VHF radiocommunications Rev. 14 — page content was last changed 12 May 2010. Edited by RA-Aus member Dave Gardiner www.redlettuce.com.au October 2009

In Australia the ability to communicate by aircraft radio is not legally necessary for those aircraft registered with RA-Aus that operate in VMC below 5000 feet in non-controlled airspace, except for operations in the vicinity of non-towered aerodromes. However, the use of an aircraft radio transmitter/receiver by all aircraft does much to ensure safe – and effective – flight operations, and is highly recommended.

This tutorial is intended to outline Australian aircraft transceiver licensing and radio operator qualification plus the radiotelephony techniques and procedures to be used during VFR flight operations outside controlled airspace. Radiotelephony emergency/distress procedures are included, plus the usage of satellite-compatible distress beacons and the operations of the Australian Search and Rescue organisation.       ... JB.

(The material in the VHF radiocommunications guide amply covers the RA-Aus radio operator's endorsement syllabus listed in the RA-Aus Operations Manual section 3.08.)

Contents:

1. Transmitter licensing

• 1.1 The aircraft station and aeronautical mobile station class licence
• 1.2 Communication limitations
• 1.3 Aircraft station operating frequencies
• 1.4 Radio operator qualification

2. Radiotelephony phrasing — aviation English

• 2.1 Radiotelephony pronunciation
• 2.2 Expressing time
• 2.3 Standard words and phrases

3. VHF characteristics and radio operation

• 3.1 VHF radio wave propagation
• 3.2 Transceiver operation
• 3.3 Wave-length and antennas

4. A typical transceiver — the Microair M760

• 4.1 Transceiver control functions
• 4.2 Operating procedure
• 4.3 Fault tracing

5. Radiotelephony communications and procedures

• 5.1 Communications in the vicinity of airfields in Class G
• 5.2 Radio procedures at non-towered airfields
• 5.3 Prescribed CTAF broadcast formats
• 5.4 Discretionary broadcast formats
• 5.5 Communicating with Unicom or CA/GRS stations
• 5.6 CTAF response calls
• 5.7 En route procedures
• 5.8 Acquiring weather and other information in-flight
• 5.9 The Radar Information Service [RIS]
• 5.10 Sourcing frequency information

6. Safety and emergency communication procedures

• 6.1 Communications when in difficulties
• 6.2 Distress beacons and AusSAR
• 6.3 Aircraft radar beacon transponders
• 6.4 Can it ever be appropriate to monitor 121.5 MHz en route?

7. Aviation distress beacons

8. Understanding SAR services

Abbreviations and acronyms

The first section of the VHF radiocommunications guide covers transmitter and operator licensing

Copyright © 2003—2010 John Brandon     [contact information]