NDB/ADF

NDB: ADF:
- Non-Directional Beacon - Automatic Direction Finder
- On the ground - On the aircraft

- Frequency of NDB is 190-1750 kHz (LF and MF band)

- Polarization is vertical
- Polar diagram is Cardioids
- Makes use of loop and sense antenna
- ADF has class B accuracy (+/- 5 degrees)
- Emission code: NON A1A and NON A2A

WORKING PRINCIPLE: The ADF measures bearing of the NDB relative to

fore/aft of the aircraft

Types of NDB:
1. Locator- low power; range is of 10-25NM; used as outer marker in ILS
2. En Route NDB- high power; range is 100s of NM; used for en route
navigation and homing

Aircraft Equipment Comprises Of:

1. Control Unit
2. Loop ariel
3. Sense ariel
4. Display
5. Receiver

QDM= MH + RB
RBI (RELATIVE BEARING INDICATOR) RMI (RADIO MAGNETIC INDICATOR)

FIXED ROSE MOVABLE ROSE

ROSE FIXED TO MAGNETIC NORTH ROSE ACCORDING TO MAGNETIC

HEADING
ARROW HEAD POINTS TOWARDS ARROW HEAD POINTS TOWARDS QDM
RELATIVE BEARING AND ARROW TAIL POINTS TOWARDS
QDR

HOMING: Maintaining a relative bearing of zero

- When homing to station and you have an increase in the
magnetic heading, you are experiencing a port drift
- When homing to station and you have a decrease in the
magnetic heading, you are experiencing a starboard drift

INBOUND TRACKING:
- Starboard drift RB=DA
- Port drift RB=360-DA
OUTBOUND TRACKING:
- Starboard drift RB= 180+DA
- Port drift RB= 180-DA
ERRORS OF ADF:

1. Precipitation (Thunderstorm is the worst error in an ADF)

2. DOC: Designated Operational Coverage; published in AIP; valid
only during daytime due to the night effect
3. Night Effect: it is the contamination off the surface wave due to
the sky wave; max during dusk and dawn; due to the absence of
the D layer of the ionosphere at night
4. Station interference
5. Mountain Interference (minimize by flying high)
6. Coastal Interference: max in inland beacons
7. Quadrantal error: reflection of radio waves on metallic surface
of aircraft (when NDB is present in quadrant of the aircraft)
8. Bank angle error
9. Lack of failure warning system

AVOID NIGHT EFFECT:

1. Use beacon closer to the aircraft
2. Use beacon of lower frequency and higher power
3. Avoid using equipment within 1hr of sunrise and sunset

AVOID COASTAL INTERFERENCE:

1. Fly 90 degree bearing/ signal that crosses coast at 90 degrees
2. Fly high
3. Use NDB closer to the coast
NON A1A has a greater range however ICAO uses NON A2A for
long range beacons

In NON A1A, BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) is kept on during

tuning, identification, and monitoring.

In NON A2A, BFO is kept on only during tuning