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== Aircraft on HF ==
+
==Description and Links==
 
 
 
Aircraft utilize HF communications when VHF (Line of Sight) communications is not sufficient. The primary usage of HF is for Trans-oceanic flights. Trans-oceanic flights communicate with ground stations via HF for position reports and other purposes.  
 
Aircraft utilize HF communications when VHF (Line of Sight) communications is not sufficient. The primary usage of HF is for Trans-oceanic flights. Trans-oceanic flights communicate with ground stations via HF for position reports and other purposes.  
Another utilization of HF communications is for [[HFDL]] or High Frequency DataLink. Finally Military Aircraft (MILCRAFT) utilize HF for operational and training.
+
* [[CCIR_(selcall)| CCIR (selcall)]]
 
+
* [[MWARA|MWARA frequencies]] - Aircraft use these stations to communicate over water when out of VHF radio range.
* [[ICAO HF Aeronautical Stations|MWARA frequencies]] - Aircraft use these stations to communicate over water when out of VHF radio range.
+
* [[VOLMET]] Aeronautical stations broadcasting weather worldwide
* [http://www.hfunderground.com/wiki/MWARA MWARA Frequency map on HFunderground]
 
 
==VOLMET==
 
VOLMET, or meteorological information for aircraft in flight, is the term applied to a worldwide network of radio stations that broadcast TAF, SIGMET and METAR reports on shortwave frequencies. Reports are sent using automated voice transmissions, in the upper sideband or J3E mode. As the name suggests, pilots on international air routes use these transmissions to determine what procedures to use for descent, approach, and landing, such as a visual approach or an instrument approach and the correct STAR. The actual term comes from the contraction of 2 French words, loosely translated as 'Flying Weather'.
 
 
 
The VOLMET network divides the world into specific regions, and individual VOLMET stations in each region broadcast weather reports for specific groups of air terminals in their region at specific times, coordinating their transmission schedules so as not to interfere with one another. Schedules are determined in intervals of five minutes, with one VOLMET station in each region broadcasting reports for a fixed list of cities in each interval. These schedules repeat every hour.
 
 
 
=== Use for Propagation ===
 
 
 
VOLMET Broadcasts are great for propagation measuring, since they have set schedules and frequencies all over the world and can give an clear indication of when propagation is strong or weak in areas.
 
 
 
=== VOLMET Station Frequencies and Times ===
 
ANCHORAGE
 
2863, 6679, 8828, 13282
 
H+25-30 & H+55-00
 
 
ANDERSEN
 
18002 2200-0700Z
 
13201 2000-0900Z
 
11176 H24
 
8967 H24
 
6738 0700-2200Z
 
4721 0900-2000Z
 
H+15 & H+45
 
 
ASUNCION
 
5601 0905-2315Z
 
10067
 
H+05
 
H+15
 
 
AUCKLAND
 
6679 H24
 
8828 H24
 
13282 H24
 
H+20+H-25
 
 
BANGKOK
 
11387 2310-1145Z
 
6676 H24
 
H+10-15 & H+40-45
 
 
BANGKOK INTL
 
2965 1210-2245Z
 
H+10-15 & H+40-45
 
 
BEIJING
 
*13285 0000-1600Z
 
*8849
 
**5673
 
**3458
 
H+15 - H+20
 
H+45 - H+50
 
*Day
 
**Ngt
 
 
BEIRUT
 
3001 H24
 
5561 H24
 
H+15 & H+45
 
 
BRAZZAVILLE*
 
10057 0700-2000Z H+00 & H+25
 
10057 2000-0700Z H+30 & H+55
 
*English and French language
 
 
CALCUTTA
 
11387 H24
 
6676 (0300-1300Z)
 
2965 (1300-0300Z)
 
