"Change to my frequency, 123.45" - huh?

[mikegreen]

Howdy friday afternoon folks,

So in most of training, I didn't go very far.. and when I did, it wasnt under flight following. Now that I am flying around Chicago and ANG bases and such, I use it 100% when I can.

Often, when I leave Grissom ARB's airspace and passed to Chicago Center, I'll hang out with them on the handoff freq, then CC will say "Slow-ass-rental-plane, switch to my frequency 132.xx". He or she will generally give this to a few aircraft around the same time.

Two questions:
1 - What is happening here? Am I moving too far from a physical radio tower?
B - What do I say? I have been switching and saying "Crappy-rental-radio-plan, 132.10, hi" and that seems to work. I still talk to the same person.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[tonycondon]

1: yes, basically
B: i usually just say "crappy rental plane made the switch"

 

[poadeleted20]

Me: "22RL switching 120.05" [pause to tune/switch] "22RL up."
Them: "22RL, roger."

Point is, you're talking to the same controller in the same facility, but it's quiet, so the one controller is handling two sectors, and you've moved out of one and into the other. Since s/he has watched you on the scope all the way, there's no need for a new IDENT or altimeter setting or anything like that from a normal handoff from one controller to another.

 

[gprellwitz]

This is actually one of the few cases where I'll intentionally use "With you", as in "Crappy-rental-radio-plan, with you on 132.10".

 

[dmccormack]

IF the controller used an abbreviated call sign (i.e. 23 Bravo) I'll switch then transmit "Bigtown Center/ Podunk Approach, 23 Bravo."

IF the controller used the full call sign (i.e. November 123 Bravo) I'll switch then transmit "Bigtown Center/ Podunk Approach, November 123 Bravo."

 

[HPNPilot1200]

Usually ATC will ask you to "change to my frequency" when they're simulcasting (ie. combined on positions) and you're almost outside or leaving the area served by the transmitter of the frequency you're currently assigned.

I have also been asked occasionally to "change to my frequency, <insert freq here>" when ATC was having an issue with their primary transmitter so they reverted to the backup transmitter on a different frequency.

If you get to know the airspace well, you can usually remember which frequency covers each area and have it already tuned as your standby so when they ask you to switch to that new frequency you can press the flip flop and say that you're now up on the new frequency without having to call and say "switching to..." It depends how often and where you fly. For example, sector 43 in ZAU (Chicago) often combines Sector 43, so they will simulcast on 123.85 (LAF RCAG) and 132.50. If you're flying from north to south from Chicago down to Lafayette and it's quiet, you'll normally get 132.50 and then a switch to 123.85 with the same controller.

 

[Clark1961]

Another option is to go with the ole: "Frankenkota 89V, Level(ish) Eight thousand fife hundred." The (ish) is for bumpy afternoons and it sometimes get a chuckle out of atc. Anyway, it confirms the mode-C for the controller.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

From AIM 4-2-3d.2:

2. At times, a controller/specialist may be working a sector with multiple frequency assignments. In order to eliminate unnecessary verbiage and to free the controller/specialist for higher priority transmissions, the controller/specialist may request the pilot "(Identification), change to my frequency 123.4." This phrase should alert the pilot that the controller/specialist is only changing frequencies, not controller/specialist, and that initial callup phraseology may be abbreviated.

The wording is a little odd there, but seems to have been corrected in the Aeronautical Information Publication dated 3-12-09:

4.6.2 At times, a controller/specialist may be working a sector with multiple frequency assign- ments. In order to eliminate unnecessary verbiage and to free the controller/specialist for higher priority transmissions, the controller/specialist may request the pilot “(Identification), change to my frequency 123.4.” This phrase should alert the pilot that he/she is only changing frequencies, not controller/special- ist, and that initial call−up phraseology may be abbreviated.

Emphasis mine - One word makes all the difference in the world!

