Thames 'DARLEK' Radar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Underneath downwind R for 09 at EGLC
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thames 'DARLEK' Radar
Lately the Thames Radar controllers have started sounding like Darleks! for the last two weeks or so.... did they go to Swanwick?? every now and again their audio fades into a digital darlek type abiss. Strangly not many pilots comment on it unless like this morning when the operator was simply in audible... Surely this needs sorting asap 
Ohcirrej
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: This is the internet FFS.........
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Thank you for calling NATS Thames Radar Operator. We cannot take your call at the moment, and you have been placed in a queue. Your call is important, please, hold the frequency, and we will answer you as soon as we can.........."
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,574
Received 422 Likes
on
222 Posts
No, it's more like "Squawk ****, remain clear of controlled airspace, I'll call you back 'cos I'm also dealing with three on the ILS and some bloke calling tower....and I'm on the phone......exterminate ......EXTERMINATE". 
But seriously -thanks, Thames - you do a very good job for us mere pilots; as do all the London area controllers.
But seriously -thanks, Thames - you do a very good job for us mere pilots; as do all the London area controllers.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<And then when you do finally get though to the 'operator' they are useless>
Funny, in 30+ years in UK ATC that's EXACTLY the feeling I got every time I spoke to a PPL!!!!!
Funny, in 30+ years in UK ATC that's EXACTLY the feeling I got every time I spoke to a PPL!!!!!
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,574
Received 422 Likes
on
222 Posts
Probably not as many of them as he ought to have - quite few wander through the airspace without being on the correct frequency..... 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dizzee... Ooohh yes. Remember, I'm 3 days older than God and when I startedat LL everything lurking around low level was on 119.9 which was just another operational position in Approach Control. They weren't all bad, though. I distinctly recall one sensible PPL - it was on a Wednesday afternoon in 1976 if my memory serves.......
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: In the world
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can just about remember when Heathrow SVFR was on 119.90 before it changed to 125.625. Redhill Tower is now on 119.90.
Maybe I will read about that PPL you encountered on the Wednesday afternoon in 1976 in the book on Heathrow ATC- The First 50 years that I am about to own! Maybe I could get you and Talkdownman to sign it for me?
Maybe I will read about that PPL you encountered on the Wednesday afternoon in 1976 in the book on Heathrow ATC- The First 50 years that I am about to own! Maybe I could get you and Talkdownman to sign it for me?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hampshire UK
Age: 70
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Redhill Tower is now on 119.6, the old Gatwick frequency.
The SVFR frequency of 119.9 was changed to 125.625 because of regular breakthrough from Beauvais, which also used 119.9. Mainly from RYR flights asking for the weather and being cleared to the BVS at FL50 if I recall correctly!
The SVFR frequency of 119.9 was changed to 125.625 because of regular breakthrough from Beauvais, which also used 119.9. Mainly from RYR flights asking for the weather and being cleared to the BVS at FL50 if I recall correctly!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: In the world
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh yes, of course Redhill is 119.6, worrying that I got that wrong as I put aircraft to Redhill Tower 119.6 daily!
Maybe one shouldn't consume alcohol and post on PPRuNE
Maybe one shouldn't consume alcohol and post on PPRuNE
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<Heathrow ATC- The First 50 years that I am about to own! Maybe I could get you and Talkdownman to sign it for me?>>
After all the work I put into that book serious money would have to change hands, my son!!
Interesting that the originator of this thread has never come back again.....
After all the work I put into that book serious money would have to change hands, my son!!
Interesting that the originator of this thread has never come back again.....
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reflex.. If that is true it's likely to be some sort of local QRM rather than at the transmitter. It would be an idea to bell Swanwick and talk to the telecomms people. Some time ago there was bad QRM on several Heathrow frequencies only heard over central London which turned out to be a pirate radio station. There were similar events effecting the ILS too (hence the R/T response from LL APC: "The IL'S are alive with the sound of music" - not appreciated by some bloke trying to do a Cat III!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Might be slightly off topic, but to do with the radio spectrum. It is well know in areas of London ie. Buck Palace/Downing St/MI5 building on the Thames that certain radio frequencies are blocked/distorted for security reasons of which I'm sure you might be aware of the reason for. Next time outside Buck Palace see does your mobile work?
Daz
Daz