ELT Option Combines Two Avionics Test Instruments Into One
Aeroflex has come up with a new
emergency beacon testing capability for the IFR 4000 navigation
communications (nav/comm) ramp test set. The new ELT (Emergency
Locator Transmitter) option for the IFR 4000 combines two test sets
into one and allows airline maintenance personnel and others to
eliminate the cost and hassle of having a separate test set just
for emergency beacon locator testing. The IFR 4000 is popular with
maintenance personnel for its light weight (under 8 lbs.), long
battery life (8 hours) and large screen that allows users to see
all data in plain English without scrolling to see complete test
results.
The IFR 4000 ramp test set’s ELT option can test every
kind of emergency locator beacon—aeronautical, maritime and
personal systems. ELT provides full protocol support for ELT
aeronautical beacons, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon) maritime beacons and PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) beacons
used for life support for lost personnel.
The ELT option enables accurate measurement of short-range swept
tone 121.5 MHz/243 MHz emergency transmitter frequency, output
power and AM modulation. It also measures the transmitter frequency
and output power of the 406 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT international
satellite search and rescue beacon and decodes and displays all
location and user protocols.
The IFR 4000 with ELT operates in three modes: AM, FM and SSB
(Single Sideband). The AM communications range from 10 MHz to 400
MHz with 25 kHz channel spacing and 8.33 kHz channel spacing over
aeronautical communications band range. The FM communications range
from 10 MHz to 400 MHz with 12.5 kHz channel spacing added (in
addition to 25 kHz channel spacing on the existing IFR 4000)
and
SSB modulation from 10 MHz to 30 MHz.
The ELT option adds to the base functionality of the IFR 4000 by
providing accurate measurements for aeronautical HF transmitter,
frequency (1 MHz to 30 MHz), output power, and modulation (AM and
SSB USB/LSB) receiver sensitivity. ELT also extends the frequency
range of the IFR 4000 down to 10 MHz (spanning 10 MHz to 400 MHz)
for accurate SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) measurement.
About the IFR 4000 Navigation Communications Ramp Test Set
The IFR 4000, introduced by Aeroflex in 2003, verifies the
operation and installation of ILS (Instrument Landing System), VHF
Omni-directional Radio range (VOR), VHF/UHF Communications (COMM)
and Marker Beacon (MKR) avionics systems. It is the lightest and
most portable navigational communications ramp test set on the
market today. It can be used for cockpit or bench testing. With a
large viewable screen, menu-driven functions and guided test
capability it has found favor in maintenance facilities all over
the world.
The IFR 4000 navigation communications ramp test set’s
base price is $11,995 with HF capability. The ELT Option 1 is
priced at $1,500. The company says it can deliver within six weeks
of order.