I have been interested in the recent correspondence regarding radio frequencies,
and related performance characteristics. In particular, the extreme ranges.
East Midlands Airport has a frequency of 134.175. A few weeks ago some of us
flew
to an airfield close by which involved us in contacting them. In subsequent
conversation we had all noticed how their transmissions had been unclear. After
making test calls between our aircraft we came to the conclusion that the East
Mids transmitter must be out of sorts.
Last Thursday I went to Le Touquet via the Stanstead low level corridor. This
meant
that I had to contact Essex Radar on 120.625. They were receiving me strength
five, but for much of the transit I could not hear them at all.
Similarly, when I go to France using the Lille Info. frequency ( 120.275) to
complete
the channel crossing, I can never seem to be able to make contact with
them. I have always put it down to my English accent and their lunch breaks.
In both cases I have been able to hear other aircraft speaking to them strength
five, so my radio was working perfectly.
I can now see that I have a common problem at the lower frequencies, viz, poor
ground station reception. Could it be that other Europas have a simarly poor
reception
quality at the higher frequency range. My aerial was built to the manual,
and has always served my well in most respects.
Are these common experiences? If so, what can, and should we do about it?
Regards to all.
Bryan Allsop. G BYSA Mono XS
|