- Joined
- Mar 11, 2017
- Messages
- 1,495
- Reaction score
- 483
From time to time, I have had the situation when calling Ft Worth center from the middle of Oklahoma, and I get no response, however I hear other aircraft talking to them. I've concluded that I probably need a new antenna, (mine is original equipment, 52 yrs old!) but whether that will actually solve the problem, I'm not sure.
Yesterday, I attempted to call FTW center, and did get a reply, but it was so faint, that even with the volume turned up all the way, I could barely hear the controller. And I couldn't leave it that way, or the next American heavy that called would blow out my eardrums. At least I knew for sure the controller was able to hear me!
So obviously, because of the distance, I'm not talking directly to someone in Ft Worth. There must be a series of antennas to cover the entire area of the FTW ARTCC. Is it possible that I just was not high enough for good reception? ( I was flying about 1000' lower than I usually do, ~1500 AGL), or could it be that there was a problem with a ground antenna?
For anyone in the know, I'm curious as to how, exactly, does one who is 200 miles away, talk to a controller?
Yesterday, I attempted to call FTW center, and did get a reply, but it was so faint, that even with the volume turned up all the way, I could barely hear the controller. And I couldn't leave it that way, or the next American heavy that called would blow out my eardrums. At least I knew for sure the controller was able to hear me!
So obviously, because of the distance, I'm not talking directly to someone in Ft Worth. There must be a series of antennas to cover the entire area of the FTW ARTCC. Is it possible that I just was not high enough for good reception? ( I was flying about 1000' lower than I usually do, ~1500 AGL), or could it be that there was a problem with a ground antenna?
For anyone in the know, I'm curious as to how, exactly, does one who is 200 miles away, talk to a controller?
Last edited:
