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== Common VHF Frequencies ==
+
Aircraft use [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airband Airband] as their primary means of voice communication. In North America, the spectrum from 118.000 to 136.975 MHz is used with 25 kHz spacing and [[Modulation_Methods#Amplitude_Modulation|AM]]. As of 2010 aeronautical enroute and flight test stations may use 8.33 kHz spaced channels in the 121.4-123.6, 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.875 MHz ranges.
 
 
In the US the civil aircraft communications band (118-137 MHz) generally uses 25 kHz spaced channels.
 
 
 
As of 2010 aeronautical enroute and flight test stations may use 8.33 kHz spaced channels in the 121.4-123.6, 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.875 MHz ranges.
 
  
 +
==VHF Allocation - 118-137 MHz==
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|-
 +
! Lower Frequency !! Upper Frequency !! Allocation
 +
|-
 +
| 118.000 || 121.400 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 121.425 || 121.450 || Gov AWOS/ASOS
 +
|-
 +
| 121.475 || || Band Protection for 121.500
 +
|-
 +
| 121.500 || || Emergency Frequency (Guard)
 +
|-
 +
| 121.525 || || Band Protection for 121.500
 +
|-
 +
| 121.550 || 121.575 || Gov AWOS/ASOS
 +
|-
 +
| 121.600 || 121.925 || ATC (Old Ground Control Frequency Band)
 +
|-
 +
| 121.775 || || SAR ELT Location Training
 +
|-
 +
| 121.950 || || Aviation Support
 +
|-
 +
| 121.975 || || FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
 +
|-
 +
| 122.000 || 122.050 || EFAS (Callsign "Flightwatch" terminated 10/1/2015 and merged with FSS)
 +
|-
 +
| 122.075 || 122.675 || FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
 +
|-
 +
| 122.700 || 122.725 || UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
 +
|-
 +
| 122.750 || || Fixed Wing Aircraft - Air to Air
 +
|-
 +
| 122.775 || || Aviation Support
 +
|-
 +
| 122.800 || || UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
 +
|-
 +
| 122.825 || || Domestic VHF
 +
|-
 +
| 122.850 || || MULTICOM
 +
|-
 +
| 122.875 || || UNICOM - Domestic VHF
 +
|-
 +
| 122.900 || || MULTICOM - SAR Training
 +
|-
 +
| 122.925 || || MULTICOM - Special Use/ National Response Management
 +
|-
 +
| 122.950 || || UNICOM - Full Time ATCT, FSS
 +
|-
 +
| 122.975 || 123.000 || UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
 +
|-
 +
| 123.025 || || Helicopter Air-to-Air
 +
|-
 +
| 123.025 || 123.075 || UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
 +
|-
 +
| 123.100 || || SAR; Temp. ATCTs and Fly-ins with SAR Coordination
 +
|-
 +
| 123.125 || 123.275 || Flight Test
 +
|-
 +
| 123.300 || || Aviation Support
 +
|-
 +
| 123.325 || 123.475 || Flight Test (123.450 Used for Air-to-Air Communications Over Remote and Oceanic Areas Out of Range of VHF Ground Stations)
 +
|-
 +
| 123.500 || || Aviation Support
 +
|-
 +
| 123.525 || 123.575 || Flight Test
 +
|-
 +
| 123.600 || 123.650 || ATC (Formerly Air Carrier Advisory. FSS Uses Phased Out)
 +
|-
 +
| 123.675 || 126.175 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 126.200 || || Military Common (Advisory)
 +
|-
 +
| 126.225 || 128.800 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 128.825 || 132.000 || Operational Control. Coordinated by ARINC (See [[#Airline Operations|Airline Operations]] Below)
 +
|-
 +
| 132.025 || 134.075 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 134.100 || || Military Common (Advisory)
 +
|-
 +
| 134.125 || 135.825 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 135.850 || || FAA Flight Inspection
 +
|-
 +
| 135.875 || 135.925 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 135.950 || || FAA Flight Inspection
 +
|-
 +
| 135.975 || 136.400 || ATC
 +
|-
 +
| 136.425 || 136.475 || Old FIS. (Now Unallocated)
 +
|-
 +
| 136.500 || 136.875 || Domestic VHF
 +
|-
 +
| 136.900 || 136.975 || International and Domestic VHF
 +
|}
 +
[https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/6050_32B_WITH_CHG_1_AND_2_INCORPORATED.pdf FAA Order 6050.32B Change 1 Appendix 2 Figure 1.]
 +
<br>
  
