[Scan-DC] DCA tower signal strength-Previous discussion

[Mary and Bob Jeter]

The other day I made a rare trip to DCA. Monitoring all ATC frequencies 
I indeed noticed  the coverage on tower freq of 119.1 seemed to be 
weaker than others. The bar code for signal strength was maxed but this 
is not a precise indicator.
I noticed a significant difference in signal "punch" between a female 
and male controller, but no difference on other freq's.

As I recall there was auto audio compression circuitry to eliminate this 
effect in every ATC facility and channel.

But every pilot answered quickly from throughout the coverage area, 
there were no requests for repeats, and no repeated calls from the 
controller to any pilot.
In other words, as far as FAA is concerned, there is no problem.

These equipments are periodically checked and someone may boost the 
audio compression in the future. It wasn't  a problem when I was in the 
loop at DCA.

No similar effect is apparent, at least not to me, when monitoring BWI 
tower.

73, Bob