Hang on a minute Headsethair, do you mean TRA or TDA. TRAs are planned in advance and therefore are included in AICs and NOTAMs. As a result they can be planned for as Pprune Radar has pointed out. There is no excuse for busting TRAs and this has been tested in the courts to the detriment of the pilots concerned. We are talking TDAs here (unless I have missed something).
SAROPS take on a whole variety of tasks, ranging from a snatch and dash to a search lasting a couple of days. But in all cases, there is an aircraft that may not be able to comply with the rules of the air and the TDA is set up to protect that aircraft and its crew. ARCC Kinloss do an admirable job setting up these TDAs and disseminating that information. I wasn't aware until Crab mentioned it that it was transmitted on 121.5. Maybe I should now, but I am not convinced that it would be much good owing to the terrain and altitude I operate at.
Crab,
I would imagine that where you operate most fast jets will hear a TDA promulgated on 121.5 or guard, but what about your colleagues who operate in the Lake District, North Pennines and Scotland? Will a FJ operating within the HRA hear it? The sad facts are that TDAs offer no guarentee of protect from any form of traffic, although of course they should reduce the risks.
I find it sad that aviation comms are still in the dark ages when small yachts can receive sat television via a gyrostabilised dish anywhere in the world. Why can't aviation comms be done via satelite and get away from ye olde VHF sets which can hide behind hills?