Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
Air Carrier X could not hear my transmitter on 132.90. This is located at TVC; and has traditionally been a good frequency. In last few months performance has gone downhill. This aircraft was on the MBS135007 fix at 16;000 feet; and only 16 NM out of my airspace; and they could not hear my transmissions. This is unacceptable; since it will tie up the frequency and cause workload to increase when traffic increases. Either: a) Vote the 132.90 frequency with the 118.05 frequency location (at MBS) b) Install new equipment at the TVC site; and/or find the source of interference; or c) Change the LOAs and SOPs: assign 118.05 to Sector 02; since the main and standby equipment work better in that airspace and have terrific coverage; compared to Sector 01. 125.47 works much better in Sector 01; and covers better than 118.05; with the exception of a 10 NM radius around Y31 airport; which the BUEC on 118.05 works better because it is located there. I fly my personal aircraft in that airspace; and I know all of this to be a fact. Change the LOA's with ZOB to assign all aircraft 118.05 entering Sector 02. Change the LOA with MBS approach to assign all aircraft entering Sector 02 to 118.05.
ZMP Controller voiced concern regarding the recent performance of frequency 132.90; the reporter providing a number of equipment and/or procedural solutions to the problem.