Radio beacons: Difference between revisions

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Radio beacons (view source)

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This page is to explain the differences between things like VOR VORTAC VOR-DME RDF ADF NDB etc with links towards wikipedia. This page should also start a new category named navigation that can be used to link related nav articles. Where possible I will gather stubs and include them. I realise there are links with other categories. I'll invent it as I go, wish me luck (and wisdom).
This page is to explain the differences between things like VOR VORTAC VOR-DME RDF ADF NDB etc with links towards wikipedia. This page should also start a new category named navigation that can be used to link related nav articles. Where possible I will gather stubs and include them. I realise there are links with other categories. I'll invent it as I go, wish me luck (and wisdom).


Other articles in this hierarchy should be Map and Compass. This article shall not describe how to use the beacons, that should be the top hierarchy article.
*This is Work in Progress. [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]] 08:41, 11 September 2011 (EDT)


This is Work in Progress. [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]] 08:41, 11 September 2011 (EDT)
Once ready the above goes and the Introduction chapter moves up.
Must un-you this article.
==Introduction==
Standing blindfolded in the middle of a field. In a distance a friend is shouting "I am here!". You turn around till you hear the your friend best and start walking towards the sound. When there are two friends (with distinctive voices) and a map telling you where they stand you can even figure out about where you are on that map. This describes how a Non Directional Beacon (NDB) works.
Standing blindfolded in the middle of a field. In a distance a friend is shouting "I am here!". You turn around till you hear the your friend best and start walking towards the sound. When there are two friends (with distinctive voices) and a map telling you where they stand you can even figure out about where you are on that map. This describes how a Non Directional Beacon (NDB) works.


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A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio radio] is a generic term for the transmission of electromagnetic waves. In the above comparisons, a radio beacon is the one that is shouting or that is laying out the ropes. A beacon can include information, it can even send out music. Two-way communication is possible where the equipment on-board questions equipment on-ground or the beacon is used for ATIS or Tower communication.
A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio radio] is a generic term for the transmission of electromagnetic waves. In the above comparisons, a radio beacon is the one that is shouting or that is laying out the ropes. A beacon can include information, it can even send out music. Two-way communication is possible where the equipment on-board questions equipment on-ground or the beacon is used for ATIS or Tower communication.


==NDB==
=NDB=
[[File:Radio beacon NDB.png|frame|Equipment finds the direction of the strongest signal of the NDB and shows this on a compass rose.]]
[[File:Radio beacon NDB.png|frame|Equipment finds the direction of the strongest signal of the NDB and shows this on a compass rose.]]
A non-directional beacon is the most basic type of radio beacon. The equipment on board of your aircraft will have to figure out where it is. Any (music) radio station is also a NDB. The typical frequencies of a NDB can be found on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_wave AM Medium band] (530 kHz to 1700 kHz) but during flight planning you can discover NDB's outside this range.
A non-directional beacon is the most basic type of radio beacon. The equipment on board of our aircraft will have to figure out where it is. Any (music) radio station is also a NDB. The typical frequencies of a NDB can be found on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_wave AM Medium band] (530 kHz to 1700 kHz) but during flight planning you can discover NDB's outside this range.


It ''is'' possible to calculate the distance towards a NDB station. For that a pilot flies on a 90 degree angle opposite the station (one wing-tip pointing towards the station). The pilot measures the time it takes to fly a number of degrees on the compass. From the time it takes, the number of degrees and the groundspeed the pilot can calculate the distance towards the station.
It ''is'' possible to calculate the distance towards a NDB station. For that a pilot flies on a 90 degree angle opposite the station (one wing-tip pointing towards the station). The pilot measures the time it takes to fly a number of degrees on the compass. From the time it takes, the number of degrees and the groundspeed the pilot can calculate the distance towards the station.
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A NDB is sensitive for weather influences. As a distance measuring tool the NDB is not quite suited. But it's perfect to find fixes on a map and can be used for point-to-point navigation. Next to that it is cheep to operate.
A NDB is sensitive for weather influences. As a distance measuring tool the NDB is not quite suited. But it's perfect to find fixes on a map and can be used for point-to-point navigation. Next to that it is cheep to operate.


