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Nct approach controller reported their frequency was working intermittently even though the tech ops personnel reported the frequency had been fixed.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1503892 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201712 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | NCT.TRACON |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Approach |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 7 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types |
Narrative:
I was working 3 planes on an arrival finals sector. Two pilots were answering every third transmission. After trying to descend aircraft X for the third or fourth time without a response I said 'hello; aircraft X descend and maintain 6000.' aircraft X responded to that call. Then later down the final approach course it took 3 transmissions to slow the aircraft down. I told aircraft X that it took three transmissions and he said he only heard one transmission. This comment led me to try other aircraft and when they did not respond to try the 'orange jack'; a hand set; and mains and standbys. Finally we figured out that the frequency was failing and subsequently failed. Aircraft X had to go around.later it became knowledge that the frequency had been going in and out and since then tech ops keeps saying that the frequency is fixed and to use it. The frequency will work for a while and then fail again. Please send my apology to the aircraft X crew for being 'obnoxious' as the pilot [of another aircraft] told me on frequency. I thought they were not paying attention and it ended up being my frequency failing. The frequency should not be used again until it can be verified fixed.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: NCT Approach Controller reported their frequency was working intermittently even though the Tech Ops personnel reported the frequency had been fixed.
Narrative: I was working 3 planes on an arrival finals sector. Two pilots were answering every third transmission. After trying to descend Aircraft X for the third or fourth time without a response I said 'Hello; Aircraft X descend and maintain 6000.' Aircraft X responded to that call. Then later down the final approach course it took 3 transmissions to slow the aircraft down. I told Aircraft X that it took three transmissions and he said he only heard one transmission. This comment led me to try other aircraft and when they did not respond to try the 'orange jack'; a hand set; and mains and standbys. Finally we figured out that the frequency was failing and subsequently failed. Aircraft X had to go around.Later it became knowledge that the frequency had been going in and out and since then Tech Ops keeps saying that the frequency is fixed and to use it. The frequency will work for a while and then fail again. Please send my apology to the Aircraft X crew for being 'obnoxious' as the pilot [of another aircraft] told me on frequency. I thought they were not paying attention and it ended up being my frequency failing. The frequency should not be used again until it can be verified fixed.
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.