Can I listen to the air traffic control center with a regular AM/FM radio?
2007-01-02 03:38:07 · 8 answers · asked by dman 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Generally, you cannot listen to ATC (air Traffic control) with a 'normal' AM/FM radio. The radio frequency range which aircraft transmit on begins right where the FM band frequency ends, and is known as VHF, Very High Frequency range. Military aircraft transmit on special or UHF, the ultra high frequency of the radio spectrum. Even "normal" aircraft radios (which would include most light and commercial aircraft) that transmit and receive in VHF, cannot pick up the UHF transmissions. This is of course for secrecy.
To get back to your question though, sometimes regular FM radios Can pick up the radio transmissions from aircraft or ATC. It has happened to me when I was very close to an ATC tower in Los Angeles and in Miami. There is so much power when these stations transmit that it sometimes 'bleeds' through into the regular FM radio, however, the prevailing atmospheric conditions must also favor and support the transmission. Lightning, wind and dust can affect its reception. I must add though, that of all the times and hours I have spent at an airport, I have only picked up the transmissions clearly only twice. I hope that helps.
2007-01-02 07:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Generally, you cannot listen to ATC with a 'normal' AM/FM radio. The radio frequency range which aircraft transmit is Very High Frequency or Ultra high frequency range.
2007-01-02 08:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Pramod 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radio Shack used to sell a radio which received the air band for about $25. I don't know if they still have anything like that. The cheapest aviation handheld radios are $150 to $200.
2007-01-02 06:54:25 · answer #3 · answered by sfsfan1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes and no, if you are near an airport spotting area, they have signs saying tune your radio to FM channel something to hear ATC. I did this in LAS where it was 101.1. So you can if you are near an airport.
2007-01-02 07:26:53 · answer #4 · answered by armenharoutunian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, ATC communications operate between 118.0-135.975 MHz. You can buy a receiver capable of listening to those frequencies.
2007-01-02 04:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by jrc 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No you can not listen with a normal radio, but you can listen on the internet. http://www.liveatc.net/
2007-01-02 04:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, different bands. Sorry dude.
2007-01-02 03:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by Gadwall 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No.
2007-01-02 06:30:14 · answer #8 · answered by be1900cpt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