decent radio to listen to atc?
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HD Interesting point about the phones, I recall hearing some at the 1560Khz end of the AM band years back
Simtech, yes you're right, which would somewhat lessen my point about my scanner! I should have realised there's no FM band as such between 30 and 951 Mhz (and no I don't think you're being pedantic) I incorrectly worded the Ofcom statement which says "Generally, scanners cover the non-broadcast radio bands between 30 and 951 MHz using FM". My mistake, sorry.
Simtech, yes you're right, which would somewhat lessen my point about my scanner! I should have realised there's no FM band as such between 30 and 951 Mhz (and no I don't think you're being pedantic) I incorrectly worded the Ofcom statement which says "Generally, scanners cover the non-broadcast radio bands between 30 and 951 MHz using FM". My mistake, sorry.
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Originally Posted by HD
I believe that settles ALL arguments.
Aircrew and ATCOs who don't know this is going on must be living in a very small world indeed. Get over yourselves and leave the spotters alone.
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I wonder how many of these spotters who deem themselves above the law would relish the thought of the great unwashed evesdropping on their private conversations/ phone call etc as they went about their daily work .......oh er, well thats different innit ....well actually mr spotter, no it aint
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I was looking through the App store for Iphone/Ipod applications and Live ATC have quite an interesting app where you can listen in to various ATC centers and Airports and some of them have nice detailed Airport Diagrams.
Obviously doesn't cover the UK but covers some of the interesting locations such as JFK, Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney and so on.
Spent a bit of my lunch break yesterday listening into Hong Kong approach.
Obviously doesn't cover the UK but covers some of the interesting locations such as JFK, Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney and so on.
Spent a bit of my lunch break yesterday listening into Hong Kong approach.
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Distress call radio
Having accepted that technically the practice is illegal - Hopefully most would now agree that there is little harm in listening in to ATC and other radio transmissions where such information gleamed is not then used for harmful or illegal purposes etc.
For those who continue to object to 'listening in' the practice does have its
plus side. In 1912 when radio was in its infancy and xmit range limited the sinking Titanic's radio distress call SOS / CQD was picked up in Scotland by an amateur who immediatly contacted the authorities -
although they would prove to be sceptical and slow to react.
For those who continue to object to 'listening in' the practice does have its
plus side. In 1912 when radio was in its infancy and xmit range limited the sinking Titanic's radio distress call SOS / CQD was picked up in Scotland by an amateur who immediatly contacted the authorities -
although they would prove to be sceptical and slow to react.
Poor old HD always gets a bit aroused when this subject comes up. Watch the blood pressure HD 
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There have been prosecutions in the past. This one from 2001 in Scotland was gone after for using a transceiver but was also prosecuted for using a scanner as well.
Duncan George McRae, of Scorguie Court, Inverness was fined a total of £3,000 at Inverness Sheriff's Court on 17 December for charges relating to illegally listening and transmitting messages to aircraft flying over Scotland.
National Air Traffic Services Ltd first alerted the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) to unauthorised transmissions being made to aircraft in the Hebrides area. RA officers, using sophisticated direction finding equipment, located Mr McRae while he was transmitting on 21 July 2001.
Mr McRae had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges of:
- installing and using an aeronautical transceiver contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949; and
- using a radio scanning receiver, contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.
He was fined £2,500 on the first count and £500 on the second.
David Hendon, Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency said:
"Preserving the integrity of air traffic control communications is essential. This conviction is a tribute to the hard, and demanding, work of RA staff who are committed to keeping the airwaves clean. We work closely with NATS to ensure that we maintain air traffic control radiocommunications that are free from interference."
Roger Whyatt of National Air Traffic Services said:
"This is part of the continuing close co-operation between NATS and the RA to detect sources of interference to aircraft radiotelephone systems and safeguard the safe operation of Air Traffic Services in the UK."
On a personal note, 99% of the time i don`t mind but reading about a minor diversion or problem i had that is then asked about on a bulletin board is wrong. It always get blown up from nothing into the worlds worst incident. I know its human nature to be curious but some conversations are private, I also include ACARS in this.
Duncan George McRae, of Scorguie Court, Inverness was fined a total of £3,000 at Inverness Sheriff's Court on 17 December for charges relating to illegally listening and transmitting messages to aircraft flying over Scotland.
