RSBN/PRGM Channels

[mytai01]

It seems that all the documentation and even the game map has wrong information for the MiG-21's RSBN/PRGM channels.

[Frederf]

You may be looking at channels for the L-39 which are not the same as for the MiG-21. For example, Krasnodar-Center is:

 

L-39

RSBN 40, PRMG 38

 

MiG-21

RSBN 03, PRMG 03

[mytai01]

If you select the F10 view during the game, and click on an airfield you will be shown information for that field. If the field has RSBN a channel is also shown. If you read the documentation for the same airfield in one of the various pdf files you will be given a different channel for that same airfield's RSBN. And, if you fly different aircraft they each have different channels for the same airfield's RSBN. There is a disparity between sources of information. I would think it should be addressed.

 

As for the differences between aircraft I have to ask if RSBN stations have a fixed channel, or are the channels on the aircraft tuned to specific frequencies for each mission? Of course, being that the system is purely a Russian one only Russian aircraft would have this system.

[Frederf]

The F10 map info is all the theater-based beacons which corresponds to the L-39. The MiG-21 documentation includes its manual, kneeboard, and cockpit placards and no F10 information will pertain to its system use. It's best to think of of the L-39 and MiG-21 as entirely separate systems even in cases where both aircraft are at the same airfield.

 

You ask a really good question about channelization, if it's preferential assignment in a continuous available range or if the frequencies are rigidly defined by mandate or even physically in the hardware. There is also the possibility that the signals are rigidly defined in the ground hardware and/or laws but there is free association for which dial position of the airborne equipment corresponds to what ground signal.

 

 

Reading this: [ame=http://forums.eagle.ru/www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a044698.pdf]www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a044698.pdf[/ame]

 

 

At least in some older equipment there were 10 quartz crystal generated frequencies and 4 pulse coding options for a total of 40 distinguishable signals. This corresponds well to the L-39s 40 dial positions. This also suggests that there was no free association of airborne equipment since there is no need if all signals have a dial potion.

 

The fact the MiG-21 has 20 dial positions (21 if you include the "00" no signal position) suggests that it either receives half the number of fundamental frequencies or more likely is missing half of the pulse coding modes the L-39 can use.

 

I would be very interested to see manuals for RSBN airborne equipment that either describes tuning dial positions to various frequencies and code modes or statement that this is contrary to the design of the equipment. At this moment I suspect that the equipment is like TACAN, the dial positions are fixed and represent no loss in signal choice by configuration of presets or lack thereof.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Frederf