Scottish/London Info reception over Cumbria
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Scottish/London Info reception over Cumbria
Hello
I was flying today over the Lake District area on an hour building trip, and on my way up from Liverpool I tried contacting London Information for a basic service (Warton LARS, first choice, apparently shut on weekends like lots of Military ADs). I got the frequency (125.475) for London from ENR 6.2.0.1 of the AIP, this particular sector covering most of the Lake District.
Strangely, on first contact (near Lancaster, at 6000 feet and climbing) I had difficulties talking to London. I was able to hear other aircraft clearly but when the London FISO responded all I'd hear is a brief high pitched squeal and then silence (so not quite the same as just getting a carrier wave). When I made my initial call I had the same experience and so declared (blind) that I was changing to Scottish instead due to being unable to read them (119.875, from the corresponding Prestwick sectors page of the AIP).
I was able to hear Scottish perfectly near Lancaster and explained the situation when asked to pass details, the FISO then gave me a Basic service even though I remained in the London FIR the whole time. Apparently London had called them to say they could hear me loud and clear, and I did switch back to the London frequency on the Scottish FISO's suggestion to try again a couple of times at various points but none were successful.
Has anyone else ever had this problem? I can understand reception issues at the FIR boundary but being unable to receive London as far south as Lancaster (and at significant height) was unexpected.
Many thanks by the way to the FISO at Scottish for providing such a professional and friendly service, especially for relaying information back and forth to/from other units, even when I was techinically outside their area of responsibility (received a service all the way back down to Preston, where I was handed straight back over to Liverpool), and for bearing with me on my RT.
I was flying today over the Lake District area on an hour building trip, and on my way up from Liverpool I tried contacting London Information for a basic service (Warton LARS, first choice, apparently shut on weekends like lots of Military ADs). I got the frequency (125.475) for London from ENR 6.2.0.1 of the AIP, this particular sector covering most of the Lake District.
Strangely, on first contact (near Lancaster, at 6000 feet and climbing) I had difficulties talking to London. I was able to hear other aircraft clearly but when the London FISO responded all I'd hear is a brief high pitched squeal and then silence (so not quite the same as just getting a carrier wave). When I made my initial call I had the same experience and so declared (blind) that I was changing to Scottish instead due to being unable to read them (119.875, from the corresponding Prestwick sectors page of the AIP).
I was able to hear Scottish perfectly near Lancaster and explained the situation when asked to pass details, the FISO then gave me a Basic service even though I remained in the London FIR the whole time. Apparently London had called them to say they could hear me loud and clear, and I did switch back to the London frequency on the Scottish FISO's suggestion to try again a couple of times at various points but none were successful.
Has anyone else ever had this problem? I can understand reception issues at the FIR boundary but being unable to receive London as far south as Lancaster (and at significant height) was unexpected.
Many thanks by the way to the FISO at Scottish for providing such a professional and friendly service, especially for relaying information back and forth to/from other units, even when I was techinically outside their area of responsibility (received a service all the way back down to Preston, where I was handed straight back over to Liverpool), and for bearing with me on my RT.
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When I'm heading up the road as soon as I get north of Blackpool and climbing over the Lake District I'm straight on to SI, always loud and clear, never really bother to look up where the FIR boundary is.
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Hi Crazy, I am one of the voices at Scottish Information. It is always nice to hear complimentary remarks about our service. I believe London Information have a transmitter on the top of Snaefell on the Isle of Man so coverage in that area should be pretty good. As for Scottish on 119.875 we have a transmitter on Lowther hill to the east of Dumfries so also coverage pretty good in that area. We always liase with London regarding traffic heading into their airspace and visa versa London do the same with us if they are not too busy.
As for the FIR boundary, that is 55N but the AOR "Area of Responsibility" is further south than that and Scottish Info are responsible for traffic north of a line Carlise-IOM approx.
As for the FIR boundary, that is 55N but the AOR "Area of Responsibility" is further south than that and Scottish Info are responsible for traffic north of a line Carlise-IOM approx.
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I've done quite a few flights in this area this year (typically Carlisle to Blackpool) and I can usually pick up London on 125.475 at 3000-ish ft well North of Penrith without any problem, and stay with them all the way down past Morecambe and Lancaster (until switching to Warton or Blackpool).
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Many thanks for all the informative responses guys.
fisbangwollop, thanks for those comments - useful/interesting to know! What are the chances it was you I was speaking to on Sunday afternoon? I was impressed by the quality of service provided. If only the participation rate was higher amongst GA pilots it would make the service even more useful (for traffic info). As it stands, I think a fair few people don't bother calling London or Scottish, even when they can't raise a LARS unit or other suitable local station.
I will chat with the club regarding the radio issue, it does seem to be something specific to this aircraft's radio given the responses. I wouldn't have expected a lack of reception to sound the way I described it above either. With hindsight, I do now regret not trying to call London on an alternative comm box (airplane has two radios).
fisbangwollop, thanks for those comments - useful/interesting to know! What are the chances it was you I was speaking to on Sunday afternoon? I was impressed by the quality of service provided. If only the participation rate was higher amongst GA pilots it would make the service even more useful (for traffic info). As it stands, I think a fair few people don't bother calling London or Scottish, even when they can't raise a LARS unit or other suitable local station.
I will chat with the club regarding the radio issue, it does seem to be something specific to this aircraft's radio given the responses. I wouldn't have expected a lack of reception to sound the way I described it above either. With hindsight, I do now regret not trying to call London on an alternative comm box (airplane has two radios).
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Crazyscientist.......no it was not me as I was on duty in the norning. Another two of my colleuges remembered it. I have passed your kind comments on and greatly appreciated.
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When I'm heading up the road as soon as I get north of Blackpool and climbing over the Lake District I'm straight on to SI, always loud and clear, never really bother to look up where the FIR boundary is.
Last edited by Jimmy5616; 29th Oct 2018 at 22:09.
