Originally Posted by 2 sheds
Mr Bitsy.
The frequencies are published in specific documents and indicate the service available on each. Therefore, unless you are participating in that service, it is not a "free for all". Because of the nature of radio waves and the simplex frequencies employed, it is impossible to prevent non-participants monitoring; however, they should realise that they are putting their ears to the keyhole of what is essentially a private exchange. By comparison, how would you view someone putting a telephone tap on an inter-unit landline? Or on your BT telephone line at home?
I know it is not a "free for all", I think that is what I meant by, "I know its illegal"
However, with the information freely available to all, it is hardly surprising it is seen as legal by many.
I hardly think listening in to a private telephone conversation, is as intrusive as listening to the civil airband
Originally Posted by 2 sheds
With respect, you do not have the knowledge to defend any ATC "guys" in the case of an alleged incident and it is not your place to do so, using, probably wrongly, any information you might have gleaned through illegal monitoring. That is no more sensible or legal than the press "shock horror" stories gained from similar sources. The facts and factors contributing to any incident are usually many and complex and are not apparent merely from one overheard RTF exchange.
The tone of your point may be justified if I was trying to defend ATC in front of an official enquiry into an incident - it is hardly the same as a conversation with friends, family or collegues, in response to a rather stupid press article on another "near miss" - I do have the knowledge to comment on that to the people mentioned, through my 30 year knowledge of the ATC system as an enthusiast, and 34 hours flying through it as part of the UK PPL. Oh, did I mention a friend was an ATCO, who arranged 25 hours plus at West Drayton sitting at the radarand talking with the ATCO's? I especially enjoyed the visit to EGLL tower for an afternoon.
Putting peoples misconceptions right about UK airspace in conversation is
not as bad as a press "shock horror" stories.
RK