Sticky Thread For MilAir IV

[Tech792]

Warren Gove (NJ) Range very busy all day today. At 1530, SPORT flights working targets on 283.1

 

[mdmonitor]

Guys,

1548- Looks like one of the E-6 just departed PAX, Heard one on 310.15 thank Shadow for help and "we'll see you in Friday"

Guys,

For you guys with the boxes. I'm curious. If you pick him up at what time (local) did you first hear him? I curious to see if the voice pick up is quicker than the Mode S.

 

[BM82557]

Hagerstown/Thurmont - 1/16 through 1/18

Notam issued @ 1657 local -

From January 16, 2009 at 1915 UTC (January 16, 2009 at 1415 EST)
To January 18, 2009 at 1800 UTC (January 18, 2009 at 1300 EST)

Maybe POTUS spending his last weekend at Camp David?

 

[freqhopping]

Guys,

For you guys with the boxes. I'm curious. If you pick him up at what time (local) did you first hear him? I curious to see if the voice pick up is quicker than the Mode S.

I pick them up first with the box only because I'm not usually scanning ZDC VHF which is where I would first be able to get voice. I know the box will follow them down to about 4k. It seems I usually pick them up around 7k when they are departing.


1637- 164404 E-6B inbound with ZDC-Calvert. Sounds like JOHN-80.

1925- Just noticed NATO-16 on the RB two seconds before it timed out. Boeing 707 LX-N20199 4D03D1

2019- OTIS-23 C-130 165810 VMGR-252 and DC-32 62-3543 with ZDC-Irons

2020- I got medevac helos all over the place. One STAT which never talked to IAD tower (mentioned several times by the tower), two Aircares and an ExpressCare. Had all but the ExpressCare on the RB.

Now that I think about it the OTIS tankers may be in the area for the 22nd MEU workups going on in central VA.

 

[TinEar]

Guys,

For you guys with the boxes. I'm curious. If you pick him up at what time (local) did you first hear him? I curious to see if the voice pick up is quicker than the Mode S.

Ron, as a rule, the voice transmissions can always be heard over a longer distance than the Mode-S signals simply because of frequency. Mode-S operates at 1090 mHz which, as you know, is primarily a short distance communicating range.

The reality is that very often the Mode-S receiver gives first indication of a specific flight only because it's looking at everything in real time and at the same time. With voice, you've got to scan it or search for it across several hundred viable frequencies in this area and it becomes a hit-and-miss situation whether you intercept the correct frequency to hear a specific flight. This becomes even more critical when you take aircraft like the E-6 or E-4 fleet that doesn't talk very much other than necessary ATC contacts. With the E-6 fleet, my first indication is almost always on the Mode-S receiver due to those reasons.

 

[mdmonitor]

Ron, as a rule, the voice transmissions can always be heard over a longer distance than the Mode-S signals simply because of frequency. Mode-S operates at 1090 mHz which, as you know, is primarily a short distance communicating range.

The reality is that very often the Mode-S receiver gives first indication of a specific flight only because it's looking at everything in real time and at the same time. With voice, you've got to scan it or search for it across several hundred viable frequencies in this area and it becomes a hit-and-miss situation whether you intercept the correct frequency to hear a specific flight. This becomes even more critical when you take an aircraft like the E-6 or E-4 fleet that doesn't talk very much other than necessary ATC contacts. With the E-6 fleet, my first indication is almost always on the Mode-S receiver due to those reasons.

Tin,

Thanks. I was just curious. Amazing what a semi-idle mind will conjure up if one's not careful

 

[mdmonitor]

Logs, 14 Jan

Gonna hang up the headsets for the rest of the night---so here's what I heard today

ACY-Atlantic City NJ
ADW- Andrews AFB MD
BW- Bay Watch-NAS PAX Area Advisory Control
DOV- Dover AFB DE
GK- Giantkiller (FACSFAC, Virginia Capes)
MTN-Martin State Airport, Baltimore
NGTF-Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
NXX- Willow Grove JRB PA
PAX-NAS Patuxent River MD
PTC- Potomac Area TRACON
WRI-McGuire AFB NJ
ZBW-Boston ARTCC
ZDC- Washington ARTCC
ZNY- New York ARTCC

1. VHF/UHF: ((Times are EST))

0815- Check 61 flt (4 X F-15, 71st FS Langley)-on Huntress CAP freq (260.9). Push to AWACS discrete (277.6)
0825- Chill 22 (B-52H, 23rd BS/5thBW Minot AFB ND)-w/ZNY (269.1 & 306.2) at FL410.
0855- Blackjack 1 & 2 (HH-65Cs, CAGS Washington)-intercept training (139.7). Another sortie in the 1000 hour.
0906- Wild flt (4 X F-16s, 121st FS DC ANG, ADW)-on sqdn freq (139.15) in ACM training. Also w/Senate (121st Ops-139.9). Afternoon sortie in the 1300 hour.
0908- Scary flt (F-16s, 121st FS DC ANG, ADW)- check into W107 (255.0). On sqdn freq (143.6). Also w/Senate (121st Ops-139.9). Afternoon sortie in the 1300 hour.
0909- DeeCee 31 (KC-135R, 756th ARS ADW)-depart ADW (125.65). Returns to ADW in the early 1200 hour.
0911- Energy 51 (BE-200, Dept of Energy ADW)-depart ADW (125.65) then w/ZDC (133.9). Returned to ADW at 1358.
0916- Reach 6016-w/PTC (125.65)
0925- Convoy 2170 (USN C-20)-depart ADW (125.65)
0929- ???? (no call noted, 2 X A-10s, 103rd FS PA ANG NXX)-check in w/Bollen Range (237.2) and on sqdn discrete (238.85)
0939- JOSA 548 (id as C-21 # 84-0096)-w/Griffin CP (141.55) w/inbound msg for pax pick-up.
0946- Steel 62 (KC-135RT 147th ARS, PA ANG Pittsburgh PA)-check in w/GK (238.1)
0955- Venus 23 (C-20B # 86-0203, 99th AS ADW)-check in w/ZDC (133.9). Returns to ADW in the late 1100 hour. Pattern work at ADW (128.35, 119.3 & 118.4) in the 1500-1600 hours.
1001- Coast Guard 101 (VC-37, CGAS Washington)-depart Reagan Nat'l (125.65)
1014- Tester 962 (T-6 Texan II # 165962, NTPS PAX)-w/BW (270.8) w/request to activate the North Spin Area.
1020- Colt 1 flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-depart MTN then w/PTC (317.425). Also w/ZDC (354.15). Headed for Warren Grove range (283.1)
1024- Raven 1 flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-w/PTC (317.425).
1026- PAT 232 (helo)-w/MTN tower (121.3) for transition of afld area.
1031- Wardog 1 flt (2 X A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-w/Harrisburg approach (273.525) working at the Bollen Range (237.2). Return to MTN (297.2) at 1204.
1032- Navy 400-w/PTC (128.35) landt at ADW (118.4)
1039- Mai Tai flt (F-15s, 71st FS Langley)-on W386 common (312.3)
1041- ???? (no calls noted-A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-w/Raven Ops (347.2) w/departure msg.
1042- SAM 4127 (99th AS ADW)-w/PTC (128.35) then land at ADW (118.4)
1049- Midas 91 flt (F-22 Langley AFB VA)-working in W72 (233.7)
1050- Hook 40 (C-40B, 02-0042, 76th AS Ramstein AB)-depart ADW (125.65) then w/ZDC (133.9)
1051- Omaha 140HS (US Customs AB140 #N140HS)-calling Annapolis but using ADW tower freq (118.4). At 1600 w/PTC (119.3) for permission to head to ADW.
1100- Datsun 71 flt (F-15s, 71st FS Langley)-check out of W386 (249.8) RTB Langley.
1101- Crab 55 (C-130J # 97-1355,135th AS MD ANG MTN)-w/Crab Ops (384.1) w/departure msg. Also w/ZDC (133.9). Reurns to ADW at 1340 for patterns.
1103- Vader 1 (EA-6B, VAQ-209 ADW)-depart ADW (125.65). Also w/VAQ-209 Ops (280.2) reporting he is enroute to the GK areas.
