HF radio check on the ground
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rome
Age: 45
Posts: 11
HF radio check on the ground
Good morning everyone
I haven't used HF radioes in a while, our SOP require a check of HF reception, transmission and Selcal check on the ground before departure, it look like that Stockholm Radio has disappeared from my route manual, does anyone know of any other FREE service provider in northern europe?
Thank you
I haven't used HF radioes in a while, our SOP require a check of HF reception, transmission and Selcal check on the ground before departure, it look like that Stockholm Radio has disappeared from my route manual, does anyone know of any other FREE service provider in northern europe?
Thank you
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
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Join Date: Feb 2010
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Join Date: Feb 2000
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Originally Posted by mustafagander
In my old mob we used to do a SELCAL check with the en route radio pre take off. It was mandated in NZ.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,295
How does ground testing of HF radio square with the directive in the FCOM of not using HF radio while refuelling?
A high energy emission from an aircraft HF radio could be dangerous to an aircraft refuelling nearby on the ramp, even if the aircraft testing its HF radio is not itself refuelling.
A high energy emission from an aircraft HF radio could be dangerous to an aircraft refuelling nearby on the ramp, even if the aircraft testing its HF radio is not itself refuelling.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Windsor, UK
Age: 31
Posts: 241
Hi frankice,
I highly recommend you download the STORADIO app (do you have a company device to put it on?). When you open it, it will update with the latest propagation forecast so you can quickly find a frequency that’s likely to work. It also contains useful guides etc.
Champ
I highly recommend you download the STORADIO app (do you have a company device to put it on?). When you open it, it will update with the latest propagation forecast so you can quickly find a frequency that’s likely to work. It also contains useful guides etc.
Champ
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,295
I only ask because if the aircraft next to you on the ramp was refuelling when you tested your HF, there would be pretty much the same risk of fuel vapour explosion as you testing it during your own refuelling.
In the two (UK) long-haul airlines I worked for, we never ground tested HF. We tested it airborne approaching ETOPS airspace, and most aircraft had two HF radios fitted.
In the two (UK) long-haul airlines I worked for, we never ground tested HF. We tested it airborne approaching ETOPS airspace, and most aircraft had two HF radios fitted.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
Posts: 3,462
Never heard of an aircraft blowing up as a result of a nearby HF check. Standard procedure was once our refuelling was complete, we did a HF check. Before Satcom was readily available, HF was your lifeline.
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 400
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
Posts: 3,628
Originally Posted by Capn Bloggs
Has any aircraft blown itself up doing an HF check while it was refuelling?
Is causing danger to another aircraft on the ramp via an HF call a left over war time hand me down wisdom (like birds and radars) that may have been true once but is now obsolete?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Taxiway Y1
Posts: 11
I’ve found HF check on the ground to be rather pointless excercise. In addition to posing a potential fire hazard a functional check on the ground by no means guarantees that SELCAL will work later when needed. And unsatisfactory check means you’ll depart with a known defect or will need to defer it and not be able to use it on the flight as it is unlikely the maintenance would have a spare box hanging around and be able to switch it by departure time.
I know some SOP’s require it but I’d rather skip the ground test and rather rely on previous crews report of it’s functional status.
I know some SOP’s require it but I’d rather skip the ground test and rather rely on previous crews report of it’s functional status.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,295
Originally Posted by compressor stall
..........I've never considered the issue of causing danger to nearby refuelling aircraft as there are not usually any doing so. That said, if it was an issue, then I imagine that it would be prohibited.
Is causing danger to another aircraft on the ramp via an HF call a left over war time hand me down wisdom (like birds and radars) that may have been true once but is now obsolete?
Is causing danger to another aircraft on the ramp via an HF call a left over war time hand me down wisdom (like birds and radars) that may have been true once but is now obsolete?
HF ground testing has probably been safety audited, but just a thought: The distance from your aircraft fin, (where the HF antenna usually is), to your fuel tank vents is not much different to those of the aircraft next door, on some ramps.
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: somers
Posts: 9
Originally Posted by jjj2
I’ve found HF check on the ground to be rather pointless excercise. In addition to posing a potential fire hazard a functional check on the ground by no means guarantees that SELCAL will work later when needed. And unsatisfactory check means you’ll depart with a known defect or will need to defer it and not be able to use it on the flight as it is unlikely the maintenance would have a spare box hanging around and be able to switch it by departure time.
I know some SOP’s require it but I’d rather skip the ground test and rather rely on previous crews report of it’s functional status.
I know some SOP’s require it but I’d rather skip the ground test and rather rely on previous crews report of it’s functional status.
I would suggest if you are operating around the Central Pacific, no HF, no go. So a pre take off HF check is essential. SELCAL however is a luxury.
