CONSOL

long-range radio-navigation system by means of which ships and aircraft can determine their position. A consol radio transmitter operating at 250 to 350 kilohertz radiates a rotating pattern divided into lobes. Alternate lobes are modulated with Morse-code dots and dashes, so that as the pattern rotates, a receiver at a distant point will first hear dots, then a continuous tone (midway between the lobes), and then dashes. By properly interpreting this sequence and referring to a special chart, the operator can determine the bearing of the consol transmitter; a similar fix on another consol transmitter gives the location of the receiver. A rough approximation of bearing (within 10 to 15) may be necessary, as by a radio compass. No special receiver is required with this system. Consol bearings are accurate to within 1 or 2, sometimes at distances of more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres). The disadvantage of the system is in the relatively long time (more than one minute) required to take bearings on two stations for a fix. Consol is the British name for the system, which was originated (under the name of Sonne) by the Germans during World War II. A similar U.S. system is called consolan.