VHF Radio Communication

The VHF system provides short-range (space wave)

voice communication between:
The aircraft and ground stations.
Aircraft to aircraft.
All modern aircraft have at least two VHF systems, on
the larger aircraft, there is also a third system fitted.
Each VHF communication system receives RF energy
via its antenna, processes the RF signal and sends the
resulting AF to the digital audio control system, and the
SELCAL
During transmission, microphone audio from the flight
compartment is processed by the VHF communication
system and the RF energy is transmitted via the antenna.
Control of the frequency selection is provided on a VHF
Communication control panel.
The purpose of the VHF communication control panel
is to provide frequency selection (tuning), frequency
transfer, and testing of the associated VHF transceiver.
There are two sets of concentric frequency select knobs.
On each set, the out knobs select the 2nd and 3rd digits The audio control panels provide microphone selector
and the inner knobs select the 4th and 5th digits. pushbuttons and listen switches for the VHF
A two position VHF COMM TRF (transfer) switch communication systems. The mic selector pushbuttons
allows the selection of one of the pre-selected connect the microphone to the desired VHF transceiver.
frequencies. The unselected frequency window has a bar The audio volume controls allow the selection of audio
obscuring the readout. from the transceivers to be heard over the flight
compartment speakers or headphones.

The purpose of the transceiver is to transmit and

receive RF signals for voice and data communication. It
The COMM TEST switch is a push button switch that is a solid-state device with a minimum transmit power
enables confidence testing of the receiving circuits in the output of 20 watts.
system.
The transceiver is tested using front panel controls. The
“squelch disable” pushbutton allows the testing of the
receiver section of the transceiver.
An amber “transmit monitor” lamp illuminates
whenever the transmitted output power exceeds 10

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watts. There are also “phone” and “mic” jacks available
for the monitoring of the receiver and transmitter.

The handsets provide the facility for introducing

microphone audio into the system and for listening to
audio from the systems other stations.
The handsets resemble the common hand-held
telephone receiver. A pushbutton switch is located on
The purpose of the VHF antenna is to radiate and the grip to activate the mic. Handsets are permanently
intercept radio signals in the VHF frequency range installed at each attendant’s station.
(118.00 – 136.00 MHz). The No 1 VHF antenna is
located on top of the fuselage and VHF No 2 antenna is The crew call system is a three-way alerting system that
on the forward underside of the fuselage. signals crew members to use the interphone system. The
three types of crew call are:
• Captain’s Call
• Attendant Call
• Ground Crew Call
Captain’s Call
A “Hi tone” chime sounds once and the
Captain’s CALL light illuminates. This advises the
flight crew that a call has been initiated from the
attendant’s panel or ground crew panel.
Service Interphone Attendant Call
The service interphone system allows communication A “Two-tone” chime sounds and the “Pink
between the flight crew, cabin attendants, ground crew Master Call” lights illuminates when an attendant’s
or maintenance personnel. Jacks for plug-in microphone call is initiated from the flight compartment or either
and headsets are installed at various locations in the attendant’s panels. The lights reset at the attendant’s
aircraft. panels.
These jacks allow ground personnel to communicate Ground Crew Call
with each other. An on/off switch on the aft overhead
panel on the flight deck controls the external jacks. When the ground crew call is initiated in the
Handsets are available at the forward and aft attendant’s flight compartment, a call horn sounds in the nose
panels. wheel well.

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 Provides the flight crew with a means of controlling
all radio communications, interphone and PA
selection and Navigation receiver’s audio signals.
Both pilots have their own individual system and
control panel.
Control Wheel Mic Switch
The purpose of the INT/MIC switch is to provide
PTT input for the boom or oxygen mask
microphones.
Control Wheel Mic Switch
In the MIC position, mic audio is directed to the
selected communication system. In the INT
position, mic audio is connected directly to the flight
interphone system.

Passenger Address System (PA)

The passenger address (PA) system provides a Operation Of VHF Communication System
means of transmitting flight crew announcements,
boarding music and chime signals to the passenger To operate the system:
cabin. Audio inputs from the pilot’s, attendants and
1. Apply power to the transceiver and allow a short
tape reproducer are prioritized by the PA amplifier.
warm up period.
The priority is:
2. Select the VHF comm to be used (1 or 2) on the
1. Pilots. audio selector panel.

2. Cabin attendants. 3. Select the frequency of the ground station that is

going to be used and 'listen out' to ensure that no
3. Pre-recorded announcements. other transmissions are taking place.
4. Boarding music. 4. With the microphone close to the mouth, key the
The audio with the highest priority is amplified and transmitter with the ac PTT switch and speak slowly
distributed to the passenger cabin speakers, and clearly into the microphone to establish 2-way
attendant’s speakers and audio integration. communication with the ground station.

Audio Integration System 5. Identify your position by airline and aircraft

registration using the standard phonetic alphabet;

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 A = alpha. B = Bravo etc.
6. Once you have finished speaking, release the PTT
switch and listen for the reply, ensuring that it is
loud and clear. Complete the check by confirming
to the ground station the receipt of the reply.
Some important points to note are:
1. DO NOT TRANSMIT ON 121.50 MHz. This is
a recognized emergency/distress channel.
2. DO NOT TRANSMIT WHILST REFUELLING
IS TAKING PLACE.
3. DO NOT INTERRUPT ATC-AIRCRAFT
COMMUNICATION.

