DICIEMBRE, JOHN KEVIN B.

NATOC, NEHEMIAH

VOR, DME and NDB (Draft Report)

What is a VOR?

Very high frequency Omni directional radio Range (VOR) is a

type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling
aircraft with a receiving unit to determine their position and stay on
course by receiving radio signals transmitted by a network of fixed
ground radio beacons. Also it is the standard air navigation systems in
the world.
VOR components:
VOR Radio Station
NAV 1 Radio
VOR 1 Gauge
VOR indicator components:
I.

Omni Bearing Selector (OBS) turns the compass card

II.

Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) the VOR needle, centered when on

the selected course and deflected left or right when off course

III.

To/From flag indicates whether the selected course would take

the aircraft toward or away from the VOR

IV.

On/Off indicator or flag indicates whether or not you are receiving a

reliable signal (A red and white flag on the Cessna and a red X on the
Lear HSI)

Operation:
i.

VOR uses frequencies in the very high frequency (VHF) band from 108 to
117.95 MHz

ii.

VORs are commonly described as broadcasting 360 separate radials

emanating from the station in all directions

iii.

VORs broadcast 2 signals- the reference (or 360-N) signal and the rotating
signal.

iv.

If the two signals are in phase the aircraft is on the 360 radial, if the
receiver detects these signals are out of phase by then the aircraft is
located on the 90 radial from the station and so on.

Uses of VOR:
VOR is used for orientation and position determination navigation by tracking
to or from a station as a holding fix as soon as non precision instrument
approach.

What is a DOM?
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) is a system that is used for
aviation for navigation purposes.
DOM components:
Interrogator on board on aircraft
DME station on the ground
Operation:
i.

DME operates in the 960 1215 MHz band

ii.

Interrogator transmits a center frequency of 1025 up to 1150 MHz

iii.

DME station replies on a frequency that is 63 MHz lower or 63 MHz higher

iv.

Interrogator uses unique pairs of pulse and same paring for the reply

v.

Interrogator uses to differentiate the answer from

send by DME station

other

answers

What is VOR/DME?
It refers to combined radio navigation station for aircraft, which consists of
two radio beacons, placed together, a VHF omnidirectional range (VOR)
and distance measuring equipment (DME). VOR produces an angle between
the station and the receiver in the aircraft, while DME does the same for
range. Together, they provide the two measurements needed to produce a
navigational "fix" using a chart
VOR/DME Design Description

 Control room is designed to be placed in container, specifically made

installation of major facilities as well as devices ensure appropriate climate
conditions inside control room.
Facilities placed in control room include RMA cabinet, RMD cabinet, and input
panel. Facilities that ensure normal operation conditions of VOR/DME and
operational staff, consists of air conditioner, two heaters and five lighting
lamps.
RMA cabinet is designed in standard case. On a right-hand sidewall of the
cabinet on the outside HF amplifier channel is placed, covered by protective
casing. Cabinet has six equal compartments. In the first lower compartment
two rectifiers are placed, in the other compartments sections with guides are
placed, in which cut-in cells represent functional units are installed. RMD
cabinet is made in standard case. On a right-hand sidewall of the cabinet on
the outside all devices that form power amplifier and HF channel are placed,
covered by protective casing. Cabinet has six standard compartments by its
height, where all functional units are installed.
VOR/DME Technical Specifications VOR/DME Basic parameters and
technical
specifications
meet
to
ICAO
requirements
and
recommendations:
In VOR (RMA) and DME (RMD) cabinets 100% "cold" equipment backup is
stipulated for generation of modulating signals, modulation and amplification
facilities, HF channel, and signal check and control facilities.
Transition to standby facilities is automatic.
What is an NDB?
A NDB or Non-Directional Beacon is a ground-based, low frequency radio
transmitter used as an instrument approach for airports and offshore
platforms.
NDB ground station components:
Beacon Transmitter
Antenna Tuning Unit
Antenna
Operation:
i.

NDB transmits an Omni-directional signal to be received by the Automatic

Direction Finder (ADF)

ii.

The pilot uses the ADF to determine the direction to the NDB relative to
the aircraft

iii.

To navigate using the ADF, the pilot enters the frequency of the NDB and
the compass card (or arrow) on the ADF will indicate the heading to the
station. The signal is transmitted on an uninterrupted 24/7 basis

iv.

NDBs typically operate in the frequency range from 190 kHz to 535 kHz
(although they are allocated frequencies from 190 to 1750 kHz)

v.

transmit a carrier modulated by either 400 or 1020 Hz

vi.

NDB radiators are vertically polarised

vii.

NDB antennas are usually too short for resonance at the frequency they
operate typically perhaps 20m length compared to a wavelength around
1000m

Uses of NDBs:
Airways
NDB bearings provide a charted, consistent method for defining paths aircraft
can fly
Fixes
NDB are used by aircraft navigators and previously mariners to help obtain a
fix of their geographic location on the surface of the Earth
Instrument landing systems
NDBs are most commonly used as markers or "locators" for an instrument
landing system (ILS) approach or standard approach.
NDB Adverse Effects:
Night effect: radio waves reflected back by the ionosphere can cause signal
strength fluctuations 30 to 60 nautical miles (54 to 108 km) from the
transmitter, especially just before sunrise and just after sunset (more
common on frequencies above 350 kHz)
Terrain effect: high terrain like mountains and cliffs can reflect radio waves,
giving erroneous readings; magnetic deposits can also cause erroneous
readings

 Electrical effect: electrical storms, and sometimes also electrical

interference (from a ground-based source or from a source within the aircraft)
can cause the ADF needle to deflect towards the electrical source
Shoreline effect: low-frequency radio waves will refract or bend near a
shoreline, especially if they are close to parallel to it
Bank effect: when the aircraft is banked, the needle reading will be offset
Difference between VOR and NDB:
an NDB is a Non Directional Beacon - it emits a radio signal in all directions
providing no course guidance, but enables a receiver to detect it and with an
indicator containing a pointer, enable the signal to be 'homed in' on, so one
can track right to the location of the ground based transmitter.
A VOR is: a Very High Omni Range transmitter, which sends out a signal in all
directions as well, but
also, has 360 individually selectable radials
(courses), which permits a VOR receiver to detect them. Then, using an
indicator with 360 selectable courses, allow the operator to select an
individual course (referenced to magnetic North) and actually track the
course selected, as well as have 'TO' and 'FROM' information displayed via a
flag, so the navigator can track a specified course, both TO and FROM the
ground based radio transmitter, while actually knowing his position relative to
the transmitter.
References:
http://www.southernavionics.com/blog/bid/50999/What-is-an-NDB-or-NonDirectional-Beacon
http://www.lewisaire.com/training/VOR-1.html#below
http://www.flightsimaviation.com/aviation_theory_21_VOR_Navigation_part_1.
html
http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Non-Directional_Beacon
http://www.telecomabc.com/d/dme.html
http://www.azimut.ru/en/catalogue/navigation/vordme