===LFR===
==LFR==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_frequency_radio_range Low Frequency Radio Range ('''LFR''')] is a NDB that operates at a frequency of 190 to 535 kHz, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_wave long wave] frequency and a bit above. Across the world you will find plenty of LFR stations but it is claimed that LFR is phased out.
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_frequency_radio_range Low Frequency Radio Range ('''LFR''')] is a NDB that operates at a frequency of 190 to 535 kHz, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_wave long wave] frequency and a bit above. Across the world there are plenty of LFR stations but it is claimed that LFR is phased out.


===RDF===
==RDF==
There are two ways to figure out where the NDB is relative to the aircraft. Rotating an antenna manually until you find the direction of the strongest signal (loudest transmission) or have this done automatically (or electronically). The equipment (or person) to do so is called a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_direction_finder Radio Direction Finder ('''RDF''')].
There are two ways to figure out where the NDB is relative to the aircraft. Rotating an antenna manually until finding the direction of the strongest signal (loudest transmission) or have this done automatically (or electronically). The equipment (or person) to do so is called a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_direction_finder Radio Direction Finder ('''RDF''')].


===ADF===
==ADF==
An '''ADF''' is not a radio station, is the the equipment on board of the aircraft to perform RDF automatically, the Automatic Direction Finder (ADF). Often NDB stations are called ADF stations but that is technically incorrect.
An '''ADF''' is not a radio station, is the the equipment on board of the aircraft to perform RDF automatically, the Automatic Direction Finder (ADF). Often NDB stations are called ADF stations but that is technically incorrect.


==VOR==
=VOR=
[[File:Radio beacon VOR.png|frame|The VOR beacon tells the equipment what course to fly to intercept the beacon.]]
[[File:Radio beacon VOR.png|frame|The VOR beacon tells the equipment what course to fly to intercept the beacon.]]
A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF_omnidirectional_range VHF Omnidirectional Range ('''VOR''')] is a radio beacon that sends out a special signal making it possible for the receiving equipment to figure out the radial of the beacon. The heading (-line) towards the beacon is called a radial.
A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF_omnidirectional_range VHF Omnidirectional Range ('''VOR''')] is a radio beacon that sends out a special signal making it possible for the receiving equipment to figure out the radial of the beacon. The heading (-line) towards the beacon is called a radial.
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While it is more expensive to operate a VOR station compared with a NDB the benefits are obvious. The signal is less hindered by unwanted reflections and other interferences, it takes away confusion about North and it can be used for automated flight.
While it is more expensive to operate a VOR station compared with a NDB the benefits are obvious. The signal is less hindered by unwanted reflections and other interferences, it takes away confusion about North and it can be used for automated flight.
===VOR-DME===
==VOR-DME==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_measuring_equipment Distance Measuring Equipment ('''DME''')] uses the same frequencies as a VOR. A DME tells the equipment on board of the aircraft the distance towards the transponder.  
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_measuring_equipment Distance Measuring Equipment ('''DME''')] uses the same frequencies as a VOR. A DME tells the equipment on board of the aircraft the distance towards the transponder.  


While a VOR can be a stand-alone beacon, a DME will be paired with a VOR, a '''VOR-DME'''. Both senders will contain information about the other and tuning will be automatic.
While a VOR can be a stand-alone beacon, a DME will be paired with a VOR, a '''VOR-DME'''. Both senders will contain information about the other and tuning will be automatic.


===ILS===
==ILS==
An '''[[ILS]]''' ''can'' be used as a beacon but it's range is limited and depends very much on the position of the aircraft towards the station (and runway). It should only be used as a beacon during landing and not for navigation.
An '''[[ILS]]''' ''can'' be used as a beacon but it's range is limited and depends very much on the position of the aircraft towards the station (and runway). It should only be used as a beacon during landing and not for navigation.


===TACAN===
==TACAN==
The military uses a slightly different system as the civilian version. The military uses something named '''[[TACAN]]''' that operates in the frequency band 960-1215 MHz. It combines a VOR-DME and includes an azimuth feature that provides more accurate navigation.
The military uses a slightly different system as the civilian version. The military uses something named '''[[TACAN]]''' that operates in the frequency band 960-1215 MHz. It combines a VOR-DME and includes an azimuth feature that provides more accurate navigation.


