ATC Channel

[Harold Rutila 974112]

I've been unable to locate other posts regarding this topic, so let me go ahead and ask this question:

 

What's all the hype about controllers using (or not using, as I should say) the ATC Channel in our radar clients? I mean, seriously, it's no more than a separate frequency. I remember when I was observing quite a while back, controllers would use this feature a lot. Now every time we use it (even to announce little things like a winds change, who's tracking an aircraft, etc.) we get a message from the supervisors, even if the message is relatively critical. Most of the time, I've seen people say it was because of bandwidth on the servers. Don't the VATSIM administrators own and operate the servers? If not, aren't they paying per month/year and not per message? It simply doesn't make sense to me about why the creators continue to put this feature in their programs (VRC, ASRC, ES) if it's becoming unusable. I really don't mean to create a huge controversy. True, I hate when controllers (especially in other VATSIM regions) carry on a conversation that we controllers in Denver are forced to watch, but when it comes to air traffic operations, shouldn't it be okay for controllers to use this feature? I would imagine that using the ATC channel once takes up less bandwidth than typing a private message to every controller who is affected by the change, especially during a large event, under most circomestances.

 

Once again, I am not attempting to be controversial. If you have any outrageous comments brewing, please keep them to yourselves.

 

Blue Skies

[Ian Elchitz 810151]

Hi Harold,

 

Read this: VATUSA POLICIES

 

Don't take it out on the Supervisors. We enforce the policies that we are told to enforce. As long as that policy is in place, it's the duty of Supervisors to enforce it. If you don't like it then you should try and get it changed. Other divisions don't have such policies and thus there is more chatter on their atc frequencies without any supervisors.

 

Personally - I think most things can/should be coordinated using chatbox or voice. There are MANY exceptions where an ATC channel message makes a lot of sense. I do however see people in the US misusing the frequency ALL THE TIME and I'd imagine this is what helped bring the policy into effect.

[Harold Rutila 974112]

Ian,

 

Thanks for the reply! I was searching the VATSIM policies and apparently I didn't look in the right place. Thanks for that link. In no way was I trying to criticize the SUPs or their enforcement policies. I completely understand, especially when the controllers carry on extensive conversations on the ATC channel.

 

-Harold

[Bryan Wollenberg 810243]

Harold, the VATUSA ATC Channel Usage Policy used to be much worse. It fact, it was quite excessive, and after enough of us complained, it was modified to its current form.

 

When you actually look at the intent of the current policy, it makes sense. The ATC Channel was almost becoming a "party line" of sorts, where controllers would just chat about whatever.

 

I don't think it's so much a bandwidth issue as it is an issue of cluttering up everyones' text areas, particularly the Center controllers, with bigger ranges. I can certainly recall working Center some nights, and missing text messages from pilots, because they would be scrolled off my screen by ATC Channel garbage.

 

However, why VATUSA needs such a policy in place anyway, is really beyond me, as VATSIM CoC C9 covers using the ATC channel for private conversations.

 

In any event, if you go by the letter of the law, you can't really use the ATC channel for runway configuration changes, coordination, or looking for NORDO aircraft, etc. in VATUSA. And honestly, it's a shame. That's exactly the intended use of the ATC Channel on the network. MOST Supervisors will use common sense when dealing with such a situation, and realize what is critical and what isn't. If you're working a busy Center, for instance, it just makes sense that you're not going to open a chat with every single controller trying to figure out who has an a/c. You're just going to send a quick ATC message. I'm sorry you were yelled at for doing the things you mentioned below, because it's absurd, quite honestly.

 

Harold, I do recommend you bring your concerns up with VATUSA. Admittedly, we have MUCH bigger fish to fry right now at the VATUSA Staff level, but nevertheless, this is still something that should be brought up, if it is making controlling more difficult. Heck, I'll personally bring it up for you with the rest of the VATUSA Staff, as soon as all this other stuff (implementation of the Global Ratings Policy, etc.) is taken care of. Like I said above, you can still have an ATC channel for ATC-related things, and still not have a bunch of useless chatter. It's already covered by the CoC. ATC chatter in other parts of the world has nothing to do with a lack of local policy, rather it's a lack of enforcement.