Squelch
 

My ICOM R5 came through today. Can anyone help me with what the Squelch actually does. The options are OPEN, AUTO, and 1-9.
All I've understood from the manual is that one end of the 'scale' results in a tighter output; could anyone clarify this somewhat?

Thanks,

Kirk

Squelch
 

The squelch control suppresses the static that you would otherwise hear on an unused channel. The squelch should be adjusted to the point that the static just disappears. At this point, any transmissions that occur will break the squelch and allow you to hear them.

You can think of it as a fancy automatic volume control...

And if you turn it up all the way, you may not hear anything. If you haven't heard any transmissions for a while - check the squelch.

I see. Doesn't quite make complete sense yet, but it probably will when I test it out again bearing what has been said here in mind.

Thanks

<<Doesn't quite make complete sense yet>>

Well it's not Rocket Science Kirk.. and surely you switched the thing on the instant you got it?

As has been explained, the squelch (or "muting" as it's sometimes known) reduces the hissing noise you hear when the squelch is wide open. As you close it down the noise will suddenly disappear but signals will "break" the squelch and you'll hear them. To hear very weak signals you sometimes need to open the squelch, ie so the receiver is making a hissing noise. On the other hand, if you turn the knob all the way in the opposite direction so the squelch is closed you may not hear anything except extremely strong signals.

kirk...

now you have the explanation from allyn and heathrow director...and so...when you turn on the radio...turn up the volume...then the squelch till it make that horrible hissing noise..then turn it down a little to where it becomes silent and bobs your uncle....

now you can turn up the volume further if you wish..

sort this out before you start transmitting and causing havoc on he airwaves. it only takes a minute.

you should do this every time you fly especially if someone other than you uses the aircraft.especially in training or club aircraft . i never cease to be amazed at the settings i find radios in...makes me wonder how people can fly and concentrate while listening to such a racket..:eek: .

as heathrow says ...its not rocket science. but if you're still in doubt ask an instructor to show you...:ok:

Not too sure what the dean is getting at. The ICOM R5 is a simple scanning receiver and not a transceiver. On a transceiver, having the squelch open should cause no problems other than noise in the pilot's ears! When he transmits the receiver will be automatically muted anyway so no "havoc" should be caused. However, it's certainly good practice to be thoroughly familiar with radio gear before you start using it.

Thanks HD and TD.
Am getting the hang of it now, cheers.

Kirk

sturmey
 

Hi everyone
New to plane spotting
58 years old
Near new doncaster airport that is the reason i got a scanner
Would be glad of information regarding abbreviations of frequencies and airports

Scanner Frequencies
 

Hi,
The main frequencies you need are the following :
460.150 Ops
128.775 Tower
126.225 Approach

These frequencies apply to DSA
For a more comprehensive guide, you would probably be best buying a comprehensive guide to Aircraft Frequencies, this can be bought at Maplins, or alternatively a trip to the Aviation shops at East Mids, Manchester or LBA would give you the info you require.In addition to the above frequencies you might like to add the various routing frequencies such as London Control, Manchester,Shanwick Oceanic,LBA. Also add this one :130.600 which is the Servisair frequency commomly used at all Airports.
Hope this helps !!!

Hi Dave 4444

I've been listening for 5 years or so - I bought 2 books by Graham Duke, "Air Traffic Control" & "Air Band Radio Guide" the second one is far and away the most informative, with pages of Airport Decodes and frequency listings. Hope this helps!

I was given a scanner for Christmas - I found this webpage listing lots of UK frequencies.
http://www.javiation.co.uk/vu.html
However, I've just noticed this was from 1997.....is this list still likely to be accurate, or do these frequencies change ... errm...frequently?

Also, what sort of range do the ground based transmissions have (e.g. tower)? Can only hear very weak tx from LHR. Mind you, I am in a known signal blackspot (need a booster for TV and can't get local radio unless I stand on the roof) and I am a good few miles from Heathrow.

Happy new year!

Frequencies for Tenerife Sur
 

I'm off on my holidays tomorrow and I am bringing my receiver. Can anyone tell me the VHF frequencies for Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia?

Many thanks

Scanners on board Aircraft
 

Did a search, and found nothing on this topic.

Now, we have all seen Die Hard 2, the one with John McClean, the cop, taking on 50 bad speacial Forces Guys, who hijack Dulles airport.

Now, the dumb ass reporter, on board an airliner, low on gas, circling overhead, has a friend, who has a scanner in his carry on. He apparently is able to pick up the beep beep beep, and eventually communications fro the ATC folks.

My question is, can a scanner pick up anything from the aircraft your in, Tx or Rx?

If it could receive, would it be allowed as a carry on item in todays security mad world?

No, I am not traveling anytime soon, and no, I don't own a scanner. Used too, but it broke. I just watched the movie, and my wife asked me if they could do that.

Cheers:ok:

In principle a scanner should receive both the aircraft and ground transmissions on an aeroplane, although you'd have to have the antenna very close to a window. I have communicated by amateur radio with flight crews on several ocasions when they have been using handheld gear on the flight deck - on one occasion as I was driving to work along the M4 and the aircraft was above me approaching Heathrow!

Whether it would be a good idea to use a scanner on an aeroplane would be open to debate and you would need professional advice. The vast majority of such gear is very cheaply produced and may well produce undesirable RF intereference.

Scanner Usage....Please don't merge.....again! Thanks.
 

Did a search, and found nothing on this topic.

Also posted in Spectators forum, with little response........



Now, we have all seen Die Hard 2, the one with John McClean, the cop, taking on 50 bad speacial Forces Guys, who hijack Dulles airport.

Now, the dumb ass reporter, on board an airliner, low on gas, circling overhead, has a friend, who has a scanner in his carry on. He apparently is able to pick up the beep beep beep, and eventually communications fro the ATC folks.

My question is, can a scanner pick up anything from the aircraft your in, Tx or Rx?

If it could receive, would it be allowed as a carry on item in todays security mad world?

No, I am not traveling anytime soon, and no, I don't own a scanner. Used too, but it broke. I just watched the movie, and my wife asked me if they could do that.

Cheers:ok:

I haven't seen it

I suppose it depends on the frequency range of the scanner. But I can see no reason why it would not be feasible (sp?).

the biggest issue would be your scanner position in relation to the vhf aerial on the aircraft - if you are immediately under or over the aerial you may be skipped out. you should certainly pick up atc, however if it is HF you won't, and if you are 50 NM out, surrounded by aluminium and wires, and high, the signal to your scanner may not be be very strong.....

I would think the airframe would work rather well as a Faraday cage, effectively blocking most radio transmissions from getting through, so I would imagine you would struggle to actually get any RF through it. This is why antenna are mounted on the exterior.

Not sure on the transmission pattern of the antenna used for ATC but I would think they are capable of being recieved directly above the station, wouldn't make much sense if RT to the ATC cut out directly above the airfield!

As for taking a scanner on in hand baggage, I thought all electrical/electronic goods had to be placed in hold baggage? Or has that rule been relaxed?