The characteristics of elastic waves emanating from crack initiation and propagation in 6061 aluminum alloy subjected to fatigue loading with different stress ratio was investigated. The objective of this study is to determine the properties of the signals generated from each stage of fatigue crack growth. AS a crack propagates, substantial elastic wave occurred just prior to penetration. Then it decreased and the crack penetrated. The waveforms and their power spectra were found to be dependent on the different stress ratio associated with the signals. It is determined that high-frequency signal $0.5{sim}0.75$ MHz is most likely emitted during crack propagation at peak load of fatigue cycle which release the highest energy. It is determined that 0.3 MHz is closely related to crack closure effect. The frequency peaks below 0.25 MHz may be attributed to fretting or hydraulic noise.