AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: MrT on September 26, 2009, 03:53:46 AM
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Hi all,
I'm a new forum member and thinking of purchasing the RadarBox.
Advice and help with couple of questions would be most welcomed.
I am in Melbourne, Australia and was wondering what the coverage is like for this region.
ie; Could I also receive Sydney traffic from this distance ?
What can I expect from the unit at the end of the first free years network service if I don't renew the subscription ?
Is the software supported with free ongoing upgrades ?
I'm sure I'll think of more questions.
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Could I also receive Sydney traffic from this distance ?
Presumably you mean receive via your own box rather than over the network ? (there is no distance limit for network traffic).
AFAIK it's almost 400nm from Melbourne to Sydney, so the answer is No, that's way beyond the range of Mode S, which is basically line-of-sight.
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Thanks for that.
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What can I expect from the unit at the end of the first free years network service if I don't renew the subscription ?
You'll still have full functionality of the program, including registration/photo/route downloads, etc. The only thing you won't have is the network traffic, so you're Radarbox will display aircraft received locally - approx. 200-250nm from your home location depending on line-of-sight reception conditions.
Is the software supported with free ongoing upgrades ?
Yes. Currently closed beta testing v3.06, and there have been several versions previously (1.4, 1.6, 2.0 I think).
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Thanks,
Do you know if the new 3D version will be freely available to current users/owners of RB ? If not, I might hold off on buying it till that version is released
Cheers,
Paul.
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Airnav have said:
We are still making decisions regarding on how RadarBox 3D will be offered: free or with a very small upgrade fee. This will be announced in early Nov only. Our focus is now just on development.
See http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=3333.msg31579#msg31579 for Airnav's post on this subject.
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Thanks,
If thats the case, I might just go ahead and purchase.
Cheers,
Paul.
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To my knowledge up to now all upgrades to the airnav box have been made available to existing customers. You only have to pay extra for the network and possibly 3D but no change is required to the hardware.
Kevin
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Thanks Kevin,
Is it really as good as it sounds ?
I've got my credit card out and its burning my fingers!!!
Paul :)
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Be warned Paul.
They are very addictive!
:o)
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Hi Doug,
Yes, I can imagine.
Looks great from the screen shots and what I've read so far.
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Thanks Kevin,
Is it really as good as it sounds ?
I've got my credit card out and its burning my fingers!!!
Paul :)
Yes, it really is!
The forum is very helpul as well.
Kevin
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Jeeze you blokes are making it tough for me!
I might have to buy one I think!!
Cheers,
Paul.
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Have a shop around Paul.
The cheapest I found was a local store to me who has them on special offer at the moment.
It is Flightstore (http://www.flightstore.co.uk/prod/KINAIRNAV/) in Mirfield West Yorkshire.
Of course that won't help you as you seem to be in Australia.
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Thanks Doug,
I'll do that. I just went to order direct from Airnav, but stopped short when I saw the shipping cost!
About $60 Euro!
I think there is a place here in Melbourne that sells it.
Will shop around.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Go to the dealers list and you will see that there are 2 dealers in Victoria.
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Thanks, I spotted that.
I'll have a look.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Hi all,
Just joined your ranks with an online purchase from VicScan Computer Solutions
here in Melbourne.
Can't wait to try it out!
Cheers,
Paul.
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The worst part is the waiting for it to arrive but it will be worth the wait.
It's a great piece of kit and this forum really is a valuable resource.
What is your location like and do you have any plans for an external antenna?
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
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The worst part is the waiting for it to arrive but it will be worth the wait.
It's a great piece of kit and this forum really is a valuable resource.
What is your location like and do you have any plans for an external antenna?
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
Hi Glyn,
Yes, worth the wait.
I am in suburban Melbourne (out Berwick way) outer SE Suburbs.
I'll see how I go with the supplied antenna. Might need to upgrade. What are most people using ?
Cheers,
Paul.
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Beauty, Its arrived!
Now I have to leave it sitting un-opened in the box as I have to go to work.
Bummer!
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Congrats MrT. The RadarBox is a great bit of kit. Have fun :)
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Thanks FlightChaser and all,
Yes, just got home from work and about to open the box.
Wonder what interesting aircraft I'll spot down this way ? Hoping I can reach as far as the Sale RAAF base and Avalon to my west.
Do you get many hits from military aircraft ?
Cheers,
Paul.
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Oh,
Just like to thank Tim and the gang from VicScan Computer Solutions for thier awesome and prompt customer service.
I ordered the RB online Saturday night with my CC and it was delivered this morning (Tuesday) around 10am.
Thanks guys.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Oh,
Just like to thank Tim and the gang from VicScan Computer Solutions for thier awesome and prompt customer service.
I ordered the RB online Saturday night with my CC and it was delivered this morning (Tuesday) around 10am.
Thanks guys.
Cheers,
Paul.
Ahhh.. so you're the one that took the last one LOL.. I plan on ordering one tomorrow.. They're site is showing an October Sale.. I plan on using my Credit card too.. Although I thought it took a while for CC payments to clear. Good to know it's quick though. I just hope it doesn't take them long to get in stock. I'm in Sydney btw.
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Hi Gleff,
Did I take the last one ? Sorry mate ; )
I ordered it Saturday night and my credit card was cleared Monday. They sent it out
Monday arvo and was here before 10am yesterday, (Tue). Not bad. But I am also in Melbourne so it didn't have far to come.
