Radio Range Navigation
Description
This add-on for MSFS simulates the basic function of an the 1940's and 1950's radio range navigation.
Including a historically correct database of 400 stations from 1944 in the lower US 48 states. More stations can be added by the user.
An illustrated tutorial is included.
Installation & use
Unzip the file to a folder of your choice
This add-on runs outside of MSFS. It requires some alt-TAB.
Run the application after running MSFS.
This add-on may be use with any aircraft, ship, or car in MSFS.
Discord support
No support is offered beyond a discord channel “MSFS Astro Navigators Lounge”: DISCORD
Acknowledgement
A big and special thanks to Doug Davis, for his excellent site at https://flyingthebeams.com/
Donate
Developing this add-on, and creating the guide have cost me heaps of time.
I enjoyed it.
Still, feel free to help me pay for my graphics card upgrade for MSFS via the Donate button in flightsim.to.
September 2021, Eric van der Veen.
52°04’N, 4°14’E (Approximately)
ElectronVolt 
Truly, an astonishing accomplishment! Some beers on the way shortly.
A very minor correction on the location of one of the ranges, the Whitmore, California, range (AWH). The .csv file provided to plot the locations in LittleNavMap is a superb source and makes plotting cross country flights much easier. Having used it a bit (and LOVING it), I decided to try finding any traces of some of the old sites. Most of course have vanished, but the Whitmore site appears to still be there. It's on page 35 and 49 of the included facilities listing. By reference to the plotted location in LNM, it's just south of Whitmore road. Looking at the same location in Google Earth, just to the north of the road from where it's plotted in LNM you can still see the entire site (5 poles for the range antennas and two more for comm, plus the blockhouse), just like one of the pictures here: https://flyingthebeams.com (about halfway down the "What it Was" page).
7 months ago
fedflyer
Hi ElectronVolt, the description of Radio Range Navigation says that this add-on may be used with any aircraft, ship, or car in MSFS. However when I want to use it for instance in a Cessna 172, this aircraft (and most aircraft!) has no radio equipment to tune in a radio beam station nor can you hear the N of A. You need a historical 1930s radio, so how can you say that is may be used with any aircraft?
2 years ago
Because this download version is stand-alone, it runs outside of MSFS. It does not even know what aircraft you have. So, you can run the .exe, it will connect to MSFS and retrieve aircraft position, and then play the sounds accordingly. You operate it from the GUI, not a radio unit. I used it with the DC-6B, the MB-339, and more. Only the version that comes with the B247 which has the radio unit remains restricted to the B247.
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
Simmer99
Hi Eric, where can I find the add-on GUI to use? I've looked into the files of the folder "MSFS FlyingTheBeam v1.002" but no file that looks like this add-on?
2 years ago
Not sure I understand correctly. In the install folder for 1.002 just click the FlyingTheBeam v1.002.exe and it should work with the GUI.
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
Simmer99
Hi Eric,
I love to use your beautifull work. I do think you did an outstanding job!
I'm using your work in the new B247 from Wing42.
You extended the beacon database there to Alaska, Europe, Hawai, etc.
I understand you must have been very busy for the B247 but is there a way to use these in this addon so I can use them with other aircraft too?
Thanks anyway for your wonderfull addon.
2 years ago
ber123
Hi ElectronVolt and thank you for your work on the radio range navigation.
I am a 100% VR simmer and just would like to ask whether there is a way how to make this tool natively available in VR in MSFS?
Thanks.
2 years ago
The tool is improved and avail in MSFS in the recently published Boeing 247D bij Wing42.com. That should also work in VR. There are several youtube videos with reviews already.
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
apollon01
What a beautifull work have you done.
I've used the system in fs2004 too. There where some realy nice gauges too that you could build in your panels. Maybe you could use those too.
Thanks very much anyway.
2 years ago
Thank you! Unfortunately, MSFS does not feature 2D panels like FSX did.
Fortunately....something is coming. Stay tuned for the Wing42 Boeing 247....
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
ber123
This mod seems to crash Msfs as soon as you start listening to the beacon, any ideas what I'm doing wrong?
2 years ago
So I've heard before. I'm sorry. It looks like an issue between MSFS SU7 and Simconnect. Presently I do not know how to solve this.
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
AAJRimmer
Where will I find the illustrated tutorial, please?
2 years ago
DOCUMENTS folder with PDFs now included. Sorry, and thanks for bringing it up!
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
royaloak
Thank you for this and the sextant! I enjoyed the Milviz Bobcat in P3D! Do you have plans to add a Weather ships add on? Like the A2A one?
2 years ago
Topofdescent5
As always, excellent. Now, how about this for your next project....it's really great in X-Plane and is a companion for your other work :
https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/files/file/39116-1940s-lighted-airways-san-francisco-to-salt-lake-and-los-angeles-to-salt-lake/
2 years ago
royaloak
Gonna be great using this with the Ju52!
2 years ago
johnwillimas
Great work. As we can see in the included ‘Radio Facilities USA 1944’ document, the Canadian portion of the ranges we’re an integral part of the whole North American system providing for some epic winter flying and connecting to the Alaskan stations. I certainly hope that you are projecting adding theses in a future update.
2 years ago
Yes I am considering to do both Alaska and Canada, and rest of the world. For AK and ROTW I am collecting data.
2 years ago
ElectronVolt
raymnar
I have yet to use this, but holy cow this is an amazing idea. Just started using the DC6 and this seems like a very cool idea to fly using old school navigation now that many VORs are out of service. Maybe you could take this idea and add back all VORs circa 1960's!!
2 years ago
pjarnold92