NOTAM for Friday 2nd June

[skywatch1]

There all morning, didn't pick up the B52 until on BZN radar...have Lon Mill changed any ICF's ???
Good to see 3 in though

[big john]

He came up on 278.600 somewhere to the west of Brize, The controller just had time to give him the weather before switching to Brize approach. I presume he came off civil?

[skywatch1]

Hi John, I've got that one in but didn't hear him. what was his 'call sign' ?. when I'm there for their departures, I usually note/write down their on routes and yes, it can vary.
Cheer's Buddy.

[Ghost from above]

Reach section has RCH929 C5M 86-0017 [AE056E] ETD Ellsworth for Fairford 0140Z
No notam as yet

[Blackcat1]

The C5 crossed the East Coast at 0530 so in his way

[big john]

Hi John, I've got that one in but didn't hear him. what was his 'call sign' ?. when I'm there for their departures, I usually note/write down their on routes and yes, it can vary.
Cheer's Buddy.

He was calling Mytee52. I have been offered an explanation as to why I didn't hear him earlier, and that is Swanwick Mils use of multiple transmitters for a single frequency means that sometimes only the transmitter closest to the aircraft is in use, as they get closer to the next transmitter that is then switched in.They also rebroadcast the aircraft's transmissions from the other transmitters so if like me you are close to a transmitter you can here both sides of a transmission. Unfortunately Fairford is out of range of these transmitters with a receiver at ground level, As he was fairly low level, I would have thought it unlikely you would have heard him directly, especially as he seemed to switch to Brize Approach early.
When sitting at Fairford I have never heard aircraft more than about 75 miles away when they are coming from the west, Yet I have heard F15's over East Anglia! Its all to do with the terrain and Line of Sight.

[steamy]

Shropshire hills, then that big rock called Wales will significantly reduce any range from west to north-ish around Fairford

edit: SW Bath is pretty hilly too, then Wessex downs... it's in a bit of a bowl except for a flat straight to East Anglia