Why can't I listen to Brisbane Tower, yet I can listen to Brisbane Ground?

Question

I've installed a scanner with external antenna. I can pick-up Brisbane Delivery & Brisbane Ground, however; when I tune Brisbane Tower frequency all I get is interference & static. I'm only able to receive the planes that are in the air. If anyone can please advise me on this I would be very much appreciative.

Answer 1

Receiving the planes versus the tower is normal in aviation.

The planes are several hundred to thousand feet in the air. The tower is only probably at best a 100ft off the ground. Unless your withing about 10-15 miles of the tower your not going to hear them.

The planes can hear the tower due to their height, just as you can hear them due their height.

While this is a little US versus Australia centric, its a good primer:

http://www.freqofnature.com/aviation/ind...

Answer 2

I probably a blocked frequency for security

Answer 3

<>Probably because the tower is using a private line (PL) frequency that is off the main by several hundreths or thousandths.  Set your receiver to scan within a small range around that frequency and you will probably find it.