F-16 radio navigation (ILS/VOR/TACAN) Noob question.

[Hiob]

I'm not quite sure if a bug, a feature or a wrong understanding on my side.

When I tune in a TACAN/VOR or ILS and am out of range of the tuned transmitter, shouldn't I hear static noise?

Or are the radios in the F-16 advanced enough to silence the static when they don't receive a strong enough carrier?

(For context - the map was SA)

Edited September 16, 2024 by Hiob

[razo+r]

Normally, if squelch is turned on, you shouldn't hear any static noise. Turn squelch off and you should hear the static noise.

[Lord Vader]

@Hiob

The receivers responsible for TACAN and ILS (AUDIO2) are indeed capable of squelching automatically. 

@razo+ryou can only manually turn off squelching for Comm1 and Comm2 audio. 

[Hiob]

12 minutes ago, Lord Vader said:

@Hiob

The receivers responsible for TACAN and ILS (AUDIO2) are indeed capable of squelching automatically. 

@razo+ryou can only manually turn off squelching for Comm1 and Comm2 audio. 

Thank you! Got it.

Is the squelch turned on/off by the DDI or is there a switch in the cockpit that I didn't found yet.

(I am a complete noob when it comes to all things radio related - just starting to get into it)

[Lord Vader]

Check the left console panel for AUDIO1, you will have two knobs with the labels OFF (turns off squelching), SQL (default position, squelch on) and GD (to monitor the guard frequency) for both Comm 1 and Comm 2 radios. 

[Hiob]

4 minutes ago, Lord Vader said:

Check the left console panel for AUDIO1, you will have two knobs with the labels OFF (turns off squelching), SQL (default position, squelch on) and GD (to monitor the guard frequency) for both Comm 1 and Comm 2 radios. 

Roger. TY