 54 (C-130J, 97-1354, 135th AS MD-ANG MTN) w/TRACON heading for Linden...118.95 (Departed MTN about 10 minutes ago)
1349: Our old friend HOOK 40 (C-40B, 02-0042, 76th AS Ramstein AB) in the area again.
1348: Another JENA FBI flight (missed suffix) w/TRACON...125.65 (Cessna 206, N208EB) (settles in at 7500 feet)
1350: And yet another JENA flight, a Bell 407 (N407TP) on the Mode-S log just came up. (orbits at 4400 feet)
1400: With Andrews Tower on 118.4 are NAVY 691 (C-20D, 163691, VR-1) and MARINE 035 (UC-35D, 166767, VMR-2)
1402: CRAB 55 (C-130J, 98-1355, 135th AS MD-ANG) flying a VFR mission in the MTN area (squawk 1200).
1401: PAT 1863 (C-37A, 02-1863, OSACOM) departs Andrews (I think) and is climbing (Partial ADS-B with just coordinates tracking on the radar scope, heading southeast)
1403: TROUT 98 back in the area.
Early 1400 hour I believe the Andrews DC-ANG F-16s are just returning home. (WILD 1-4) WILD 4 with trapped fuel issue. (139.9 to SOF) Interflight 139.15 and 143.15 active so there's another flight in addition to WILD. But gotta run.
ADS-B tracking me out of this chair, departing the room and out the door. Later.
