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i hope u kind ppl could help,im flying the cessna and dont understand what the ndb and adf purpose is,i assume u tune the ndb frequency to the adf for navigation reasons??? i use vor navigation usually ,could someone kindly explain how this works in clear terms as im stupid regards to you all

An NDB is a Non-Directional Beacon. An Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) will pick up the NDB station and will simply point to it.

so whats the adf all about???? pls explain when i fly i use the VOR

While you're flying tune the ADF to the NDB station. The needle will point to it. Following the needle will take you directly over the station.

It's a simple version of a VOR. With a VOR you can select a radial to track, an ADF can't do this. But NDB's have one big advantage:they have a way larger range than VOR's because of the frequency they use.
AJ

It's a simple version of a VOR. With a VOR you can select a radial to track, an ADF can't do this. But NDB's have one big advantage:they have a way larger range than VOR's because of the frequency they use.
AJ

Are you really sure about this?
I thought it was the other way round.
I fly frequently to Funchal, and the have the FUN VOR (112.20) and the MAD NDB (318 ) avaliable for navigation. My aircraft will ALWAYS pick up the VOR signal first

well we are both right I think. There's NDB's that have a small range (as found at airports) and ones with a very long range. Forgot what they are called but it's in the sim's help section under navigation. I think.....
Could be mixing things up

Are you really sure about this?

As with all things in life...I'm never sure about anything.

Cheers
AJ

The main advantage with VOR stations is that you can find what radial you're on and with a DME you can get your distance from the station. With an NDB, all you get is a heading to the station. Unless you can triangulate with a secondary station you can't pinpoint your exact location

HI Andrew,

             I was looking of what you answered about NDB. Usually, the VOR stations are located on the airport or closely to the airport. But I wounder why the NDB station are located in the middle of any where?

There are VOR stations out in the middle of nowhere, and a lot are located on airports. They're easier to find with them

But I wounder why the NDB station are located in the middle of any where?

The question was not directed to me but...I think I remember they are used for enroute navigation. That's why the long range is so helpful. When using GPS you forget about radio-navigation but whe doing cross-country flights without GPS they can be very helpful.
Cheers
AJ

Cost is one factor. An NDB is an AM radio station. At the school where I used to instruct, we used the 740am station(a series of towers) to practice holds and approaches. The ADF needle homes on the station, just as it would any other NDB transmitter. AM stations, by my understanding are cheaper to build, than VORs. That may have a lot to do with LOCATION, fredri !

As far as range, I have been told that, the higher the frequency the stronger the signal, but I don't know if that's accurate, or not. I do know that some NDBs DO have a greater range than the typical VOR, and this is even depicted as such is F$.

Ahh thank you master Yoda.  ;D

I believe you're right, I even asked my mom (she was a pilot before I was born) and she basically gave the same answer as you OTTOL.
Howeverin FS, I have yet to find an ndb with a  greater ranger than a VOR in the surrounding area.

The quest continues!  ;D

Howeverin FS, I have yet to find an ndb with a  greater ranger than a VOR in the surrounding area.

The quest continues!  ;D

On long distance flights, try using an aircraft with an RMI, and set your ADF to an NDB or MB at your destination, you'll find that SOMETIMES, you will begin to see needle movement and then course guidance, before the VOR.

Thanx for those great answer guys, I appreciate.

                                                                           Ciao