 +
== Common Civilian Frequencies ==
 
<freqsubcat>64549</freqsubcat>
 
<freqsubcat>64549</freqsubcat>
  
From Appendix 2 of FAA Spectrum Management Regulations and Procedures Manual and 87.173 Aeronautical Frequency Table (See references below)
+
== Common Military Frequencies ==
118.000 - 121.400  Air Traffic Control
 
121.425 - 121.450  Govt AWOS/ASOS
 
121.475 - 121.525  Band Protection for 121.5
 
121.550 - 121.575  Govt AWOS/ASOS
 
121.600 - 121.925  Air Traffic Control (Old gnd ctrl freq band)
 
121.775            SAR ELT Location training
 
121.975            FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
 
122.000 - 122.050  En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS)
 
122.075 - 122.675  FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
 
122.700 - 122.725  Unicom - Uncontrolled Airports
 
122.800            Unicom - Uncontrolled Airports
 
122.825            Domestic VHF
 
122.875            Unicom, Domestic VHF
 
122.950            Unicom - Airports with full time ATCT or FSS
 
122.975 - 123.000  Unicom - Uncontrolled Airports
 
123.050 - 123.075  Unicom - Uncontrolled Airports
 
123.125 - 123.175  Flight Test itinerant
 
123.200 - 123.275  Flight Test
 
123.325 - 123.375  Flight Test
 
123.425 - 123.475  Flight Test
 
123.525 - 123.575  Flight Test
 
123.600 - 126.800  Air Traffic Control
 
128.825 - 132.000  Operational Control
 
132.025 - 136.475  Air Traffic Control
 
136.500 - 136.875  Domestic VHF
 
136.900 - 136.975  International and Domestic VHF
 
<br>
 
 
 
== Common UHF Frequencies ==
 
 
In recent years many PMSV stations have moved off of the four older nationwide common frequencies.
 
In recent years many PMSV stations have moved off of the four older nationwide common frequencies.
  243.0 Aircraft Emergency and Distress (UHF Guard)
+
  243.0000 Aircraft Emergency and Distress (Military Guard)
  257.8 Air Traffic Control (Military Common)
+
  257.8000 Air Traffic Control (Military Common)
  282.8 Search and Rescue
+
  282.8000 Search and Rescue
  255.4 FAA Flight Service Stations
+
  255.4000 FAA Flight Service Stations
  296.7 FAA Flight Service Stations
+
  296.7000 FAA Flight Service Stations
  239.8 PMSV (Pilot to Metro Service - weather advisory)
+
  239.8000 PMSV (Pilot to Metro Service - weather advisory)
  342.5 PMSV
+
  342.5000 PMSV
  344.6 PMSV
+
  344.6000 PMSV
  375.2 PMSV
+
  375.2000 PMSV
  303.0 Air-to-air "Winchester"
+
  303.0000 Air-to-air "Winchester"
  311.0 USAF ACC Command Posts Pimary
+
  311.0000 USAF ACC Command Posts Pimary
  321.0 USAF ACC Command Posts Secondary
+
  321.0000 USAF ACC Command Posts Secondary
  381.3 USAF ACC Command Posts
+
  381.3000 USAF ACC Command Posts
  319.4 USAF AMC Command Posts   
+
  319.4000 USAF AMC Command Posts   
  349.4 USAF AMC Command Posts
+
  349.4000 USAF AMC Command Posts
  252.1 USAF Reserve Command Posts
+
  252.1000 USAF Reserve Command Posts
  351.2 USAF Reserve Command Posts
+
  351.2000 USAF Reserve Command Posts
  364.2 USAF NORAD AICC Primary
+
  364.2000 USAF NORAD AICC Primary
  380.0 FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel
+
  380.0000 FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel
  380.1 FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel
+
  380.1000 FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
 
