Professional Documents
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B737 Communications
B737 Communications
Index
1. Communications
2. VHF
3. HF
4. ACP
5. ACARS
6. CPDLC
7. Flight Interphone
8. Cabin Interphone
9. Service Interphone
10. PA
11. CVR
Communications
There are internal communications with inter-phone and PA systems, ground
communications via the Service Inter-phone, and external communications via
the VHF and HF radios.
There are several places for the various communication systems. The controls
and indications include:
VHF radios
There are three independent VHF radios. They are connected to LRU1 and
LRU2, respectively, while the third VHF radio is solely for ACARS. There are 3
VHF antennas, two located on the lower fuselage, while the third is on the
upper fusealge.
Each radio panel has an Offside Tuning light which illuminates when the
radio normally associated with this panel is being tuned any another radio
not normally associated with it. The panels also include a "TEST" button that
can be used to switch automatic gain control, as well as an AM mode that
also sets Upper Side Band mode for the selected HF radio
HF Radio
The B737 has a single HF communication antenna, located on the leading
edge of the vertical stabiliser. When tuning an HF frequency, a tone will be
heard for a maximum of 7 seconds. Should the system fail to tune the tone
will last 7 to 15 seconds.
Additionally, altitude alert, GPWS, TCAS, and windshear alerts are all heard
through both speaker and headsets at a preset volume. These cannot be
controlled or turned off.
There is an ACP for CA, FO, and observer station. Each ACP controls an
independent crew station audio system and allows the crew member to select
the desired radios, nav aids, inter phones, and PA system for monitoring and
transmission.
In this mode, the ACP at that station is inoperative and the crewmember can
only communicate on one radio. Additionally, receiver switches are not
functional and the radio can only be heard through the headset at a preset
volume - much like the EMER switch on the Saab 340 ACP.
Handheld mic
APA
GPWS
Windshear
PA system via ACP
ACARS
ACARS reports will usually include performance data, flight status and
position reports, out, off, on, in times, and maintenance items.
The ACARS management unit is installed in the E&E compartment. The ACARS
MU receives uplink data and controls the transmission of downlink data to
and from the VHF transciever. It can be accessed via either CDU.
The "menu" key on the CDU allows access to the ACARS system. From the
"MENU" page you can access the FMC, ACARS, or DFDAU (Digital Flight Data
Acquisition Unit).
To make the system active on the CDU, push the LSK adjacent to the system
prompt (DLK). If ACARS is in control of the CDU, the MSG annunciation comes
on when the CDU receives a message, which is shown on the scratch pad
(bottom left of CDU).
CPDLC
Controlled-Pilot Data Link Communications is a means of communication
between ATC and pilots. The following can be accessed from the ATC INDEX
menu:
Emergency report
ATC request
ATC report
When can we expect
Verify report
The ATC LOGON/STATUS and ATC LOG prompts allow initiating an ATC
connection and viewing stored messages, respectively.
Flight interphone
The interphone system is designed to provide private comms between flight
deck crew members without intrusion from the service interphone system.
This system can also be used by ground crew using a jack at the external
power receptacle.
To initiate a call to ground crew press the GRD CALL switch. This sounds a
horn in the nose wheel alerting ground personnel that you are calling.
Likewise, on the external power jack ground crew can call the flight deck by
pressing a PILOT CALL button, which illuminates the INT light on the ACP and
chimes a high tone.
To call the CCM stations from the flight deck, push the ATTEND button 2
times. The call is inhibited if the CCM handheld is being used.
Calls to the flight deck can be made from handhelds at the forward or the aft
CCM stations by pressing "2" twice. This will illuminate the Cabin Call light,
and will remain so until the call is answered or cancelled.
Service Interphone
All external interphone jacks can be connected to the flight deck interphone
system by placeing the SERVICE INTERPHONE switch to ON. The OFF position
deactivates the microphone at external jacks (except the jack marked FLIGHT
on the APU Ground Control Panel.)
PA System
The PA system allows CCMs using handhelds and flight deck members using
any micriphone to make announcements to the cabin. The system is
prioritized, and higher level priorities will override lower ones.
PA Priorities:
To address pax from flight deck, select PA on the ACP then use the PTT switch
to RADIO.
From CCM, push 8 to connect the handheld to the PA system, and the PTT to
make the announcement. The RESET button disconnects the handset from the
PA or cancels calls.
CVR
The CVR uses four independent channcels to record flight deck audio for 120
minutes.
The CVR panel has the microphone, an ERASE switch, a TEST switch, a status
light, and a jack that can be used to monitor transmission during playback or
during tests
Flashcards
Where is the Audio Control Panel?::Aft Overhead
How do you know the HF radio is tuned?::A tone will last between 7 and 15
seconds.
What alerts can be heard through speakers and headsets?::APA, GPWS, TCAS,
Windshear.
How do you use the inter-phone with the oxygen mask on?::On the ACP use
the PTT set to INT.
What are the V, B, R options on the ACP?::Voice only, Radio station identifier
only, Both.
What does ALT mode on the ACP do?::By-passes the relevant ACP and
connects single radio directly to crew member.
When the SERVICE INTERPHONE switch is ON, additional comms jacks are
available for use by ground personnel.::True.
What switch would you use to alert ground personnel you would like to talk
to them?::GRD CALL switch on the Overhead Panel.
Using the ACP, how many MIC transmissions can be made at one time?::One.