Liverpool (EGGP) ATC

[Scousefox9]

Hey, just a quick question to Liverpool (EGGP) ATC. What's the significance (if any) behind the callsigns "Liverpool Approach" and "Liverpool Radar" on 119.85?

Is this because "Radar" at that time is operating on 119.85 instead of 118.45 and so it is necessary to distinguish the two services?

If Radar is on 118.45, does Approach on 119.85 only use "Radar" or does it depend on the service available/given to the aircraft.

I heared you sometimes have director on, will they use the callsign "Director?"

I know this pops up every now and again but GP doesn't seem to follow the general pattern:

Approach Control - Approach
ATS Surveillance Services (in general) - Radar
Approach Radar Control (Arrival/Departure) - Director/Departure. (Radar when tasks combined/Arrival (when approved))

Just wondered if you guys could shed some light on this.

[NeoDude]

Without knowing anything about the operation at Liverpool and going purely on the callsigns the main difference is that "Approach" doesn't have to be with a radar, it could be procedural. "Radar" obviously is with a radar.

[Scousefox9]

Both have radars, just wondered why sometimes they say "Radar" and other times "Approach" on 119.85. Looking at the textual info, both "Radar" and "Approach" are on 119.85 H24 but "Radar" on 118.45 as instructed.

[SACrIGGER]

Could one Freq be the main Radar Freq, and the other a LARS/Director Freq?

[sr562]

As has been said Approach is usually used for 'procedural' non radar function, and then radar for when there is one. Again not knowing the GP procedures it sounds like they can operate both. So perhaps providing approach from the tower during quiet periods or night time and then radar when it not so quiet. The second radar frequency may be used during busy periods to provide a final director or LARS function as was previously mentioned.

This is generally how it works at most units but perhaps a GP bod can put us all right.