Which Frequencies?

[btlacer]

I live in Henderson Kentucky, we have a small airport here and then we have the Evansville Airport across the river. Now I have all the frequencies for both the airports programed in my 996XT. I am wanting to hear the major airlines flying over head. I know I need the INDY. Center frequencies but which ones? Could I hear the planes talking to Chicago or Memphis ATC? I just dont know which frequencies to program.

 

[tjwgrr]

Henderson, KY is located under the Indianapolis (ZID) ARTCC area, but you are also close to Memphis (ZME) ARTCC & Kansas City (ZKC) ARTCC. Chicago (ZAU) ARTCC starts at a line running roughly between Indianapolis, IN and Springfield, IL and then to the north which may be a little too far for you to hear much. Keep in mind, unless you are located near an ARTCC transmitter, you will only hear the aircraft, and not the controllers.

Indianapolis (ZID) ARTCC:
Indianapolis (ZID) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Memphis (ZME) ARTCC:
Memphis (ZME) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Kansas City (ZKC) ARTCC
Kansas City (ZKC) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[K4DHR]

I work the Paducah/Tings/Elvis sectors at ZME, just southwest of Evansville. Here are the frequencies you may be able to hear.

ZME
133.65 Paducah Low - Paducah RCAG
122.27 Tings High
127.97 Elvis Ultra High
133.85 Bowling Green Low
124.27 Campbell High

You probably won't be able to hear the last four frequencies, as their RCAGS are all well south of your location. Even Paducah may be a stretch depending on the terrain and your antenna.

ZID:

128.3 Evansville Low
132.52 Pocket City High
127.02 Impel Ultra High

ZKC:

127.47 Jazz Low
120.82 Farmington High
132.87 Blues Ultra High

Evansville Approach

126.4/127.35

Ft Campbell Approach

118.1/134.35

 

[gcgrotz]

Good list there, but I have just one comment. Put them all in your scanner, even the adjacent areas, since you may get reception from some distance away. You will then learn which ones you will hear the best and you can then delete some you don't hear.

Enjoy the air bands, there is always something going on. I especially like to listen to the local approach control here when there are storms around, you hear the re-routing instructions for storm cells and other weather.

If you really want to be super-nerdy (I know nothing about this of course...) you can go to flightaware.com and track the flights you are hearing. This site also has airport info including arrival/departure data and official FAA nav charts. Put in your local airport and see who's coming and going.