Do you still listen to FM when on an airplane?

[N7PAT]

I've listened a lot of time to FM while traveling in a plane. The last time I flew across country I brought my hand held scanner. It was a lot of fun listening to the two meter and seventy centimeter ham bands along with FRS and GMRS.

 

[charlestondxman]

Weirdly, my MP3 player has an FM radio in it, and yesterday, on my flight from Memphis to Charleston, I was picking up dozens and dozens of stations. Over the Greenville area, I believe, I was picking up 106.1 the Fox from Hilton Head and 106.9 the Gator clear as a bell.

Over the Upstate, I was also picking up almost all the stations from Charleston, Savannah, and Augusta, with WSOC from Charlotte also coming in, along with WSB from Atlanta.

Magic 98.9 was mixing with the Spanish station in Charleston. I had to turn the MP3 player off, but the reception was really good.

 

[The Beave]

I do it all the time... picked up 4 Col. Springs/Denver stations in between Dallas and Chicago last week.

 

[cyberdad]

I happen to live in a town where a couple dozen O'Hare-based pilots live. I'm longtime friends with a number of them. To a man, they've all assured me a small walkman type device is not a problem. The rule is a throwback to earlier generations of technology.

I travel a lot, and usually opt for the iPod versus the fm walkman. The best DX for me is over the Western U.S. and on transatlantic flights. No, you don't hear anything over the open ocean, but near the coastlines and over far northern Canada (on the polar routes to/from Europe), it can and does get interesting sometimes.

 

[radioman148]

I happen to live in a town where a couple dozen O'Hare-based pilots live. I'm longtime friends with a number of them. To a man, they've all assured me a small walkman type device is not a problem. The rule is a throwback to earlier generations of technology.

I travel a lot, and usually opt for the iPod versus the fm walkman. The best DX for me is over the Western U.S. and on transatlantic flights. No, you don't hear anything over the open ocean, but near the coastlines and over far northern Canada (on the polar routes to/from Europe), it can and does get interesting sometimes.

I used to listen to my FM Walkman on planes, but haven't done it in a long time.
I'll have to try again soon.

 

[Tincap]

While living/working in Europe, I used to enjoy catching the various FM signals over Ireland and the UK, when flying to/from home in Canada. So when going on my 2005 trip from Halifax NS to Hong Kong, I was really looking forward to what exotic catches I might find along the coasts of Alaska, Russia, China, etc. Alas...I was not allowed to use my little Grundig while flying.:-[ It did work quite well while in Hong Kong however.

BG

 

[radioman148]

While living/working in Europe, I used to enjoy catching the various FM signals over Ireland and the UK, when flying to/from home in Canada. So when going on my 2005 trip from Halifax NS to Hong Kong, I was really looking forward to what exotic catches I might find along the coasts of Alaska, Russia, China, etc. Alas...I was not allowed to use my little Grundig while flying.:-[ It did work quite well while in Hong Kong however.

BG

I've found that some airlines are more receptive to letting you use it than others.
You just never know.

 

[Tincap]

While living/working in Europe, I used to enjoy catching the various FM signals over Ireland and the UK, when flying to/from home in Canada. So when going on my 2005 trip from Halifax NS to Hong Kong, I was really looking forward to what exotic catches I might find along the coasts of Alaska, Russia, China, etc. Alas...I was not allowed to use my little Grundig while flying.:-[ It did work quite well while in Hong Kong however.

BG

I've found that some airlines are more receptive to letting you use it than others.
You just never know.

Yes, as I read some of these posts I'm rather jealous... It was NorthWest Airlines which I took to Asia and disallowed any radio usage while inflight. :-\

BG

 

[KML0224]

I had my Panasonic AM/FM/CD Personal Stereo ("Walkman") in flight with me while on a SouthWest Airlines flight from BDL (Windsor Locks, CT) to MDW (Chicago-Midway). They advised people to put their cell phones into Airplane mode if so equipped, otherwise turn them off. I attempted to listen to a CD I had with me but didn't attempt any AM or FM. Between the time of the all-clear and the tone to turn off and stow such devices, I never did quite finish the CD I had wanted to listen to. This being my first flight, I didn't realize the time between BDL in Connecticut and BWI (Linthicum, MD) would be that short. :-\

 

[radioman148]

While living/working in Europe, I used to enjoy catching the various FM signals over Ireland and the UK, when flying to/from home in Canada. So when going on my 2005 trip from Halifax NS to Hong Kong, I was really looking forward to what exotic catches I might find along the coasts of Alaska, Russia, China, etc. Alas...I was not allowed to use my little Grundig while flying.:-[ It did work quite well while in Hong Kong however.

BG

I've found that some airlines are more receptive to letting you use it than others.
You just never know.

Yes, as I read some of these posts I'm rather jealous... It was NorthWest Airlines which I took to Asia and disallowed any radio usage while inflight. :-\

BG

Most flights that I've been on lately won't even let you think about it.

