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Old April 10th 05, 03:34 AM
 
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Default non-directional navigation beacon location techique question

I'm trying to find the location of a low frequency mavigation beacon.
Two techniques come to mind.

1) Using the null of a loop antenna, find a vector to the beacon using
a compass. Note the location where the vector was found on a GPS. Do
this from multiple locations and the beacon is where the lines
intersect. Since there will be error in both the compass (2 degrees
using a Garmin GPS) and some error in finding the null, the result will
be more of a locus of points where the beacon could be located rather
than the beacon itself.

2) Again from various locations, find the direction of the unknown
beacon and a known beacon (about 40 miles apart). Use a turntable of
sorts to find the number of degrees between the known and unknown
beacon. [Note, this will not require a compass, just an angular
measurement) Given the angle difference between the two beacons, a
vector can be drawn from a well known (via gps) location. Again, where
these vectors intersect is the location of the unknown beacon.

Throw into the mix one more reference. It should be possible to find a
spot where both beacons null at the same time. The the unknown beacon
is along a line between your location and the known beacon. This would
be a line that should be quite accurate. This should be doable from two
locations, i.e one where the known beacon is the closer of the two, and
the opposite situation.

Comments, besides get a life?