Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
In approximately the past 30 days; I have encountered numerous events involving extreme bleed through of the ACARS transmissions on CRJ700/900 aircraft. These bleed-through events have at times occurred 15-20 times in the first five minutes after takeoff; which is one of the most critical times for communication between pilots and ATC. The volume and properties the bleed-through has; completely block out critical ATC communications. On the flight indicated above; we had to ask twice what heading ATC had asked us to turn; due to the ACARS blocking the transmission; not to mention the extremely deafening sound it makes in our headsets. I elected to turn off the data transmission switch on COM 3; due to the ACARS transmissions interference with ATC communication. I later turned it on; and noticed most transmission bleed-through occurred soon after takeoff. My First Officer noticed that the ACARS NO COMM was displayed immediately after takeoff on each leg of the flight day; just as an informational note. Either a software update or other vendor technical problem is likely the root cause. COMMUNICATE with our PILOT GROUP to promote awareness and guidance in these situations. I would recommend to other pilots to turn off the ACARS for the first five minutes after takeoff. THAT IS HOW BAD THIS BLEED THROUGH IS!!! I have been flying this plane since 2006; and have only encountered the ACARS transmission this loud when someone has the COM 3 volume knob pushed in and directly listening to the ACARS data transmission.
CRJ700/900 Captain reports ACARS data transmissions on VHF 3 blocking ATC communications on VHF 1 at critical times.