FCC Exam Question: 3-70K2

What is the frequency range of the marker beacon system used to indicate an aircraft's position during an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to an airport's runway?

A. The outer, middle, and inner marker beacons’ UHF frequencies are unique for each ILS equipped airport
B. The outer marker beacon’s carrier frequency is 400 MHz, the middle marker beacon’s carrier frequency
C. The outer, the middle, and the inner marker beacon’s carrier frequencies are all 75 MHz but the marker
D. The outer, marker beacon’s carrier frequency is 3000 kHz, the middle marker beacon’s carrier frequency
Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Marker beacons, an integral part of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), all operate on a common carrier frequency of 75 MHz. This standardization allows aircraft to use a single receiver to detect all three types of beacons (outer, middle, and inner). The distinction between the outer, middle, and inner markers is achieved not by unique carrier frequencies, but by different audio modulation tones and distinct Morse code identification patterns heard by the pilot. For example, the outer marker uses a 400 Hz tone, the middle a 1300 Hz tone, and the inner a 3000 Hz tone. Option A is incorrect because the 75 MHz frequency is universal, not unique to each airport. Option B incorrectly states a 400 MHz carrier, which is a UHF frequency, while marker beacons operate at 75 MHz (VHF). Option D is incorrect as 3000 kHz (3 MHz) is significantly lower than the actual 75 MHz operating frequency.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.