We then put the primary Gander frequency in the standby for HF-L and the backup in the standby for HF-R, ready to use when needed.īy setting them up in this configuration, we are able to try and contact Shanwick using both the L and R radios at much the same. We normally put the primary frequency as the active on HF-L and the backup as the active on HF-R. They will also give us a primary and backup to contact Gander in Canada when halfway across the Atlantic. When flying to North America, leaving Irish/Scottish airspace, the controller in Shanwick will give us a primary HF frequency to use and also a backup frequency should the quality of signal be too poor on the primary. Read more: What’s happening in the flight deck during a rejected takeoff? This is particularly useful when crossing the Atlantic. Once again, there is a standby frequency to give us greater flexibility. ![]() Type in the number, select where you want it to go and it's ready to use. Tuning the HF radio is exactly the same as the VHF radio. As these are not used as often as VHF radios, there are only 2 HF radios - left and right. How pilots use itīy pressing the HF button at the top of the TCP, we are able to bring up the menu of HF radios. Quite often, the quality of the signal is so poor that it's impossible for either station to hear each other. ![]() However, what HF gains in distance, it loses in quality. As a result, lower frequencies are better quality during the night and higher frequencies are better during the day. At night, with less energy from the sun, only the E and F layers are active. (Image courtesy of the Naval Postgraduate School Public domain)ĭuring the day, energy from the sun causes the D, E and F layers to become heavily ionized, making the layer more active. Whilst high frequency (HF) radio signals aren't as strong as VHF signals, they are actually able to travel much farther. In these situations where the curvature of the earth prevents the use of VHF, we have to revert to something a little more basic. However, when flying over the oceans, VHF comms are not really an option. VHF radios are great when flying over areas where there are regular radio towers to send and receive signals. Read more: How pilots operate cargo flights on passenger aircraft HF radios How it works When ready to talk on the frequency, we press one of the three push-to-talk buttons in our seat area and this transmits what we say. All we need to do is hit the XFR button and we will be back on the previous frequency. Instead of trying to remember the frequency on which we were talking to the previous ATC unit, the TCP has already saved it for us. This is particularly useful in the event that we are unable to make contact with the new ATC unit - a fairly common event. However, instead of the previous frequency (123.45 in the photo) disappearing from view, it flips across to the SBY column. ![]() ![]() For example, if ATC (on VHF-L) asks us to change to another ATC frequency on 133.65 MHz, we'd type "13365" on the number keys and press the first key-select button on the left-hand side.įirstly, the active VHF-L frequency changes to 133.65 as requested. To tune one of the radios to the desired frequency, we simply type in the numerical part of the frequency using the number keys and hit the key-select button adjacent to where we want the frequency to go. The tuning and control panel on the 787 Dreamliner. The TCP gives us two options for each radio - "active" for the frequency we wish to receive and transmit on and "standby" for a frequency that we would like to have ready to use at the push of a single button. VHF-L is used primarily for communications with the active ATC frequency, VHF-C for our datalink and VHF-R to keep a listening watch on the emergency frequency, 12.5. On the 787, the three VHF radios are identified as "VHF left," "VHF center" and "VHF right." The tuning and control panel (TCP) is - unsurprisingly - used to tune and control all three VHF radios. Not only does this give us backups in case of a failure, but it also allows us to use to a number of different frequencies at the same time. Most commercial aircraft will have three separate VHF radios. Read more: The challenges for pilots when landing at hot and high airports How pilots use it The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions.
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