National Air Traffic Services Ltd first alerted the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) to unauthorised transmissions being made to aircraft in the Hebrides area. RA officers, using sophisticated direction finding equipment, located Mr McRae while he was transmitting on 21 July 2001.
Mr McRae had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges of:
- installing and using an aeronautical transceiver contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949; and
- using a radio scanning receiver, contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.
He was fined £2,500 on the first count and £500 on the second.
David Hendon, Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency said:
"Preserving the integrity of air traffic control communications is essential. This conviction is a tribute to the hard, and demanding, work of RA staff who are committed to keeping the airwaves clean. We work closely with NATS to ensure that we maintain air traffic control radiocommunications that are free from interference."
Roger Whyatt of National Air Traffic Services said:
"This is part of the continuing close co-operation between NATS and the RA to detect sources of interference to aircraft radiotelephone systems and safeguard the safe operation of Air Traffic Services in the UK."
On a personal note, 99% of the time i don`t mind but reading about a minor diversion or problem i had that is then asked about on a bulletin board is wrong. It always get blown up from nothing into the worlds worst incident. I know its human nature to be curious but some conversations are private, I also include ACARS in this.
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If Mr McRae hadn't been prosecuted for transmitting, I doubt if he would have been prosecuted for listening on a scanner.
Ok, so that's one then with somewhat obvious implications. Has anyone been prosecuted solely for listening?
Ok, so that's one then with somewhat obvious implications. Has anyone been prosecuted solely for listening?
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Hello Botters Spalcony,
So there's my old dad, ex Sgt-Nav Blenheims, fall of France, May 1940 and he was not even 19, just about survived that for the freedom of all etc, and would have a word or two to say to some of these prescriptive whippersnappers, was pleased as punch when I gave him my MVT-7100. Anyone tries to take it off him, they'll have to get past me first.
I bought a Uniden Bearcat 3500XLT, needs a better aerial before it matches the MVT for reception, though some of the features are useful. A nice airband scanner, among other bands.
Would I be in breach by saying how much I admire the HD in the hot seat between 06:00 and 06:30? Their sheer skill in bringing in flights on 2 runways _and_ herding them so minimum distances are observed at all times? Bravo! It should be something played back at schools, as an example of people at the top of their game, people to be emulated.
Would it be illegal to describe the clear April morning when the HD offered pilots visual approaches? Or the joy in the pilots' responses? Surely not.
I don't understand the negativity about this at all. It says something about this country, what it has become. Not good.
Anyway, MVT-7100 is still my favourite, but the Uniden isn't bad as a replacement, OP.
So there's my old dad, ex Sgt-Nav Blenheims, fall of France, May 1940 and he was not even 19, just about survived that for the freedom of all etc, and would have a word or two to say to some of these prescriptive whippersnappers, was pleased as punch when I gave him my MVT-7100. Anyone tries to take it off him, they'll have to get past me first.
I bought a Uniden Bearcat 3500XLT, needs a better aerial before it matches the MVT for reception, though some of the features are useful. A nice airband scanner, among other bands.
Would I be in breach by saying how much I admire the HD in the hot seat between 06:00 and 06:30? Their sheer skill in bringing in flights on 2 runways _and_ herding them so minimum distances are observed at all times? Bravo! It should be something played back at schools, as an example of people at the top of their game, people to be emulated.
Would it be illegal to describe the clear April morning when the HD offered pilots visual approaches? Or the joy in the pilots' responses? Surely not.
I don't understand the negativity about this at all. It says something about this country, what it has become. Not good.
Anyway, MVT-7100 is still my favourite, but the Uniden isn't bad as a replacement, OP.
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phone tap
Concurring with a previous corresspondent - Yes it is absolutely gross
impertinance 'eves dropping on their private conversations / phone calls'.
I recall years ago on approach to Jersey - having been passed
landing information the Tower then enquired and recommended a certain hotel and how many nights accom would I like.
Yes it is gross impertinance to realise that this most private and confidential conversation could have been monitored by anoraks all over GB
Signed - Capt. Still-Fuming
impertinance 'eves dropping on their private conversations / phone calls'.
I recall years ago on approach to Jersey - having been passed
landing information the Tower then enquired and recommended a certain hotel and how many nights accom would I like.
Yes it is gross impertinance to realise that this most private and confidential conversation could have been monitored by anoraks all over GB
Signed - Capt. Still-Fuming
I don't understand the negativity about this at all. It says something about this country, what it has become. Not good.
