The new Farnborough frequencies (12/2017)

[adola68]

Trying to get my head around these new Farnborough frequencies, I've spent a merry couple of hours reading the Eurocontrol and NATS publications on the subject. I know how to have a good time. The whole thing does my head in!



The problem is that the new numbers that ATC and aircraft will use are no longer frequencies but 8.33Khz channel nos. They are close to the actual frequencies used but not exact.



Reading the various tables, as far as I can make out the new Tower frequency (channel 122.780) is actually 122.775 not 122.7833!! And in fact my scanner seems to pick the Tower up better on 122.775 than it does on 122.7833.



Again the Director frequency has changed from frequency 130.05 to channel 130.055. But checking the Eurocontrol table, channel 130.055 is actually frequency 130.05 – so it hasn't changed at all!! This frequency (if I can call it that!) is only used on very busy occasions (mainly during the airshow) so there's no way of checking yet if that is true.



So the Tower is channel 122.780 but frequency 122.775 and Director is channel 130.055 but frequency 130.05 (I think!).



Are there any current ATCOs or NATS employees out there who could confirm all this or alternatively drive me to the Loony Bin? We're going to have to get used to it as all of European ATC is going to 8.33Khz channels (regardless of BREXIT).



Confused of Cove

[busterbear]

According to what I understand, the aircraft and ground based radio kit does the magic and the frequencies should in theory stay the same. I know for a fact that Lasham Radio was 126.650, is 126.650 and will remain 126.650.

NATS when it has multiple transmitter sites, will nearly always offset the nominated frequency by a 'little bit'.

[busterbear]

www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2013/Magazine/May/radio.pdf

[andypspotter]

As of 2220 (15/12), none of the airfield charts, text etc... on the NATS AIS website have been updated.

[adola68]

Very interesting article. Sadly although these new aircraft transmitter/receivers may be clever enough to interpret 8.33 channels correctly my scanner isn't! It assumes 132.005 is really 132.005 and not actually 132.0 under another name!!

[andypspotter]

Ironically, it seems that if you have a radio / scanner with poorer selectivity, it is more likely that you be will able to listen to the 8.33mhz step frequencies.

An example of when lesser spec. offers more flexibility.

Certainly, if you have a scanner with selectable step changes (ideally 5khz rather than the 25khz), then the likelihood is that you'd be able to 8.33khz step frequencies.

Of course, many modern scanners already have 8.33khz steps as standard.

[busterbear]

Exactly the reason why older transceivers have to be binned. Poor selectivity can cause transmissions to occur on neighbouring and close frequencies.

[andypspotter]

C6370/17: Farnborough: Aerodrome limitation

AIRFIELD NOT AVAILABLE TO AIRCRAFT UNABLE TO OPERATE ON 8.33KHZ SPACED FREQUENCIES. FARNBOROUGH TOWER FREQ 122.780MHZ.

FROM: 14 Dec 2017 12:30 GMT
TO: 31 Dec 2017 20:00 GMT

[andypspotter]

C6186/17: Farnborough: Air/ground operating frequency(ies) changed

AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES COMMUNICATION FACILITIES AND CHARTS FARNBOROUGH DIRECTOR FREQ CHANGED TO 130.055MHZ
AD 2.18, AD 2-EGLF-5-1, AD 2-EGLF-8-1, AD 2-EGLF-8-2, AD 2-EGLF-8-3,
AD 2-EGLF-8-4, AD 2-EGLF-8-5, AD 2-EGLF-8-6

FROM: 14 Dec 2017 00:01 GMT
TO: Permanent

[andypspotter]

C5557/17: Farnborough: Aerodrome : miscellaneous plain language

AMEND ALL REFERENCES TO TOWER FREQ TO READ 122.780MHZ UK AIP AD 2 EGLF REFERS

FROM: 14 Dec 2017 00:00 GMT
TO: Permanent