General aviation pilot on IFR flight plan reports interference on sav approach frequency 125.3 with ...

Narrative:

I was IFR though weather was VMC; approaching statesboro airport (tbr) from the north; descending from 8;000 ft to 5;000 ft then later to 2;000 ft MSL. When switched to savannah; GA; approach on 125.3; I noticed that while I could communicate with savannah; I could also hear raleigh; nc; approach on the same frequency. A few times while savannah was transmitting an ATC instruction; the raleigh TRACON would also begin transmitting simultaneously; thus 'blocking' or 'stepping on' the savannah instruction. This occurred repeatedly while approaching tbr. Perhaps the severity of this effect is dependent on altitude; radio type; weather; and/or other factors. However; in my opinion; the frequency 125.3 should not be used by both savannah and raleigh; since they are apparently close enough geographically for some aircraft controlled by savannah to receive raleigh. This issue; if unresolved; could result in missed or garbled communication with ATC. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: this was the first time the reporter had been to this area and the first time the interference encountered. He has not been back and cannot state if this is a common occurrence.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: General aviation pilot on IFR flight plan reports interference on SAV approach frequency 125.3 with RDU departure. RDU is very loud requiring SAV to repeat instructions.

Narrative: I was IFR though weather was VMC; approaching Statesboro Airport (TBR) from the north; descending from 8;000 FT to 5;000 FT then later to 2;000 FT MSL. When switched to Savannah; GA; Approach on 125.3; I noticed that while I could communicate with Savannah; I could also hear Raleigh; NC; Approach on the same frequency. A few times while Savannah was transmitting an ATC instruction; the Raleigh TRACON would also begin transmitting simultaneously; thus 'blocking' or 'stepping on' the Savannah instruction. This occurred repeatedly while approaching TBR. Perhaps the severity of this effect is dependent on altitude; radio type; weather; and/or other factors. However; in my opinion; the frequency 125.3 should not be used by both Savannah and Raleigh; since they are apparently close enough geographically for some aircraft controlled by Savannah to receive Raleigh. This issue; if unresolved; could result in missed or garbled communication with ATC. Callback conversation with Reporter revealed the following information: This was the first time the reporter had been to this area and the first time the interference encountered. He has not been back and cannot state if this is a common occurrence.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	832725
Time
Date	200904
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	TBR.Airport
State Reference	GA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40 Flight Crew Total 1400 Flight Crew Type 500
Events
Anomaly	Other Radio Interference

General aviation pilot on IFR flight plan reports interference on sav approach frequency 125.3 with rdu departure. Rdu is very loud requiring sav to repeat instructions.