adamgirard
Member
Hello,
I've been scanning for a year or two and I live near KALB in Albany, NY. The airport is right near an interstate and if I had my scanner on during a drive, I will usually only hear occasional responses from aircraft to the ATCC. However, for about the 2 miles or so near the airport, I can hear the tower broadcasts, although broken.
My question is, why is the signal from the tower only able to be heard clearly in such a small area on the ground but obviously such a large area in the air? The aircraft need to be able to talk with the tower from 15+ miles away. Does it have something to do with me using a handheld scanner and the antennae on the aircraft is just that much more sensitive?
Just something I have always wondered, thanks in advance!
Adam
I've been scanning for a year or two and I live near KALB in Albany, NY. The airport is right near an interstate and if I had my scanner on during a drive, I will usually only hear occasional responses from aircraft to the ATCC. However, for about the 2 miles or so near the airport, I can hear the tower broadcasts, although broken.
My question is, why is the signal from the tower only able to be heard clearly in such a small area on the ground but obviously such a large area in the air? The aircraft need to be able to talk with the tower from 15+ miles away. Does it have something to do with me using a handheld scanner and the antennae on the aircraft is just that much more sensitive?
Just something I have always wondered, thanks in advance!
Adam