Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:40 pm
#1585893
Gonzo's correct. Mil airfields never had funding for cross-coupled U/VHF RT which explains why GA frequently hear the controller talking to an apparently mythical callsign that can't be heard responding, 'cos it's on UHF; the controller is dual transmitting ( by selecting both frequencies on his comms panel) as it reduces 'cross communication' by 50% or so, but inbound transmissions frequently step on each other, hence the more frequent 'say agains' with Mil LARS Units - they are not 'cloth eared', they just have never had the kit!
Mil units participating in the LARS are now formally established with Controllers for that task (usually using the 'Zone' callsign), so these positions are there solely to discharge that task during the promulgated hours , so their LARS 'customers' are their priority, whether GA, Mil or off-route CAT.
One thing to explain: In the Military, the 'ESTABLISHMENT' of a unit is (or was - I don't think it's changed!) calculated as the minimum number of personnel required to run the unit, worked out - as only the Military can - using a convoluted formula that is designed to pare down the number to the bone; they're your tax £'s remember. The Unit's ESTABLISHMENT is then provided with the Branch Specialisation [in this case Ops Support (ATC)] policy percentage of MANNING to fulfil that task - when I was a SATCO, Manning ran at about 85% of Establishment. However, the SATCO only had his unit's STRENGTH with which to fulfil his allocated task(s), the difference between Manning and Strength being those Bods that were inter alia: detached to places cold and windy (Falklands), hot, sandy and sunny, on training courses (professional or career development), on long term sick, maternity or other compassionate leave. Added to this drain to his resources, the Station would be demanding the ATC sqn's share of personnel to undertake: guard duties, Orderly Sargent/Officer, Ground Defence Training and sundry other (unpaid, of course!) 'secondary duties' . Consequently, positions frequently had to be combined (Approach with Director or Zone with Approach) to be able to run the shop. A SATCO's life need not be a happy one!