WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

I recently went to Norseman W.A and on a lookout Hill there was a Transmitter with Civil Avition on it, on my car radio I could pick up the signal which was in Morse Code and continuously repeating. I didn't think Morse code was used any more... Has anyone got anymore info on this ?


I think it was supposed to a positioning Becon.

I have tried to Google this but not had much luck ...

Appreciate any help

Thanks

There's plenty of pilots around who'll give a better answer, but I'd be willing to hazard a guess that it's an NDB - a Non Directional Beacon.

From what I understand (see, Nathan, I do try and pay attention!) - an NDB transmits a three-letter "callsign" in Morse. Hence why pilots are still taught to read Morse I believe.

As for Morse not being used any more - it's still quite popular in Ham Radio circles

Zebedee wrote:There's plenty of pilots around who'll give a better answer, but I'd be willing to hazard a guess that it's an NDB - a Non Directional Beacon.

From what I understand (see, Nathan, I do try and pay attention!) - an NDB transmits a three-letter "callsign" in Morse. Hence why pilots are still taught to read Morse I believe.

As for Morse not being used any more - it's still quite popular in Ham Radio circles

good work doug :-p

It was most likely a non directional beacon, a navigation aid which, like doug said, transmits a two or three letter callsign, or designator code.

Also. Morse code is a part of private pilots licence training

Norseman's NDB identifies as NSM on 347kHz from memory.

Nafenn wrote:good work doug :-p

Woo! I've actually learned something from hanging 'round with these crazy pilot-types

WPXZBP wrote:Norseman's NDB identifies as NSM on 347kHz from memory.

If you were driving past it and hearing it on the car radio then you were probably hearing a harmonic. 694KHz?

Norsmans NBD should produce a code along the lines of this


- . . . . - -

See below in picture, i have Outlined the Morse Code

Apols for going off topic but seeings you posted that image, just quick question, what's the difference between CAT A & B and CAT C that it needs different paths?

Aircraft Speed ranges on APP

(b) Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on
a speed of VREF, if specified, or if VREF is not
specified, 1.3 VS0 at the maximum certificated landing
weight. VREF, VS0, and the maximum certificated
landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the
certification authority of the country of registry. The categories are
as follows:
(1) Category A: Speed less than 91 knots.
(2) Category B: Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots.
(3) Category C: Speed 121 knots or more but less than 141 knots.
(4) Category D: Speed 141 knots or more but less than 166 knots.
(5) Category E: Speed 166 knots or more.

Faster plane, need wider turning circle

C and D includes most commercial Jet Aircraft

B would be turbo props

A would be Single engine light aircraft

Nafenn wrote:Morse code is a part of private pilots licence training

No - morse code is not a part of getting your private pilots licence - where did you get that info from

There is no requirement for a PPL to have knowledge of morse or use of navigation aids. As you should know - you are navigating VFR - so if you want to use navaids - you are able to use them for backing up your navigation skills (or if you get lost) - but you are not taught how to track via any navaids. You dont learn that until you start your NVFR - and then it is only basic naviagtion via navaids.

Morse code is not tested for pilots - as those that reference navaids on daily basis - the ident is on the approach chart - and a simple reference to what is being heard - to what is on the approach plate is all that is required for confirming the correct station ident. Some jets - have auto ident for some approach aids.

Please Nathan - try and provide true and correct information - as most people dont know anything about aviation - and tend to beleive what is read.

I appreciate that you are a student pilot - but it seems that a little information can be dangerous.

AO11912 is kinda on the right track with the information regarding cat speeds for aircraft conducting instrument approaches.

The Cat speeds for aircraft are based on Vref speeds - and these Vref speeds are derived basically from the Max Landing Weight of the aircraft. Typically A for single engine a/c - B for some large single engine, Typically piston twins and some turbo props, C for larger turbo props and most domestic jets and Cat D for heavy aircraft

Hope this information is of some help to those that are interested.

orangepeel wrote:

Nafenn wrote:Morse code is a part of private pilots licence training

No - morse code is not a part of getting your private pilots licence - where did you get that info from

There is no requirement for a PPL to have knowledge of morse or use of navigation aids. As you should know - you are navigating VFR - so if you want to use navaids - you are able to use them for backing up your navigation skills (or if you get lost) - but you are not taught how to track via any navaids. You dont learn that until you start your NVFR - and then it is only basic naviagtion via navaids.

Morse code is not tested for pilots - as those that reference navaids on daily basis - the ident is on the approach chart - and a simple reference to what is being heard - to what is on the approach plate is all that is required for confirming the correct station ident. Some jets - have auto ident for some approach aids.

Please Nathan - try and provide true and correct information - as most people dont know anything about aviation - and tend to beleive what is read.

I appreciate that you are a student pilot - but it seems that a little information can be dangerous.

AO11912 is kinda on the right track with the information regarding cat speeds for aircraft conducting instrument approaches.

The Cat speeds for aircraft are based on Vref speeds - and these Vref speeds are derived basically from the Max Landing Weight of the aircraft. Typically A for single engine a/c - B for some large single engine, Typically piston twins and some turbo props, C for larger turbo props and most domestic jets and Cat D for heavy aircraft

Hope this information is of some help to those that are interested.

Excellent work Mr Orangepeel - couldn't have summed it up any better!

CC

orangepeel wrote:No - morse code is not a part of getting your private pilots licence - where did you get that info from

There is no requirement for a PPL to have knowledge of morse or use of navigation aids. As you should know - you are navigating VFR - so if you want to use navaids - you are able to use them for backing up your navigation skills (or if you get lost) - but you are not taught how to track via any navaids. You dont learn that until you start your NVFR - and then it is only basic naviagtion via navaids.

Morse code is not tested for pilots - as those that reference navaids on daily basis - the ident is on the approach chart - and a simple reference to what is being heard - to what is on the approach plate is all that is required for confirming the correct station ident. Some jets - have auto ident for some approach aids.

Please Nathan - try and provide true and correct information - as most people dont know anything about aviation - and tend to beleive what is read.

I appreciate that you are a student pilot - but it seems that a little information can be dangerous.

Where i am receiving my CPL (Commercial Pilots Licence) training, Morse Code is a requirement... and is taught at the Private Pilots Licence Stage.

this is because at a CPL level, you should know basic instrument flight, which includes Navigation Aids, which includes Morse Code - to make sure you are on the right frequency, and have it tuned correctly.

Not everyone carries full charts (even though they are supposed to), so if you get lost, and know you are in X general area - you can dial up a Navigation aid, anf listen to hear if you are in range if you arent sure

Nafenn wrote: Where i am receiving my CPL (Commercial Pilots Licence) training, Morse Code is a requirement... and is taught at the Private Pilots Licence Stage.

Just as a matter of interest, what speed morse do you get taught at?

Blinky wrote:

Nafenn wrote: Where i am receiving my CPL (Commercial Pilots Licence) training, Morse Code is a requirement... and is taught at the Private Pilots Licence Stage.

Just as a matter of interest, what speed morse do you get taught at?

not a clue, havent started yet

vk6hgr wrote:

WPXZBP wrote:Norseman's NDB identifies as NSM on 347kHz from memory.

If you were driving past it and hearing it on the car radio then you were probably hearing a harmonic. 694KHz?

Yes that is right, I was parked very close to it, thanks for the info, didnt expect so many reply's interesting reading..

Just as extra question, does anyone know the comercial flights from easten states how soon would they contact Perth control after take off ?

Thanks