Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
I was working R46 combined with low traffic complexity and volume. I had both of my frequencies on and in my headset; (126.22 and 118.42). I heard a tone in my ear and looking up I saw that it was something transmitting on 126.22. At first I thought it was an unusual stuck mic since a pilot had just transmitted. Upon investigation; I found out that the frequency that I had heard the tone on was released to maintenance. When asking why that frequency was on at the sector; one of my coworkers said they had been informed by the OMIC desk when opening the sector; that we could use that frequency. I would recommend that if a frequency is Released To Maintenance (RTM); a note be made on the ESIS board displayed in the area. Also; maybe the OMIC desk should utilize their TV for their own ESIS board so this miscommunication doesn't happen again. Another suggestion; when a frequency is RTM have the supervisor/CIC temporarily take it off the VSCS so these tones can't be heard; and can't be harmful for the controller.
ZBW Controller experienced a loud tone in his/her head set only to discover that an assigned frequency had been released to maintenance.