When is just clicking PTT an acknowledgement?

Somewhere I read that you should NOT acknowledge transmissions by just
pressing PTT briefly. Now, I had never heard that before, nor done it,
but since then I think I've heard it happen.

Can someone who is familiar with this explain the PTT-ack customs so I
know how to interpret it?

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

"Ben Jackson" wrote in message
news:KBvDb.553661$HS4.4223865@attbi_s01

Somewhere I read that you should NOT acknowledge transmissions by just
pressing PTT briefly. Now, I had never heard that before, nor done
it, but since then I think I've heard it happen.

Can someone who is familiar with this explain the PTT-ack customs so I
know how to interpret it?

You're right, you shouldn't do it. However, it's not very uncommon to hear
both pilots and ATC use this technique. Typically it's two clicks on the
mic to acknowledge the previous transmission (just like saying "copy" or
"roger").

But you shouldn't do it because it's ambiguous in meaning and sender.
Anybody could have clicked the mic - intentionally or accidentally.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
____________________

Ben,

When is just clicking PTT an acknowledgement?


Never, ever. Period.

There's a lot of supposedly cool stuff being said and done on the radio
which in the end is just hogwash. This is one example. Others are "with
you", "tally-ho", "no joy" or the ample use of "Roger" where "Wilco"
would be appropriate. If it's not in the AIM or the PC/G, don't use it.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

On Tue, 16 Dec 2003 04:39:01 GMT, "John T" wrote:

But you shouldn't do it because it's ambiguous in meaning and sender.
Anybody could have clicked the mic - intentionally or accidentally.

I did it today, to ack ATC's "Cessna 342 Roger". I didn't even think
about it, just hit the xmit button quickly.

I had trouble hearing ATC today anyway. They were quiet, so I had to
listen very carefully! Didn't even occur to me to turn up the volume
until I had landed safely.

Stay ahead of the airplane everyone! Merry 100th-year-of-flying! *MY*
FBO is offering 50% off airplane rental from the 17th through the
20th. Too bad the weather seems destined to be hard IFR for the rest
of the week!

Rob

The only time I've seen that it is "appropriate" is when the response is
more courtesy, and NOT a matter of operational safety... of course, by
taking that tack... any communication that is appropriate to acknowledge
with just 2 taps of the mike is probaby not "appropriate" in its own right.

Just my 2 cents..
Dave

Ben Jackson wrote:

Somewhere I read that you should NOT acknowledge transmissions by just
pressing PTT briefly. Now, I had never heard that before, nor done it,
but since then I think I've heard it happen.

Can someone who is familiar with this explain the PTT-ack customs so I
know how to interpret it?

(Ben Jackson) wrote in message news:KBvDb.553661$HS4.4223865@attbi_s01...
Somewhere I read that you should NOT acknowledge transmissions by just
pressing PTT briefly. Now, I had never heard that before, nor done it,
but since then I think I've heard it happen.

Can someone who is familiar with this explain the PTT-ack customs so I
know how to interpret it?

A lot of pilots use the double-click of the PTT as an acknowledgement
to a transmission that didn't need to be acknowledged. It is
primarily used as a courtesy to the controller to let them know that
you heard their last transmission - even if a reply wasn't required.

An example: Leaving Class D airspace.
Cherokee 62R: Tower, Cherokee 62R is clear to the North, have a good
afternoon.
Tower: 62R, freq change approved, have a good afternoon too.
Cherokee 62R: key the mike twice.

The key is (pun intended) - there are not many situations where the
double-click is acceptable. Unfortunately, many pilots key the mike
(or use Roger/Wilco), when a proper reply was required. Ie taxi
instructions, hold-short, etc.

-Nathan

(Ben Jackson) wrote in message news:KBvDb.553661$HS4.4223865@attbi_s01...
Somewhere I read that you should NOT acknowledge transmissions by just
pressing PTT briefly. Now, I had never heard that before, nor done it,
but since then I think I've heard it happen.

Can someone who is familiar with this explain the PTT-ack customs so I
know how to interpret it?

The easiest thing to do is take the high road and scoff at this
foolish and dangerous custom. It doesn't really unclutter the
airwaves much.

But, if you insist, do it this way. A click does NOT count as a
required acknowledgement of anything, so ...

ONLY use the "click" to acknowledge transmissions THAT REQUIRE NO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

The best example would be an unsolicited wind check on final.

Tower: "Wind 260 at 14"
You: "click"

A more subtle example is to acknowledge information that's not a
directive.

Approach: "Skyhawk 8SA, climb and maintain 3000."
8SA: "Climbing 3000, 8SA".
Approach: "8SA, I'm working on getting you higher."
8SA "click"

Contrast this with:

Approach: "Skyhawk 8SA, climb and maintain 3000, expect higher in 10
minutes."
8SA "Climbing 3000, expecting higher in 10, 8SA"

Nathan Young ) wrote:

A lot of pilots use the double-click of the PTT as an acknowledgement
to a transmission that didn't need to be acknowledged. It is
primarily used as a courtesy to the controller to let them know that
you heard their last transmission - even if a reply wasn't required.

I was taught this, too. Two clicks in response to a transmission not
requiring a reply, such as "Have a good flight" offered by Clearance
Delivery after reading back a clearance, or "Winds 250, 25 gusting to 38"
volunteered by tower (without being asked) when on final.

--
Peter












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Yeppers on this one!!! Me too....

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures complete with pictures and text at:
www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

Nathan Young ) wrote:

Ie taxi instructions, hold-short, etc.

Really? Every towered airport (mostly in the Northeast US) in which I have
flown states in the ATIS "readback of all hold-short instructions
required." Additionally, I often hear the ground controller repeating a
hold short instruction and requiring the readback be verbatim.

I cannot imagine a ground controller allowing someone to double-click a
response to a hold short instruction.

--
Peter












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