Understanding frequencies (active and standby)

User Support Hub Aircraft & Systems
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Hi dear community,

Please don’t laugh at me now, but I have to ask a very naive question. - So far I have always traveled with the Boeing 747 (Microsoft / Asobo). I simply created a flight plan in Simbrief, loaded it into MSFS 2020 and off I go. I “can” fly according to a programmed flight plan and land by visual or ILS (manual and autoland) to a certain extent. But I haven’t got much further yet.

I’ve been practicing with the PMDG Boeing 737-900 for a short time now and I’m quickly realizing that it’s great, but it also requires more knowledge and a willingness to get to grips with it. (I have this willingness, so there will probably be more questions soon…)

I’ll start with the frequencies: So far I haven’t understood exactly what differentiates the active frequency from the standby frequency? - What do I have to bear in mind, what effect do these frequencies have? - And what exactly do they affect?

Thank you :slight_smile:

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The active frequency is just that. It is the frequency currently in use. The standby frequency is not in use and is “standing by” to be made active.

This applies to both communications and navigation.

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Exactly as @BoboSkypark describes.

I will add, that we typically load up the next frequency we will be using as the Standby so that when it’s time to switch over we aren’t dialing things in.

For example in the 737 when I fly on VATSIM depending who’s online I’ll have Radio 1 and 2 actives tuned as well as the standbys so as I get handed off from clearance, ground, tower, departure, center etc. I’m just swapping frequencies and active radios instead of tuning on the fly.

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Thank you :slight_smile:

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