===VORTAC===
==VORTAC==
Often the VOR-DME part of the TACAN is also made available for civilian navigation. If so, the beacon is called a '''VORTAC''', but the use is as a normal VOR-DME, in the normal frequency range.
Often the VOR-DME part of the TACAN is also made available for civilian navigation. If so, the beacon is called a '''VORTAC''', but the use is as a normal VOR-DME, in the normal frequency range.


==Further reading==
=Further reading=
[[Radio navigation]]
[[Radio navigation]]


==External articles==
=External articles=
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_navigation
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_navigation
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAV
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAV


==I do not know what to do with this yet==
What I'm about to write won't match what the current pages describe. My intention is to come to a Navigation article and the current pages won't work for that.
===Map===
A map is a flat representation of surroundings. There are many types of maps available and I advise you to read the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map wikipedia] article if you are interested (and you are).
For navigation the landmarks on the map must be relative to each other. The angles between the landmarks must represent the real angles, the distances must be scaled to the real distances.
Basic map usage comes here.
The map should answer three important questions.
#Where am I?
#What must I avoid?
#Where must I go to?
|-
#Look at the landmarks that you can see, the angle on the compass and the distance. From that you should find the spot on the map where you are. Once you know where you are you can use DR to figure out where you will be after a specific time interval.
#The range of your aircraft, the load and the amount of fuel will limit the distance you can fly. Some mountains can not be crossed. Areas without sufficient landmarks for navigation should be avoided. Some aircraft can only land on an airfield with ILS. The runway must be long enough. Very often a runway must be tarmac and not a grassy field. There must be sufficient reserve airfields in case of failure or when the requested airfield is closed.
#You plan ahead towards the place where you want to go and where you can go.
*Now I'm bla bla -ing.. no?
|-
In FlightGear we are spoiled with a number of good maps containing loads of information. We have Atlas, Kelpie planner, mpmap and since FlightGear 2.4.0 an inbuild map. Each map has a different use.
====Atlas====
This external program has three important features (and a whole lot more).
# It shows your aircraft live relative to landmarks.
#It shows the height of the terrain you are flying over.
#It shows land based landmarks you can expect to see in Flightgear. Roads, rivers and cities.
This program has two drawbacks. On busy places it is cluttered, even unreadable. Since it is a moving map it is much harder to use it to plan ahead.
====Kelpie planner====
This external program is used for flight planning. The information on landmarks is much harder to retrieve but it gives a good static display of expected landmarks and it reveals headings and bearings of the landmarks that you wish to use for your planned flight.
====mpmap====
This web-based map shows the current position of your aircraft. For navigation and planning it contains two things you won't find anywhere else.
#Easy link to METAR, giving weather, wind and altitude setting.
#Height of the runway.
Next to that the information is easy retrievable and can be used for flight planning.
====Inbuild map====
This map contains all the information Atlas also provides but the information is easier retrievable, even at busy places (though that requires some zooming and moving the map). The unique feature of this map is the projected path of the aircraft. With it is is possible to navigate without any navigational skills.
====The Missing Map====
Despite the above mentioned maps there is a missing map every pilot will use every time. The paper map. For full navigation, calculating distances, finding angles and finding fixes a paper map is needed.
===Compass===
For navigation a compass answers a simple question. Where is North?
It gives a full circle around you, the compass rose, in 360 degrees and since everybody agrees where North is, it always has North pointing North. On the compass you can identify the direction you are heading to, relevant to North. Since a map is also oriented North you can identify in what direction you are going to.
The compass is the most important tool for navigation. Unfortunately it is also the basis for much confusion. There isn't one North, there is a magnetic North and a True North and the further North or South you are the bigger the difference is between the two.
If you travel small distances North will not be a problem. If you travel longer distances, you must know what sort of North you are looking at. Even a gyro compass has problems when going East to West in a fast aircraft.
Next to North the compass has a compass rose. It might not seem an important part of a compass but it allows you to combine bearings towards landmarks. If you have two bearings and you already have a vague idea where you are you can pinpoint your position on a good map. If you have no clue where you are on the map you would need three bearings. Even if there is confusion about North the compass rose will pinpoint you on the map with three bearings.
To help combining bearings on the compass rose various equipment is available.
[[HSI]] [[Primary flight display]]






<nowiki> [[Category:Navigation]] </nowiki>
<nowiki> [[Category:Navigation]] </nowiki>
PH-JBO
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