[Boatanchors] VOR field detector

[Sandy, W5TVW]

I always thought they looked like a BIG "witch's hat" on top of a short 
building or cylinder!   The top will vary depending on whether or
not DME/TACAN is fitted to the antenna system.  (Or at least 'used to'!)
The VOR/DME (DME=distance measuring equipment) and TACAN
(TACtical Air Navigation system) distance measuring stuff is basically the
same.  TACAN uses a more accurate UHF signal rather than the VOR signal
which is in the VHF range.

73,
Sandy W5TVW

Was in avionics way back in the "tube era" of the late 50's early 60's.
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rkerr" <rrkrr at mindspring.com>
To: <telegrapher at att.net>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 1:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] VOR field detector


| VOR= "VHF Omni Range"
| These are (were) the things that look like gigantic bowling pins, 
| generally located near airfields or at intersections of US Airways.  
| They broadcast a periodic omnidirectional pulse and a rotating (azimuth) 
| beam signal which is synchronous with the omnidirectional pulse at 0 
| degrees.  An aircraft navigation receiver can determine its compass 
| bearing from the VOR by measuring the time lag between the 
| omnidirectional signal and the rotating beam signal.
| There were also ranging systems in some of these things (DME), which 
| required an aircraft transponder.
| 
| With the advent of GPS navigation, these systems are not long for this 
| world.
| 
| Your meter must be a piece of test equipment for use by those who 
| serviced these systems.
| 
| telegrapher at att.net wrote:
| 
| > While at my last estate sale, i picked up what appears to be a complete
| > "Portable VOR Field Detector" made for the Dept. of Commerce, Civil
| > Aeronautics Administration Type CA-2943 Assembled by Airways Facilities
| > Shop in FT. Worth, Texas.
| >
| > Anyone know anything about this.  Neat item, handheld dipole essentially
| > with a meter, sensitivity and frequency control. 
| > Didn't know which list would have been better for this question but
| > think a couple techs on one of the lists may have worked on this before.
| >
| > Larry
| > W0OGH
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| > ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **   ** For 
| > Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **         $$ For vintage radio info, 
| > see the HCI web site $$      http://www.w9wze.org   
| >
| >  
| >
| 
| 
| -- 
| Robert R. Kerr
| Senior Research Engineer
| Georgia Tech Research Institute
| Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory
| 7220 Richardson Rd. Smyrna, Georgia 30066
| Office: 770-528-7549
| FAX:    770-528-7083
| Mobile:    404-441-4226
| robert.kerr at gtri.gatech.edu
| 
| _______________________________________________
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| ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **   
| ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **         
| $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$      
| http://www.w9wze.org    
| 
|