[Premium-Rx] Beacon Hunting

[Cecil Acuff]

NDB's.  Short for Non Directional Beacons.  They are an old Aeronautical 
navigational aid.  They are scattered all over the world.  They are of 
varying power and identify themselves with a morse code id that is given 
them by the FAA that relates somewhat closely to the airport area they 
serve.  There are approaches written that are used at times under Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) navigation that will get a pilot into an airport when the 
weather is less than desirable.  There are several newer systems that are 
used for the most part.  Flight examiners in the US are not required to test 
for NDB approaches anymore when giving check rides.  I don't know how much 
longer the Feds are going to continue to finance the maintenance costs 
necessary to keep them on the air.  I hope for along while because they are 
fun to hunt.  I haven't flown an NDB approach since my flight training 
probably 10 years ago.  It was a lot of fun!

Hope that helps...It gets much deeper if you decide to chase them!

Cecil...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Anderson" <jcanderson at ieee.org>
To: <premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] Beacon Hunting


> OK guys, I've been following this thread and I'm curious...what are 
> beacons,
> where are they, and why do you hunt them?
>
> - Jeff, WA6AHL
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Warren Ziegler" <ny2h at yahoo.com>
> To: <premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 1:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] Beacon Hunting
>
>
>> Hi Sid,
>>    I'm active on longwave, I have an experimental
>> license WD2XGJ and transmit on the 137 kHz band.
>> I would echo Frank's comments, the Racal 6830 is the
>> most effective receiver that I have, it really
>> outshines any my Icom Pro series rigs on LF.
>> An inexpensive option that you might also consider is
>> an HP 3586 Selective Level Meter. The HP is very good
>> on LF, but somewhat limited (no agc and the cw beat
>> note is a rather high 1.8 kHz). These obstacles can be
>> overcome (I've heard its possible to change the beat
>> note by changing a crystal, for example).
>>  A lot of the beacon hunters and Lowfer gang are
>> running the Icom R75. I understand that they can be
>> had quite reasonably on E-Bay.
>> 73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
>>
>> --- Sid Leben <sid at leben.com> wrote:
>> > Greetings all,
>> >
>> > I am new to the group and thought I would introduce
>> > myself as well as
>> > ask a question..
>> >
>> > I live in Spring, TX and besides being a Ham, I have
>> > become an avid Low
>> > Frequency (NDB) Beacon hunter.  I have not tried
>> > many receivers but my
>> > current Icom ProIII with external DSP (Timewave
>> > 599zx) seems to be the
>> > best that I currently own.
>> >
>> > Not having experience in using many different
>> > receivers, I was wondering
>> > what some of the opinions might be for under 500Kc
>> > reception of these AM
>> > DSB beacons.  I listen on CW with narrow BW's.
>> >
>> > I have always wanted the CEI/WJ 340A7 receiver
>> > without knowing the
>> > performance.  I have issues with older radios such
>> > as these that I can
>> > not repair..
>> >
>> > Some thoughts would be appreciated..
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > Sid Leben  KC2EE
>> >
>> >
>> >
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>> >
>>
>>
>>
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