Here's what the bible of ATC, FAAO 7110.65T says:

d. In situations where a sector has multiple frequencies or when sectors are combined using multiple frequencies and the aircraft will remain under your jurisdiction, transfer radio communication by specifying the following:

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Identification) CHANGE TO MY FREQUENCY (state frequency).

This is actually one of the few cases where I'll intentionally use "With you", as in "Crappy-rental-radio-plan, with you on 132.10".

Booooooooooo.

Y'know, I did NOT find anything official about what the response is really supposed to be. I'll usually just say "71G's up on <frequency>" but I've always kind of wondered what it should be, and I can't find anything.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Another option is to go with the ole: "Frankenkota 89V, Level(ish) Eight thousand fife hundred." The (ish) is for bumpy afternoons and it sometimes get a chuckle out of atc. Anyway, it confirms the mode-C for the controller.

That's the style of check-in I use (without the ish ) on a normal frequency change, but if you're staying with the same controller (albeit on a new frequency) I don't think they need to check the mode C again.

 

[EdFred]

I don't even acknowledge the switch on the first frequency, I just reply on the new frequency with "Comanche 7DS on xxx.xxx" Most times, I already have the frequency dialed in on standby.

 

[gismo]

I don't even acknowledge the switch on the first frequency, I just reply on the new frequency with "Comanche 7DS on xxx.xxx" Most times, I already have the frequency dialed in on standby.

I'm still in the habit of reading back the last four digits of a frequency change but my check-in on the new one is the same as yours except that I use my abbreviated callsign, not 7DS.

 

[midlifeflyer]

This is actually one of the few cases where I'll intentionally use "With you", as in "Crappy-rental-radio-plan, with you on 132.10".

That is actually the only case in which I have used "with you" until I realized that switching frequencies and saying "Crappy-rental-radio-plan on 132.1*" gave exactly as much information.

Arguably, "Crappy-rental-radio-plan" is enough but my theory, correct or not, is that if the controller is listening to two frequencies at the same time it's at least somewhat useful to confirm which one you a talking on.

 

[airdale]

I don't even acknowledge the switch on the first frequency, I just reply on the new frequency with "Comanche 7DS on xxx.xxx" Most times, I already have the frequency dialed in on standby.

I used to do it that way, too. My thinking was "Why waste air time on the old frequency when I can just pop up on the new one?"

That was before I spent a few hours plugged in on a Center position and talking to the controllers. Very educational.

What they told me was that they wanted to hear from me on the old frequency first, and quickly. Then they can go on with their business. But when they don't get an immediate acknowledgment, they are tied up until they hear me on the new frequency -- which inevitably involves at least a small delay.

So now, even when I know the new frequency and have it dialed in, I still acknowledge: "Whirlwind 123, going to 123.45" and then "Whirlwind 123 is up on 123.45."

Re altitude they don't need it but it's harmless to include as long as you also state the (new) frequency you are talking on.

 

[airdale]

... my theory, correct or not, is that if the controller is listening to two frequencies at the same time it's at least somewhat useful to confirm which one you a talking on.

I think you're right. He has lights that tell him what frequency is currently active but they are well off to the side and he is probably not looking at them. And it may be more than two frequencies that he is using.

 

[EdFred]

I used to do it that way, too. My thinking was "Why waste air time on the old frequency when I can just pop up on the new one?"

That was before I spent a few hours plugged in on a Center position and talking to the controllers. Very educational.

What they told me was that they wanted to hear from me on the old frequency first, and quickly. Then they can go on with their business. But when they don't get an immediate acknowledgment, they are tied up until they hear me on the new frequency -- which inevitably involves at least a small delay.

So now, even when I know the new frequency and have it dialed in, I still acknowledge: "Whirlwind 123, going to 123.45" and then "Whirlwind 123 is up on 123.45."

Re altitude they don't need it but it's harmless to include as long as you also state the (new) frequency you are talking on.

Well, like I said, I've almost always got the next frequency dialed in on standby because I already heard the 6 planes ahead of me get told the same thing. Sometimes I reply with "7DS, Already there"