Well, I don't know if this has a bearing (no pun intended) on your original question, but here are some sources with more information that you probably wanted on how TACAN works:
I also came across a reference, actually and advertising brochure for a common shipboard TACAN set, and it said that it provided a range of about 300 nm.
I always thought that the TACAN in F/A-18 was TOO good, since being introduced to Falcon4 SP3 where the TACAN DME (distance measuring equipment) is limited depending on the airfield with some TACAN's only good to 40-50 nm.. The simulated F/A-18 TACAN IS probably too good, but 300 nm covers most missions I have flown
