Summary of Contents for Becker Rhotheta SAR DF 517
- Page 1 Electronic Search Electronic Search with the Becker and G1000 with the Becker and G1000...
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Page 2: System Components
Becker SAR DF 517 Becker SAR DF 517 System Components System Components Two Primary components Control-Display Unit (CDU) Antenna-Receiver Unit (ARU) - Page 3 Becker SAR DF Becker SAR DF • The Becker SAR DF-517 is an automatic direction finder. It supports 121.5, 156.8, 243 and 406 MHz frequencies • The DF unit will display a bearing relative to the nose of the aircraft for signals received •...
- Page 4 Power Up Power Up • If your aircraft is equipped with Mission Master it must be on for DF to operate • On power up (1), verify Emergency or Training mode. To change the setting, turn the page dial (2) and select the appropriate mode (3).
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Page 5: Initial Setup
Initial Setup Initial Setup • The Page dial (2) is used to switch the DF-517 between the different pages • By holding the Rep button and rotating the page dial (1) the brightness can be adjusted... - Page 6 DFing DFing • Select the desired frequency to DF by using the bottom right rotary dial (1) to select the desired preprogrammed frequency • Use the volume (2) rotary dial to set the volume level • Once the desired frequency is selected, use the SQL (3) dial to select the squelch level...
- Page 7 DFing cont. DFing cont. • The DF signal can be heard by selecting the AUX monitor toggle on the audio panel • DFing is done using Page 1 or Page 2 • Page 1 displays a full circle with the signal and bearing in 360 (this page is preferred) •...
- Page 8 DFing cont. DFing cont. • (1) The signal and DF-517 Page 1 Display relative bearing • (3) Signal Strength • (4) Squelch level • Tracking frequency 406.025 in Emergency mode • Note that to DF a signal, the squelch level must be below the maximum signal strength...
- Page 9 DFing cont. DFing cont. DF-517 Page 2 Display • (1) Signal level and relative bearing • (2) Position error • Tracking Freq. 121.650 in Training Mode...
- Page 10 517 frequencies 517 frequencies...
- Page 11 Adjusting Frequencies Adjusting Frequencies • Page 6 enables you to adjust the training frequencies • (1) >±Select< rotary switch selecting the trainings-frequency (MHz/kHz) • (2) >±< rotary switch changing the frequency. Confirm the changed value by pressing pushbutton >STORE< • (3) >STORE<...
- Page 12 The backlight is controlled by adjusting the top panel light adjustment and setting the annunciator panel switch in the “Night” position • Additional information on the Becker DF- 517 can be found in the manual • Link at: http://www.becker- avionics.de/666571_C_Images/ImgProduc...
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Page 13: Operation
Operation Operation Power-On and operation modes emergency or training (1) ON/OFF (2) PAGE (3) MODE Indication of the actual operation mode (4) ARU Version Software version and serial number of antenna- receiver Unit (5) CDU Version Software version and serial number of control-display Unit... -
Page 14: Bearing Mode
Bearing mode Bearing mode (pages 1 to 3) (pages 1 to 3) (1) FREQUENCY Selected (2) VOLUME (3) SQL Should be below the noise level (4) CLR For erasing the stored bearing value (5) STORE While bearing an AM signal a 3 kHz sound is superimposed to the audio signal for technical reasons (6) REPEAT Displays the last... -
Page 15: Display Readings
Display Readings Display Readings Page 1: 360°bearing Page 2: expanded 90° Page 3: bearing text (1) Bearing value (2) Spread Maximum deviation of unaveraged bearing. Good bearing results even with a spread of 45°as a result of the averaging procedure (3) Receive level Field strength (4) Squelch level Squelch level must be below the noise level. - Page 16 Using the SCAN Mode Using the SCAN Mode The COSPAS/SARSAT signal on 406,025 MHz is only transmitted every 50 sec (Pulse length of 400ms) The scanning mode is possible with frequencies 406,025MHz or 121,500/243,000MHz or the matching training frequencies The LS: ---:--- timer (LS meaning last signal) always displays the time since last COSPAS/SARSAT signal was received in 406.025 Frequency displayed in scanning mode...
- Page 17 Becker Antenna Becker Antenna • Antenna mounted on bottom of aircraft • Solid one piece unit • This ELT does not use wing null method...
- Page 18 Mission Flow Mission Flow...
- Page 19 – Be able to set a user waypoint based on a lat-long. – Know how to use OBS mode. • Understand that the Becker will give you a best guess direction even with NO signal. Don’t get fooled, use the marbles.
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Page 20: Before Launch
Before Launch Before Launch • Prepare – What is the terrain in the area of the merge? What direction and altitude gives the best chance to pick up the signal. – Have a plan of attack. Consider airspace, terrain, weather, and other issues for safe flight... - Page 21 – Comm seat 2/3 switch to 2 (so observer uses the radio) • Becker – in EMERGENCY mode, 121.5MHz. – Use Becker page with full ring (not arc). • G1000 – Clear all user waypoints – Use AUX audio to listen to Becker...
- Page 22 Set a waypoint (“M1”) on the G1000 at the first merge. As new merges are received, add “M2”, etc. • Always listen to Com2 on 121.5. De-squelch and set volume so hiss is audible. The aircraft com radio is often more sensitive than the Becker.
- Page 23 Before the Before the Signal is Acquired Signal is Acquired • Set the squelch on the Becker slightly below the noise level. Ignore the direction info until the clear “marbles” are within about +/-30 degrees of solid marble. • Periodically check 243MHz. If signal is detected on 243, you may get better direction information due to the shorter wavelength.
- Page 24 Signal NOT Acquired Signal NOT Acquired • If signal is not detected by the merge, use OBS mode off the merge waypoint to fly 30 mile passes (15 miles from the merge) across the merge at 45 degrees. Entry...
- Page 25 When the signal is heard, use wing shielding to determine direction until the signal strength is high enough for the Becker. If signal is carrier only, listen for the hiss to go away. • Once the Becker is locked in – just follow...
- Page 26 If terrain allows, getting lower (as low as 1000 AGL) will give you a better position. • If you are correct, you should be able to circle the position and the Becker should show it continuously to the inside of the turn.
- Page 27 Other Thoughts Other Thoughts • The signal will ebb and flow, so look for the big trends. You may see the signal strength rise, and then drop off. Keep going a while; it may come back even stronger. • Initial direction indications can be way off because of terrain masking and reflections.
- Page 28 QUESTIONS QUESTIONS...
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