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.

📺 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.

LCM

Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM www.levimaaia.com