== ARINC En Route Service ==
 
== ARINC En Route Service ==
The ARINC En Route Service is available to aircraft above 20,000 feet and on the ground at select airports. Base is "San Francisco Radio" except on Gulf Net, Maritime Net and Mex Net which are "New York Radio."
+
ARINC operates a wide area radio network, primarily to enable airline customers to create voice patches. It is available above 20,000 feet and on the ground at select airports. Use examples include pilot to dispatch, maintenance control, or medical advisors. This is usually used to supplement ACARS or in lieu of ACARS if it is inoperative on an aircraft. This way airline dispatchers can maintain operational control of their aircraft in flight. Delta Air Lines maintains a similar but separate network called "Atlanta Radio".
* [http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Information_Management/ARINC_Aviation/globalink-air-ground/Jeppesen_charts.aspx ARINC HF/VHF Coverage Maps]
+
 
* [http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Information_Management/ARINC_Aviation/globalink-air-ground/air-ground_domestic_voice_service.aspx ARINC Air/Ground Domestic Voice Service]
+
In the contiguous US, the base station callsign is "San Francisco Radio" except on Gulf Net, Maritime Net and Mex Net which are "New York Radio."
 +
* [https://radio.arinc.net/ ARINC Voice Service] (this page has current HF/VHF coverage maps)
 
* [[ARINC Frequencies in the NE US]]
 
* [[ARINC Frequencies in the NE US]]
  
 
VHF en route frequencies changed effective 04 Apr 2012:
 
VHF en route frequencies changed effective 04 Apr 2012:
  128.900 Southwest USA
+
  128.9000 Southwest USA
  129.400 Northeast USA / Canada West Coast and Anchorage
+
  129.4000 Northeast USA / Great Lakes Area / Canada West Coast and Anchorage
  129.450 East Central USA
+
  129.4500 East Central USA
  131.800 Northwest USA
+
  131.8000 Northwest USA
  129.900 Maritime Net (Northeast Coast USA)
+
  129.9000 Maritime Net (Northeast Coast USA)
  130.700 Mexico / Carribean
+
  130.7000 Mexico / Caribbean
  131.175 Southeast USA
+
  131.1750 Southeast USA
  130.400 West Central USA
+
  130.4000 West Central USA
  131.950 Pacific Net (West Coast USA and Hawaii)
+
  131.9500 Pacific Net (West Coast USA and Hawaii)
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
Line 87: Line 155:
  
 
== Balloon Operations ==
 
== Balloon Operations ==
  123.3 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
+
  123.3000 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
  123.5 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
+
  123.5000 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
  122.75 Common air-to-air
+
  122.7500 Common air-to-air
  122.0 AFSS Weather requests
+
  122.0000 AFSS Weather requests
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
== [[Blimps]] ==
+
==Airline Operations==
== [[Heavy Lift Helicopters]] ==
+
The frequencies between 128.825-132.000 and 136.500-136.975 MHz are managed and coordinated by Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc (ASRI). ASRI was spun off from Aeronautical Radio, INC (ARINC) in 2010. ARINC is now owned by Collins Aerospace and ASRI is owned by a consortium of U.S. airlines. Operations such as pilot to FBO, pilot to airline ground operation station, pilot to dispatch via a radio network such as San Francisco Radio, and deice trucks are found almost exclusively between 128.825-132.000. Coordinating and FCC licensing is handled by ASRI. The licensee in FCC licenses is almost always ASRI, thus obfuscating the license's user. <sup>[https://www.asri.aero/about-us/ Source]</sup>
== Other Aircraft Frequencies ==
+
 
=== [[Instrument Landing System (ILS) Frequencies|ILS, DME, VOR and TACAN]] ===
+
At large airports (DFW, DEN, DTW, ORD, LAX, among many others), the ramps are controlled by the airlines, not the FAA air traffic control. The ramp controllers provide permission for aircraft to enter and park at their gates, push back from the gate and start, and maintain the flow of traffic in their alleyways. Most ramp frequencies are found in the 128.825-132.000 range. These ramp frequencies are seldom published by the FAA.
  
=== [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_landing_system#Marker_beacons Marker Beacon] ===
+
Airline deice trucks at small and midsized stations often use the corresponding operations frequency. At hub airports, deice trucks often (not always) have dedicated frequencies; these dedicated frequencies often do not have a corresponding FCC license because its mobile to mobile and coordinated by ASRI.
75.000 MHz
 
  
=== [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_Directional_Beacon Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)] ===
+
==Conventions for Abbreviating Frequencies==
190 - 530 kHz
+
In the VHF band, frequency designations read over the radio are often abbreviated. Sometimes for brevity, sometimes as another way to read back a frequency assignment to make sure it was received correctly, and occasionally out of laziness. The following conventions have varying degrees of acceptance in the US.
1600 - 1800 kHz
+
* Ground frequencies: previously ground frequencies were assigned frequencies beginning in 121. So in reading back ground frequencies, the "121" may be assumed. So if the ground frequency is 121.600, it may be shorted to ".6" ("point six").
 +
* Omitting the last digit in a frequency ending in 5: because ATC frequencies are spaced at 0.025&nbsp;MHz (example, 132.000, 132.025, 132.050, 132.075) when the third decimal place is a 5 it may be omitted. So if the assigned frequency is 132.225, it may be read back as "132.22" ("one-three-two point two-two). This is perfectly acceptable by all controllers and users, many aircraft radios even omit the third decimal point.
 +
* Omitting the leading one: since VHF ATC frequencies begin with a 1, the 1 may be assumed. Not proper but still common. 123.050 can be shorted to "23.05" ("two-three point zero-five").
 +
* Middle four digits: combining the last two conventions and sometimes omitting the "point". 118.675 may be shorted to "1867" ("one-eight-six-seven" or "eighteen-sixty seven").
  
== Federal Aviation Administration ==
+
==See Also==
*[[Federal Aviation Administration]]
+
* [[ARINC Frequencies in the NE US]]
*[http://nfdc.faa.gov/nasr/airportLookup FAA Airport Lookup]
+
* [[ARTCC|Air Route Traffic Control Center]]
*[http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/ Aeronautical Information Manual]
+
* [[Blimps]]
 +
* [[Federal Aviation Administration]]
 +
* [[Finding Air Traffic Frequencies]]
 +
* [[Heavy Lift Helicopters]]
 +
* [[HF]]
 +
** [[MWARA]] - Major World Air Route Areas support HF Radio communications to aircraft outside of VHF range.
 +
** [[VOLMET]] - Oceanic Weather
 +
* [[Instrument Landing System (ILS) Frequencies |Navigation Aids]] including ILS, DME, VOR, TACAN, Marker Beacons, and NDB
 +
* [[Safety of Flight]]
  
== Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) ==
+
==External Links==
Each Center is indexed at the [[ARTCC]] article.
+
===Federal Aviation Administration===
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov Federal Aviation Administration Home Page]
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/Aero_Data/ Aeronautical Data] - Download the 28 Day NASR Subscription Data and other data.
 +
* [https://ais-faa.opendata.arcgis.com Aeronautical Information Services] - View and download maps of Class Airspace, ARTCC Boundary, etc.
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications Air Traffic Plans and Publications] - Download the Aeronautical Information Manual and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/diagrams/ Airport Diagrams] - Search for and download airport diagrams.
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/ Digital Products] - Download various charts and supplements.
 +
* [https://www.1800wxbrief.com Flight Service]
 +
* [https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals Handbooks and Manuals]
 +
* [https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Inquiry.aspx N-Number Inquiry] - Look up aircraft registration numbers.
 +
* [https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb PilotWeb] - Search for NOTAMS.
 +
* [https://sua.faa.gov Special Use Airspace (SUA)]
 +
* [https://tfr.faa.gov Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)]
  
== MWARA ==
+
===Aeronautical Data and Aircraft Tracking===
[[MWARA]] Major World Air Route Areas support HF Radio communications to aircraft outside of VHF range.  
+
;USA
 +
* [https://www.airnav.com AirNav.com] - Online airport and navaid info.
 +
* [https://flightaware.com FlightAware] - Real time flight tracking
 +
* [https://flightradar24.com FlightRadar24] - Real time flight tracking
 +
* [https://liveatc.net LiveATC.net] - Live air traffic control radio feeds
 +
* [https://planefinder.net planefinder.net] - Real time flight tracking (ADS-B) + 5 min delay (FAA Data)
 +
* [https://skyvector.com SkyVector.com] - Online aeronautical charts.
 +
* [https://vfrmap.com VFRMAP.com] - Online aeronautical charts.
 +
;Canada
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190714201918/http://www.canairradio.com:80/ Canadian Aeronautical Communications (Archive)] - Unmaintained since 2019 (<i>Live URL has been taken over by malicious actor</i>).
  
