irishREPUBLICANarmy's definitions

ADF

Automatic Direction Finder
or
Automatic Direction Finding System

a navagation system used by aircraft and sea-going ships. It consists of one or more ground stations that transmit a signal in the 225 to 500 kHz (.225 to .500 MHz) range. Because of the low-frequnecy of these signals, their range is very good and not limited by the line-of-sight range of the VOR system. The recevier in the airplane/boat uses a loop antenna to "home-in" on the station. There is also a long-wire receiving antenna installed on many aircraft. Most ADF receivers can also recieve the AM broadcast band (530 to 1710 kHz) so pilots can also home in on powerful broadcast stations.

ADF signals should not be used in thunderstorms because the high amount of electro-magnetic interferance that lightening causes.

Many pilots can't even use the ADF system, which is a shame, becuase of better systems such as VOR and the GPS systems.

"In most of the third world, the ADF navigation system is the only way to go"

by IrishRepublicanArmy October 21, 2003

PSK31

A digital transmission mode -- Phase Shift keying with 31.25 baud rate

PSK31 is one of the better HF operating digital modes.

by IrishRepublicanArmy January 1, 2004

radar mile

The time required for a radar pulse to travel 1 mile (~1.6 km) to an object, i.e., to a target; reflect; and return to the receiver. Note: A radar statute mile is approximately 10.8 ms (microseconds); a radar nautical mile is approximately 12.4 s. The time for any other radar unit distance is readily determined, such as the radar meter or the radar kilometer. NTIA

I listen to propagation mapping radar on the 27 MHz freeband.

by IrishRepublicanArmy January 24, 2004

blue chip

A high-quality, relatively low-risk investment; the term usually refers to stocks of large, well-established companies that have performed well over a long period.

I just put $500 on some good GE blue chip stock.

by IrishRepublicanArmy February 11, 2004

St. Patrick's Day

for better definitions see Saint Patrick's Day

a day where everyone pretends to be irish

by IrishRepublicanArmy March 8, 2004

NSA

see also Big Brother and 1984.

They listen to every radio transmission/telephone call/ etc. etc.

If it's got an antenna attached to it, the NSA is listening

by IrishRepublicanArmy November 13, 2003

lightbulb

Electric lamp consisting of a glass bulb containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated.

Geek One: What do you do in your free time?

Geek Two: Change lightbulbs!

by IrishRepublicanArmy January 27, 2004