Ciao guys, please let me first apologize for posting this question but I think I'm helpless and need a hint. I'm a very beginner on flight simulation and right now trying to work with VOR navigation on the default Cessna 172 in FS9.1. The situation is that I am placed with the default Cessna 172 at Chicago Meigs RWY 36 and try to tune in the VORTAC of O'Hare at 113.90 MhZ- Now the problem is, after tuning NAV1 to 113.90 MhZ, the CDI won't move in the gauge and the DME won't display the NM distance either. Just nothing happens.(Also, I can't listen to VOR morse although I try as described in the learning center)Can you help me? What am I doing wrong? I appreciate your help. Thanks!

I can't remember if the default 172 has a GPS/VOR switch on the panel or not. If it does, be sure that the VOR is selected, not GPS.Also, you might not be able to receive the VOR signal while on the ground due to line of site limitations. This is normal and very realistic.Also be sure that the avionics master switch is turned on.Check these things first.ScottATP/CFII/DA20 Type Rated - Instructor Pilot - USAFA (KAFF), Colorado Springs, CO & at KCOSAOPA #00956593, since 1987Background in Corporate, Airline, and General AviationB.S. Degree in Computer Information SystemsGamming System Specs: (Built this one myself)AMD Athlon-64 3000+ Gigabyte K8NS nForce3-250 Chipset 8x AGP Main Board 1GB DDR400 PC3200 Memory 160GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive 16x DVD-ROM Audigy 2ZS Gammer Sound Card5.1 Channel Surround Sound Speakers256MB GeForce-5700 8X AGP Video Forceware 77.77 driversDual 17" LCD and CRT monitorsCotytech Gaming CaseCH Products Yoke, Rudder Pedals, Throttle QuadrantSaitek Cyborg Gold Joystic for Helo's & Stick equipped aircrafteDimensional AudioFX force feedback vibration headsets & micWindows XP Pro SP2Home Network for using the Instructor StationFS9COF Sliders maxed with other settings at their best quality positions

The Cessna has got a NAV/GPS switch indeed, and it is turned to NAV but no change (Master Avionics also on). Do you maybe have another idea?

Welcome to the forum. The NAV receiver and DME won't work on the ground at KCGX. Go ahead and take off. When you have gained 50-100 feet of altitude both the CDI and the DME will come alive.Doug

Thank you Captain! This worked fine. One question: Do VORs generally not tune in for when you're on the runway? You always have to be in the air?

VOR's operate on line-of-sight principles, like most radios. So yes, it's very common to have to be in the air to receive them, and even then if the path to the VOR is blocked by any obstruction - like a hill, tall buildings then reception may not be achievable. Finally, in the real world VOR reception is never very predictable - 10 miles on a bad day, 40 on a good. And it has little to do with the strength of the signal, as radio interference and atmospherics play a huge part on the detection range.FS is MUCH to straightforward and predictable in this regard. Hope this helps.Allcott

>Finally, in the real world VOR reception is never very>predictable - 10 miles on a bad day, 40 on a good. And it has>little to do with the strength of the signal, as radio>interference and atmospherics play a huge part on the>detection range.>>FS is MUCH to straightforward and predictable in this regard.>Which means in reality.....Use the GPS, to actually "get" to where you're going, and VOR/DME as a play toy to occupy your time on the way! :D L.Adamson

GPS also has the advantage of not having the cone of confusion. You can make a much more precise turn on an airway with GPS than you can with VORs.

But you can't the cricket scores on a GPS!(UK flyers ADF joke. For Americans: Cricket is a game that goes on for hours, with occasional breaks. Unlike American Football, which has hours of breaks, and the occasional game!)Allcott