Aviation Frequency Guide: ATC, ATIS, Ground & Guard
Aviation radio runs entirely on AM voice in the VHF band from 118 to 136 MHz. Each service — ground control, tower, departure, approach, center — has its own frequency assignment. This guide covers what each service does, the most common national frequencies, and how to find local assignments for your airport.
If your receiver is in FM mode, you'll hear nothing on airband frequencies even if you're tuned correctly. Most police scanners support AM on VHF. FRS/GMRS radios and many cheap handhelds do not. Verify your radio lists "AM" in its mode specifications before purchasing for airband use.
VHF Airband Frequency Allocation (118–136 MHz)
The FAA assigns specific frequency ranges to each type of ATC service. Within those ranges, individual airports receive their own assignments.
| Frequency Range | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 118.000–121.400 MHz | Tower / Ground / Approach | General ATC use; local assignments vary |
| 121.500 MHz | Emergency / Guard | International distress frequency; all commercial aircraft monitor |
| 121.600–121.925 MHz | Ground Control | Aircraft taxiing on airport surface |
| 122.000–122.075 MHz | FSS / Enroute | Flight Service Station contact frequencies |
| 122.750 MHz | Air-to-Air (Private) | Pilots talking to other pilots; not ATC |
| 122.800 MHz | Unicom (Uncontrolled Airports) | Self-announce traffic at airports without tower |
| 122.900 MHz | Multicom | Common traffic advisory at airports without Unicom |
| 123.000–123.050 MHz | Unicom / Helicopter | Alternate Unicom; helicopter ops |
| 123.100 MHz | Search and Rescue | SAR coordination |
| 123.450 MHz | Air-to-Air (General Aviation) | Informal pilot-to-pilot communications |
| 124.000–128.800 MHz | Approach / Departure | TRACON frequencies; local assignment |
| 128.825–132.000 MHz | ARINC / ATIS / Approach | Mix of airline company freq and ATC |
| 132.000–136.000 MHz | Center / En Route | ARTCC (Center) frequencies for high-altitude IFR traffic |
Key National Frequencies to Know
These frequencies are consistent across most US airports and are a good starting point before you locate your local assignments.
Guard / Emergency
The international emergency frequency. All commercial aircraft monitor it. You'll rarely hear actual emergencies — more common is accidental transmissions or test calls. AM mode required.
Unicom
The default advisory frequency for uncontrolled airports. Pilots announce their position ("Cessna 12345 entering left downwind runway 27, Any-Town traffic"). Great for learning the phraseology without the complexity of a busy tower frequency.
Air-to-Air
Informal frequency for pilot-to-pilot communication. Private pilots use this to coordinate formation flying or chat en route. Not ATC — no controllers here.
Military Guard (UHF)
The UHF equivalent of 121.5 MHz, monitored by military aircraft. Requires a receiver covering 225–400 MHz (MILAIR band). Standard civilian handheld radios don't reach this band.
Understanding Each ATC Service
Ground Control (121.600–121.925 MHz)
Ground control handles aircraft movement on the airport surface — taxiways, ramps, runways when not in use. You'll hear clearances like "Taxi to runway 28L via Alpha, Bravo." Frequency is usually listed as "GND" on approach plates.
Tower (118–121 MHz range)
The tower frequency controls aircraft on final approach and departure. "Cleared to land runway 28L" and "Runway 28L, cleared for takeoff" come from the local tower. This is usually the most active frequency at a busy airport and the best one to start with.
ATIS (Various, airport-specific)
Automated Terminal Information Service is a looping pre-recorded broadcast updated every hour with current weather, active runways, NOTAMs, and approach in use. It's broadcast continuously and identified by a letter code ("Information Bravo"). Pilots tune ATIS before contacting approach or ground.
ATIS frequencies aren't on a standardized national plan — look them up in the FAA Chart Supplement or on RadioReference under your airport's entry. Common examples:
- Major commercial airports typically have ATIS on 125-135 MHz
- D-ATIS (digital) at some airports transmits on VDL Mode 2 (VHF data link), not voice
Approach / Departure (TRACON)
Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) handles IFR aircraft arriving and departing within roughly 40 miles of an airport. You'll hear altitude and heading assignments. Large airports have multiple approach sectors on different frequencies.