== Finding Air Traffic Frequencies ==
 
[[Finding Air Traffic Frequencies]]
 
  
== Related Links ==
+
===Other Links===
=== USA ===
+
* [http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html The Fed Files] Nationwide Military Frequencies
* [http://www.airnav.com AirNav.com] - Online airport and navaid info.
 
* [http://skyvector.com SkyVector.com] - Online aeronautical charts.
 
* [http://vfrmap.com VFRMAP.com] - Online aeronautical charts.
 
* [[Safety of Flight]]
 
* [[ARINC Frequencies in the NE US]]
 
*[http://flightaware.com FlightAware] - Real time flight tracking
 
*[http://flightradar24.com FlightRadar24] - Real time flight tracking
 
*[http://liveatc.net LiveATC.net] - Live air traffic control radio feeds
 
*[https://planefinder.net planefinder.net] - Real time flight tracking (ADS-B) + 5 min delay (FAA Data)
 
  
=== Canada ===
+
== Files ==
* [http://www.canairradio.com Canadian Aeronautical Communications]
+
* [[media:ASRI_VHF_2022.zip|ASRI_VHF_2022.zip]] - Contains a Google Earth .kml map of ASRI VHF (128.825-136.975) ground stations.
 +
* [[media:FAA.zip|FAA.zip]] - Contains a Google Earth .kml map of ARTCCs, ARTCC boundaries, ARTCC RCAG sites, Partial list of ARTCC radar sites, AFSS Hubs, AFSS RCO sites, and Navaids.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
* [http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&node=47:5.0.1.1.2.5.97.3&rgn=div8 47CFR87.173 Aeronautical Frequency Table]
+
* [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-87/subpart-E 47 CFR 87.173 Frequencies]
* [http://wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/ FCC Aviation Radio Service]
+
* [http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=aviation FCC Aviation Radio Service]
 
* [http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/6050_12A.pdf Southwest Region Spectrum Management Handbook] SW 6050.12A December 12, 2001
 
* [http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/6050_12A.pdf Southwest Region Spectrum Management Handbook] SW 6050.12A December 12, 2001
 
* [http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/6050_32B_WITH_CHG_1_AND_2_INCORPORATED.pdf Spectrum Management Regulations and Procedures Manual] JO 6050.32B November 17, 2005
 
* [http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/6050_32B_WITH_CHG_1_AND_2_INCORPORATED.pdf Spectrum Management Regulations and Procedures Manual] JO 6050.32B November 17, 2005
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
{{Refreshpage
 
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{{Refreshpage}}
  
 
Return to Wiki page: [[Common Frequencies]]
 
Return to Wiki page: [[Common Frequencies]]
  
[[Category:US and Canadian Common Frequencies]]
+
[[Category:US and Canadian Common Aviation Frequencies]]
[[Category:Civil Aviation]]
+
[[Category:Canada Civil Aviation]]
[[Category:Civil Aviation Frequencies]]
+
[[Category:United States Civil Aviation]]
[[Category:Fire Services Aviation]]
+
[[Category:United States Civil Aviation Frequencies]]
[[Category:Fire Services Aviation Frequencies]]
+
[[Category:United States Fire Services Aviation]]
[[Category:Law Enforcement Aviation]]
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[[Category:United States Fire Services Aviation Frequencies]]
[[Category:Law Enforcement Aviation Frequencies]]
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[[Category:United States Law Enforcement Aviation]]
[[Category:Medical Aviation]]
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[[Category:United States Law Enforcement Aviation Frequencies]]
[[Category:Medical Aviation Frequencies]]
+
[[Category:United States Medical Aviation]]
[[Category:Military Aviation]]
+
[[Category:United States Medical Aviation Frequencies]]
[[Category:Military Aviation Frequencies]]
+
[[Category:United States Military Aviation]]
 +
[[Category:United States Military Aviation Frequencies]]

