Today we get on an airplane and never give any thought to how the pilot finds an airport half way around the world, or on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. Things are easy today we have GPS which will take us to any point on the earth within about 20 feet. And from almost any point we can whip out a cell phone and talk to almost anybody in the world.

The evolvement of this communication and navigation technology I find very interesting. Much to my delight in Blythe, Arizona there is what I believe to be the first type of Microwave antennas. (I doubt is is in use.) It represents, the first step in replacing miles of wires strung on poles. I have a couple photos of these microwave antennas, which I will soon add to this web page. For now I just have a few links where you can read about the early aircraft navigation.

If you are interested in Old Aviation Beacons, here are some links:
This link covers navigation aids from Airway Beacons through 4-course low frequency ranges and VOR to GPS!

This link is a good one too!

This link will take you to an article on airway beacons (in the bottom half of the page). The photo of the Airway Beacon tower also shows the typical concrete pad for the tower and the equipment shed that also incorporated an arrow pointing to the next beacon. I suspect that even where the tower has been removed the concrete may still be present, especially in the more remote areas.

Someone in Wyoming has been out photographing the remains of the Airway Beacons.

1. Scroll down to Wyoming and go to "Wyoming Beacon History" in the center column. That page has links to the seven photos also listed under "Wyoming Beacon History."
2. On the first page near the end see the line drawing under "Miscellaneous" and "Light Line Airway Beacon 1931."
3. Then, on the first page, go to "Unknown Locations" and see the 9 photos starting with "Light Line ... "

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