1116- JOSA 602-w/Griffin CP (141.55) w/inbound msg.
1117- Marine 206 (prob UC-35, MAW-4 ADW)-w/PTC (128.35) reporting problems w/landing gear---RTBs ADW (118.4)
1124- Reach 517-check in w/ZDC (132.55)
1157- EIA 1144 (Evergreen B-747-200, USAF contract)-w/PTC (124.55 & 128.35) land at ADW (118.4). Pilot alternates using EIA 1144 and Evergreen 1144.
1201- Guard 408 (UH-60 # 24408, MD ArNG Weide AAF)-w/MTN tower (121.3) for landing.
1207- Venus 22 (C-20B # 86-0202, 99th AS ADW)-w/PTC (128.35) then land at ADW (118.4)/ Up again in 1600 hour for pattern work.
1209- Cosmic 41 flt (2 x F-16s, 119th FS NJ ANG ACY)-check in w/Huntress (260.9 & 228.9). Also on sqdn freq (138.425). Advises Huntress that they will be doing 1 on 1 intercepts for about 15 mins then will RTB ACY.
1356- Navy 376 (VC-37B # 166376, VR-1 ADW)-patterns at ADW (119.3 & 118,4). Finishes pattern work at 1625. Sounded like they had two pilot switches during this sortie.
1357- Axeman 1 flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-w/PTC (317.425), At 1430 w/BW (354.8) w/request for some patterns at PAX. Return to MTN (297.2) at 1550.
1402- Guard 929 (OH-58 # 21929, Co. 'A' / 1-224th Avn; (S&S), Maryland Ar.NG; Weide AAF)-local afld work at Weide AAF (126.2)
1430- Baton 20 (EC-130J, 193rd SOG, PA ANG Harrisburg PA)-w/Baton CP (395.1) w/inbound msg.
1528- Arco 74 (F-15, 71st FS Langley)-check into W386 (249.8)
1530- JOSA 532 (C-21, 457th AS ADW)-w/PTC (119.85) land at ADW (118.4). Also w/Griffin CP (378.1/141.55)
1546- PAT 238-depart ADW or Davison AAF (118.95)
1551- Guard 006 (UH-1/UH-60 # 23006, MD ArNG Weide AAF)-w/MTN tower (121.3) to tranist afld area then land at Weide AAF (126.2)
1554- Reef 11 (unid, sounds like ftr)-w/ZDC (257.7) requesting direct to Kinston VOR.
1559- Tester 962 (T-6 Texan II # 165962, NTPS PAX)-w/BW (270.8) for vertical maneuvering test.
1611- Raven 1 flt (id as 2 X A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-land MTN (297.2). Also w/Raven Ops (347.2)
1612- PAT 422-depart ADW or Davison AAF (118.95)
1516- JOSA 054-w/PTC (119.85).
1620- Titus 99 (C-130T, VR-53 ADW)-w/PTC (128.35 & 119.3) land at ADW (118.4)
1624- Army 1863 (VC-37A 02-1863 OSACOM ADW)-w/PTC (128.35) land at ADW (118.4)
1626- Colt 1 flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-land at MTN (297.2)
1628- PAT 2402 (C-12, Davison AAF)-w/PTC (128.35) land at Davison AAF.
1631- PAT 594-w/PTC (118.85) depart ADW or Davison AAF.
1652- Corona 31 flt (F-22s. Langley AFB VA)-check out of W386 (249.8) RTB Langley.
1712- Reach 2111-w/DOV CP (349.4)
1731- DeeCee 32 (KC-135R, 756th ARS ADW)-depart ADW (125.65)
1737- N360TL (Britten Islander, NGTF)-w/Northrop Base (123.225) trying to coordinate mission specifics.
1755- Jest 98 ( KC-135R 54th ARS/97th AMW,ALTUS AFB OK)-w/PTC (119.85 & 119.3) land at ADW (118.4)
1915- Boxer 78 (C-38/C-40, 201st AS cDC ANG ADW)-patterns at ADW (119.3 & 118.4)
1926- Evac 113 (C-17, MS ANG)-w/Griffin CP (378.1)

2. HF: ((Times UTC, Freqs KHz))

09025.0 523508 (KC-135R #62-3508, 141 ARS - NJ ANG ,McGuire AFB, NJ): 2122 USB/ALE sounding.

