Listening to different frequencies

[terryma1215]

I just started this interest to listen to ATC controllers and this is my first post, just saying...
Anyway, when I search for say my local airport KROC, I see three different frequencies. A Rochester Tower and two Rochester Approach frequencies. Now as far as I know, clicking the three listen options all play the same thing. How do I know or change which frequency I'm listening to?
Any pointers are appreciated.
Thank you.

[dave]

I just started this interest to listen to ATC controllers and this is my first post, just saying...
Anyway, when I search for say my local airport KROC, I see three different frequencies. A Rochester Tower and two Rochester Approach frequencies. Now as far as I know, clicking the three listen options all play the same thing. How do I know or change which frequency I'm listening to?
Any pointers are appreciated.
Thank you.

Welcome to LiveATC.  A single listing for Rochester means those three frequencies are sent on the same audio path.  On many feeds those separate frequencies are broken out into separate audio "channels" but this is not always practical at all locations.  We do it on most of the LiveATC sponsored and operated feeds, and on feeds where volunteers are able to do it, but that certainly is not everywhere.

So, in situations like Rochester, you can't "switch" - it is one channel, and there is a scanner that scans between the three frequencies, looking for activity and stopping on a channel when it is active.  This does have the unfortunate side effect of possibly missing communications on the other channels, but at less busy airports this is not usually a concern.

Hope this helps clear things up.

Dave

[terryma1215]

I just started this interest to listen to ATC controllers and this is my first post, just saying...
Anyway, when I search for say my local airport KROC, I see three different frequencies. A Rochester Tower and two Rochester Approach frequencies. Now as far as I know, clicking the three listen options all play the same thing. How do I know or change which frequency I'm listening to?
Any pointers are appreciated.
Thank you.

Welcome to LiveATC.  A single listing for Rochester means those three frequencies are sent on the same audio path.  On many feeds those separate frequencies are broken out into separate audio "channels" but this is not always practical at all locations.  We do it on most of the LiveATC sponsored and operated feeds, and on feeds where volunteers are able to do it, but that certainly is not everywhere.

So, in situations like Rochester, you can't "switch" - it is one channel, and there is a scanner that scans between the three frequencies, looking for activity and stopping on a channel when it is active.  This does have the unfortunate side effect of possibly missing communications on the other channels, but at less busy airports this is not usually a concern.

Hope this helps clear things up.

Dave

Thank you very much for the clarification.
Just a side note, you maintain a very nice website and a very interesting service! Keep up the good work sir!

[dave]

Thank you very much for the clarification.
Just a side note, you maintain a very nice website and a very interesting service! Keep up the good work sir!

You're very welcome.  This web site is only possible because of the large community of great people who provide information and feeds.

Dave