[Milsurplus] Naval Aviation Navigation

[sdaitch at ibb.gov]

I think we are combining a few of these systems.

TACANs and VOR-DME may have similar capabilities, but are not the same, use different frequency ranges and the equipment is not the same.  With that said, some DME channels on TACANs do match, and a DME set can be tuned to a matching TACAN and get only the DME information from that system.  I don't thnk the run of the mill DME in civilian aircraft will reach all the TACAN DME channels.  

TACAN has both bearing and DME information, and will give both bearing and DME to a TACAN set in an aircraft.  These channels run just below and just above 1000 MHZ.

VOR gives only bearing information - 108-118 MHZ    VOR receiver, TACAN set won't work here.

VOR-DME gives bearing information plus distance information - requires VOR and DME sets in aircraft.  I think a TACAN set could be channeled to the VOR-DME channel and get only DME, but I can't verify that.  I've never used one in that configuration.

VORTAC is a co-located VOR and TACAN system, giving VOR bearing information and DME information for civilian VOR/DME aircraft and TACAN to (generally) military aircraft with TACAN sets.  Works for both civilian and military aircraft.

TACAN-only sites with give TACAN bearing and DME to TACAN set users, and depending on the TACAN channel, it may or may not be compatable with typical civilian DME radios in aircraft.  I have used DME in general aviation aircraft to get the DME informaiton on the TACAN only systems.  I have seen TACAN sets for civilian aircraft in literature, but never saw one in a civilian airplane.

I hope this clarifies it a little.

73
Sheldon
WA4MZZ



----- Original Message -----
From: Dick <rertman at ix.netcom.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 10:10 am
Subject: [Milsurplus] Naval Aviation Navigation

> Roger that, Clete:
> 
> These days, VOR channels and TACAN channels are paired in a
> standard scheme.  In some installations, channeling the VOR 
> receiver 
> will automatically channel the TACAN set.  Of course, VOR/TACAN 
> will eventually go away as GPS improves and takes over.
> 
> Dick
> 
> Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Naval Aviation Navigation
> 
> 
> de WB2CPN
> 
> TACAN is a beacon.  It provides headings without interrogation.
> Even though the distance indicator couldn't get a lock, and just
> keep spinning, the heading indicator worked.  The rule was to
> not trust any station that wouldn't lock in.   The same DME
> ground equipment could be added to a VOR and called a VORTAC.
> There's a lot of them around, I think.   I'm not going to the
> wall on this one.   Too many years ago.
> 
> 73  Clete
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