 

[BRNout]

I happen to live in a town where a couple dozen O'Hare-based pilots live. I'm longtime friends with a number of them. To a man, they've all assured me a small walkman type device is not a problem. The rule is a throwback to earlier generations of technology.

I travel a lot, and usually opt for the iPod versus the fm walkman. The best DX for me is over the Western U.S. and on transatlantic flights. No, you don't hear anything over the open ocean, but near the coastlines and over far northern Canada (on the polar routes to/from Europe), it can and does get interesting sometimes.

I've always figured as much, but haven't tried it in a few years. Perhaps I may do so if the opportunity arises and I'm by the window.

What kind of stuff did you pick up on your transatlantic flights? Must have been really interesting stuff. I have to admit that my only FM dxing on planes has been done on domestic routes (inc'l some over southern Canada) - and over Cuba once.

Personally, I have been of the opinion that the weak FM signal that your IF transmits probably doesn't even make it through the skin of the plane.

On a similar note......

Recently, I took a flight from ORD to SFO and about half way through I recalled that my cell phone (in my jacket in the FC closet) was still on. I went up front to shut it off and apologized to the senior flight attendant when I walked up from coach. She rolled her eyes jokingly and made a very lighthearted comment about how we're all gonna die! Clearly, she felt that the cell phone wasn't going to do any harm. Apparently, that sort of thing happens all the time.

By the way, it showed no signal when I picked it up.

 

[cyberdad]

What kind of stuff did you pick up on your transatlantic flights? Must have been really interesting stuff.

I fly to Europe twice a year on average. Generally speaking the interesting stuff as far as I'm concerned is over northeastern Canada on the polar route. You're over a sparsely populated area that's adjacent to some relatively powerful signals that go on forever when you're up high and there's nothing to interfere with or stop them. Not quite as interesting approaching/leaving Europe. Most of the signals there are lower powered, so they don't get out as far....even at 36,000 feet.

 

[tomservo]

Personally, I have been of the opinion that the weak FM signal that your IF transmits probably doesn't even make it through the skin of the plane.

I think the concern is that the IF signal is kept inside the skin and is channeled all through the plane, but I agree it's probably not much of a concern when at altitude. Taking off and landing, however, is different. The IF of an FM receiver, if I am not mistaken, is usually 10.7 MHz higher than the tuner position, which puts the IF right in the heart of the VOR/beacon and comms band for aircraft.

 

[radioman148]

What kind of stuff did you pick up on your transatlantic flights? Must have been really interesting stuff.

I fly to Europe twice a year on average. Generally speaking the interesting stuff as far as I'm concerned is over northeastern Canada on the polar route. You're over a sparsely populated area that's adjacent to some relatively powerful signals that go on forever when you're up high and there's nothing to interfere with or stop them. Not quite as interesting approaching/leaving Europe. Most of the signals there are lower powered, so they don't get out as far....even at 36,000 feet.

What kind of stuff do you hear over northeastern Canada?

 

[BRNout]

Personally, I have been of the opinion that the weak FM signal that your IF transmits probably doesn't even make it through the skin of the plane.

I think the concern is that the IF signal is kept inside the skin and is channeled all through the plane, but I agree it's probably not much of a concern when at altitude. Taking off and landing, however, is different. The IF of an FM receiver, if I am not mistaken, is usually 10.7 MHz higher than the tuner position, which puts the IF right in the heart of the VOR/beacon and comms band for aircraft.

The aircraft's antenna system is generally out on the tip of the wing (depending on the aircraft model) and, from my understanding, the internal wiring is shielded. In the case of a portable radio, the IF signal is very, very weak with a range that extends maybe 3 to 5 feet from your radio - at best. If you're sitting in coach, you're awfully far from the cockpit and the skin of the aircraft would block most of the IF signal from exiting the aircraft.

There was an episode of Mythbusters where tested the "myth" about whether a cell phone (transmitting or not) could interfere with the cockpit devices. Try as they might, they could not get it to happen. Now, remember that a cellphone transmits with thousands of times the power of a radio's IF - and it can interfere with a number of bands when you're talking on it (just do it by a radio and you'll hear the clicks and other forms of static RF).

Add it all together and it's probably why you've never heard of an FM radio causing a problem on an aircraft. Also remember that during the tragedies of 9-11 and the heroic flight of Cap't Sully, people hopped on their cell phones to call loved ones. None of those calls was ever documented to impact the aircraft's instruments.

All that being said, for safety's sake I still wouldn't fool around with it during takeoff and landing AND I have always tended to try and limit my dxing to the frequencies below 102 MHz - except for a quick scan when we're at cruising altitude.

 

[radioman148]

Personally, I have been of the opinion that the weak FM signal that your IF transmits probably doesn't even make it through the skin of the plane.

I think the concern is that the IF signal is kept inside the skin and is channeled all through the plane, but I agree it's probably not much of a concern when at altitude. Taking off and landing, however, is different. The IF of an FM receiver, if I am not mistaken, is usually 10.7 MHz higher than the tuner position, which puts the IF right in the heart of the VOR/beacon and comms band for aircraft.

