Marker Beacon System

Most marker beacons transmit a fan shaped signal. It is a directional signal such that, in three dimensions, it resembles a thick, spread out Japanese hot weather fan. It is oriented so that the intended path of an airplane is through the fan from front to back. The representation of the outer and middle marker transmissions in Figure 14-2 are shown in a side view. Since inner markers are virtually nonexistent as far as Category II runways are concerned, the term "middle marker" seems a bit out of place. The middle marker is placed about 3,500 feet from the near end of the runway, and the outer marker about five miles away. There is another type of marker transmitter station which is located along airways, and therefore called "airways marker". All marker station transmissions are on a basic radio carrier frequency of 75 megacycles. The thing that distinguishes one from the other is the frequency of the audio tone with which the carrier is modulated. The outer marker transmits a 400 Hertz tone, the middle marker a 1,300 Hertz tone, and the inner and airways markers transmit a 3,000 Hertz tone. Figure 14-1 shows the receiver with a 75 MHz filter and Rf amplifier and detector. From the detector comes whatever audio tone has modulated the carrier frequency. Three audio filters discriminate audio tones. The audio AC (about 6 volts) is used to light an indicator light. If the audio tone is 400 Hertz, it lights a blue outer marker light, shown on the indicator panel. If it is a 1,300 Hertz tone, it lights an amber middle marker light. And if it is a 3,000 Hertz tone, it lights a white inner/airways marker light. These tones, along with the Morse code for identifying a station, are made available through an audio amplifier to the cockpit audio interphone system. The sensitivity switch is used in the low position if an ILS approach is to be made, and in the high position at cruise altitudes. The marker beacon system is turned on when the airplane electrical buses are energized, and the applicable MKR BCN circuit breaker is closed. It receives VHF signals consisting of a 75 megahertz carrier; amplitude modulated with 400, 1300, or 300 Hertz, depending on which of the three marker beacon signals is received. These signals are converted to an aural and visual output to indicate passage over a marker beacon transmitter.

Marker Beacon System (cont'd.)

Airway markers are usually associated with specific aids to enroute navigation (or holding points) and provide the operator with an exact position at the time of passing over the associated range station. Airway marker facilities are identified when the white lights come on and a 3,000 Hertz tone is heard. Outer and middle markers are associated with an instrument landing system. The outer marker is usually located directly below the point where an airplane on a localizer course should intersect the glideslope and start descending. An outer marker is identified when the blue lights come on and a 400 Hertz tone is emitted. The middle marker is located near the runway, usually under the point on the glidepath where a descent could be discontinued. A middle marker is identified when the amber lights come on and a 1,300 Hertz tone is emitted.

Outer Marker Beacon

Midle Marker

Inner