VHF distortion: What if controller is not readable?

[Thomas_Horn]

I have a question on how to behave on the radio, when the controller is not understandable due to the new VHF distortion.
I experienced this several times: Either with the active frequency, and the controller tells me to switch to a new frequency - but I simply cannot read him.
Or after switching to the new frequency as told by AT, and the new frequency is not/hardly understandable in some cases. Often I cannot see the rationale behind the distortion: for me it seems that I should be well in range (say, I am talking to departure near the airport), but still can hardly read the controller.

I just want to emphasize that my headset works fine, since 95% of the time I have no problems communicating with ATC. I am not a native English speaker, so for me it is even harder to understand heavily distorted radio communication.

Thanks for clarifying.

Thomas

[Brandon Grchan]

The best thing to do is to tell ATC and they will assign you a frequency that is on a repeater that is closer to you. If you cannot hear the controller at all, then return to your previously issued freq or try guard on 121.5 and someone will certainly answer you. In 95% of the cases you are probably too low/far away from the repeater, which is a fairly common occurrence in reality and is why a lot of combined sectors must work multiple freqs.

If there is a case were you believe that you should be clearly hearing the controller and you don't, then report it to ATC or [email protected] and they will look into it for you. For example you depart KSLC and you cannot hear the departure controller or they are very weak and broken immediately upon departure.

[Kevin_atc]

It’s likely an issue with COM2 being selected to receive (or whatever your backup radio happens to be). Whenever you experience this issue, ensure you are only monitoring ONE radio frequency. If you you are monitoring 2 frequencies, then it’s possible that the static sound is coming from a far away transmitter on your backup radio. Either turn off the radio you aren’t using, or switch it to 122.8 (a common Unicom frewuency) or something of the sort.

[Thomas_Horn]

It’s likely an issue with COM2 being selected to receive (or whatever your backup radio happens to be).

I dont´think so since I use COM2 only for the ATIS frequencies. But I will give it a try and keep it on 122.8 as proposed.

Thanks guys!

[Keith Smith]

Often I cannot see the rationale behind the distortion: for me it seems that I should be well in range

If you experience this again, take note of your exact position, altitude, COM1 and COM2 freqs, and COM1/COM2 RX settings on the audio panel and post them here or send to [email protected].

In 100% of the cases that have been reported so far, as Kevin suggested above (he experienced this himself as a pilot on the network), the issue is that you have COM2 tuned to another freq which happens to be an ATC frequency in a far off location that you are just barely receiving.

[Thomas_Horn]

...Yeah, I tried yesterday with the UNICOM frequency 122.8 on COM2 and did not experience any unusual VHF distortion. Case solved!

[Keith Smith]

Very good. Another option is to configure the audio panel so that COM2 is not selected for receiving.