View Full Version : Heathrow Fire - Poor Radios?
The last couple of times I've heard Heathrow Fire on 121.6 MHz (today and a few weeks ago) their transmissions seem to have been muffled, crackly, weak on modulation depth and very weak on carrier. (I surmise that it is the lead fire vehicle which I have heard).
Maybe a whip-round for some new kit and a new install would be a good idea?
I'm not sure to whom I should direct my concern; if anyone picks this up as an issue for action, can you respond here?
Ta.
B.Sc. Communication Engineering
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
27th Dec 2015, 06:47
1. It is illegal to monitor such transmissions. 2. It is a further offence to publish what you hear.
I am sure that if there was a major problem with comms, either the fire station or ATC would know about it and take proper action.
Gonzo
27th Dec 2015, 15:47
TCTC,
If you were flight crew using 121.6 in anger, then file an ASR.
If you were listening in, then bear in mind that as HD says it's illegal, and also bear in mind that most airports use 121.6 in the UK for airport RFFS. It's use is restricted to operations on the ground, and the transmitters in the fire vehicles will be very low powered, so as to ensure using 121.6 at LHR doesn't interfere with using 121.6 at LGW or Farnborough.
If you're listening in from the ground some distance from LHR, this may explain it.
Sir George Cayley
29th Dec 2015, 09:52
Whoa there chaps. I read the OP as a request for info on how to pass on a concern.
Jumping on him with stern warnings seems a tad harsh imho. I'm sure the spotters on the Newall Rd viewing platform aren't having their collars' felt on a regular basis. Nor the thousands visiting the Manchester Aviation Viewing Park where it's impossible to avoid hearing transmissions.
TCTC pm me and I'll give you some names and numbers.
SGC
Gonzo
29th Dec 2015, 18:26
SGC,
Apologies to the OP if it comes across as harsh. I didn't mean to be, and yes, as far as I know, there has never been a prosecution for someone listening in to such transmissions. However, many people are mistaken on this law, a state of affairs to which the sticky in this forum attests.
Regardless, the main variable when listening to 121.6 is the distance the listening station is from the transmitter. What we can hear very clearly on-airport may well seem to a listener 5 miles away as very poor quality.
TCTC, please do feel free to PM me the details, but those responsible would only respond to radio problems that were detectable on-airport. The airport uses 121.6 pretty regularly, and I'm not aware of any reports of adverse quality, but I will check.