Latest revision as of 14:58, 5 January 2023

Aircraft use Airband as their primary means of voice communication. In North America, the spectrum from 118.000 to 136.975 MHz is used with 25 kHz spacing and AM. As of 2010 aeronautical enroute and flight test stations may use 8.33 kHz spaced channels in the 121.4-123.6, 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.875 MHz ranges.

VHF Allocation - 118-137 MHz

Lower Frequency Upper Frequency Allocation
118.000 121.400 ATC
121.425 121.450 Gov AWOS/ASOS
121.475 Band Protection for 121.500
121.500 Emergency Frequency (Guard)
121.525 Band Protection for 121.500
121.550 121.575 Gov AWOS/ASOS
121.600 121.925 ATC (Old Ground Control Frequency Band)
121.775 SAR ELT Location Training
121.950 Aviation Support
121.975 FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
122.000 122.050 EFAS (Callsign "Flightwatch" terminated 10/1/2015 and merged with FSS)
122.075 122.675 FSS Private Aircraft Advisory
122.700 122.725 UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
122.750 Fixed Wing Aircraft - Air to Air
122.775 Aviation Support
122.800 UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
122.825 Domestic VHF
122.850 MULTICOM
122.875 UNICOM - Domestic VHF
122.900 MULTICOM - SAR Training
122.925 MULTICOM - Special Use/ National Response Management
122.950 UNICOM - Full Time ATCT, FSS
122.975 123.000 UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
123.025 Helicopter Air-to-Air
123.025 123.075 UNICOM - Uncontrolled Airports
123.100 SAR; Temp. ATCTs and Fly-ins with SAR Coordination
123.125 123.275 Flight Test
123.300 Aviation Support
123.325 123.475 Flight Test (123.450 Used for Air-to-Air Communications Over Remote and Oceanic Areas Out of Range of VHF Ground Stations)
123.500 Aviation Support
123.525 123.575 Flight Test
123.600 123.650 ATC (Formerly Air Carrier Advisory. FSS Uses Phased Out)
123.675 126.175 ATC
126.200 Military Common (Advisory)
126.225 128.800 ATC
128.825 132.000 Operational Control. Coordinated by ARINC (See Airline Operations Below)
132.025 134.075 ATC
134.100 Military Common (Advisory)
134.125 135.825 ATC
135.850 FAA Flight Inspection
135.875 135.925 ATC
135.950 FAA Flight Inspection
135.975 136.400 ATC
136.425 136.475 Old FIS. (Now Unallocated)
136.500 136.875 Domestic VHF
136.900 136.975 International and Domestic VHF

FAA Order 6050.32B Change 1 Appendix 2 Figure 1.

