ZTL UHF receiver unreliable. Ongoing problem.

Attributes
ACN	274271
Time
Date	199406
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : gqo
State Reference	TN
Altitude	msl bound lower : 24000 msl bound upper : 24000
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : ztl
Operator	other
Make Model Name	Fighting Falcon F16
Operating Under FAR Part	other : other
Flight Phase	cruise other descent other
Route In Use	enroute : direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Experience	controller radar : 5
ASRS Report	274271
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Navigational Facility
Air Traffic Incident	other
Situations
Navigational Aid	Unspecified

Narrative:

North departure sector in ZTL has had numerous problems with the UHF frequency (370.9). This afternoon a flight of 4 F-16's (X) at FL240 wanted to descend and enter vr-1052. I never heard X check in. I called in the blind 3 times, with no response. I then called in the blind to issue X 11000 ft with no acknowledgment. I then observed the mode C and X begin a descent. I then attempted to switch X to another frequency. Again, there was no acknowledgment. I went and checked with the sector and X had checked in descending to 11000 ft. We have continued to file paperwork on this frequency and there is nothing being done. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated that the vr route is north of atl and the UHF frequency is associated with 127.05. UHF frequency is 370.9. Reporter says that numerous ucr's have been filed on this, and some work has been done to isolate the problem. Frequencys have been moved and some work done at the site, but the problem still exists. Reporter indicated that there have been no incidents caused by the frequency problem, however, controller workload and valuable time is needed handle this situation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZTL UHF RECEIVER UNRELIABLE. ONGOING PROB.

Narrative: N DEP SECTOR IN ZTL HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBS WITH THE UHF FREQ (370.9). THIS AFTERNOON A FLT OF 4 F-16'S (X) AT FL240 WANTED TO DSND AND ENTER VR-1052. I NEVER HEARD X CHK IN. I CALLED IN THE BLIND 3 TIMES, WITH NO RESPONSE. I THEN CALLED IN THE BLIND TO ISSUE X 11000 FT WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT. I THEN OBSERVED THE MODE C AND X BEGIN A DSCNT. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH X TO ANOTHER FREQ. AGAIN, THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT. I WENT AND CHKED WITH THE SECTOR AND X HAD CHKED IN DSNDING TO 11000 FT. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO FILE PAPERWORK ON THIS FREQ AND THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: RPTR STATED THAT THE VR RTE IS N OF ATL AND THE UHF FREQ IS ASSOCIATED WITH 127.05. UHF FREQ IS 370.9. RPTR SAYS THAT NUMEROUS UCR'S HAVE BEEN FILED ON THIS, AND SOME WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO ISOLATE THE PROB. FREQS HAVE BEEN MOVED AND SOME WORK DONE AT THE SITE, BUT THE PROB STILL EXISTS. RPTR INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE FREQ PROB, HOWEVER, CTLR WORKLOAD AND VALUABLE TIME IS NEEDED HANDLE THIS SIT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.