Misuse of Frequency 123.45 Hz.

[FL420]

What the IFIM says:

It is my understanding 123.45 was established for use in Oceanic Areas for crews to coordinate separation during weather diversions and emergency procedures in RVSM airspace.

It's getting pretty bad when I start quoting myself.

I looked in my six-year-old company International Operations Manual which stated air-to-air communications should be conducted on 131.8 MHz in the Atlantic, 130.55 MHz in the Caribbean and 128.95 MHz in the Pacific. I then looked in the current International Flight Information Manual which states 123.45 MHz should be used in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Oceanic Areas.

http://www.faa.gov/ats/aat/ifim/ifim0111.htm

International Flight Information Manual, The Federal Aviation Administration

Basic Oceanic Long-Range Navigation and Communication Requirements

a. Any operation which is conducted in international oceanic airspace on an IFR flight plan, a VFR controlled flight plan, or at night, and is continued beyond the published range of normal airways navigation facilities (NDB, VOR/DME), is considered to be a long-range Class II navigation operation…………

b. Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR Part 91.1(b) requires that civil aircraft must comply with ICAO Annex 2 when operating over the high seas…………

Use of Very High Frequency (VHF) and High Frequency (HF) for Communications
Due to the inherent line of sight limitations of VHF radio equipment when used for communications in international oceanic airspace, those aircraft operating on an IFR or controlled VFR flight plan beyond the communications capability of VHF will be required, as per ICAO, Annex 2, to maintain a continuous listening watch and communications capability on the assigned HF frequencies. Although these frequencies will be designated by Air Traffic Control, actual communication will be with general purpose communication facilities such as international flight service stations or Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC). These facilities will be responsible for the relay of position reports and other pertinent information between the aircraft and Air Traffic Control.

Special North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific Area Communications
a. VHF air-to-air frequencies enable aircraft engaged on flights over remote and oceanic areas out of range of VHF ground stations to exchange necessary operational information and to facilitate the resolution of operational problems.

b. Frequencies have been designated as follows:

AREA
FREQUENCY

North Atlantic
123.45 MHz

Caribbean
123.45 MHz

Pacific
123.45 MHz


Guard of VHF Emergency Frequence
Pilots should remember that there is a need to continuously guard the VHF emergency frequency 121.5 MHz when on long over-water flights, except when communications on other VHF channels, equipment limitations, or cockpit duties prevent simultaneous guarding of two channels. Guarding of 121.5 MHz is particularly critical when operating in proximity to flight information region (FIR) boundaries; for example, on Route R220 between Anchorage and Tokyo, since it serves to facilitate communications with regard to aircraft which may experience in-flight emergencies, communications, or navigational difficulties.

REFERENCE- ICAO Annex 10, Vol. II, Paragraphs 5.2.2.1.1.1 and 5.2.2.1.1.2

:bawling: :smash:

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Just south of Houston TX, a coastal area, listen up for SKYDIVING advisories on 123.45 Mhz...but don't expect to hear much on 123.45 Hz.

http://www.skydivespaceland.com/map.html

Many pilots just don't know that the use of 123.45 MHz is incorrect for this type of thing. Now in the above case it is likely that this group will get busted sometime if and when an FCC/FAA crackdown comes. The bad part is that they probably don't even know that what they are doing is a violation of anything.

If only they were members of FLIGHTINFO.COM then they'd know better.

 

[Dubya]

You can't get blood out of a turnip. (Insert underpaid FO, CFI jokes here______________)

W

This issue comes in cycles. 123.450 MHz has been a flight test frequency for years, going back to the 80's. In the late 90's ICAO designated it an Oceanic Frequency for air-to-air advisories, but for Oceanic Airspace only.

Believe it or not, the FCC in years past has caught and fined pilots for using this frequency for chatting. I would not be surprised if they do some enforcement again. This translates to hefty fines.

You do the crime, you pay the fine.

 

[FN FAL]

Many pilots just don't know that the use of 123.45 MHz is incorrect for this type of thing. Now in the above case it is likely that this group will get busted sometime if and when an FCC/FAA crackdown comes. The bad part is that they probably don't even know that what they are doing is a violation of anything.

If only they were members of FLIGHTINFO.COM then they'd know better.

I don't care what your stupid ICAO treaty says, the FCC rules interstate commerce here in America, dumbass.

 

[FN FAL]

Once again, IN AMERICA...