Common Civilian Frequencies

Frequency  Type  Tone  Alpha Tag  Description  Mode  Tag 
121.50000  CSQ  VHF Guard Aircraft Emergency and Distress (VHF Guard)  AM  Aircraft 
121.95000  CSQ  AvSup 121.95 Aviation Support  AM  Business 
122.75000  CSQ  Air-Air 122.750 Aircraft air-to-air  AM  Aircraft 
122.77500  CSQ  AvSup 122.775 Aviation Support  AM  Business 
122.85000  CSQ  Multi 122.85 Multicom, Aviation Support  AM  Aircraft 
122.90000  CSQ  Multi 122.9 Multicom, Search and Rescue Training  AM  Aircraft 
122.92500  CSQ  Multi 122.925 Multicom - Special Use, Natural resource management  AM  Aircraft 
123.02500  CSQ  Helo Air-Air Helicopter Air-to-Air  AM  Aircraft 
123.10000  CSQ  SAR Primary Search and Rescue primary, ATC for special events secondary  AM  Aircraft 
123.12500  CSQ  FlightTest123.12 Flight Test itinerant  AM  Business 
123.15000  CSQ  FlightTest123.15 Flight Test itinerant  AM  Business 
123.17500  CSQ  FlightTest123.17 Flight Test itinerant  AM  Business 
123.20000  CSQ  FlightTest123.2 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.22500  CSQ  FlightTest123.22 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.25000  CSQ  FlightTest123.25 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.27500  CSQ  FlightTest123.27 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.30000  CSQ  AvSup 123.3 Aviation Support  AM  Business 
123.32500  CSQ  FlightTest123.32 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.35000  CSQ  FlightTest123.35 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.37500  CSQ  FlightTest123.37 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.40000  CSQ  FlightTest123.4 Flight Test itinerant  AM  Business 
123.42500  CSQ  FlightTest123.42 Flight Test itinerant  AM  Business 
123.45000  CSQ  FlightTest123.45 Flight Test/Unofficial Air-to-Air  AM  Business 
123.47500  CSQ  FlightTest123.47 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.50000  CSQ  AvSup 123.5 Aviation Support  AM  Business 
123.52500  CSQ  FlightTest123.52 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.55000  CSQ  FlightTest123.55 Flight Test  AM  Business 
123.57500  CSQ  FlightTest123.57 Flight Test  AM  Business 
126.20000  CSQ  MilCom 126.2 Military Common (advisory)  AM  Aircraft 
134.10000  CSQ  MilCom 134.1 Military Common (advisory)  AM  Aircraft 
135.85000  CSQ  FltIns135.85 FAA Flight Inspection  AM  Federal 
135.95000  CSQ  FltIns135.95 FAA Flight Inspection  AM  Federal 
122.20000  CSQ  Flt Watch Wx Flight Watch Weather  AM  Aircraft 
129.52500  CSQ  Deicing Comm Deicing Common  AM  Business 
121.77500  CSQ  ELT Training Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Training Beacons  AM  Aircraft 
122.70000  CSQ  FAA 122.700 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
122.72500  CSQ  FAA 122.725 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
122.80000  CSQ  FAA 122.8 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
122.97500  CSQ  FAA 122.975 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
123.00000  CSQ  FAA 123.000 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
123.05000  CSQ  FAA 123.05 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
123.07500  CSQ  FAA 123.075 Unicom  AM  Aircraft 
122.95000  BM  CSQ  Unicom 122.95 Unicom - Controlled Airports  AM  Aircraft 


Common Military Frequencies

In recent years many PMSV stations have moved off of the four older nationwide common frequencies.

243.0000  Aircraft Emergency and Distress (Military Guard)
257.8000  Air Traffic Control (Military Common)
282.8000  Search and Rescue
255.4000  FAA Flight Service Stations
296.7000  FAA Flight Service Stations
239.8000  PMSV (Pilot to Metro Service - weather advisory)
342.5000  PMSV
344.6000  PMSV
375.2000  PMSV
303.0000  Air-to-air "Winchester"
311.0000  USAF ACC Command Posts Pimary
321.0000  USAF ACC Command Posts Secondary
381.3000  USAF ACC Command Posts
319.4000  USAF AMC Command Posts  
349.4000  USAF AMC Command Posts
252.1000  USAF Reserve Command Posts
351.2000  USAF Reserve Command Posts
364.2000  USAF NORAD AICC Primary
380.0000  FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel
380.1000  FAA Flight Inspection/ SMO Ground Personnel


ARINC En Route Service

ARINC operates a wide area radio network, primarily to enable airline customers to create voice patches. It is available above 20,000 feet and on the ground at select airports. Use examples include pilot to dispatch, maintenance control, or medical advisors. This is usually used to supplement ACARS or in lieu of ACARS if it is inoperative on an aircraft. This way airline dispatchers can maintain operational control of their aircraft in flight. Delta Air Lines maintains a similar but separate network called "Atlanta Radio".

In the contiguous US, the base station callsign is "San Francisco Radio" except on Gulf Net, Maritime Net and Mex Net which are "New York Radio."

