Globe Cargo

"This morning while laying in bed at 0430L contemplated whether or not the alarm on my alarm clock I just heard was real or imagined I heard GIANT 601 on my trusty bedside scanner. They were on J42 about an hour into their mission from KHSV to ELLX. It occurred to me (again) that this was one of the regular flight Atlas flies between these two cities. Can anyone advise, especially you R/W Atlas folks, why there are regularly scheduled cargo flights between these two logistical mega cities? (Tongue firmly in cheek here). We're not talking about HKG or JFK. Does it have to do with the NASA presence at Huntsville, AL? Just curious. I realize that this may be privileged info."

"The privilege info is for the flights to Area 51 but I already said too much. By the way, what kind of scanner do you have and is it good?"

"Just for your viewing pleasure, please go to the Atlas Charters page of the company web site and check out GTI 201. "

I think that's a military charter moving equipment but I could be wrong. Seems like when I first saw that flight that's the story that came with it.

"If it is Military designated, they are straying from their norm. Atlas Military flights carry an 8200 series designator on their flight numbers. However, I am sure that there is no certain rule that says other Atlas flights can't carry any military cargo. I have seen a number of regularly scheduled Atlas flights that carry a Non military designator landing at military bases."

"Louis, if your looking into a cheap, cheerful and portable scanner, I invested into the Steepletone SAB9 MK3 scanner which does the AM, FM AIRBAND and SEA frequencies. I live in an area where you dont normally see many aircraft flying over, and from down here I could pick up Shanwick, London Control, Dublin and Shannon It is pretty impressive even got a 'Giant' coming online once which I think we gathered came from ELLX!"

"Huntsville is home to the Redstone Arsenal, the Army's missile and rocket program headquarters. So I guess there are some high explosive cargoes departing from there on the way to the Middle East?"

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Huntsville is home to the Redstone Arsenal, the Army's missile and rocket program headquarters. So I guess there are some high explosive cargoes departing from there on the way to the Middle East?

And Luxembourg lets them land with that kinda stuff? I thought Luxembourg was one of those "enlightened" feel-good nations. Louis, I have many scanners and tend to favor the Uniden line. Got 'em at home, at work, in the briefcase. Don't stray too far from home without one. I live in the Washington DC area so a digital, trunked kit is a must-have. But digital or trunk capable scanners are not needed to monitor civil (VHF) aviation. If you are looking for a good one I recommend visiting either http://www.scannermaster.com or http://www.grove-ent.com. If you don't mind used, go to E-bay. You can't go wrong with a Uniden. GRC is OK and anything from Radio Shack is built be either Uniden or GRC. Be warned, if you are not familiar with contemporary scanners, they are not like your dad's crystal set. You gotta know what you are buying and what you want to listen to. The mistake could be a $300 one. Happy to discuss further off line."

"Thanks guys, Rick, I obviously want the Air freq. but Police and the whole set if possible. Is there one you favor? Ross already gave me a name but I don't mind a few to look around."

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Is there one you favor? Ross already gave me a name but I don't mind a few to look around

Happy to do so. Based on what you've told me and assuming you are in the Montreal area I suggest the Uniden BC246T Trunk Tracker III http://www.uniden.com/products/productd ... c%20Safety. Here's why: 1. I own this little beauty and it s a great mid-range scanner for those who don't need a digital unit. 2. It scans the VHF air band 3. It is a hand-held analog-trunked system capable which is the trend for public safety communications across the U.S., but I checked the Montreal systems at Radioreference.com http://radioreference.com/, the great scanner website and there were only conventional systems listed for the Montreal area. See http://radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&stid=111. 4. I believe its the best bang for the buck. (or whatever Canadien Dollars are nicknamed). Its not cheap at US$239 but will not require you to mortgage your house for a digital unit. (If you want a digital unit pick one of these found at: http://www.uniden.com/products/productl ... er=Digital 5. Lots of good features in a small footprint. Hope this helps! Also happy to explain the trunked vs. conventional and the digital vs. analog implications if you should want me to do so."

"Thanks, I will check that in details. "

"Its definitely not a millitary charter , there is a decent cargo operation there , the cargo from Europe is mainly bound to Mexico. You also might notice a Cargolux operation there "

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You also might notice a Cargolux operation there

There? You are talking about HSV, right? So I assume it is safe to say Cargolux is the big dog on the small porch hence the "Lux" in "Cargolux") does that mean there so much cargo volume coming out of ELLX that Atlas is providing excess freighter capacity? Who woulda thunk it? When I lived in Germany near the Dutch city of Maastricht I traveled through the Benelux quite often including Luxembourg. Needless to say it takes me longer to get through the toll plaza on the NJ turnpike that it takes to travel across the Grand Duchy."

Covert53 wrote:

Needless to say it takes me longer to get through the toll plaza on the NJ turnpike that it takes to travel across the Grand Duchy.

EZ Pass is your friend.