Beep signal on the radio (ATC)

[EightsOnPylons]

Hello,

I have a question, sometimes when flying in Europe and talking to some controllers sometime you hear a mechanical beep (clear loud beeeep signal) noise followed by some clicking noise.. what is that? and why do you hear it every now and then ??

thank you in advance,
eightsOn

[pilotwolf]

Microwave in the background?! :E

PW

[Jerricho]

It's just a guess, but it may have something to do with the "time-stamping" of the r/t as it's being recorded. Allows for techy types to go to a specific point in time on the tape should it be required for examination.

Either that or there's a v-chip installed on the frequency.

[justcoolen]

alarm clock, followed by a pace maker.

[salzkorn]

You're likely to hear some scratching noises or short bips when controllers are combining/decombining frequencies...

Have you then noticed any changes of controller's voice, or in the amount of traffic heard on the radio ?

[Notso Fantastic]

Some VHF radios now have a beep if you have been on transmit a long time to let you know about a possible stuck mike. You can also get a beep from nearby strong radar transmissions.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Porbbaly not to do with "time stamping" as that is superimposed on the recording machines well away from the transmitters... (Unless some countries have a different scheme?). It takes the form of morse characters to indicate each minute.

The clicking noise is likely to be is the controller using a handset or hand mic rather than a headset. Some ATC facilities have telephone type handsets equipped with a press-to-talk switch on the handle. This definitely produces clicks during transmissions. Controllers hear the same noises when pilots use hand mics.

If the controller is using a hand mic/ handset and a loudspeaker the "beep" is likely to be a very short burst of feedback when the transmitter comes on before the receiver is muted. We used to hear that on BAC 1-11s

Now somebody will say I'm talking a load of ****!!

[SoftTop]

EOP, where in europe?

There could be many reasons for the "beep".

Is the character of the beep the same every the time?
Is it from a centre or tower?
Is it from the same centre ot tower each time?

My best guesses from the limited info so far is that it could be:

fist mic operation and a bit of feedback from speaker to mic at the tail end of a transmission;

transmitters and receivers are remote from the site where the ATCO is located and there is tone switching used between the user and the tx/rx site with poor filtering of the tone when the speech ceases;

mic gain too high and feedback when speech ceases.

It doesn't seem like it's meant to happen, sounds more like either a faulty frequency set up or poor operating technique on the part of the ATCO.

Have you subimitted a radio fault report?

Remote diagnosis - always a good game :hmm:

ST

[EightsOnPylons]

Thank you for your replies!

Last time I heard it was over french airspace. I usually here it maybe once a week. It sounds like a computer modem signal almost and goes on for a short while, maybe 5 seconds. It doesn't sound anything like any noise a human beeing is doing when transmitting/receiving. It comes on usually when nobody is talking on frequency, and everybody is listening..

has no-one ever heard this? I know it is not coming from the aircraft I have been flying as I have heard it in several different aircraft..

thank you,
EoP

[Knackered Nigel]

EoP,

Yes, I have heard it too and don't think suggestions so far are the answer. Often the pitch changes, ie low note, higher note?

K N:confused:

[amanoffewwords]

Isn't it a test-like signal? To ensure the frequency is active - so that if you're tuning in you know you've hit the right place even when it's quiet. (and vice-versa the controller knows some kit hasn't gone inop somewhere).

This is purely from a layman point of view but I remember reading something about such a system being used by the London Ambulance Service years ago..

[gingernut]

ooops....must remember to turn my mobile phone off next time

[EightsOnPylons]

it sounds almost like if you call a number and a fax machine answers the call I think.. no one has any explanation? I hear it maybe once every third day I work or something on that order, and always in cruise at high altitudes

[Golden Parrot]

On a similar subject, anyone know whats up with the loud bursts of static that are regularly heard on the Maastricht frequencies?

[Farrell]

it's probably mrhazard and his pie-rat raydeeo stayshun dat dozent interfear wit avatars!

[Jerricho]

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/happy/028.gif

Now that's funny Farrell.

[Farrell]

I really can't believe that guy!

[Field In Sight]

I heard a German crew the other day complaining to the controller of a repetitive bleep on the frequency.

The controller replied that it was a under test (or calibration) and it would be finished in 5 minutes or so.

It is bloody annoying though!

FIS.

[Jerricho]

Not as annoying as a hoser that thinks a pirate radio station is fine and dandy.

(Pitty that thread's been pulled)

[Farrell]

"(Pitty that thread's been pulled)"

I see you've been taking spelling lessons from him though!!

[Jerricho]

The uh......the "t" is stuck on my keaybord ;) ;)

[Farrell]

I tink you mite bee lieing about your keebord beeing brocken.

What I is wundering about is that the orginial post and comments about the rig and pie-rat stayshun is gone now.

Why is it gone away?