VHF en route frequencies changed effective 04 Apr 2012:

128.9000  Southwest USA
129.4000  Northeast USA / Great Lakes Area / Canada West Coast and Anchorage
129.4500  East Central USA
131.8000  Northwest USA
129.9000  Maritime Net (Northeast Coast USA)
130.7000  Mexico / Caribbean
131.1750  Southeast USA
130.4000  West Central USA
131.9500  Pacific Net (West Coast USA and Hawaii)


Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)

ACARS data is used to send messages to and from commercial airlines' aircraft.

Frequency  Type  Alpha Tag  Description  Mode  Tag 
131.72500  BM  ACARS SITA Base Base Frequency  Telm  Data 
129.35000  BM  SITA 129.35 En Route  Telm  Data 
130.87500  BM  SITA 130.875 Terminal  Telm  Data 
131.65000  BM  SITA 131.650 Terminal  Telm  Data 
128.97500  BM  SITA 128.975 Terminal - Spare  Telm  Data 
131.00000  BM  SITA 131.000 Terminal - Spare  Telm  Data 
131.47500  BM  SITA 131.475 DataPlus (Air Canada) En Route  Telm  Data 



Balloon Operations

123.3000 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
123.5000 Common air-to-ground (pilot-to-chase crew), shared with glider ops.
122.7500 Common air-to-air
122.0000 AFSS Weather requests


Airline Operations

The frequencies between 128.825-132.000 and 136.500-136.975 MHz are managed and coordinated by Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc (ASRI). ASRI was spun off from Aeronautical Radio, INC (ARINC) in 2010. ARINC is now owned by Collins Aerospace and ASRI is owned by a consortium of U.S. airlines. Operations such as pilot to FBO, pilot to airline ground operation station, pilot to dispatch via a radio network such as San Francisco Radio, and deice trucks are found almost exclusively between 128.825-132.000. Coordinating and FCC licensing is handled by ASRI. The licensee in FCC licenses is almost always ASRI, thus obfuscating the license's user. Source

At large airports (DFW, DEN, DTW, ORD, LAX, among many others), the ramps are controlled by the airlines, not the FAA air traffic control. The ramp controllers provide permission for aircraft to enter and park at their gates, push back from the gate and start, and maintain the flow of traffic in their alleyways. Most ramp frequencies are found in the 128.825-132.000 range. These ramp frequencies are seldom published by the FAA.

Airline deice trucks at small and midsized stations often use the corresponding operations frequency. At hub airports, deice trucks often (not always) have dedicated frequencies; these dedicated frequencies often do not have a corresponding FCC license because its mobile to mobile and coordinated by ASRI.

Conventions for Abbreviating Frequencies

In the VHF band, frequency designations read over the radio are often abbreviated. Sometimes for brevity, sometimes as another way to read back a frequency assignment to make sure it was received correctly, and occasionally out of laziness. The following conventions have varying degrees of acceptance in the US.

  • Ground frequencies: previously ground frequencies were assigned frequencies beginning in 121. So in reading back ground frequencies, the "121" may be assumed. So if the ground frequency is 121.600, it may be shorted to ".6" ("point six").
  • Omitting the last digit in a frequency ending in 5: because ATC frequencies are spaced at 0.025 MHz (example, 132.000, 132.025, 132.050, 132.075) when the third decimal place is a 5 it may be omitted. So if the assigned frequency is 132.225, it may be read back as "132.22" ("one-three-two point two-two). This is perfectly acceptable by all controllers and users, many aircraft radios even omit the third decimal point.
  • Omitting the leading one: since VHF ATC frequencies begin with a 1, the 1 may be assumed. Not proper but still common. 123.050 can be shorted to "23.05" ("two-three point zero-five").
  • Middle four digits: combining the last two conventions and sometimes omitting the "point". 118.675 may be shorted to "1867" ("one-eight-six-seven" or "eighteen-sixty seven").

See Also

External Links

Federal Aviation Administration

Aeronautical Data and Aircraft Tracking

USA
Canada


Other Links

Files

  • ASRI_VHF_2022.zip - Contains a Google Earth .kml map of ASRI VHF (128.825-136.975) ground stations.
  • FAA.zip - Contains a Google Earth .kml map of ARTCCs, ARTCC boundaries, ARTCC RCAG sites, Partial list of ARTCC radar sites, AFSS Hubs, AFSS RCO sites, and Navaids.

References



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