// Air-ground radio

Radio: VHF, UHF and standby sets

Prestwick Tower’s radio frequencies (118.155, 127.155, Approach 129.455, emergency 121.5, fire 121.605), UHF for military traffic, and the standby radios.

What it is

CAP 670 COM03 covers the integrated system for air-ground radio, ground-ground direct speech (landlines and intercom) and surface-movement communications. It must give “direct, rapid, continuous and intelligible two-way voice communications”.

How controllers use it

Controllers select a frequency to transmit or receive, and use direct-line keys for Approach, Scottish ACC or the fire station.
Example: the tower controller presses the Approach landline key to coordinate a departure release, then transmits on 118.155 “PRESTWICK TOWER”.

UK rules and practice

An ATC service needs main and emergency radio equipment (CAP 670 AMC). Standby RTF and the emergency telephone are tested at least daily, and RTF is recorded (CAP 493).

At Prestwick

VHF (AIP AD 2.18): TWR 118.155 (DOC 25 NM/6,000 ft) and 127.155 as directed; APP 129.455 (was 129.450 until 6 Aug 2026); RADAR 124.630; 121.500 emergency; FIRE 121.605.
UHF: no tower or approach UHF frequency is listed in the AIP. HMS Gannet has an unmanned UNICOM on 375.7 MHz.
In the early 1950s oceanic HF radio moved away: HF R/T moved from Prestwick to Birdlip in August 1952, per NOTAM 457/1952 (quoted on atchistory).

Typical UK practice: The make and model of Prestwick’s VCCS is not public; the panel here is a generic illustration. No audio is played on this page.

// Through the eras

Radio: VHF, UHF and standby sets in each era of the Prestwick tower
Era	Status	Notes
1930s–40s	At Prestwick (sourced)	The 1944 photographs show a controller speaking into a hand microphone at the cab desk.
1950s–60s	Typical UK practice	Valve VHF sets with a remote selector panel are typical.
1980s–90s	Typical UK practice	Solid-state sets selected from the key panel are typical.
Modern	At Prestwick (sourced)	The AIP frequencies above; radios selected on the VCCS (make not public).

// Photographs

An RAF controller speaks into a hand microphone beside black radio control units on the Prestwick tower desk while a USAAF pilot looks on, 1944 — Controller on the R/T, with radio control units on the desk and a USAAF visitor, Prestwick, 1944. Royal Air Force official photographer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Two controllers at the Prestwick tower desk, one using a hand microphone, with a gooseneck lamp and the airfield beyond the angled glass, 1944 — Controllers giving directions to a landing aircraft, Prestwick tower, 1944. Ministry of Information Photo Division photographer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons