Narrative:

We received a notice in our read and initial binder: 'tech ops will be performing semi-annual alignments on the acds (ARTS computer display) over the next month or two. This can change brightness levels so you may need to adjust brightness levels in your pref sets.' this is a big problem for controllers. When you take over a sector and it's busy; then it's even worse. Apparently; the radar scopes have to be adjusted 2 times a year as the brightness levels continually decrease over time. We have preferred settings programmed in and use different ones at each sector we work; so we occasionally adjust our settings brighter to accommodate the built in dimness over time. But when tech ops makes these twice a year adjustments and I sign on to that scope; my settings are very bright and it is not only annoying but unsafe. Now I have to spend time adjusting them; which takes time to get them to a comfortable level. This is not safe if I have to do this during busy traffic. And a headache usually accompanies this procedure as I have to watch the bright scope until I get it adjusted to my liking. Additionally; the same settings are sometimes used at 2 different scopes that are routinely combined and 1 scope is way brighter than the other if all scopes are not adjusted around the same time frame. Suggestion: maybe the answer is for tech ops to adjust the scopes more often (every 1 or 2 months) so the brightness levels are not so drastically dimmed and re-brightened?

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller voiced concern regarding the TECH OPS requirement to adjust display brightness semi-annually; noting this adjustment completely disrupts the individual settings made by controller.

Narrative: We received a notice in our read and initial binder: 'Tech Ops will be performing semi-annual alignments on the ACDs (ARTS Computer Display) over the next month or two. This can change brightness levels so you may need to adjust brightness levels in your pref sets.' This is a BIG problem for controllers. When you take over a sector and it's busy; then it's even worse. Apparently; the RADAR scopes have to be adjusted 2 times a year as the brightness levels continually decrease over time. We have preferred settings programmed in and use different ones at each sector we work; so we occasionally adjust our settings brighter to accommodate the built in dimness over time. But when Tech Ops makes these twice a year adjustments and I sign on to that scope; my settings are VERY BRIGHT and it is not only annoying but UNSAFE. Now I have to spend time adjusting them; which takes time to get them to a comfortable level. This is NOT SAFE if I have to do this during busy traffic. And a headache usually accompanies this procedure as I have to watch the bright scope until I get it adjusted to my liking. Additionally; the same settings are sometimes used at 2 different scopes that are routinely combined and 1 scope is WAY brighter than the other if all scopes are not adjusted around the same time frame. Suggestion: Maybe the answer is for Tech Ops to adjust the scopes more often (every 1 or 2 months) so the brightness levels are not so drastically dimmed and re-brightened?

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.