Center (ARTCC — En Route)
Air Route Traffic Control Centers handle high-altitude en-route IFR traffic. Each Center covers a large geographic area (the US has 22 ARTCCs). Center frequencies are in the 132–136 MHz range but vary by altitude and sector. Center traffic is less dense than approach but covers long-haul commercial flights.
Finding Local Frequencies
Every airport has its own tower, ground, approach, and ATIS frequency assignments. Use these resources:
RadioReference.com
Select your state, then look under "Aviation" or search by airport ICAO code (e.g., KJFK, KORD). All local ATC frequencies are listed, including departure sectors and ATIS.
FAA Chart Supplement
Free PDF publication from the FAA (updated every 56 days). Lists every public-use airport with all frequencies, runway data, and navigation aids. Download from the FAA website under "Aeronautical Information Services."
SkyVector / ForeFlight
Online sectional charts show ATIS and Unicom frequencies for airports. SkyVector is free in the browser. ForeFlight requires subscription but has the most current data.
LiveATC.net
Stream live ATC audio for hundreds of airports before you buy hardware. Great for learning what to expect and confirming your local airport is worth monitoring.
UHF Airband: Military (225–400 MHz)
Military air-to-ground communications in the US use the UHF band from 225 to 400 MHz. This is entirely separate from the civilian VHF airband and requires a receiver that covers UHF. The Icom IC-R6 handles it; the BC125AT tops out at 174 MHz and cannot hear this range.
| Frequency | Service |
|---|---|
| 243.0 MHz | Military emergency guard (UHF equivalent of 121.5) |
| 225.0–399.975 MHz | Military air-to-ground (MILAIR), various assignments |
| 282.8 MHz | Common tactical frequency for fighter operations |
| 311.0 MHz | Air-to-air refueling common frequency |
Most civilian receivers don't cover the military UHF band. If military aircraft activity is your primary interest, the Icom IC-R6 or a wideband SDR is the appropriate hardware.
Hardware for Airband Monitoring
To hear ATC, you need a receiver that supports AM mode on VHF airband (118–136 MHz). Not all scanners and radios do.
For a full comparison including specs, pros, cons, and setup notes, see our Best Airband Receivers guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frequency does ATC use?
Air traffic control (ATC) uses AM voice in the VHF airband from 118.000 to 136.975 MHz in 25 kHz steps (8.33 kHz in Europe). Each airport and sector has its own assigned frequency — use RadioReference.com or the FAA Chart Supplement to find local frequencies.
What is the aviation guard frequency?
121.5 MHz is the international aviation distress and emergency frequency, known as 'Guard.' All commercial aircraft monitor it continuously. Military also monitors 243.0 MHz, the UHF equivalent. Both are rarely active during normal operations but are monitored 24/7.
What is ATIS and how do I find its frequency?
ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) is a continuous looping broadcast of current weather, active runway, and NOTAMs at busy airports. Its frequency is printed on sectional charts and in the FAA Chart Supplement. Common ATIS frequencies include 125.350, 132.725, 135.650 MHz — but each airport is different.
Can I listen to military air traffic?
Military air-to-ground communication uses the UHF band from 225 to 400 MHz, called MILAIR. This is above the standard VHF airband. The Icom IC-R6 covers this range. Standard aviation scanners and AM handheld radios typically top out at 174 MHz and will not hear MILAIR.
Why do I hear nothing on airband frequencies?
The most common cause: your receiver is in FM mode. Airband uses AM (amplitude modulation). Even if you're on the right frequency, an FM-only receiver will produce static or silence. Verify your scanner or radio supports AM mode on VHF airband. Most police scanners do; most GMRS/FRS radios do not.
What is Unicom?
Unicom is a common traffic advisory frequency used at uncontrolled airports (airports without an operating control tower). Pilots self-announce their position and intentions. 122.800 MHz is the most common Unicom frequency in the US. 122.700 and 123.000 MHz are also used at some airports.