Radio Frequencies

[JJ1994]

Hi, I was just wondering what the best frequencies are to listen to the aircraft on a radio, I would like to listen to them as they fly over, but if that's not possible then as they apprough Humberside (EGNJ/HUY). I live in the Hull area.
Thanks in advance

[KBPsen]

Originally Posted by ATNotts

As I'm sure you know it is not an offence to listen to people doing their job

Actually it is.

Wireless Telegraphy Act, Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 48:

Interception and disclosure of messages

(1) A person commits an offence if, otherwise than under the authority of a designated person—

(a) he uses wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of a message (whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not) of which neither he nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient, or

(b) he discloses information as to the contents, sender or addressee of such a message.

[The Grim EPR]

Humberside approach / radar is 119.125

Humberside tower is 124.900

[pasir]

Airways Radio Chatter

... Whether or not it is legal listening in to airband channels has come up time after time with no definitive result.

Various Wireless Telegraphy Acts will be quoted - especially the
1949 Act - much quoted by Ham radio 'experts' - but for each 'expert' stating its illegal there will be many or more stating the opposite. When
the police at one time were broadcasting on the ordinary domestic radio waves you could walk into a police station and ask the same question of the police and you would walk away with two or more contradictary answeres. A Govt Minister has stated on radio it is NOT illegal - however a UK Govts reputation for acuracy may not be a good example to quote - Should it be illegal then the authorities would have a field day for arrests and convictions on Flying Display days open to the general public.

So far as the UK is concerned - legal or otherwise - Its a safe bet
that no one in authority will take the least notice of any anorak type listening in for purely innocent reasons.

...

[walterthesofty]

What exactly is it you lot get off on when you listen in to air crew talking on the radio??

[vulcanised]

The "best" frequencies are likely to be the ones used by your local airport(s).

If you ask Google in the right way it will tell you what those are.

[DaveReidUK]

I thought it was illegal for you cabbages to eavesdrop on people doing their job

Yawn.

http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/206...tions-law.html

What kind of vegetable would you describe yourself as then, Walter ?

[ZOOKER]

Well walter, in my case, I got off on one of the most rewarding career pathways imaginable. What I heard, on a friends 'Bush Sandpiper' at EGNX, back in early 1970, convinced me I wanted to become an ATCO.
It took 11 years, but I got there.
If you fly, we may have spoken to each other.
If you are an ATCO, the same applies. I may have even trained or examined you.
The information in the OP request is freely available out there in Google-land. But, hey, isn't it great that something like PPRuNe can put a possible future aviation professional (O.K. just speculation I know) in touch with folks who can answer a query. I wish I'd had such a facility back in the 1970s.
A visitor to my unit once asked me what I thought of enthusiasts and folks who listened in? Provided they're not using the information gained for subversive means, it is better than smashing up bus-shelters or injecting themselves with hell know's what.
Many years ago, millions of us enjoyed eavesdropping on the Apollo astronauts doing their job.
And for jj, airways traffic at FL285 and below works 'Scottish Control' on 133,8MHz, above FL285, I think it is still 'London' on 128.125MHz. both frequencies are, I believe, still transmitted from the Grantham Tx/Rx site.

[KBPsen]

Pasir,

I don't know why you feel the need to muddy the waters. There is no question that in the UK it is a criminal offence to listen to radio transmission from either aircraft or ATC unless authorised to do so. End of story.

It is then up to each individual to decide whether the law applies to them or not.

[DX Wombat]

Mods, might it not be a good idea to put PPRuNe Radar's post regarding this subject as a sticky here as well as the ATC Forum? It may well be of help to those genuinely seeking information and discourage those, like Pasir, who are ignorant of the law from pronouncing on it.

Whether or not it is legal listening in to airband channels has come up time after time with no definitive result.

Various Wireless Telegraphy Acts will be quoted - especially the
1949 Act - much quoted by Ham radio 'experts' - but for each 'expert' stating its illegal there will be many or more stating the opposite.

As many here know already I and many other PPRuNErs hold both Amateur and CAA radio licences and I certainly take exception to such moronic, ill-informed statements being bandied about. NO properly licensed Radio Amateur will tell anyone that it is legal to listen to the broadcasts. Please do not confuse Radio Amateurs with persons who hold a CB licence - they are NOT Radio Amateurs and need no training to operate their radios which, quite rightly, have a very restricted band allocation.
Edited to make things a little clearer and also to correct name of poster in ATC forum.

