[ARC5] Beacon band ART-13

[arc5 at ix.netcom.com]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Eleazer" <releazer at earthlink.net>
Subject: [ARC5] Beacon band ART-13


> This raises a question I have had for some time now.  I know what the 
> beacon band was used for on board aircraft - >AN Ranges, NDBs, control 
> tower traffic transmissions, and later, aviation weather reports.  But 
> given that, what >would an airborne 200-400 or 200-1500 KHZ transmitting 
> capability be used for?

Besides the obvious- the requirement to guard 500 KC on over-water flights
and the need to communicate with vessels in distress, there is this:
WWII was a global conflict.  Many "second tier" powers entered the conflict
at various times, and their navies and merchant marine services were 
generally
not "state of  the art."  Many still adhered to the 1926 international naval 
agreements,
which placed their ships and a large part of their aircraft on Long and 
Medium Wave.

Take for instance- a flight patrolling the eastern approach to the Panama 
Canal.
They spot a vessel they can't identify visually, other than it's flying the 
flag
of, say, Nicaragua, steaming for the canal.  That ship was unlikely to have
any equipment other than 600 meters, and will be guarding 500 KC.
The aircraft contacts the vessel on that frequency and, if needed,
can move them off to 490 KC or so to communicate.
Same thing if that flight wanted to talk to a third-world port authority.

73 Dave S.