Air carrier captain reported checking in and hearing the controller tell everybody to stand by. They...

Narrative:

Climbing to 160 on the zzzzz departure we were given a radio handoff to ZZZ TRACON and either we had put the wrong frequency in; or were given the incorrect one; but we tried to establish communication with the controller who we could clearly hear speaking. The controller came back to our check in with; 'everybody listen up...I'm working a bunch of frequencies; and have like 20 aircraft all trying to reach me. Just ident and I'll get back to all of you shortly.' so we sent an ident; and waited. After a few minutes; we queried again. The calls went unanswered. We waited a few more minutes; still at 160 on the departure; and tried again. This time we received the response; 'aircraft at 160; ident and I'll call you in a few minutes.' so we did. After an eternity; we finally demanded a specific call sign response; to which the controller told us we were on the wrong frequency and go back to previous one. So we did; to which the controller then gave us the correct one. The new controller was advised by us of the frequency error. Cause - over worked controller; lack of cpdlc to guarantee correct frequency; and controller using non-standard phraseology when answering radio calls. Suggestion - widespread use of cpdlc for handoffs; and controllers adhering to correct phraseology when addressing check-ins to a frequency.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported checking in and hearing the Controller tell everybody to stand by. They continued on assigned heading and altitude; finally being told they were on the wrong frequency. Controller reportedly was working multiple frequencies.

Narrative: Climbing to 160 on the ZZZZZ departure we were given a radio handoff to ZZZ TRACON and either we had put the wrong frequency in; or were given the incorrect one; but we tried to establish communication with the Controller who we could clearly hear speaking. The Controller came back to our check in with; 'Everybody listen up...I'm working a bunch of frequencies; and have like 20 aircraft all trying to reach me. Just ident and I'll get back to all of you shortly.' So we sent an ident; and waited. After a few minutes; we queried again. The calls went unanswered. We waited a few more minutes; still at 160 on the departure; and tried again. This time we received the response; 'Aircraft at 160; ident and I'll call you in a few minutes.' So we did. After an eternity; we finally demanded a specific call sign response; to which the Controller told us we were on the wrong frequency and go back to previous one. So we did; to which the Controller then gave us the correct one. The new Controller was advised by us of the frequency error. Cause - Over worked Controller; lack of CPDLC to guarantee correct frequency; and Controller using non-standard phraseology when answering radio calls. Suggestion - Widespread use of CPDLC for handoffs; and controllers adhering to correct phraseology when addressing check-ins to a frequency.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1759658
Time
Date	202009
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Air carrier captain reported checking in and hearing the controller tell everybody to stand by. They continued on assigned heading and altitude; finally being told they were on the wrong frequency. Controller reportedly was working multiple frequencies.