[goldox]

A short list of other illegal activities which I (and I suspect others posting here) are guilty of:

Exceeding the speed limit.
Keeping money found in the street.
Performing (ie playing by live, radio, TV, CD player etc etc) in public (ie outside your own home), music without a PRS Licence.

Cast the first stone if you are without sin (or something like that from Life Of Brian??)

[pasir]

corection

Although the gist of my previous was mostly accurate after scrolling through reams of notices and deciphering various reports and opinions it
does appear that it is illegal to listen in - so far as the uk is concerned - and assuming recent legislation has not amended the situation - Although it is most unlikely that action would be taken against those innocently monitoring Air Band channels. Apologies to those unduly upsept.
(this will be my 4th attempt to post)

...

...

[Peter47]

I seem to remember liveatc.net saying that the reason for not broadcasting feeds from UK airports is that it is illegal under UK law. I certainly hope that its not illegal to listen to broadcasts from other countries in the UK on liveatc.net otherwise I'm a lawbreaker.

My favourite is JFK Company Channels particularly in inclement weather but that probably reflects my interests.

I take it that you know about flightradar24.com so that you can see what is flying over Humberside.

[JJ1994]

Yeah, I am always on FlightRadar24 to see what is going over/into Humberside. Would just like to hear the aircraft and atc.

[sevenstrokeroll]

God Bless you British...illegal to listen to the aviation bands.

Well, except for certain things(more of a civil than really criminal...though I imagine if you used it to destroy a plane with a bomb or missile it might be introduced), it isn't illegal in the USA and we sell cheap radios so anyone can listen. in fact when I was teaching people to fly I encouraged them to get a radio and listen...after all it was free. modern flying includes using the radio and if you can master the ''lingo'' for the cost ofa 20 dollar radio, instead of renting a plane, that's the way to save some money.


two things I hope you do...you call your MP and have him change the law, and then buy a radio.

[DaveReidUK]

two things I hope you do...you call your MP and have him change the law, and then buy a radio

But we don't need to.

The UK has a long and honourable tradition of common sense, which includes the law enforcement agencies turning a blind eye where a law is widely broken but the consequences are judged to be trivial. Clearly it is considered that simply listening to an airband radio poses no more of a threat to national security here in the UK than it does in the USA.

That tolerance soon disappears, though, if those who indulge in the hobby go out of their way to attract attention. As has already been noted, anyone who puts a live feed of UK ATC traffic on the internet can expect to feel the long arm of the law on their shoulder, which is why you won't find any such feeds.

Yes, of course it's inconsistent application of the law, but over here we find that this kind of commonsense approach works well, in many areas.

[Pegpilot]

Reminds me of the time a few years ago when we had a rather bad incident at our airfield requiring air ambulance and police attendance. The unfortunate pilot got away with a badly broken ankle but what got me was the fact that the local journo's were there within 45 minutes - only one way they could have sussed what was going on, through listening in to the police frequencies. They ticked all the cliche boxes - greasy hair and reaking of BO. But what really got my goat was when they asked me as club PR officer how old the victim WAS. I suggested that the question was grammatically incorrect as they should have asked "How old IS the victim" (wasn't quite dead....). Don't think I won too many prizes for press schmoozing that day.....

[Skipness One Echo]

What exactly is it you lot get off on when you listen in to air crew talking on the radio??

What exactly is it that you get off on with your *hatred* of aviation enthusiasts and spotters? You slither into "Spectators Balcony(Spotters Corner) with your schoolboy cheap shots and snidey comments? I have no doubt you would not be man enough to speak to any of us like that in person.
Would you?

I have had an air band scanner for 22 years, never had an issue in the UK ever. They are prevalent at public events like airshows and in numerous chats with Police around airfields it has never been an issue. It's an accepted hobby in the UK, not so much overseas / abroad land.

NATS | AIS - Home

Enjoy

[smiling monkey]

Originally Posted by walterthesofty

What exactly is it you lot get off on when you listen in to air crew talking on the radio??

It's a hobby and an interest for some matey. Just like fishing and golfing. I can't understand why people would wait for hours to catch fish when they can just go to the fish shop down the road. But if that gives them their life's pleasure, then so be it and it's no business of mine.

[Groundloop]

in fact when I was teaching people to fly I encouraged them to get a radio and listen.

You could still do that in the UK as the student pilot would hold a Flight Operator's R/T licence and could then argue that listening in was part of the training regime.