To get optimal power transfer from transmitter to

High Frequency (HF) Radio Communication antenna, the antenna impedance must be the same as the
transmitter output impedance (50-Ohm). For each
Is for communication between the aircraft and ground
frequency the impedance of an antenna is different.
stations. The ionosphere reflects the frequencies in the
HF band, so the line of sight does not limit the reception The antenna coupler tunes filters to adapt the antenna
range of the system. That is why the HF COMM is impedance for each different frequency to the transmitter
suitable for long range, worldwide communication. output impedance.
The frequency range of the system is 2 to 29.999 MHz.
Frequency selection is made in 1 KHz steps, so there are
28000 channels available. There are two modes of
operation. These modes are:
AM – AMPLITUDE MODULATION.
SSB – SINGLE SIDE BAND.
In the AM mode the system transmits a carrier with
amplitude modulation. In the SSB mode the carrier and
the lower side band is removed. The system only
transmits the upper side band (USB).
A HF aerial is of quite a different technology compared HF Communication Control Panel
with most other aerials for two reasons. One is the
power output of the Transmitter (400 watts) the other The purpose of the HF Control Panel is to enable
reason is that the quarter wavelength (/4) distance is frequency selection, mode control and RF sensitivity
about 40 metres at 2 MHz but only 2.5 metres at 30 adjustment. There are four frequency select controls for
MHz, so broadband aerials are not possible. MHz, 100 KHz, 10 KHz and 1 KHz frequencies.

Instead all HF aerials are fed from an aerial coupling The function selector allows selection of the operating
unit to attempt to electrically lengthen or shorten the mode as either:
aerial for optimum matching, especially to the
• OFF.
transmitter.
• Upper Side Band (USB).
• Lower Side Band (LSB).

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• Amplitude Modulation (AM).

Selective Calling System (SELCAL)

The selective calling (SELCAL) system allows a
ground station to call an aircraft or group of aircraft
using HF and VHF communications without the
flight crew having to continuously monitor the
ground station’s frequency.
A coded signal is transmitted from the ground
station and received by the aircraft’s HF or VHF
transciever tuned to the appropriate frequency. The
output code is fed to a SELCAL decoder, which,
activates aural and visual alerts if and only if the The SELCAL decoder determines if the aircraft’s
received code corresponds to the code, selected in four-letter code has been received and produces alert
the aircraft. signals in the form of indicators on the SELCAL
control panel and audio tones to the audio system.
The alerts are cancelled by pressing the
corresponding alert light on the SELCAL control
panel. A self-test of the alerts lights and audio
warnings is carried out using the self-test button on
the SELCAL control panel.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

The CVR records the last 30 minutes of the flight
deck audio on continuous magnetic tape. All voice
There are a total of 10920 codes available and these
communication is recorded. Operation is automatic
codes are assigned to airline organisations, who in
from engine start until five minutes after engine
turn assign codes to their individual aircraft either on
shutdown.
a flight number or aircraft registration basis.
The CVR receives sound from the flight compartment
The SELCAL control panel consists of SELCAL
and audio signals from the digital audio control system.
warning lamps annotated to the associated radio
The voice recorder continuously records the sound and
system, i.e. VHF 1, VHF 2, HF 1 and HF 2. It also
audio. Sensing of the “aircraft-on-ground” and
provides a means of resetting the SELCAL, thus
“parking-brake-set” is used to permit bulk erasure of the
cancelling the visual and audio indications.
voice recording.
The panel also has a self-test button to allow testing
The system records on four channels:
of the SELCAL system. Normally located along
with the control panel is the SELCAL code selection Channel 1
panel, this is used to set the aircraft’s SELCAL code.

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 Records the third crew member’s summed
microphone and telephone audio or passenger address
system audio.
Channel 2
Records the First Officer’s summed microphone
and telephone audio.
Channel 3
Underwater Locating Device
Records the Captain’s summed microphone and
telephone audio. Is a battery operated acoustical beacon that is activated
when the unit is submerged in water. The unit provides a
Channel 4
usable signal for 30 days
Records the control panel area microphone
audio.
Voice Recorder Control Panel
The control panel allows remote monitoring and testing
of the voice recorder unit detects flight compartment
sounds and conversations. It also controls bulk erasure
of the recording tape.
It contains an area microphone (capacitive) which senses
compartment audio. Pressing the erase button for a
minimum of 2 seconds erases the tape. This is only
possible when the aircraft is on the ground and the
parking brake is set.
Pressing the TEST switch tests all 4 recording channels
in sequence. The meter indicates green during TEST if
the test tone is recorded at a sufficient level. The headset
jack is used to monitor all 4 recorded channels.

Voice Recorder Unit

The voice recorder unit makes a 30 - minute recording of
four audio channels on a continuous polyamide tape.
The recorder is shock and heat resistant and contains an
underwater locating beacon.
It has a TEST switch to initiate an internal test signal to
be recorded. A phone jack monitors the recording as it is
being recorded. The Status indicator provides
monitoring of the tape transport operation and the
recorded signal during test.