[MRCA] ZB-2 control box and Antenna control box questions

[MARK DORNEY]

How does the ZB get connected to the aircraft antenna? For either an RU or ARB Operator to be able to hear the transmission from the YE transmitter, the ZB adapter has to demodulate the signal. Does the ARB pick up the carrier wave that contains the signal from the YE transmitter, then sends it to be demodulated is the ZB Adapter, then is sent back to the ARB  for the operator to hear?  Or does the ZB process the signal in independently from the ARB?  And why would there even be a ZB Pilots control box if it were not necessary?  And why a DU-1 Antenna when a non- directional type antenna is what is called for ( remember, the YE transmitter is transmitting CW signals out on a directional antenna that transmits a different letter every 30 degrees of rotation of the YE antenna. A DF antenna is not needed to know what direction the carrier is in: all the pilot/ navigator would have to do is figure out a back azimuth from the coded signal sent by the YE transmitter that he is receiving and get the aircraft pointed in that direction ).   A loop antenna, even in a teardrop cover effects the aerodynamics of aircraft, and especially for fighter aircraft, were not practical. 

Mark D. 


“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “.   -   Thomas Jefferson 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 13, 2022, at 2:01 PM, Jack Antonio <scr287 at att.net> wrote:
> 
> First of all. Mike Hanz's website has excerpts from the ZB-3 and AN/ARR-1 manual, which describes the
> 
> differences between the ZB-1,-2, -3 and AN/ARR-1.  This should answer your questions as to the control box
> 
> and relay box. Robert downs also has a reprint of the ZB-2 manual.The primary purpose of the relay box
> 
> is to switch the input of the LF/MF receiver between the antenna and the output of the homing adapter.
> 
> It was always my understanding that the ARB was designed to support the homing function, making
> 
> the control box and relay box unneccesary for the ARB.  But, that leaves out the LOCAL/DISTANCE function
> 
> as well as basic ON/OFF of the adapter.  The ARB has an internal relay to select beween the homing
> 
> (L1 and L2) and communication (AT and AF) selected by the bandswitch on the control box.
> 
> I set up and displayed an ARB/ATB/ZB setup at Gilbert back in 2013, using the proper test box as a
> 
> signal source(with the output padded down to leakage levels as it was still on about 246 Mc). I did
> 
> not include either the control box or relay box thinking they were unnecessary. And everything worked.
> 
> I have never seen an official document showing the interconnect diagram of the ARB and ZB, and if
> 
> there is one, I'd really like to have a copy.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Jack Antonio
> 
> WA7DIA
> 
>> On 2/13/2022 11:32 AM, MARK DORNEY via MRCA wrote:
>>  I’m not sure what a ZB Antenna control box and a ZB Control Box are. I think the ZB Control box is a Pilot’s Control Box CZR-23214. I have no idea what a ZB Antenna control box is. All help is appreciated.
>> 
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