Aeronautics freq 8846 usb

You’re picking up 8846 kHz (or 8.846 MHz) in upper sideband (USB) mode, which is a well-known aeronautical HF frequency.

This is part of the Major World Air Route Area (MWARA) system, specifically the Caribbean (CAR) family, often labeled as CAR-A or associated with New York Radio (ARINC-operated ground station, likely from sites like Barnegat, NJ).

It carries air traffic control (ATC) voice communications for aircraft on oceanic or remote routes in the Caribbean region, parts of the North Atlantic approaches, Gulf of Mexico extensions, and related trans-oceanic paths. Commercial airliners, cargo flights, and sometimes business jets use these HF frequencies when they’re beyond reliable VHF range (i.e., over water or far from land-based towers).

What you’re likely hearing:

•  Position reports — Pilots reading out their coordinates, flight level, speed, estimating next waypoint, etc.

•  ATC clearances and instructions — From New York Oceanic or related controllers.

•  SELCAL tones — Short audio bursts (like old phone ringtones) that “page” a specific aircraft instead of constant monitoring.

•  Routine check-ins — “New York Radio, [callsign], SELCAL check” or handoffs to VHF when approaching land.

•  Occasional phone patches or LDOC (Long Distance Operational Control) traffic.

It’s all in USB (upper sideband) with suppressed carrier — standard for aero HF voice. No encryption; it’s open and legal to listen to (but not transmit without proper licensing).

Tips for better reception:

•  Tune exactly to 8846.0 kHz USB.

•  Use a good HF antenna (longwire, dipole, or active vertical) if possible — propagation on ~8-9 MHz is often decent day/night, especially for transatlantic/Caribbean paths.

•  Peak times: Often busier during daylight hours for this band, but it can carry traffic 24/7 depending on routes and solar conditions.

•  Related nearby frequencies in the same “family”: 2887, 3455, 5550, 6577, 11396 kHz (also CAR-A/New York).

•  The companion “CAR-B” network uses 5520, 6586, 8918, etc.

You can sometimes catch live feeds of this exact frequency on sites like LiveATC.net (search for “HF CAR-A 8846” or similar New York HF feeds).

Cool catch — HF aero listening is fascinating, especially when you hear flights way out over the ocean! What kind of traffic are you hearing (e.g., any specific callsigns, accents, or locations mentioned)?