LearAvian PB10-A
Return to The Portable Collection The Lear Corporation (founded by William Lear) is probably best known for its private jets. However, Bill Lear was an avid enthusiast of electronic technology that could benefit his customers. This enthusiasm produced the 8-Track tape cartridge system (a mixed blessing) as well as other products. |
The 'LearAvian' series of
radios were probably designed and built for the private
pilot of propeller driven planes from the days of yore.
It is equipped with its three bands for a definite
purpose. The AM Broadcast band, for entertainment. The
'Marine' Shortwave band, for time signals, ship-to-shore
communications and US Coast Guard services.The 'Airways'
Longwave band for weather and navigation beacons and
airport communications. From the early days of aviation until the mid 1950's, the only reliable means of radio navigation was by use of a directional antenna and a receiver tuned to either commercial AM broadcast stations or special low-power beacons. Finding the null-point of a beat signal would align the receiver with the beacon (or station) - a simple but effective aid to navigation when used with the correct charts. Such simple RDF methods fell out of favour once the higher frequency VOR systems came into commercial use. Whilst mariners have had LORAN and the British DECCA 'Navigator' systems since the late 1940's, private pilots, like their sea-going brethren, now rely on GPS. Last updated 25th May 2005 |