Listening watch on 121,5
I find that I miss quite a few calls from ATC, due to the fact that there is a lot of talk on the 121,5 frequency.
After 9-11 it has been clarified, that we must keep listening watch on the frequency.
The problem is particularly big in the UK, with the practicies going on, especially during the summer period.
Ealier this was not really a problem just an irritation, as we just switched the standby set to another frequency, or turned the volume all the way down. If we do that today, we risk being shot down, so we have to listen to all the chatter on the freq. Frankly there is so much talk on the frequency, that I often miss part of a call or a hole call on my ATC frequency.
I think it's time for the UK, to take a new look at the practise pan policy and the general chatter on the 121,5 frequency.