Quote:
Originally Posted by Zholl
As for your other question, I don't personally listen to ATC, but I do dabble in Ham. In that same spirit, if you enjoy this project, you might consider looking into getting your Ham license and building your own transceiver as well. Radio's a great way to get your hands dirty with some analogue electronics, and you can really learn a lot that you might not see in school.
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I told my friend about my idea to get this reciever kit, and he recommended Ham radio as well. He listens to International Short-Band and wants to get his Ham license. From what I've heard, it's a big hobby (I think DonRotolo has his Ham radio callsign in his signature...)
Most of the things nowadays are digital, and surface-mounted to boot, so it's kinda hard to learn about those. Radios are old-school, and I'm a fan of learning about the way things used to be
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
Listening to ATC conversations is a great way to get comfortable with those communications and how aircraft are handled. Each airport has frequencies listed in the pilot handbooks so they know where to switch their radios when landing, taxiing and taking off. ATC are on other frequencies which are "handed off" during flight as the plane crosses the country. As Z mentioned above, ham radio is a great hobby and is easy to get into.
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[Tangent]
I know that computer games aren't reality, but from playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 10 I know about the different ATC centers, approach frequencies for big airports (such as Detroit Metro), and different frequencies for airports such as ground. It's always intrigued me, and from handling radio communications on that game I have picked up on some of the things pilots say, such as (example) "Cessna NVB is out 12,000 for 3,500" means that Cessna NVB (first 3 letters of their registration) is currently flying at an altitude of 12,000 feet and wants to descend to 3,500. And, with the ATC's permission, it is allowed to.
[/Tangent]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
Any frequency that is in use for public safety is strictly verbotten to transmit if you are not licensed to operate there and you may not interfere with any licensed activity even if the emissions are unintentional (such as coming from a receiver).
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How do I make sure that my reciever doesn't produce any emissions? I definitely don't want the FAA or FCC coming after me