H+05-10 & H+35-40
 
 
COMODORO RIVADAVIA RADIO
 
4675 0900-2400Z
 
8938 0900-2400Z
 
H+30 & H+40
 
 
CORDOBA RADIO
 
5475 H24 H+25
 
8952 H24 H+25
 
 
DAMASCUS
 
2992 H24
 
5667 H24
 
8918 H24
 
13312 H24
 
H+30 & Special
 
H+00 & Special
 
H+00 & Special
 
 
EDMONTON MILITARY
 
6753 2300-1200Z EVEN HRS+20
 
15035 1200-2300Z, ODD HRS+20
 
 
EZEIZA RADIO
 
2881 H24
 
5601 H24
 
11369 H24
 
H+15 & H+01
 
 
GANDER
 
3485 H24 H+20-25
 
6604 H24
 
10051 H24 H+25-30
 
13270 H24 H+50-55 & H+55-60
 
 
HONG KONG
 
2863 H24 H+15-20
 
6679 H+45-50
 
8828
 
13282
 
 
HONOLULU
 
2863 H24 H+00-05
 
6679 H24 H+30-35
 
8828 H24
 
13282 H24 H+05-10 & H+35-40
 
H+25-30 & H+55-60
 
 
KARACHI
 
6680 H24
 
3432 1500-0130Z
 
10017 0130-1500Z
 
H+15 & H+45
 
 
LAJES
 
13244 1000-2100Z
 
8967 H24
 
6750 H24
 
H+00 & H+30
 
8070 1015-2315 H+15
 
 
MACDILL
 
18019 0900-2400Z
 
13244 0900-2400Z
 
11246 H24
 
8993 H24
 
6750 0001-0900Z
 
4746 0001-0900Z
 
H+15 & H+45
 
 
MONTEVIDEO
 
8873 1000-2100Z H+15 AFST CARRASCO INTL.
 
5451
 
11387 H24
 
6676 H24
 
2965
 
H+25-30 & H+55-00
 
 
NEW YORK
 
3485 H24
 
6604 H24
 
H+00-05
 
10051 H24
 
13270 H24 H+05-20 & H+30-50
 
 
OAKLAND
 
2863 H24 H+05-10
 
6679 H24 H+35-40
 
8828 H24
 
13282 H24
 
 
RESISTENCIA RADIO
 
4675 H24 H+20 & H+50
 
ROYAL AIR FORCE
 
5450 H24
 
11253 H24
 
Broadcast of airfields is twice an hour in slot times
 
allotted as follows: 00/30, 06/36, 12/42, 18/48, 24/54
 
 
SALTA RADIO
 
5475 H24 H+15 & H+45
 
 
SHANNON
 
3413 SS-SR H+00
 
8957 H24
 
5505 H24
 
13264 SR-SS
 
H+05, H+10, H+15, H+20, H+30, H+35, H+40, H+45, H+50
 
 
SINGAPORE
 
6676 1230-2230Z
 
11387 2230-1230Z
 
H+20 & H+50
 
 
SYDNEY
 
6676 H24
 
11387 H24
 
H+00 & H+30
 
 
TAIWAN
 
2880 H24
 
5010 H+07
 
12400
 
 
TRENTON (MILITARY)
 
15034 1000-0000Z
 
6754 2300-1100Z
 
H+10-15, H+15-20, H+20-25, H+25-30
 
 
TOKYO
 
2863 H24
 
6679 H+10-15 & H+40-45
 
8828
 
13282
 
 
YOKOTA
 
18002 0001-0800Z
 
13201 2100-1000Z
 
11236 H24
 
8967 H24
 
6738 0800-2400Z
 
4747 1000-2100Z
 
H+00 & H+30
 
 
 
==What is HFDL?==
 
 
 
HFDL is a HF data link protocol, defined in [http://www.arinc.com ARINC] spec 635-3.  The HFDL service is operated by ARINC as GLOBALink service through a worldwide network of HF stations.
 
 
 
The name is somewhat misleading, as HFDL actually describes a class of data signals; it is also referred to as HF [[ACARS]].
 
 
 
* Transmissions on HF are in USB on a sub carrier of 1440 Hz with a symbol speed of 1800 baud.
 
* Modulation is 2-[[PSK]], 4-PSK or 8-PSK with effective bit rates of 300, 600, 1200 or 1800 bits/sec.
 
  
==PC-HFDL==
 
  
PC-HFDL is a Windows software to decode HFDL data traffic and has been written by Charles Brain. Just feed the HF receiver speaker's output into the soundcard of a Windows PC. It can be downloaded from the HFDL Yahoo group listed below.
+
==Digital and Other Modes==
 +
[[HFDL]], otherwise known as High Frequency Data Link, or HF ACARS, is now used extensively by many commercial airlines. There is a whole sub-culture of people that use various software packages to copy this mode and track flights which can be found on the [https://groups.io/g/UDXF Utility DXers Forum] group. This is also the place to be for logs of stations calling MWARA stations. Also see the [https://acars-vdl2.groups.io/g/main ACARS VDL2] reflector on groups.io, which covers HFDL as a sub-group
  
[[Image:pchfdl_screenshot.jpg|thumb|PC-HFDL screen]]
 
The best monitoring results will be achieved with the following PC-HFDL settings:
 
