Dear SBARC members,
I wanted to share a new video I’ve just released that may be of interest to many of you, especially those curious about the intersection of radio and aviation technology.
đź“ş Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/BwHVqb2MRoM?si=VbctiwQvgfZLmwkg
In this episode of Digital Voyage, we take a Cessna 182 up over Santa Barbara to explore how some of the earliest radio-based navigation systems—like VOR beacons—are still in use today. These systems, developed more than 80 years ago, continue to guide aircraft alongside modern GPS-based avionics. We also take a look at how pilots receive real-time traffic and weather information using ADS-B, a system that will be familiar to those of you with SDR or flight tracking setups at home.
Topics covered include:
– How VHF radio beacons still provide reliable navigation
– The role of ADS-B in traffic awareness and public flight tracking
– Integrating modern GPS with legacy autopilot systems
– The shift from paper charts to tablets
– What pilots do when GPS fails or is jammed
If you’re interested in radio navigation systems, aviation, or just enjoy seeing vintage and modern tech work together, I hope you’ll take a look.
Feel free to share with other hams and fellow tech enthusiasts. Always happy to talk more about the RF side of aviation.