BENDIX KING KR86 ADF

PILOTS GUIDE

This manual has been compiled by RAAC based on following reference document:

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published by:

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FOR USE BY RAAC-MEMBERS ONLY !!!

Antwerp, Revision 1.0, September 2005

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EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION.

Figure 1. Operating Controls.

The Bendix King KR86 ADF is a panel-mounted, digitally tuned automatic direction finder. It
is designed to provide continuous 1 kHz digital tuning in the frequency range of 200 kHz to
1,799 kHz and eliminates the need for mechanical band switching. The system is comprised
of a receiver, a built-in bearing indicator and a combined loop and sense antenna. Operating
controls and displays for the Bendix King KR86 ADF are shown in Figure 1.

The audio systems used in conjunction with this radio for speaker-phone selection are shown
and described in other RAAC-avionics brochures.

The Bendix King KR86 ADF can be used for position plotting and homing procedures, and
for aural reception of amplitude-modulated (AM) signals. With the function selector knob at
ADF, the Bendix King KR86 ADF provides a visual indication, on the bearing indicator, of
the bearing to the transmitting station relative to the nose of the airplane. This is done by
combining signals from the sense antenna with signals from the loop antenna.

With the function selector knob at ANT, the Bendix King KR86 ADF uses only the sense
antenna and operates as a conventional low-frequency receiver.

With the function selector knob at BFO, a 1000 Hz tone beat frequency oscillator is activated,
permitting coded identifier of stations transmitting keyed CW signals (Morse code) to be
heard.

The Bendix King KR86 ADF is designed to receive transmission from the following radio
facilities: commercial AM broadcast stations, lowfrequency range stations, non-directional
radio beacons, ILS compass locators.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.

Turn-on.

Rotate the ON/OFF/VOL knob [3] clockwise from the detented OFF position. The unit will
be activated and will be ready to operate. Rotation of this control also adjusts audio volume.
The KR 86 has audio muting which causes the audio output to be muted unless the receiver
is locked on a valid station.

Frequency Selection.

The frequency to which the ADF is tuned is displayed in the window [1] at all times. The
frequency is selected using the frequency select knobs [2] which may be rotated either
clockwise or counterclockwise. The most left one selects 100-kHz increments of receiver
frequency; the middle one selects 10-kHz increments; and the right one selects 1-kHz
increments.

Operating Modes.

The ADF mode is selected when the operating mode selector [4] is set in the left ADF
position. ADF activates the bearing pointer [7] of the KR86 indicator, causing it to move
without hesitation to point in the direction of the station relative to the aircraft heading.

The compass card [6] on the KR86 indicator may be rotated as desired by using the
heading/test knob [5] to indicate either relative, magnetic, or true heading of aircraft if
correctly aligned with the lubber line [8].

Antenna (ANT) mode is selected when the operating mode selector [4] is set in the middle
ANT position. The KR86 will behave as a standard communication receiver using only the
sense antenna. ANT provides improved audio reception from the station tuned and is usually
used for identification. The bearing pointer [7] in the KR86 indicator will be de-activated and
will remain steady during ANT reception.

Some stations are unmodulated and use an interrupted carrier for identification purposes. The
BFO mode, activated when operating mode selector [4] is set in the right BFO position,
permits the carrier wave and the associated Morse code identifier broadcast on the carrier
wave to be heard.

ADF Test (PRE-FLIGHT OR IN-FLIGHT)

Push the heading/test knob [5] to test bearing reliability. While pushed in TEST, slews the
bearing pointer [7] clockwise; when released, if bearing is reliable, the bearing pointer [7]
should move without hesitation back to the original bearing position. Excessive sluggishness,
wavering or reversals indicate a signal that is too weak or a system malfunction.

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Erroneous ADF Bearings Due to Radio Frequency Phenomena.

Station Overlap

Occasionally the same frequency may be allocated to more than one station in
an area. Certain conditions, such as Night Effect, may cause signals from
such stations to overlap. This should be taken into consideration when using
AM broadcast stations for navigation.

Sunspots and atmospheric phenomena may occasionally distort reception so

that signals from two stations on the same frequency will overlap. For this
reason it is always wise to make positive identification of the station being
tuned, by switching the function selector to ANT and listening for station call
letters.

Electrical Storms

In the vicinity of electrical storms, an ADF Indicator pointer tends to swing

from the station tuned toward the electrical discharges. Location of the storm
can be useful information, but the erratic behavior of the pointer should be
taken into account.

Night Effect

This is a disturbance particularly strong just after sunset and just after dawn.
An ADF indicator pointer may swing erratically at these times. If possible,
tune to the most powerful station at the lowest frequency. If this is not
possible, take the average of pointer oscillations to determine relative station
bearing.

Mountain Effect

Radio waves reflecting from the surface of mountains may cause the pointer
to fluctuate or show an erroneous bearing. This should be taken into account
when taking bearings over mountainous terrain.

Coastal Refraction

Radio waves may be refracted when passing from land to sea or when moving
parallel to the coastline. This should be taken into account when operating
near coastal areas.

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SPECIFICATIONS.

FEATURES

Panel mount ADF receiver with built-in ADF indicator

Digitally tuned solid state receiver
Tuning speed is typically 0.1 second from time frequency is selected
Typically used with KA-42B combined loop/sense antenna for easy 2-piece installation

SPECIFICATIONS

Size: 6.25"W x 2.60"H x 9.05"L

Weight: 3.1 lbs.

Design: All solid state, convection and radiation cooled

Applicable Documents: FAA Minimum Operation Characteristics (MOC)

RTCA Document DO-137

Frequency Range: 200KHz to 1799KHz in 1 KHz increments

Receiver Selectivity: 6dB bandwidth: +-1.0 KHz min ;

55dB bandwidth: +-6 KHz max

Bearing Accuracy: + 3 degrees from 70 uV/m to 0.5 V/m

RF input signal level

Power Requirements: 13.75 VDC at 0.5 amps (ADF Mode)

0.35 amps (ANT Mode)

Temperature Range: -15 to +55C (continuous)

Altitude Range: Up to 30,000 feet

Receiver Senstivity: 100uV/m max for s+n/n = 6dB (ADF mode)

Indicator Speed: 6 seconds typical with indicator 175 deg. off bearing
and 70 uv/m to 0.5 v/m rf input signal level