Ron (mdmonitor1@verizon.net)
Baltimore MD (390747N 763711W)
VHF/UHF: BC-895XLT/RS Pro-2045
Diamond D-130J discone
HF: Icom R75 & Sangean ATS 909
45-ft EF-SWL & 70-ft random wire

 

[TinEar]

Tin,

Thanks. I was just curious. Amazing what a semi-idle mind will conjure up if one's not careful.

It's a reasonable question Ron. I think many people don't realize the tremendous help a Mode-S receiver is in this hobby - or the basics of the Mode-S system. As I described the basic comparison of monitoring voice radio transmissions versus Mode-S reception in the message above, that has become the basis for the sudden explosion of these receivers across the world. To realize that a single Mode-S receiver, listening on a single frequency that you don't have to tune, can monitor every plane in the sky at the same time that's within range of your antenna, can provide an identity, callsign, altitude, and squawk code of each of those aircraft and let you know precisely where many of them are flying, is an amazing advancement unmatched by any other tool available to us. And the cost isn't much more than one of the new digital scanners.

 

[BMT]

Mode-S

The box will even be more valuable once full use of Mode-S and ADB-S is mandantory. You never realize how many A/C you have been missing until you have a box.
Today I picked up 2 new callsign's being used by the 6thARW at Macdill.

Greatest thing since sliced bread and crunchy peanut butter!!!

BMT

 

[reconrider8]

so what kind of boxes are you guys using?

 

[BMT]

Kinetic



Bmt

 

[TinEar]

so what kind of boxes are you guys using?

There are two brands on the market now. The original was the Kinetics SBS-1 (which is what I run) but now Airnav has introduced the RadarBox to the market. Google either to read about them.

There's now a U.S. distributor of them here:
http://www.4cellular.com/index.php?osCsid=195d85ddbaea7ae58ff8beac215713d8
Click on the "REAL-TIME aircraft tracking" link.

Many of us that bought them a year or two ago had to buy from overseas. Mine will be two years old next month.

Oh, and if you have more money than good sense, buy the SBS-2 unit for a mere $42,600.

 

[ka3jjz]

This is a nice candidate for a wiki article, Tin. Don't worry about learning the wiki markup - I can change whatever you write up. JPEGs and GIFs are also welcome, just keep them down to less than 150k in size.

You know how to get to me 73 Mike

 

[reconrider8]

so do you guys pay like every month to use them? or just buy the box and its done

 

[TinEar]

so do you guys pay like every month to use them? or just buy the box and its done

You buy the box and you're done. With the Airnav system, they provide a network for anyone that wants to feed it worldwide so you can see the information from other users. I understand the first year is free and then it costs 60 bucks a year. Is that still correct Mark or Travis? With the SBS, we've got a user written third party network to share real time information that's absolutely free.

 

[JohnFB]

Twelve 391FS F-15s are returning to CONUS as Mazda 41-46 and Mazda 61-66 with tankers Blue 91-93 and Blue 11-12. ETA for ACK between 1630z and 1800z.

I didn't hear a peep, but maybe since they are Mountain Home, they stayed way north of me .......??

391st Fighter Squadron set to return from Afghanistan

 

[jmhayes]

I understand the first year is free and then it costs 60 bucks a year.

60 *pounds* (£5/mo) ... I think my 1-year was $93? $0.25/day, cheaper than my caffeine habit

 

[reconrider8]

i wouldnt mind getting a box but i ant paying that much lol

 

[Tech792]

There are a few companies on Ebay selling the Airnav system new for about $500

 

[gcgrotz]

<stuff deleted>

Now that I think about it the OTIS tankers may be in the area for the 22nd MEU workups going on in central VA.

Osprey in central VA for this op, with a chance to see one up close and personal this weekend, link below to VA forum:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131315