REFLECTOR: Marker beacon receiver

[sbjknox]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <stedmanlou at roadrunner.com>
Subject: REFLECTOR: Marker beacon receiver


> Could someone educate me on the use of my marker beacon receiver? Since I 
> am not IFR cert. I do not use it. I have a King KR-21. I was trying to 
> shoot an approach yesterday but could not get a light at the OM. I tried 
> the King website but didn't find any operator's manual. My unit has a 
> switch on the right side and three positions. They are labeled H, L, T. I 
> assume the T is for test. When I put the switch in that position I get 
> lights on the A and M but not on the O. While shooting the approach my 
> switch was in the center position labeled L. Not sure what H and L are for 
> or which position I should be in. I did get an audibal signal as i passed 
> over the OM. I did check for notams on the LOC but none were listed. 
> Thanks
> --
> Lou Stedman
> LEZ N9EC
> Olean, NY

Your assumption about T is correct.  H and L are for High and Low beacon 
receiver sensitivity.  When in High sensitvity you will began to pick-up the 
marker signal farther away.  Then, as you get closer, you can switch to LOW 
to reduce the sensivity which requires that you to be closer to the marker 
to get an audible signal and to light the light.
Since you can hear the OM you have the more complex portions of the system 
working... antenna, wiring, rf receiver, and audio.
Clearly, the Test function is telling you  that the circuit that drives the 
light is Tango Uniform.  The lamp driver is dirt-simple and not seeing an OM 
light may be simply a bad "bulb" (LED, incendescent, ?), or a 5 cent 
transistor.

$0.02

Sid Knox
Oklahoma

Velocity  173 RG  N199RS
Starduster  N666SK
KR2         N24TC
W7QJQ


I saw a poor old lady fall over today on the ice!! At least I presume
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