Communication and antenna

Antenna Installation: Regardless of the excellence of the equipment, no radio installation is better than its antenna. Each piece of equipment must have a specific antenna, and this antenna must be mounted in a specific location for the most efficient operation. Most antennas are used for both reception and transmitting. The length, polarization, and location of an antenna is of extreme importance in getting the most efficient transmission and reception from the installed equipment. 

The types of antennas used with several pieces of avionic equipment are examined here. 

The antennas are used for: 

• Radar Radio detection and ranging. Shows the weather in ahead of the flight route. 

• Localizer Receives lateral guidance for landing. 

• Glideslope Receives vertical guidance for landing. 

• VHF Very high frequency communication within a range up to about 300 NM. 

• ATC Air traffic control transponder. Receives and sends signals for air traffic surveillance. 

• DME Distance measuring equipment. Detecting the distance to ground stations. 

• TCAS Traffic collision avoidance system. Alerts pilot if other aircrafts are around. 

• Marker Receives signal from a beacon at ground, for position determination during approach or enroute. 

• GPS Global positioning system. Satellite navigation 

• ADF Automatic direction finder. Navigation for short and medium range. 

• Radio Altimeter Detects the aircraft height above ground. 

• SATCOM Satellite communication for voice and data. 

• ELT Emergency location transmitter. Sending signals for searching and rescuing the victims of an accident. 

• HF High frequency (short wave) communication over whole world. 

• VOR VHF omnidirectional range. Accurate navigation within 300 NM.

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