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3 Answers

FSS – Receive Only…

Asked by: 15757 views , , , ,
FAA Regulations, General Aviation

So lately I observed one of my student's practical tests with their DPE (private pilot oral), and he got asked a question that made me wonder... Before I say what it is, please note that the question asked was not intended to be honestly answered by my student, the DPE just wanted to show him something new and didn't expect the student to really know this...

Anyway, he asked the student why any FSS would split up their frequencies (using one to receive while transmitting on the VOR). I've always known how to utilize the whole 122.1R frequency, but I myself honestly never understood the purpose of this. Here at Redding (KRDD) we have a frequency to contact FSS on 122.1R and receive on RDD VOR/DME on 108.4. However, just 20 miles away at Red Bluff (KRBL) is a normal FSS frequency on which you can receive and transmit.

I didn't have enough time to stop and talk to the DPE afterwards about this, but it sparked my curiosity none the less. Why does this type of setup even exist? From what I understood based on the very short explanation the DPE provided, is that the actual FSS or RCO is located pretty far from this location, so transmitting on 122.1 actually transmits to the co-located VOR, where the signal is then diverted to FSS via a landline. And therefore that is why FSS communicates on that same VOR frequency... So is this true? The other thing I don't understand is that I overheard another instructor here state that you could actually still receive FSS on 122.1 if you are airborne high enough to reach the RCO/FSS directly. Is this true as well? I've never tried it.

Would love to know this one! (My student passed the checkride, by the way).

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3 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Jan 20, 2015

    In days past, there were many FSSs.

    According to Lockheed Martin:
    “The AFSS team is located in six locations around the country: Prescott, Ariz.; Fort Worth, Texas; Miami; Raleigh, N.C.; Ashburn, Va.; and Princeton, Minn.”

    You can see that the VORs used for communication with airborne aircraft will be quite far from the associated AFSS.

    Unless 122.1 is indicated on the chart as a frequency on which you can listen, you will not receive on 122.1. You transmit on 122.1 and listen over the VOR.

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  2. Wes Beard on Jan 21, 2015

    Quote:
    Is that the actual FSS or RCO is located pretty far from this location, so transmitting on 122.1 actually transmits to the co-located VOR, where the signal is then diverted to FSS via a landline. And therefore that is why FSS communicates on that same VOR frequency… So is this true?

    Yes. That statement is true. There are many frequencies that are monitored by the VOR location including 121.5, 122.0, 122,2, and 122.4. Each of the frequencies ATC or FSS talk on require a transmitter and although I don’t know the cost I am assuming they didn’t want to install another transmitter at the vOR station to talk on 122.1.

    I don’t know if this is accurate or not so take it at will but I would imagine the FAA started placing the VORs over the U.S. Later they decided that you should be able to talk to FSS and placed a receiver at the VOR to receive radio transmissions from pilots. Since the VOR already transmitted voice, they simply used that transmitter for the FSS response. Later, the FAA decided to roll out programs for emergency response (Guard 121.5) enflight advisory service (EFAS 122.0), and the common FSS frequencies of 122.2 and 122.4. These programs all required a separate transceiver to work properly. There are some remote communications outlets that also have FSS communication capability and those are easily found on sectional charts.

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  3. Gary S. on Jan 26, 2015

    Simply put, Remote Communications Outlet’s (RCO’s) are linked with FSS because communications are limited by distance or by elevation or obstacles from the aircraft. Sometimes an RCO may be located within just a few miles from an airport.

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