What's going on inside the VOR?

[PFGiardino]

I know all about reference signal, sweeping signal, timing differences, airplane receivers... but if I walk into a VOR facility, what will I see?

Is something spinning or not?

Thanks in advance...

[Clocks]

Originally Posted by PFGiardino

I know all about reference signal, sweeping signal, timing differences, airplane receivers... but if I walk into a VOR facility, what will I see?

Is something spinning or not?

Thanks in advance...

Wikipedia says...no

A second 30 Hz signal is derived from the electronic rotation of a directional antenna array 30 times a second. Although older antennas were mechanically rotated, current installations are scanned electronically to achieve the same result with no moving parts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF_omnidirectional_range

[PFGiardino]

That explains why I've heard yes from old timers and no from not-so-old timers.

I'm dissapointed with myself, I usually check Wikipedia first... thanks!

[Clocks]

Originally Posted by PFGiardino

That explains why I've heard yes from old timers and no from not-so-old timers.

I'm dissapointed with myself, I usually check Wikipedia first... thanks!

No problem I didn't know either, and was curious to find out.

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by PFGiardino

That explains why I've heard yes from old timers and no from not-so-old timers.

I'm dissapointed with myself, I usually check Wikipedia first... thanks!

Same as the loop attn on ADF. The old ones actually mechanically turned.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by PFGiardino

... but if I walk into a VOR facility, what will I see?

Is something spinning or not?

Thanks in advance...

You'll see alot of empty beer bottles.....at least at the old (decommissioned) Boiler VOR near Lafayette, IN. It made an awesome party place during college.

Jason