The aircraft's antenna system is generally out on the tip of the wing (depending on the aircraft model) and, from my understanding, the internal wiring is shielded. In the case of a portable radio, the IF signal is very, very weak with a range that extends maybe 3 to 5 feet from your radio - at best. If you're sitting in coach, you're awfully far from the cockpit and the skin of the aircraft would block most of the IF signal from exiting the aircraft.

There was an episode of Mythbusters where tested the "myth" about whether a cell phone (transmitting or not) could interfere with the cockpit devices. Try as they might, they could not get it to happen. Now, remember that a cellphone transmits with thousands of times the power of a radio's IF - and it can interfere with a number of bands when you're talking on it (just do it by a radio and you'll hear the clicks and other forms of static RF).

Add it all together and it's probably why you've never heard of an FM radio causing a problem on an aircraft. Also remember that during the tragedies of 9-11 and the heroic flight of Cap't Sully, people hopped on their cell phones to call loved ones. None of those calls was ever documented to impact the aircraft's instruments.

All that being said, for safety's sake I still wouldn't fool around with it during takeoff and landing AND I have always tended to try and limit my dxing to the frequencies below 102 MHz - except for a quick scan when we're at cruising altitude.

They still make a habit of telling me not to have my radio on even if I tell them I'm listening to AM.
Just following their instructions I guess.

 

[BRNout]

They usually err on the side of caution - which is fine. I would never quarrel with them over an issue such as this, but from a scientific standpoint the rule doesn't hold much water.

How did you listen to AM in the plane? I have rarely picked up anything on AM inside the skin of the airplane. However, back in the mid 1980s, I do recall the pilot piping in coverage of the NFC Championship game through the plane's IFE system. To do this, he would lock in to a strong AM station and pipe it into the IFE channel. Most of the way between Chicago and Hartford, he had it locked on WTAM Cleveland (or whatever they were called back then). Reception was flawless for most of the journey. Meanwhile, I couldn't get any AM within the plane.

It was early evening (6-7 pm) and we were flying United.

 

[radioman148]

They usually err on the side of caution - which is fine. I would never quarrel with them over an issue such as this, but from a scientific standpoint the rule doesn't hold much water.

How did you listen to AM in the plane? I have rarely picked up anything on AM inside the skin of the airplane. However, back in the mid 1980s, I do recall the pilot piping in coverage of the NFC Championship game through the plane's IFE system. To do this, he would lock in to a strong AM station and pipe it into the IFE channel. Most of the way between Chicago and Hartford, he had it locked on WTAM Cleveland (or whatever they were called back then). Reception was flawless for most of the journey. Meanwhile, I couldn't get any AM within the plane.

It was early evening (6-7 pm) and we were flying United.

I've listened to AM on planes several times. You have to put the radio right against the window. Any further away and you get nothing.
I also listened to a football game on a flight from California to Chicago. It was the Super Bowl between the Redskins & the Dolphins in the 80s. The pilot had it on the audio system, but I don't know what station he was getting it from.

 

[cyberdad]

What kind of stuff do you hear over northeastern Canada?

A lot of French Language stuff. Then in English you can sometimes hear a few Montreal stations and stations from the Maritimes....all of which are at least a 100-200 miles away. Or even farther. Occasionally a U.S. station sneaks in, but usually not for very very long. On the westbound trip, at least a couple of Canadians are usually audible until right around the time of preliminary approach to O' Hare.

Approaching Europe, the Irish stations are the first ones in, at least IME

AM radio in a plane? Just put the radio (presumably a walkman) up to the window. I listened to the 2008 Super Bowl this way on a flight from Pensacola to Chicago. (Mostly via WWL).

I should point out that although I'm on planes every 3-6 weeks on average, I usually don't DX or otherwise try to listen to radio. Occasionally I'll do it on the transatlantic flights, but even with those, I'm usually asleep or have the iPod going. Trains, however, are a different story. I'm on trains frequently in the UK and in Europe. Once I'm away from urban noise, I'm curious to hear what's out there.

 

[radioman148]

What kind of stuff do you hear over northeastern Canada?

A lot of French Language stuff. Then in English you can sometimes hear a few Montreal stations and stations from the Maritimes....all of which are at least a 100-200 miles away. Or even farther. Occasionally a U.S. station sneaks in, but usually not for very very long. On the westbound trip, at least a couple of Canadians are usually audible until right around the time of preliminary approach to O' Hare.

Approaching Europe, the Irish stations are the first ones in, at least IME

AM radio in a plane? Just put the radio (presumably a walkman) up to the window. I listened to the 2008 Super Bowl this way on a flight from Pensacola to Chicago. (Mostly via WWL).

I should point out that although I'm on planes every 3-6 weeks on average, I usually don't DX or otherwise try to listen to radio. Occasionally I'll do it on the transatlantic flights, but even with those, I'm usually asleep or have the iPod going. Trains, however, are a different story. I'm on trains frequently in the UK and in Europe. Once I'm away from urban noise, I'm curious to hear what's out there.

Thanks for the rundown on the trans Atlantic stuff.