  
* PREAM ON - to control the audio offset of the receiver
+
==Websites==
* SPDU OFF - only needed temporarily ON to see the squitters of a new unknown ground station
+
* [http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&node=47:5.0.1.1.2.9&rgn=div6 Aeronautical Enroute and Aeronautical Fixed Stations regulations]
* MPDU ON - see the MPDU packets
+
* When a hurricane (cyclone in the Pacific) is spotted, the [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/pub/forecasts/recon/MIAREPRPD Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day] will give you an idea of when the flights to track these storms will take place
* LPDU ON - see the LPDUs within the MPDUs
+
* [http://www.udxf.nl/links.html UDXF Links page]  See the ''Aero'' section
* BDU ON - see the BDUs
+
* [http://www.udxf.nl/ute-info.html UDXF Files page]  See the ''Aero / Maritime'' section
* VERB ON - see more details
+
* For a list of all Aero services (including VOLMETs and RDARAs), see the [http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/p/this-international-hf-aero-frequency.html International HF Aero Frequency List] 
* HFNPDU ON - see the routine position reports
+
* [http://dxinfocentre.com/tweb.htm Transcribed Weather Broadcasts] (from William Hepburn DX Information Center)
* HEX OFF - only needed for debugging purposes
 
  
So in short, with all options ON except SPDU and HEX, the complete session can be seen: LOG-ON of the aircraft to the ground station giving its 24bit ICAO-ID, the assignment of the 1byte sequence ID number to the given ICAO-ID by the ground station referenced in all subsequent traffic, clear distinction of MPDU packets containing more than just one LPDU, and full traffic details.
 
  
The HFDL Yahoo group can be found [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hfdl/ here]. Version 2.042 (which '''is''' Vista compatible) can be downloaded from this stub [http://www.chbrain.dircon.co.uk/ page]
+
==Where to Find Activity?==
 +
The spectrum for HF Aero communications is very wide. Unlike VHF/UHF scanning, it's challenging to automatically scan a segment of the band because HF noise will always be present. While some aero stations are on a fixed schedule (like VOLMETs), others (such as HFDL) are much more difficult to detect due to their transient nature; thus, listening for Aero comms can be a game of patience. The more time passes, the harder it is to hear again. Mailing lists are one of the best ways to keep ahead of what is being heard, as traffic can be passed relatively quickly. See the Utility Related Clubs, Mailing lists and Publications of the [[Utility_Monitoring]] article for some suggested resources
  
===Other Packages known to support HFDL===
 
*  [http://www.hoka.net/old_product/code30/code30uk.htm Hoka Code30/A]
 
*  [http://www.hoka.net/old_product/code300/code300uk.htm Hoka Code 300/A]
 
*  [http://www.hoka.net/code300-32/code300-32.htm Hoka 300-32]
 
*  [http://www.monteriallc.com/centurion/centurion_feat.htm Monteria Centurion]
 
*  [http://www.skysweep.com Skysweeper]
 
*  [http://www.wavecom.ch/w61PC.htm Wavecom W61PC]
 
*  [http://www.wavecom.ch/W61LAN.htm Wavecom W61LAN]
 
  
==Frequencies in Use==
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---
Thanks to MT Utility World which had the text link. New entries are in '''bold'''<br>
+
* Return to [[Utility Monitoring]]
ARINC System Table 34
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" style="vertical-align:top;BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" colspan="2"
 
! Node ID
 
! Xmtr Name
 
! 1
 
! 2
 
! 3
 
! 4
 
! 5
 
! 6
 
! 7
 
! 8
 
! 9
 
! 10
 
! 11
 
! 12
 
! 13
 
! 14
 
! 15
 
! 16
 
! 17
 
! 18
 
! 19
 
! 20
 
|-
 
|01
 
|San Francisco CA
 
| 21934
 
| 17919
 
| 13276
 
| 11327
 
| 10081
 
| 8927
 
| 6559
 
| 5508
 
| 4672
 
| 2947
 
||||||||||
 
|- 
 
|02
 
|Molokai, HI
 
| 21937
 
| 21928
 
| 17934
 
| 17919
 
| '''13324'''
 
| '''13312'''
 
| 13276
 
| 11348
 
| 11312
 
| 10081
 
| 8936
 
| 8912
 
| '''6565'''
 
| 6559
 
| '''5514'''
 
| '''5463'''
 
| '''4687'''
 
