Unlike KHPN, KSFO Jepp charts all show the two VOR freqs.

McGuire AFB in New Jersey is another

Not convinced that is the reason. VOR and VHF com are both VHF which is inherently line of sight for reception.

That was my first thought too A2, but upon further reflection it occurs to me that VORs have a significantly higher radiated output than comm transmitters used to broadcast ATIS. Possibly a factor in reception range also? One could also listen to KSFO ATIS on the Point Reyes VOR (*H class VORTAC, elevation 1340') too if I recall.

*courtesy of wikimapia

westhawk:


Attached is the header from one KSFO Jepp chart and the A/FD. These same four frequencies are also on the panel of the San Francisco Sectional and TAC charts.

No doubt one VHF is arrival and the other is departure. Presumably, 115.8, the SFO VOR being on the center of the airport, would be departure ATIS, and PYE VOR, being several miles north and on a hill, would be arrival ATIS.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1fd2c1c2.jpg

None of this really is important because all that info is on the approach chart. Maybe we should not let simple common day situations not look complicated. ATIS is always on the approach plate. If you are VFR you should have that same info. It should be be simple. Why make it complicated?

bubbers44:

It's an Internet forum, Tech Log at that.:E

A squared, regarding KSFO ATIS on VOR...

I realize that VHF is VHF...but if you already have a VOR station built, in use and capable of ATIS transmission, doesn't it make sense to use it rather than build a seperate transmitter at addtional cost?

the topography of San Francisco and its airport would preclude that extra long rrange transmission from an airport based site due to the hills surrounding the airport.

and yes of course, if the vor and a remote communication outlet were built, using the same power and antenna height I would expect similiar range.

it was a move to save MONEY and help the guys coming in from the ocean and points north.

now a days, one could take their cellphone and call the ATIS telephone number

I don't think it is legal yet to use a cellphone on most airliners. I have never had a problem getting ATIS just by using the approach chart.

Yeah, it would *seem* that way on the face of it, but then why is it relatively uncommon? From that perspective, you'd think every airport wih a VOR would broadcast ATIS on the VOR instead of having a separate transmitter .

Ever tried hearing the ATIS voice on a VOR?? Pain in the ass. Even with "voice" selected on the receiver it's still way harder to hear than a dedicated VHF frequency especially at 150 nm....

The ATIS broadcast on an NDB is actually better than a VOR!! :D

The way to go is Digital ATIS for ACARS, much better :ok: