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Ident!!

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Old 20th Sep 2012, 22:16
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Ident!!

Hello ATC people,

Many moons ago a ATC person described what Squawking ident did on their radar screen. But being old I have forgotten . When we push Ident what exactly happens on you radar screen? I think I was told it shows as a highlighted pulse is that correct?. Thanks for your time if you answer any factual info.

Re Pete.
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Old 20th Sep 2012, 22:35
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It'll depend entirely on the radar display software in use at any particular facility, but every system I've used has displayed an Ident as a flashing ring (for a few seconds) around the SSR position symbol associated with the aircraft.
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 06:33
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Once upon a time it depicted an addition pulse beyond the framing pulses...
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 06:36
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Talkdownman - strangle your parrot, your weapon is bent ;-)
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 06:51
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... that was a bit garbled
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 07:55
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We have a blinking orange cross around SSR return.
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 08:21
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Suddenly I can hear the voice of John Townsend again...
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 09:59
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You'll have to make allowances for TDM, he's only used to a 424 tube nowadays; probably having a flashback to his time at Lindholme; happens to him occasionally.

Last edited by chevvron; 21st Sep 2012 at 10:02.
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 10:41
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The entire data block flashes on ours.
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Old 21st Sep 2012, 16:25
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Nah, that's STCA
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Old 22nd Sep 2012, 14:02
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I wish our ATC stuff had a button that we could press and a fist would fly out of the aircraft instrument panel.
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Old 22nd Sep 2012, 14:31
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What, for when they ident before being instructed?
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Old 22nd Sep 2012, 21:33
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When asked to Ident are you meant to read it back?

I always do, but hear many that don't and ATC don't seem to mind.
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Old 22nd Sep 2012, 22:06
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Not in Italy
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 08:16
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Originally Posted by RTN11
When asked to Ident are you meant to read it back?
In UK, yes. SSR Operating Instruction. CAP413 Chapter 2 Page 15.
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 11:09
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It is interesting that a read back is considered of any use.

"G-XXXX, ident"
G-XXXX pilot presses little button and ATC gets what it requested.

Maybe I am thick, but what possible usefulness is the read-back?

In most places, pushing the button is adequate, while some controllers insist on the read back, even while they see their particular software system's reaction to the request being complied with.
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 12:45
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Just a guess but I would imagine that the readback makes sure the controller knows that it is the correct aircraft that is Identing and not someone who has misheard the instruction.


For example if G-ABCD starts talking but G-WXYZ comes on frequency & interrupts it is entirely possible that G-CD could be asked to Ident but as G-YZ didnt realise G-CD is talking they might wrongly interpret the instruction as being for them and Ident. If theres no readback ATC would then accidentally believe that the RADAR trace for G-YZ is G-CD

Last edited by Burnie5204; 23rd Sep 2012 at 17:34.
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 16:12
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Originally Posted by mushroom69
what possible usefulness is the read-back?
For a start the ATCO will know that the addressed pilot has heard the instruction and will action it. No different from reading back a heading which is a turn for identification.

Non-readback (and unsolicited idents for that matter... ) is of no use at all. Non-readback is also laziness, time wasting and discourteous. If the correct phraseology cannot be remembered (Wilco) I'd rather have a "coming down" or a "flash" or a "there you go" or a "Howzat" than nothing at all.
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 17:41
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If the correct phraseology cannot be remembered (Wilco) I'd rather have a "coming down" or a "flash" or a "there you go" or a "Howzat" than nothing at all
If a readback is required, it should be one word only, "IDENT", wilco isn't valid as far as every other quoted forms .
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Old 23rd Sep 2012, 19:35
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Or "flash"!!

Nothing like asking a lady USAF pilot for a flash
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