BBC Focus Magazine

[Tarron]

Hey,

I'm Tarron, a 24 year old Avionics Technician in the RAF. I'm a father of 2 boys with a girl due in September. My interests include zoology, evolutionary biology, and generally animals to the point that a I own 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bearded dragons, a Yemen chameleon and soon, a trio of electric blue geckos.

Some people may remember me from around 2 years ago, as 'Fairy - Man and boy'. I lost touch just after the big wipe and server change, when my work load increased. Hopefully this time I will be able to keep involved bit more.

So once again, hey, nice to be back

[Shadowwolf]

Welcome back my good fellow

[M Paul Lloyd]

Yes welcome back Tarron, who was once 'Fairy - Man and boy', you are most welcome.
Good to see the RAF still has some of its own technicians on strength.

[Tarron]

Hi guys.

And mpl, we in the typhoon world look to be pretty safe any way, but so far, other than trainees I believe, no one has been forced out. All voluntary or time ex.

Glad to be back

[M Paul Lloyd]

Per Ardua and all that.

[M Paul Lloyd]

And whilst I'm on, what type of magnetrons does the Typhoon use in its radar system Tarron? And how much of the old wave guide has been replaced with cable?

Its just that I have spent the last twenty odd years working on the now defunct Harrier systems and I'm intrigued to know how things have advanced.

[Tarron]

As far as the magnetrons go, I will have to get back to you as I'm on leave and can't remember that off hand, but all the usual waveguides are used, from the transmitter through the switching unit and onwards.

I know many ex harrier lads, all who seem a little bitter toward the typhoon. It's not a bad jet, its just relatively new and needs to prove itself, lol.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Ah yes well one can get rather attached to certain kites.

I'm intrigued to learn that you still use actual waveguide in the Typhoon as I was told that cable would kill it off but presumably you can still get more info' out of actual microwaves rather than plain old signal? The magnetrons in the Harrier were double ended affairs, a bit like small frying pans in shape sweated onto a barrel in opposing pairs all made from oxygen free copper.
Very tricky to get right they were too.

[Tarron]

To be honest radar isn't my forte, but I would assume its much easier to convert the waves right as you require the info than to convert it then distribute over cabling, risking losses.

[M Paul Lloyd]

That would make sense. Anyway it is possible that we might stray into 'classified' territory so best I leave it.