Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Questions
Reload this Page >

Beep signal on the radio (ATC)

Wikiposts
Search
Questions If you are a professional pilot or your work involves professional aviation please use this forum for questions. Enthusiasts, please use the 'Spectators Balcony' forum.

Beep signal on the radio (ATC)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 23rd Nov 2004, 22:56
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Beep signal on the radio (ATC)

Hello,

I have a question, sometimes when flying in Europe and talking to some controllers sometime you hear a mechanical beep (clear loud beeeep signal) noise followed by some clicking noise.. what is that? and why do you hear it every now and then ??

thank you in advance,
eightsOn
EightsOnPylons is offline  
Old 24th Nov 2004, 22:29
  #2 (permalink)  

Helicopter Pilots Get It Up Quicker
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location:
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Microwave in the background?!

PW
pilotwolf is offline  
Old 25th Nov 2004, 00:11
  #3 (permalink)  
Ohcirrej
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: This is the internet FFS.........
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's just a guess, but it may have something to do with the "time-stamping" of the r/t as it's being recorded. Allows for techy types to go to a specific point in time on the tape should it be required for examination.

Either that or there's a v-chip installed on the frequency.
Jerricho is offline  
Old 25th Nov 2004, 02:58
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: VFR Land
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
alarm clock, followed by a pace maker.
justcoolen is offline  
Old 27th Nov 2004, 06:18
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: paris
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You're likely to hear some scratching noises or short bips when controllers are combining/decombining frequencies...

Have you then noticed any changes of controller's voice, or in the amount of traffic heard on the radio ?
salzkorn is offline  
Old 27th Nov 2004, 07:17
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some VHF radios now have a beep if you have been on transmit a long time to let you know about a possible stuck mike. You can also get a beep from nearby strong radar transmissions.
Notso Fantastic is offline  
Old 27th Nov 2004, 07:34
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Porbbaly not to do with "time stamping" as that is superimposed on the recording machines well away from the transmitters... (Unless some countries have a different scheme?). It takes the form of morse characters to indicate each minute.

The clicking noise is likely to be is the controller using a handset or hand mic rather than a headset. Some ATC facilities have telephone type handsets equipped with a press-to-talk switch on the handle. This definitely produces clicks during transmissions. Controllers hear the same noises when pilots use hand mics.

If the controller is using a hand mic/ handset and a loudspeaker the "beep" is likely to be a very short burst of feedback when the transmitter comes on before the receiver is muted. We used to hear that on BAC 1-11s

Now somebody will say I'm talking a load of ****!!
HEATHROW DIRECTOR is offline  
Old 27th Nov 2004, 08:10
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North of Watford
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
EOP, where in europe?

There could be many reasons for the "beep".

Is the character of the beep the same every the time?
Is it from a centre or tower?
Is it from the same centre ot tower each time?

My best guesses from the limited info so far is that it could be:

fist mic operation and a bit of feedback from speaker to mic at the tail end of a transmission;

transmitters and receivers are remote from the site where the ATCO is located and there is tone switching used between the user and the tx/rx site with poor filtering of the tone when the speech ceases;

mic gain too high and feedback when speech ceases.

It doesn't seem like it's meant to happen, sounds more like either a faulty frequency set up or poor operating technique on the part of the ATCO.

Have you subimitted a radio fault report?

Remote diagnosis - always a good game

ST
SoftTop is offline  
Old 6th Dec 2004, 19:51
  #9 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for your replies!

Last time I heard it was over french airspace. I usually here it maybe once a week. It sounds like a computer modem signal almost and goes on for a short while, maybe 5 seconds. It doesn't sound anything like any noise a human beeing is doing when transmitting/receiving. It comes on usually when nobody is talking on frequency, and everybody is listening..

has no-one ever heard this? I know it is not coming from the aircraft I have been flying as I have heard it in several different aircraft..

thank you,
EoP
EightsOnPylons is offline  
Old 6th Dec 2004, 21:02
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
EoP,

Yes, I have heard it too and don't think suggestions so far are the answer. Often the pitch changes, ie low note, higher note?

K N
Knackered Nigel is offline  
Old 6th Dec 2004, 21:53
  #11 (permalink)  

'nough said
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Raynes Park
Age: 58
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Isn't it a test-like signal? To ensure the frequency is active - so that if you're tuning in you know you've hit the right place even when it's quiet. (and vice-versa the controller knows some kit hasn't gone inop somewhere).

This is purely from a layman point of view but I remember reading something about such a system being used by the London Ambulance Service years ago..
amanoffewwords is offline  
Old 7th Dec 2004, 14:31
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 59
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
ooops....must remember to turn my mobile phone off next time
gingernut is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2005, 12:30
  #13 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it sounds almost like if you call a number and a fax machine answers the call I think.. no one has any explanation? I hear it maybe once every third day I work or something on that order, and always in cruise at high altitudes
EightsOnPylons is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2005, 13:52
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Doha (Qatar)
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On a similar subject, anyone know whats up with the loud bursts of static that are regularly heard on the Maastricht frequencies?
Golden Parrot is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2005, 15:31
  #15 (permalink)  
The Cooler King
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: In the Desert
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it's probably mrhazard and his pie-rat raydeeo stayshun dat dozent interfear wit avatars!
Farrell is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2005, 15:34
  #16 (permalink)  
Ohcirrej
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: This is the internet FFS.........
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


Now that's funny Farrell.
Jerricho is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2005, 15:39
  #17 (permalink)  
The Cooler King
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: In the Desert
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I really can't believe that guy!
Farrell is offline  
Old 17th Jul 2005, 11:26
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sale
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I heard a German crew the other day complaining to the controller of a repetitive bleep on the frequency.

The controller replied that it was a under test (or calibration) and it would be finished in 5 minutes or so.

It is bloody annoying though!

FIS.
Field In Sight is online now  
Old 17th Jul 2005, 23:49
  #19 (permalink)  
Ohcirrej
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: This is the internet FFS.........
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not as annoying as a hoser that thinks a pirate radio station is fine and dandy.

(Pitty that thread's been pulled)
Jerricho is offline  
Old 18th Jul 2005, 11:48
  #20 (permalink)  
The Cooler King
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: In the Desert
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"(Pitty that thread's been pulled)"

I see you've been taking spelling lessons from him though!!
Farrell is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.