VOR Voice Characteristics
 

Just a few questions regarding VOR voice characteristics.

I have read in several sources that VORs may have an accompanying voice identification in addition to the Morse code identification. Flying around I have never heard this. I was wondering if anyone here has, and if possible, could list some VORs that currently have this.

I've also read that VORs may transmit "test" (or "TST") in Morse code in lieu of their 3-letter identification during maintenance. Again, I've never heard this. Typically whenever a VOR has been NOTAM'ed temporarily out of service I've just seen no signal on the air and didn't hear anything.

Lastly, whenever there is an AWOS or ASOS broadcast over a VOR, is it simply overlaid on top of the identification like HIWAS, or is it timed, i.e. the identification only takes place between transmissions?

Thanks

I've heard VOR's setup as relay transmitters for FSS, etc but I don't recall one ever identifying itself by name. But there's no reason they couldn't.

If it fails completely, it obviously goes off the air.

If it fails such that it provides inaccurate nav data, they will turn it off until it can be repaired (so as not to confuse people who don't check NOTAMs).

When technicians attempt to repair a navaid, that's when you might see a test signal, which might provide nav data of unkown accuracy. So I think you'd only hear the TST code while they are actually repairing, calibrating, or testing the navaid.


IIRC, it's just overlaid. They have to keep the standard interval between ID signals, otherwise pilots might think the navaid is OOS.

It's been years since I've listened to a VOR but I remember giving a bunch of checkrides at ADM and you'd hear "Ardmore V O R" mixed with the morse ID. I thought most of them had voice ID. Now you're going to make me charge up the handheld and drive by some of the VORs in town.

There are a bunch out there with voice identification. "Marion....V...O...R...bee beep, b bee beep, ect." I always thought that if you could discern the voice ID, that was just as good (faster and easier) than decoding the Morse ID.

I remember years ago the VOR would voice identify in between the Morse code. I honestly have to say I haven't listened for it recently. Now I'm dating myself again...:cool:

Thanks everyone for the replies, and rickair7777 for the thoroughness. I've heard several people say that voice ID is common, but I haven't seen it in my experience. I'm curious to hunt some down; Twin Wasp, you mentioned that Ardmore had voice ID.....do you or anyone else know of any other VORs that had/have this in Kansas Oklahoma area?

And ddd333, the AIM does mention that either voice or Morse code is legal to ID a VOR.

I haven't heard voice ID much. Maybe it's an east-coast thing?

Ormond Beach VOR used to do it IIRC.