Planemike
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I am at a loss to understand how a conversation can be private with 20-odd other crews listening. Semi-private I suppose, but more likely thought to be privileged with all that connotates.
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I have been thinking on this topic over the past week, we are quite fortunate in this country to have this law not policed, in some European countries such as Germany & Austria the sale of Scanners and listening into ATC is against the law and people breaking this law are fined or given prison sentences
(I could find such documents on Spotterwikki: Category:Austria - SpottersWiki)
I dont understand HD's point about comparing just LISTENING to ATC is the same as breaking the law about carrying offensive weapons or Speeding.
Both carrying Knives or doing more the 70mph on a public road is against the law but both these can cause serve damage or loss of live, however ONLY LISTENING to most of the time useless information (to spotters that is). I dont see how they are same.
However on the side of Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots I can understand why they would want there transmissions kept private, for example say the USA had stricter rules on the broadcasting on ATC over the internet (LIVE ATC & ATC monitor to name a few) no one would have heard that JFK controller who let his kids on the MIKE and would most likely be still controlling now. Many think it was cute but he was in the wrong and once released online the whole world including the MEDIA found out, and for some air passengers who may hear this, may be rocked to the core (especially if they are nervous flyers) and may be put of flying.
I know I sound over the top.
We may be very interested and curious what happens behind the scenes, but sometimes it can be our downfall and lead to may other problems
I also don't like how some ATC recording of accidents are published over the internet, for example the Continental flight 3407 crash, just think if you where a family or friend of crew member and the last words you ever hear from them are **** has establised localiser RWY 27L that must quite hard and for a controller constantly repeating callsign of lost aircraft can be quite spine chilling for all.
So I see both Arguments
(And now everyone will ridicule me)
(I could find such documents on Spotterwikki: Category:Austria - SpottersWiki)
I dont understand HD's point about comparing just LISTENING to ATC is the same as breaking the law about carrying offensive weapons or Speeding.
Both carrying Knives or doing more the 70mph on a public road is against the law but both these can cause serve damage or loss of live, however ONLY LISTENING to most of the time useless information (to spotters that is). I dont see how they are same.
However on the side of Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots I can understand why they would want there transmissions kept private, for example say the USA had stricter rules on the broadcasting on ATC over the internet (LIVE ATC & ATC monitor to name a few) no one would have heard that JFK controller who let his kids on the MIKE and would most likely be still controlling now. Many think it was cute but he was in the wrong and once released online the whole world including the MEDIA found out, and for some air passengers who may hear this, may be rocked to the core (especially if they are nervous flyers) and may be put of flying.
I know I sound over the top.
We may be very interested and curious what happens behind the scenes, but sometimes it can be our downfall and lead to may other problems
I also don't like how some ATC recording of accidents are published over the internet, for example the Continental flight 3407 crash, just think if you where a family or friend of crew member and the last words you ever hear from them are **** has establised localiser RWY 27L that must quite hard and for a controller constantly repeating callsign of lost aircraft can be quite spine chilling for all.
So I see both Arguments
(And now everyone will ridicule me)
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Twenty odd crew listning ?..are CC stations fitted with RMP,s/headsets then?
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A little bit of thread creep but what do people think of the current trend in adding ATC to You tube videos?, it seams that HD camcorders and a scanner are now replacing still pictures. I`d definitely class this as reproducing content and even broadcasting it!. Having the ATC on the video makes it more interesting but most of the interesting video`s are possibly the ones that should not be recorded!
99% of the time i can`t see a problem with a few spotters listening at the fence to see what`s coming in and maybe get a heads up for a good photo but i`m not so keen on any little thing i say over the radio ending up on Youtube, it could be taken out of context or be a private conversation regarding a technical issue or maybe a question to ATC that is understood by all who should be listening but played to the masses may be taken wrongly and then to be commented on! how would you like to be recorded every day at work and have the choice bits sent out to the masses!
99% of the time i can`t see a problem with a few spotters listening at the fence to see what`s coming in and maybe get a heads up for a good photo but i`m not so keen on any little thing i say over the radio ending up on Youtube, it could be taken out of context or be a private conversation regarding a technical issue or maybe a question to ATC that is understood by all who should be listening but played to the masses may be taken wrongly and then to be commented on! how would you like to be recorded every day at work and have the choice bits sent out to the masses!