Why don't voice radio communications use FM?

So, it might be a safety issue - using FM would effectively filter out
the weakest stations that could be heard if AM was used.
Under what conditions would you need to hear really weak AM stations?

Let me think. If my radio died and all I had was a handheld I would
really want to be heard... even with this tiny antenna.

Mind you, this is just a theory. Most of my time in the air (and 100%
of my solo time) was in gliders with no radio at all. I just happen to
know a bit about the technical side of radio :-)

Bartek

writes:

Let me think. If my radio died and all I had was a handheld I would
really want to be heard... even with this tiny antenna.

Then use AM on your handheld.

Mind you, this is just a theory. Most of my time in the air (and 100%
of my solo time) was in gliders with no radio at all.

I was wondering about gliders not long ago. I take it they don't have
radios? Wouldn't it be safer to have a radio powered by a battery or
something, just in case? Radios can be made very light so weight
would not be an issue.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic,

I take it they don't have
radios?


You take wrongly.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Let me think. If my radio died and all I had was a handheld I would
really want to be heard... even with this tiny antenna.
Then use AM on your handheld.

That would be pointless if FM was a standard, wouldn't it ?

I was wondering about gliders not long ago. I take it they don't have
radios?

I flew in two clubs. In one radios were the norm and downwind calls
were expected. In the other one, most (if not all) training gliders had
no radios at all.

Bartek

writes:

That would be pointless if FM was a standard, wouldn't it ?

It depends on who is at the other end.

I flew in two clubs. In one radios were the norm and downwind calls
were expected. In the other one, most (if not all) training gliders had
no radios at all.

Do gliders get any special consideration from ATC, given that they are
unpowered aircraft?

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic schrieb:

I was wondering about gliders not long ago. I take it they don't have
radios? Wouldn't it be safer to have a radio powered by a battery or
something, just in case? Radios can be made very light so weight
would not be an issue.

Not only would it be safer, but much more convenient, too. That's why
pretty much all gliders actually *do* have radios. Along with GPS
navigation, speed optimizing and glide range computers and a couple more
of such gadgets.

You should *really* get some basic knowledge before commenting.

Stefan

On Sat, 09 Sep 2006 17:03:04 +0200, Stefan
wrote:

Mxsmanic schrieb:

I was wondering about gliders not long ago. I take it they don't have
radios? Wouldn't it be safer to have a radio powered by a battery or
something, just in case? Radios can be made very light so weight
would not be an issue.

Not only would it be safer, but much more convenient, too. That's why
pretty much all gliders actually *do* have radios. Along with GPS
navigation, speed optimizing and glide range computers and a couple more
of such gadgets.

You should *really* get some basic knowledge before commenting.


What ever happened to the old distinction that was made between
Gliders and Sail planes?


Stefan
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

What ever happened to the old distinction that was made between
Gliders and Sail planes?

What is the distinction?

Jose
--
There are more ways to skin a cat than there are cats.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:37:41 GMT, Jose
wrote:

What ever happened to the old distinction that was made between
Gliders and Sail planes?

What is the distinction?

Way back and it may have been just here in the states, but gliders
were un powered planes that were towed behind others and then cut
loose to "glide" back to earth as in the troop gliders at Normandy.

Sail planes on the other hand had the ability to "sail" in the air.
They, like sail boats could turn on a dime, and use the wind and
updrafts to their advantage.

IOW sail planes could make use of thermals, and ridge currents to stay
aloft for a long time while gliders could not.,

Some times I still see the distinction made even in news reports, but
to most people sail planes are just gliders. I think it has been a
good 20 to 30 years since that distinction was commonly used. It was
pretty common when I started flying, but that was in 63.




Jose
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com