Communications
& Navigation Index | |
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At first marine radio stations were used for communication with aircraft, but soon a dedicated air traffic services organisation was established, one that continues to play a vital role in safe air transport today. A network of radio navigation beacons was also established, the beginning of the Department's involvement in the development and provision of a range of aids to navigation. |
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COMMUNICATIONS | |
NOTAM 6/1940 giving callsigns for Aeradio Stations Read
about the HF Communication
Stations of Sydney Read about the HF Communication Stations of Melbourne Photos of HF field strength measuring using a DCA DC-3 - c.1962 The AWA Air Mite lightweight VHF radio - 1948 The Phonetic Alphabet - Old & New Read about the 'Q' code Download a Movie Clip: A Position Report, 1950s-style Photo of the interior of a Douglas DC-4 c.1950 showing the size of aircraft radio equipment DCA's first computerised message switching system - 1973 Photos of and information about a Linesman at work splicing a cable - 2007 Andrews Spiracone HF antennas at Broken Hill - 2009
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RADIO
NAVIGATION AIDS | |
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< download the article Navaids and Radar Reach Out from the July 1969 issue of DCA News |
Aural Radio Range Information about Australia's first pilot-interpreted radio navaid - the Aural Radio Range
Homer/Non Directional Beacon (NDB)
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
Visual Aural Range (VAR)
Multiple Track Radar Range (MTRR)
Instrument Landing System (ILS)
VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR)
Microwave Landing System (MLS)
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VISUAL
NAVIGATION AIDS | |
Read a description of the lighting at Forrest in 1928 - Australia's first airway equipped for reguar night flying Precision Visual Glidepath
T-VASIS
Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Photo of a typical Rotating Aerodrome Beacon Read about the Calvert Cross Bar Approach Lighting System See a photo of typical approach lighting systems for a precision approach (ILS) runway.
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RADAR
& SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS | |
Photos of the Type 276 experimental Aerodrome Control Radar at Essendon - early 1950s
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< download the article Navaids and Radar Reach Out from the July 1969 issue of DCA News |
Photos of the Melbourne CSF Route Surveillance Radar: Examine a chart showing the extent of radar coverage - 1967 Early satellite ranging experiments - c.1970 Read a Departmental 'Information Paper' on The Use of Radar in Air Traffic Control - c.1980s Read an essay on Air Traffic Control surveillance systems, including the difference between Primary and Secondary radar
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AIRWAYS
SURVEY | |
Modernising - F28 and Optical Tracker Today - Super King Air and Laser Tracker
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OTHER | |
Australian Company Radio Callsigns Read about the DCA publication Airway Navigational Facilities - ANFAC Airport power supplies & downloadable A Brief History of Power Supply Systems for Civil Aviation Facilities in Australia1928-2018 Photo inside the DCA Radio Workshops at Rosehill, NSW - c.1950s Chart showing the VAR instrument approach procedure for Melbourne/Essendon - 1960 Aktiv-Fischer ST4 Snow Trac used to service remote airways equipment - 1980s Photo of an Isuzu 500 light truck with portable generating equipment at Essendon Tower - 2007 Download the CAHS Technical Library Catalogue (updated 6/2015 - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) Download a partial catalogue of the CAHS collection of Aeronautical Charts (requires Acrobat reader)
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