Joking/Interference on 121.5 mhz?

[RADIOMAN015]

Hmm, yesterday my radio scanner came alive on 121.5 mhz with at the top (S10) signal meter reading of someone playing music on this frequency for a short period of time.  Later on during the day there also was some funny noises being made by someone, again with a top meter reading.  Both were one way broadcasts.

Has anyone else notice this type of joking/interference activity on 121.5 mhz (Generally in my area 123.45 mhz is the joking around channel).

I would guess that if it happens on a regular basis in a specific geographic area then the various ATC facilities will try to track it down.  My opinion is that in the two instances I monitored, it was an aircraft in flight and not a fixed/portable type station.
RM 

   

[Pump Scout]

We'd picked up some pretty clear music on 121.5 on a live search last Labor Day. I'd dismissed it as strong bleed-over, and hadn't really thought about it since then. Our team was very close to KOSH when we picked it up. I'm no electronics expert, but is it possible for something like a nav aid beacon to pick up a signal like that and continue its transmission?

[Al Sayre]

Most likely someone with a malfunctioning ICS system.  A lot of the newer systems allow you to connect an MP3 player etc., to the ICS and listen to music while flying.  If they happen to be monitoring 121.5 (Yay!) and vox is set incorrectly/key the wrong radio, the music or idle cockpit chatter could be inadvertently transmitted.  Don't look for zebras...

[JeffDG]

Most likely someone with a malfunctioning ICS system.  A lot of the newer systems allow you to connect an MP3 player etc., to the ICS and listen to music while flying.  If they happen to be monitoring 121.5 (Yay!) and vox is set incorrectly/key the wrong radio, the music or idle cockpit chatter could be inadvertently transmitted.  Don't look for zebras...

Never attribute to malice that which can be explained my incompetence.

[Thrashed]

I monitor when I fly (as do most airline pilots). There is way too much goofing off on the frequency. Embarassing. 

[JeffDG]

I monitor when I fly (as do most airline pilots). There is way too much goofing off on the frequency. Embarassing. 

As should all pilots.  There's an FDC NOTAM (don't have it handy) that requires the monitoring 121.5 at all times when able when flying inside the territorial airspace of the United States.

[Mark_Wheeler]

Jeff,

Here is that FDC NOTAM you were looking for. It seems to be primarily for cases in which you get intercepted, but it helps to keep an ear out for ELTs as well.

ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL AIRSPACE, IF CAPABLE, SHALL MAINTAIN A LISTENING WATCH ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF 243.0.

Mark

[a2capt]

My real memorable experience with monkeying around on 121.5 was "stealth" (read: non-team players) CAP UDF members who self deploy, listen to all your teams communication, coordinates exchanges, draw their own map using your points for triangulation, and then swoop right in and shut it off. ... while using 121.5 for "coded" communications among themselves.

I'd call that making a joke of it, and interfering.


Some are even still members, though most ES ratings have been stripped. So there is payback ;-)

[Thrashed]

FDC 4/4386 FDC SPECIAL NOTICE... NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM INTERCEPT PROCEDURES. AVIATORS SHALL REVIEW THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM) FOR INTERCEPTION PROCEDURES, CHAPTER 5, SECTION 6, PARAGRAPH 5-6-2. ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL AIRSPACE, IF CAPABLE, SHALL MAINTAIN A LISTENING WATCH ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF 243.0. IF AN AIRCRAFT IS INTERCEPTED BY U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND FLARES ARE DISPENSED, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE TO BE FOLLOWED: FOLLOW THE INTERCEPT'S VISUAL SIGNALS, CONTACT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IMMEDIATELY ON THE LOCAL FREQUENCY OR ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF GUARD 243.0, AND COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE INTERCEPTING AIRCRAFT INCLUDING VISUAL SIGNALS IF UNABLE RADIO CONTACT. BE ADVISED THAT NONCOMPLIANCE MAY RESULT IN THE USE OF FORCE.

[bosshawk]

Tony: I think that most of us who were or are in CAWG know who those people are.  Close friends of the former Wing CC.