FCC ONLINE TABLE OF FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS​

47 C.F.R. § 2.106​

Revised on September 30, 2005

Federal Communications Commission​

Pg. 129



Air carrier aircraft stations may use 122.000 and 122.050 MHz for communication with aeronautical stations of the Federal Aviation Administration and 122.700, 122.800, 122.900 and 123.000 MHz for communications with aeronautical stations pertaining to safety of flight with and in the vicinity of landing areas not served by a control tower.

Frequencies in the band 121.9375-122.6875 MHz may be used by aeronautical stations of the Federal Aviation Administration for communication with aircraft stations.
​

US32​

Except for the frequencies 123.3 and 123.5 MHz, which are not authorized for Federal use, the band 123.1125-123.5875 MHz is available for FAA communications incident to flight test and inspection activities pertinent to aircraft and facility certification on a secondary basis.

​

US33​

The band 123.1125-123.5875 MHz is for use by flight test and aviation instructional stations. The frequency 121.950 MHz is available for aviation instructional stations.​

​

 

[User546]

I live in Oklahoma and I always use 123.45 as a air-to-air chat when I'm flying cross country with another airplane. Even if I'm by myself it's always entertaining to listen to the 80 year old pilots screaming into the frequency "BILL... YOU ON HERE??" "BILL, WHERE ARE YOU NOW... I JUST PASSED A RAILROAD OFF RIGHT SIDE, I BELIEVE I'M SOMEWHERE IN WEST KANSAS."

The other designated frequencies (122.75, and 122.85) always seem to be flooded with traffic, and its worthless to try and use.

I've always heard that 123.45 wasn't a "party line" but no one has ever shown me any definitive proof that it's not. I'm not too worried where I'm at with interfering with any trans-oceanic traffic.

 

[TankerPuke]

I too have grown weary of pilots using the freq while oceanic talking about their FRA or CDG layover It only became an issue once while over Greenland and we were trying to relay an emergency divert for an Otter to Shanwick.

PUKE
uke:

 

[VNugget]

I'm aware of this, but most people aren't. When I'm flying around with a smaller group I try to convince them that we use 122.75 instead, but with a larger group, forget about it.

By the way one time I was listening to 122.85 and there was an AWOS on it, WTF

 

[GVFlyer]

Those that say that use of 123.45 MHz as an air to air BS frequency is prohibited are correct.

The allocation (not assignment) charts in FCC and IRAC, clearly set forth that 123.325-123.475 is assigned to "Flight Test," as is 123.525-123.575. See 6050.32A, Appendix 2, Page 1. The AFTRCC was the moving force in getting that portion assigned for exclusive discrete frequencies within the FCC allocations, starting in the very early 1960's. It was intended to provide those frequencies to aircraft manufacturers (Gulfstream, Lockheed, Boeing, Learjet, Cessna etc.) to permit A/G communications and telemetry with test aircraft in flight.

It's pretty annoying to be out in W157A or W158C doing critical flight test and have some yahoo come up on one of our assigned frequencies and transmit to some other bubba, "I'm getting 138 true how fast are you goin'?"


Here's the current FAA oceanic guidance.

http://www.faa.gov/ntap/NTAP06APR13/PART3_SEC2.HTM

In the Pacific Region 123.45 MHz is used as a backup to 121.5 MHz


GV

 

[52560]

Msy Awacs

Over the years, I've heard that 123.45 for a BS freq is not to be used.. Nedless to say, I hear so many rumors from ingnorant pilots that I didn't know if there was any truth to that. I did hear someone come on that freq once and say that transmissions must cease on that freq or FCC violations would ensue. Didn't know if that was someone of authority, or just some d!ck head pilot. I was finally convinced that 123.45 should not be used when I was flying to MSY the Friday after Katrina. Before entering the restricted area, the NOTAM stated to contact AWACS on 123.45. Very interesting I thought.

 

[Check 6]

FN FAL, to whom are you calling a d.a.?

 

[GVFlyer]

Check 6

Reference 100 ft. over the Med - did you work for Corporate Jets, Inc (or their predecessor) out of Capodichino?

GV

 

[Check 6]

GV, you are close. I worked for Flight Intl. at Capodichino from October 1999 until January when the funding was cut off.

I suspect you were flying C-21A's out of ETAR during that time frame. If so, we have probably met.

 

[EMB Skillz]

You must cease all chit-chat immediately and use the proper chat forum. All other posts will be reported to the FCC and Moderators for disciplinary action.

 

[UnableDirect]

Try Jumbo...127.475...nobody on there but a bunch of freight dawgs in Calif.

Eric

128.90 is always quiet...