[ARC5] 198 kHz Beacon, Dixon, NC

[D. Platt]

*As others have noted, the aeronautical LF/MF beacons are still in 
fairly wide use, especially in the third world.  Below is the chart of 
the classes of beacons.  The compass locator beacon, usually associated 
with an airport instrument approach, is the lowest power/range 
equipment.  The HH beacon (high altitude-high power) is the long range 
system. For example, when the HH beacon on Swan Is. was in operation, we 
had dual, 2 KW transmitters going to a 402' base-loaded tower. The Ident 
was SWA.  That beacon provided coverage for the entire western Caribbean 
and was, at the time, the airways center-point for transition from Cuba, 
Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Yucatan, and the Caribbean coastal areas of 
Central America and No. SoAm.  I did get many SWL reports during my stay 
there in 1975-76.  Its gone now, however.   The thing is, in places like 
South America and parts of Africa, thunderstorm activity can make these 
navaids really tough to use.  The ADF needles will track all around the 
instrument face so one has to "average out" the correct bearing.  I'll 
also say this.. some of the older ADFs did a far better job than many of 
the new, faster responding units, even with their advertized noise 
immunity circuitry.

Jeep K3HVG


NDB Service Volumes*

*Class*

	

*Distance (Radius)*

Compass Locator

	

15 NM

MH

	

25 NM

H

	

50 NM*

HH

	

75 NM

/*Service ranges of individual facilities may be less than 50 nautical 
miles (NM). Restrictions to service volumes are first published as a 
Notice to Airmen and then with the alphabetical listing of the NAVAID in 
the A/FD./