Quote:
Originally Posted by Darth Madden
What gets me is how in the hell are they even allowed to turn off the transponders at all? Shouldn't those be on no matter what?
|
Unless they were turned off on purpose. Regarding the comment about making a phone call on board the aircraft, at cruising altitude, there will be no radio coverage for any cellular operators. Working for a telecom company for 18 years dealing with design of wireless networks, I can say that maximum radio coverage of cellphones is around 40-50kms. Now if cruisng altitude for international flights are 30-35,000 feet (~10 kms), one can say it is possible then to have coverage. But remember radio antennas of cellular networks are directed horizontally (towards the ground) and not vertically (pointing upwards).
911 is a different story. The aircraft is flying too low hence people onboard that plane that crashed into WTC can make calls.
I hope and pray all on-board MH370 are still alive.