| 3434
 
| 3019
 
| 2947
 
|-
 
|03
 
|Reykjavik, ISL
 
| 17985
 
| 15025
 
| 11184
 
| 8977
 
| 6712
 
| 5720
 
| 3900
 
| 3116
 
||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|04
 
|Riverhead, NY
 
| 21934
 
| 21931
 
| 17952
 
| 17934
 
| 17919
 
| 13276
 
| 11387
 
| 11354
 
| 11315
 
| 10027
 
| 8912
 
| 8885
 
| 8831
 
| 6661
 
| 6652
 
| 6646
 
| 5652
 
| 5523
 
| 3428
 
| 3410
 
|-
 
|05
 
|Auckland, NZL
 
| 21949
 
| 17916
 
| 13351
 
| 11327
 
| 10084
 
| 8921
 
| 6535
 
| 5583
 
| 3404
 
| 3016
 
||||||||||
 
|-
 
|06
 
|Hat Yai, THA
 
| 21949
 
| 17928
 
| 13270
 
| 10066
 
| 8825
 
| 6535
 
| 5655
 
| 4687
 
| 3470
 
|||||||||||   
 
|-
 
|07
 
|Shannon, IRL
 
| 11384
 
| 10081
 
| 8942
 
| 8843
 
| 6532
 
| 5547
 
| 3455
 
| 2998
 
||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|08
 
|Johannesburg, AFS
 
| 21949
 
| 13321
 
| 8834
 
| 4681
 
| 3016
 
|||||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|09
 
|Barrow, AK
 
| 21937
 
| 21928
 
| 17934
 
| 17919
 
| 11354
 
| 10093
 
| 10027
 
| 8936
 
| 8927
 
| 6646
 
| 5544
 
| 5538
 
| 5529
 
| 4687
 
| 4654
 
| 3497
 
| 3007
 
| 2992
 
| 2944
 
|- 
 
|'''11'''
 
|'''Albrook PAN'''
 
| '''21940'''
 
| '''17901'''
 
| '''10063'''
 
| '''6589'''
 
| '''5589'''
 
| '''2902'''
 
||||||||||||||| 
 
|-
 
|13
 
|Santa Cruz, BOL
 
| 21997
 
| 21988
 
| 21973
 
| 21946
 
| 17916
 
| 13315
 
| 11318
 
| 8957
 
| 6628
 
| 4660
 
| 3467
 
| 2983
 
||||||||
 
|-
 
|14
 
|Krasnoyarsk, RUS
 
| 21990
 
| 17912
 
| 13321
 
| 10087
 
| 8886
 
| 6596
 
| 5622
 
| 4679
 
| 2905
 
| 2878
 
||||||||||
 
|-
 
|15
 
|Al Muharraq, BHR
 
| 21982
 
| 17967
 
| 13354
 
| 11312
 
| 10075
 
| 8885
 
| 5544
 
| 2986
 
||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|16
 
|Agana, GUM
 
| 17919
 
| 13312
 
| 11306
 
| 11288
 
| 8927
 
| 6652
 
| 5451
 
|||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|17
 
|Telde, Gran Canaria, CNR
 
| 21955
 
| 17928
 
| 13303
 
| 11348
 
| 8948
 
| 6529
 
| 5589
 
| 2905
 
||||||||||||
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
[[Category:Aircraft Monitoring]]
+
[[Category:HF in Aviation]]
[[Category:HF Topics]]
 

Latest revision as of 17:29, 14 November 2020

Description and Links

Aircraft utilize HF communications when VHF (Line of Sight) communications is not sufficient. The primary usage of HF is for Trans-oceanic flights. Trans-oceanic flights communicate with ground stations via HF for position reports and other purposes.


Digital and Other Modes

HFDL, otherwise known as High Frequency Data Link, or HF ACARS, is now used extensively by many commercial airlines. There is a whole sub-culture of people that use various software packages to copy this mode and track flights which can be found on the Utility DXers Forum group. This is also the place to be for logs of stations calling MWARA stations. Also see the ACARS VDL2 reflector on groups.io, which covers HFDL as a sub-group


Websites


Where to Find Activity?

The spectrum for HF Aero communications is very wide. Unlike VHF/UHF scanning, it's challenging to automatically scan a segment of the band because HF noise will always be present. While some aero stations are on a fixed schedule (like VOLMETs), others (such as HFDL) are much more difficult to detect due to their transient nature; thus, listening for Aero comms can be a game of patience. The more time passes, the harder it is to hear again. Mailing lists are one of the best ways to keep ahead of what is being heard, as traffic can be passed relatively quickly. See the Utility Related Clubs, Mailing lists and Publications of the Utility_Monitoring article for some suggested resources


---