Transceivers

[evanatorx]

creep

[Mobius]

creep

Yep.


Some people...

[beaky]

Ooookayyy...

For the curious, I flew back yesterday and had no problem carrying on my flight bag, complete with headset, charts, E6B and the dreaded transceiver... and of course did not turn it on.

Re: irresponsible use of an air-band transceiver-
I've only heard of a few cases where this was done intentionally, to make mischief or whatever... the real problems are "stuck mics" and  just plain blabbering, especially on CTAFs.
I've often said "unofficial" things on CTAFs, but only when I know I can squeeze it in. There's a slim chance I might step on somebody calling position a few miles out, but that's just as likely to happen making an "official" call as well.

[Mobius]

Ooookayyy...

For the curious, I flew back yesterday and had no problem carrying on my flight bag, complete with headset, charts, E6B and the dreaded transceiver... and of course did not turn it on.

Re: irresponsible use of an air-band transceiver-
I've only heard of a few cases where this was done intentionally, to make mischief or whatever... the real problems are "stuck mics" and  just plain blabbering, especially on CTAFs.
I've often said "unofficial" things on CTAFs, but only when I know I can squeeze it in. There's a slim chance I might step on somebody calling position a few miles out, but that's just as likely to happen making an "official" call as well.

It's different at every airport.  I've seen people stopped and searched for having a open cup of water with them when they went through security.  I also (very accidentally) made it through security two years ago with a small pocket knife on my key chain (I had totally forgotten about it).  Better safe than sorry and just not bring it along I'd say.  

I agree with you about CTAF.  The thing is that you have had training in how to use it and when to use it and when it's alright to blabber a bit.  Personally, I don't want to be listening to someone on the ground blabbering while I'm trying to make position reports.

[Brett_Henderson]

There are a few, legitmate uses for a handheld, aviation transceiver...

1) In an aircraft, as a backup to the in-panel radios...

2) In an aircraft not equiped with in-panel radios, as a primary radio..

3) On airport grounds where communication with a tower is required (i.e.. landscaping, snow-removal, runway inspection)..

4) On airport grounds at uncontrolled fields by ground-support/linemen/FBO-employees...

No other person needs to own an aviation transceiver, let alone have it turned on near an airport. These beasts do malfunction and could very easily create safety problems... especially when they're stored and only used occasionally by someone not trained in their use.

They're almost useless for casual listening, because, they gobble batteries... and unless your right near a tower, they'll only receive the pilot end of the conversation... they don't scan, so you'll be constantly fiddling with them (opening up more potential problems).

I you want to listen in on aviation chatter, get a scanner. You can program in; Ground, ATIS, Clearance-delivery, approach/departure, and the tower and enjoy hours of fun... I do it all the time  (Ilike to practice reading back IFR clearances)

[evanatorx]

All of this is true, but consider that aviation isn't the only occupation that uses radio.

Handheld transceivers aren't usualy branded FOR AVIATION USE ONLY!

Municipal workers use the same type of transceivers, so do construction workers, and hey, what about nascar?

I guess they are all horrible people for owning AVIATION transceivers eh?

And don't forget hobbyists....In the UK...transceivers are used in all sorts of competitions where the sole purpose is the utilize the public access to VHF and IHF frequencies!

Just wait until an *irresponsible pilot, interupts an important transmission at a worksite, or sporting event, and someone gets killed.

*[size=9]they do exist[/size]

[beaky]

All of this is true, but consider that aviation isn't the only occupation that uses radio.

Handheld transceivers aren't usualy branded FOR AVIATION USE ONLY!

They are if they are air-band transceivers. You will probably see words to that effect in the manual that came with your radio. Along with a warning to be responsible with it.

Municipal workers use the same type of transceivers, so do construction workers, and hey, what about nascar?

I guess they are all horrible people for owning AVIATION transceivers eh?

No they don't. Walkie-talkies, CB radios, and similar 2-way units operate above 300 MHz, aviation freqs fall within 30-300 MHz.

And don't forget hobbyists....In the UK...transceivers are used in all sorts of competitions where the sole purpose is the utilize the public access to VHF and IHF frequencies!

"Ham" radio operators are licensed and regulated. Sure, they can't all be monitored all the time, but so far they have been behaving themselves.
And I don't think there is much amateur chatter in the 30-300 MHz range.

Just wait until an *irresponsible pilot, interupts an important transmission at a worksite, or sporting event, and someone gets killed.

Not likely, for the reason I pointed out earlier...

Nobody's attacking you or your choice of radio- we're just advising you to:

1) be careful with it, and:

2) get a scanner if all you want to do is listen, because they work better on the ground than handheld transceivers.

[Hagar]

Municipal workers use the same type of transceivers, so do construction workers, and hey, what about nascar?

I guess they are all horrible people for owning AVIATION transceivers eh?

No they don't. Walkie-talkies, CB radios, and similar 2-way units operate above 300 MHz, aviation freqs fall within 30-300 MHz.

I don't know much about radio but I'm pretty certain that the CB radio frequency in both the UK & US is in the 27 Mhz band. In the UK this is FM as opposed to AM used in the US. CB Radio

The UK R/C frequency used to be on the 27 MHz AM band which is still used for cars & boats. This was later extended to 35 MHz FM for sole use on R/C model aircraft & the 40MHz Band for surface models (not aircraft) in U.K. The latest R/C aircraft equipment uses digital PCM (Pulse Control Modulation) signals.

PS. I'm out of date. The latest R/C equipment uses the 2.4 GHz band. http://www.brentfordrc.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1043

[Brett_Henderson]

Rotty covered how the frequenicies are reserved for each type of use. Government, Police, Fire, Taxi, Sport, construction, and so on... are all different channels and different types of transmission for the purpose of NOT overlapping and interfering with each other.

Box that transceiver up so it will be nice and new when you start flying.. and it can find it's special place in your flight bag, as an emergency backup radio  :)

Get yourself a good scanner and have some fun  :)

Side note:  Anyone who regularly goes to airports to plane watch knows that things are a little different these days. Even in designated "aircraft observation" areas, you can expect an airport police officer to check on you... If you're in possesion of a transceiver, you're gonna have a problem on your hands  ;)