Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Strip on August 19, 2009, 02:15:13 AM

Title: Direction Finders....
Post by: Strip on August 19, 2009, 02:15:13 AM
I know everyone likes the GPS unit and at times so do I, however.

There are times whenI wish we had direction finders. When flying a scenario I think it
would really help with immersion. You could set it up so that major bases have homing
beacons. It wouldn't even have to be mandatory, I don't mind being at a disadvantage
over the current GPS we have. Its pretty easy to do but the motions would really add
to the feel. Imagine trying to find your carrier, or being deep over Germany and having
no clue where you are. Again, I am not asking it to be mandatory, but it could be for
certain events.

This would really add to the authenticity of scenario-like events for me...

<S> Strip
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: moot on August 19, 2009, 02:18:24 AM
You mean lose the clipboard aircraft icon ?
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Strip on August 19, 2009, 02:23:46 AM
Yes.....but more added.

Major or important bases could have tunable frequencies that you can get a bearing to. Get two and you can plot your position on a map to within a few miles.

Right now if you lost the icon your only reference would be land mass.

In Coral Sea that would have been a major problem.....

 :D
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: 1pLUs44 on August 19, 2009, 02:42:54 AM
Each country has an automatic tuneable frequency? Or perhaps the radar tells where YOU are? And have more distinguishable things on the game so when dar goes out?
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Strip on August 19, 2009, 03:03:26 AM
At minimum you would need to have two per country and the whole idea is to navigate without radar.

In the X,Y coordinate system you only need bearings to two known fixed points to find your position.

A carrier would need a simple homing beacon showing which way to head. In the Doolittle raid I think they used a radio broadcast to find Tokyo, Japan.
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: mensa180 on August 19, 2009, 07:14:38 AM
I don't see it working as well until each part of the map has distinguishable land marks instead of a tiled pattern.
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Strip on August 19, 2009, 07:28:27 AM
Well..

With two direction finders you dont need landmarks.

It works just as well over water.
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Helm on August 21, 2009, 08:07:02 AM
I know everyone likes the GPS unit and at times so do I, however.

There are times whenI wish we had direction finders. When flying a scenario I think it
would really help with immersion. You could set it up so that major bases have homing
beacons. It wouldn't even have to be mandatory, I don't mind being at a disadvantage
over the current GPS we have. Its pretty easy to do but the motions would really add
to the feel. Imagine trying to find your carrier, or being deep over Germany and having
no clue where you are. Again, I am not asking it to be mandatory, but it could be for
certain events.

This would really add to the authenticity of scenario-like events for me...

<S> Strip


Nice idea...how about the frequency would = the base number

Example:  to tune to A232 ....you punch in 232 in the "finder"


Helm ...out
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Strip on August 21, 2009, 08:13:01 AM
That would be cool, its how a lot of pilots found their way home.

Even to this day we still use them.
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: thndregg on August 21, 2009, 08:13:36 AM
I know everyone likes the GPS unit and at times so do I, however.

There are times whenI wish we had direction finders. When flying a scenario I think it
would really help with immersion. You could set it up so that major bases have homing
beacons. It wouldn't even have to be mandatory, I don't mind being at a disadvantage
over the current GPS we have. Its pretty easy to do but the motions would really add
to the feel. Imagine trying to find your carrier, or being deep over Germany and having
no clue where you are. Again, I am not asking it to be mandatory, but it could be for
certain events.

This would really add to the authenticity of scenario-like events for me...

<S> Strip

This would add a lot to immersion. :aok
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: Saxman on August 21, 2009, 08:50:39 AM
If you look at the Corsair's dial compass there's actually two arrows on it that rotate together. There's the thinner needle, and then there's also a larger "open" arrow. You can see it in this image:

(http://www.warbirdsite.com/PanelF4U.jpg)

I believe that larger arrow was tied to the aircraft's radio direction finder and would rotate independently of the smaller needle (which indicated the actual heading) to give the rough direction to the transmitter.

This is functional in Il-2, although the larger needle points to your next waypoint.
Title: Re: Direction Finders....
Post by: AWwrgwy on August 21, 2009, 06:50:22 PM
I open my clipboard and aim the pointy part of my plane icon in the direction I want to end upmon the map.


wrongway