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Buf TRACON controller reports of a communication problem that he is associating with the radios at the facility. Transmissions are made and not heard at times; making the controller repeat them. Controller describes a situation where there was an airborne conflict and he had to repeat transmissions and is not sure if there was a loss of separation due to the radios.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1278819 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201507 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | BUF.TRACON |
| State Reference | NY |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Departure |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Track / Heading All Types |
Narrative:
Aircraft Y departed; stopped at 4;000 feet for VFR air work traffic. Aircraft Y was assigned a southbound heading. Aircraft X departed next; traffic was not stopped by the tower; but I stopped it at 4;000 feet as not to hit the VFR aircraft at 4;500 feet VFR. I told [aircraft X] to turn left direct art; approx. A 070 heading; out of the way of aircraft Y. The pilot questioned what I had said; by this time he was getting close to aircraft Y; I then told him turn left heading 100. This still; in my good judgement; was a safe heading away from [aircraft Y]. At no point of the operation did the conflict alert (ca); conflict warning; sound. It appeared to me that there was legal separation at the time. I suspected no error; so I did not report it. I was made aware of it today. I have filed a report before; and complained to management and union reps; many; many times about the poor performance of the new digital frequencies. Every day; by all controllers at buf; our transmissions are completely lost in space; or go out broken over the frequencies. I feel this is the main reason why the aircraft got too close. I spoke clearly; but the pilot had trouble hearing me. This happens all the time. Many times we must repeat ourselves 2 or 3 times before the pilot even hears us. I just get the feeling nobody cares. The ca did not sound either; which happens a lot too. Or; if it does go off; it's between two VFR with 1;000 feet or more; or two targets after they have passed. These problems have started at the same time the new fused mode and new com systems have been installed. Prior to this; by record had been flawless. Our com systems do not work as they should. The old land line systems where very clear and crisp. I've voiced my concerns many times; to no avail. My recommendation is to fix the com systems; or use the old land lines until they are fixed. Also; there is regular feedback over the frequencies that happen nightly. It lasts for about an hour.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: BUF TRACON Controller reports of a communication problem that he is associating with the radios at the facility. Transmissions are made and not heard at times; making the controller repeat them. Controller describes a situation where there was an airborne conflict and he had to repeat transmissions and is not sure if there was a loss of separation due to the radios.
Narrative: Aircraft Y departed; stopped at 4;000 feet for VFR air work traffic. Aircraft Y was assigned a southbound heading. Aircraft X departed next; traffic was not stopped by the tower; but I stopped it at 4;000 feet as not to hit the VFR aircraft at 4;500 feet VFR. I told [Aircraft X] to turn left direct ART; approx. a 070 heading; out of the way of Aircraft Y. The pilot questioned what I had said; by this time he was getting close to Aircraft Y; I then told him turn left heading 100. This still; in my good judgement; was a safe heading away from [Aircraft Y]. At no point of the operation did the Conflict Alert (CA); conflict warning; sound. It appeared to me that there was legal separation at the time. I suspected no error; so I did not report it. I was made aware of it today. I have filed a report before; and complained to management and union reps; many; many times about the poor performance of the new digital frequencies. Every day; by all controllers at BUF; our transmissions are completely lost in space; or go out broken over the frequencies. I feel this is the main reason why the aircraft got too close. I spoke clearly; but the pilot had trouble hearing me. This happens all the time. Many times we must repeat ourselves 2 or 3 times before the pilot even hears us. I just get the feeling nobody cares. The CA did not sound either; which happens a lot too. Or; if it does go off; it's between two VFR with 1;000 feet or more; or two targets after they have passed. These problems have started at the same time the new fused mode and new com systems have been installed. Prior to this; by record had been flawless. Our com systems do not work as they should. The old land line systems where very clear and crisp. I've voiced my concerns many times; to no avail. My recommendation is to fix the com systems; or use the old land lines until they are fixed. Also; there is regular feedback over the frequencies that happen nightly. It lasts for about an hour.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.