Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors
Before opening; a tug announced himself on 118.7; that he was transitioning north on Runway 2 with aircraft in tow.  Aircraft X announced that he was taxiing out on taxiway a for a Runway 20 departure.  The tug re-announced that he was on Runway 2 and that his intentions were to turn off at Taxiway C.  Aircraft X then announced that he was departing Runway 20 and started rolling.  The tug promptly exited Runway 2 on Taxiway D when a controller in the Tower keyed in on 118.7 and told Aircraft X to stop.  Aircraft X stopped his roll and back taxied Runway 20 for another departure attempt; while the tug held short of Runway 20 on Taxiway D.  Aircraft X claimed to not have heard the tugs announcements on 118.7 until the incident already occurred.  After aircraft X departed; the tug continued to the ramp without further incident.  No vehicles or aircraft were damaged during this.   Incident occurred prior to opening.  Aircraft and vehicles understand that they move at their own risk.
Arrived in Tower to perform opening duties.  Monitored frequencies.  Heard a tug call on 118.7 that he was taxiing onto Runway 7 to Runway 2 to taxi to a ramp from a hangar.  Observed the tug on Runway 2. The tug reported on Runway 2.  Aircraft X called on 118.7 reporting taxing from back ramp to Runway 20.  I observed Aircraft X taxiing to Runway 20.  Aircraft X reported takeoff of Runway 20 while the tug was taxing northbound on Runway 20.Review procedures for CTAF with pilots.
PHF controllers describes situation where a tug is reporting its position on the runway; while an aircraft attempts to depart.  Tower Controller uses radio and tells departing aircraft to stop.  Tower is not open when this happens.