Feasibility Test of Search and Rescue Radio Beacon

摘要

The report contains the results of technical test performed on a feasibility model of a dual frequency VHF/UHF Search and Rescue Radio Beacon (SRRB) loaned to the Federal Aviation Agency by Granger Associates of Palo Alto, California. The SRRB was tested at the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center and at sea off the New Jersey coast, with the assistance of the U. S. Coast Guard, to investigate equipment performance and to evaluate two types of carrier modulation (constant and swept-tone) specially incorporated in the SRRB provided for test. Results of the tests indicated that the concept of a dual-frequency SRRB is feasible for search and rescue operations, that its use would increase the number of search aircraft now available to include all operational military aircraft, and that the swept-tone modulation is most desirable for this application. Recommendations are made for adoption of the swept-tone modulation for emergency use and consideration, in the event of any SRRB development, of a design that would provide simultaneous transmission on both VHF and UHF emergency frequencies as well as sufficient RF power output to take advantage of automatic direction finder capability in military aircraft. Consideration of an investigation of the various AN/ARA antenna configurations existing or under development by the military is also recommended. (Author)