Definition

1. Noun:
   • A radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for navigational purposes: A fixed transmitter that sends out a continuous or periodic radio signal to help ships, aircraft, or other vehicles determine their position or course.
   • A characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation: The specific radio signal itself, often a unique identifier, that is broadcast for navigational aid.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The pilot tuned the instrument to the radio beacon to find the airport in the fog. (The pilot used the signal from the navigational station to locate the airport.)
  • The ship's position was plotted using bearings from two different radio beacons. (The ship's location was determined by using directional signals from two separate beacon stations.)
  • The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) acts as a radio beacon to guide rescuers. (The ELT emits a specific signal to help search teams find its location.)

Advanced Usage

• "to home in on a radio beacon": To navigate directly towards the source of a radio beacon signal.
  • Search and rescue aircraft can home in on the radio beacon from a downed plane.
• "radio beacon frequency": The specific part of the radio spectrum on which a beacon transmits its signal.
  • All vessels in the area were instructed to monitor the standard radio beacon frequency.

Variants and Related Words

• Beacon (n): A more general term for a light, fire, or radio signal that serves as a warning or guide.
  • The lighthouse served as a vital beacon for sailors.
• Radio navigation aid (navaid) (n): A broader category of equipment, including radio beacons, used for navigation.
  • VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) is a common type of radio navigation aid.

Synonyms

• Radio marker: A transmitter that marks a specific location.
• Radio guidance signal: A signal used to direct or guide movement.
• Locator beacon: A beacon specifically for determining or signaling location.

Related Phrases

• Radio beacon station: The complete installation, including the transmitter and antenna, that broadcasts the beacon signal.
  • The old radio beacon station on the cliff has been decommissioned.
• Radio beacon identification: The unique code or modulation pattern that identifies a specific beacon.
  • The controller confirmed the aircraft was receiving the correct radio beacon identification.

Related Idioms

• To be a beacon of hope: While not specific to radio, this idiom uses the core concept of a "beacon" as a guiding signal. A "radio beacon" is a literal, technical version of this concept.
  • (Figurative) Her courage was a beacon of hope for the team. (Literal) The radio beacon was a beacon of hope for the lost sailors.

Noun

1. a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for navigational purposes
2. a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation