[Boatanchors] What VLF/LF Boatanchors are "affordable"

[Francesco Ledda]

We (all instrumented pilots) have been flying NDB approaches for years, and
we are still alive.  If you follow the approach plate and don't descent
below the published MDA, you are going to be OK. If you loose awarness of
you position and are not sure were you are, go missed approach.

Pleople die flying precision approaches such as ILSs, when they go below the
minimums or get lost.  Any instrument approach is dangerous if not flown
correctly.

The ADF neddle will tell you if you are going toward or away from the
station.  Look at youd HSI, and you will know everything there is to know. I
admit NDBs are part of the past, but they are honest and have been doing a
good job. Actually, NDB approaches are a lot of fun!  They are a challenge
because they require the pilot to interpret the instrument and to have a
mental picture of his/her position. ILSs are easy, you just chase the
neddles.

Regarding the single pilot in instrument condition, I agree that it can be
overwelming.  I will not go flying in such condition with a failed
autopilot.  It takes only few seconds to find the airplane upside down,
while looking for/at a chart. That is scary...





-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of
rbethman at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 3:02 PM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Cc: beaconeer at sbcglobal.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] What VLF/LF Boatanchors are "affordable"


Phil, et al.

I use an HP-312A.

10kHz to 18 mHz.

My cost - " take it with you.  The wife wants this stuff to go away!"

Manual cost around $30 to $40.  It's been a year or two and memory doesn't
work like it used to!

Not significantly different then the "B" model.

I QUIT chasing beacons!  Why?  It used to be part of flight training to tune
them in on the ADF as part od getting your license.  Once I got my pilot's
certificate, I NEVER bothered to chase another beacon.

The biggest reasons:

             The not too brilliant General Aviation manufacturer's ALWAYS
installed them to the FAR right of the instrument panel.

              VOR beacons are MUCH easier to dial in and have proliferated
in massive numbers, PLUS they have MUCH superior accuracy.

               If you are forced to make DF Beacon landing, Rotsa 'Ruck!  We
lost that one USAF executive aircraft within the last ten years trying to
mak a landing using one of those.  There is NO way to tell directly whether
you are flying toward it or away from it WITHOUT making several circuits of
flight to determine if signal is increasing or decreasing.

                This is ABSOLUTELY "NOT" for the single engine/single pilot!

                What I really like about the HP-312's, is that you can
calibrate them, and give an ACCURATE signal report in dBm.  Although MOST
folks won't know how to interpret it.

Bob N0DGN
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