Totally "unintelligent donkey" newbie question

[KB2GOM]

Last night, I brought my R6 with telescoping antenna (set at about 20 inches) upstairs and was listening to Civilian air.

The extra height (one story) makes a huge difference . . . it was like trying to drink from a fire hose. Constant traffic, Albany International, Boston Center, etc. Is there a resource somewhere that explains the air routes and how the hand-offs are made so I can understand better what I am hearing?

When I am scanning on the first floor, I mainly hear Albany Int'l and their traffic, but last night, holy smokes! (Very entertaining, however.)

 

[nd5y]

Is there a resource somewhere that explains the air routes and how the hand-offs are made so I can understand better what I am hearing?

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak

 

[AirScan]

Attached are my own charts I put together showing the ARTCC sectors and frequencies in that area. They should give you an idea on how the hand-offs go along a particular route or area. Flightradar24, FlightAware, SkyVector are handy websites for reference.

 

[KB2GOM]

Attached are my own charts I put together showing the ARTCC sectors and frequencies in that area. They should give you an idea on how the hand-offs go along a particular route or area. Flightradar24, FlightAware, SkyVector are handy websites for reference.

Thanks! Very useful.

 

[spanky15805]

So what's it going to take to get an external antenna mounted up in a tree or on the roof using LMR-400 minimum?

 

[AirScan]

Thanks! Very useful.

The charts are a bit out of date, a few waypoints need to be updated/added but the frequencies are good.

Just out of curiosity, from the second floor are you able to hear any of the Boston Center controllers on either 121.350, 135.325, 128.325, 132.650 ?

 

[kb5udf]

Another thing you can do is think about the airports nearest you and lookup the aviation/airport frequencies listed in the county here on rr.com. For example just to the west of you is Albany county and you have a list there:

Airports (Albany County) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Airports (Albany County)

www.radioreference.com

Also of interest to you:

Boston (ZBW) Air Route Traffic Control Center Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Boston (ZBW) Air Route Traffic Control Center

www.radioreference.com

Cleveland (ZOB) Air Route Traffic Control Center Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Cleveland (ZOB) Air Route Traffic Control Center

www.radioreference.com

Also, if there is a particular airport of interest, you can lookup its frequencies on site like airnav.com.

 

[KB2GOM]

The charts are a bit out of date, a few waypoints need to be updated/added but the frequencies are good.

Just out of curiosity, from the second floor are you able to hear any of the Boston Center controllers on either 121.350, 135.325, 128.325, 132.650 ?

I will check.

 

[CollinsURG]

There are two Wikipedia articles that may be of help with a simple explanation.

Area control center - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Controlled airspace - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Be sure to click on the blue imbedded links to get further information.

I used to have the benefit of working with air traffic controllers to learn a lot of this. I can tell you this for certain, It takes a very special type of mind to do that work. I would never ever want to even try it.