I missed out on the sale though!
I'm from Sydney too. (Kings Langley) Living in Melbourne at present (only due to a female) haha!
Haven't even opened the box yet. So busy with work commitments. Have this Friday off so plan to try it out then.
Enjoy it.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Hi Gleff,
Did I take the last one ? Sorry mate ; )
I ordered it Saturday night and my credit card was cleared Monday. They sent it out
Monday arvo and was here before 10am yesterday, (Tue). Not bad. But I am also in Melbourne so it didn't have far to come.
I missed out on the sale though!
I'm from Sydney too. (Kings Langley) Living in Melbourne at present (only due to a female) haha!
Haven't even opened the box yet. So busy with work commitments. Have this Friday off so plan to try it out then.
Enjoy it.
Cheers,
Paul.
hehe That's okay.. I'm just assuming you took the last one because I've been keeping an eye on the site, and there was 1 in stock only 2 days ago, and now it's out of stock LOL..
I'm looking forward to getting mine.. I've been trying out the software, and I already own an SBS-1 so I'm certainly making an informed decision about getting one. If it's anything like the SBS-1 and from what I can see it is better, then I doubt i'll be dissappointed. My biggest complaint about this hobby and living in Sydney is the damn curfew between 11pm-6am. I'd love to follow my hobby any time of the day, and not just during certain hours.
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My biggest complaint about this hobby and living in Sydney is the damn curfew between 11pm-6am. I'd love to follow my hobby any time of the day, and not just during certain hours.
The network feature will take care of that for you. You can see air traffic anywhere in the world (where there are radarbox users) so there's always something happening somewhere.
Also living in Sydney, I'm happy there are no planes in the air late at night! I like my sleep :)
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Are there any military movements in and out of Richmond overnight or are they included in the curfew ?
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You never see any planes at Richmond on the Radar screen at any time.
I guess the Military don't want us to know where there planes are... You'll see the odd Mode S entry for them in the interface display, but no ADS-B info.
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I guess the Military don't want us to know where there planes are
That's pretty universal. The only military aircraft we see plotting on the radar screen here in the Northern Hemisphere tend to be civilian types such as A310s, 737s, Gulfstreams, etc serving with the US, Canadian and various European air arms.
The only other, rather surprising, type that usually plots is the US Navy's E-6 Mercury fleet - we think that's because they haven't yet found out how to turn it off :-)
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Well, that spoils that. I thought you might get the odd thing in and out of there.
Got to admit, the world wide stuff on the network sounds cool but I really find the local 'live' traffic a lot more interesting.
The 5 min delay kind of takes the edge of it somehow.
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You will see some ADSB flights at Richmond (YSRI) from time to time. I watched the Pope's flight touch down when he was here and you will also see the RAAF B737s doing touch and gos.
Cheers
M
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Thanks M,
I have spent many a day out near the Richmond RAAF base spotting aircraft.
One or two interesting things to see occasionally.
I'm living in Melbourne these days so will have to rely on the network.
Cheers,
Paul.
PS, my RB is still sitting in the box, haven't had a chance to try it yet. But tommorow I have a rostered day off. Can't wait to try it out.
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Oh,
Just like to thank Tim and the gang from VicScan Computer Solutions for thier awesome and prompt customer service.
I ordered the RB online Saturday night with my CC and it was delivered this morning (Tuesday) around 10am.
Thanks guys.
Cheers,
Paul.
I know that this is a little delayed, but Thank you MrT for the positive feedback, we really appreciate it.
I am curious to know if anyone has been in contact with the other listed Australian dealer?
Thank You
Tim Roberts
VicScan Computer Solutions
www.vscs.com.au
Melbourne Based - National Distribution
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You will see some ADSB flights at Richmond (YSRI) from time to time. I watched the Pope's flight touch down when he was here and you will also see the RAAF B737s doing touch and gos.
So far I've seen only one! (and I captured it in 3D) :)
ADSB & Richmond are almost mututally exclusive...
(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8928/20091106210955.jpg) (http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8928/20091106210955.jpg)
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Hi Tim,
No worries.
I might be knocking on your door for a better antenna setup soon. Do you have them in stock again?
Cheers,
Paul.
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I know that this is a little delayed, but Thank you MrT for the positive feedback, we really appreciate it.
I am curious to know if anyone has been in contact with the other listed Australian dealer?
Thank You
Tim Roberts
VicScan Computer Solutions
www.vscs.com.au
Melbourne Based - National Distribution
Not me.. bought it from you guys and couldn't be happier. Got it super quick after ordering and i'm in Sydney.
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Good Afternoon Paul,
Due to the low number of orders, we are not keeping them in stock, rather when a customer wants one, we process and order through to our supplier, and they are made straight away. The antenna is specifically tuned to 1090MHz for this specific application.
Please allow about 1 week for the order to be completed.
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Thanks Tim,
Probably be after Xmas. I'll give you a hoy when ready.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Hey Gleff,
I think I pinched the last one in stock that you were going to buy :)
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Not a problem. If you happen to know anyone who is interested, we would appreciate you sending them our way.
By the way, did you come straight to us, or did you try to contact the other dealer?
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Hey Gleff,
I think I pinched the last one in stock that you were going to buy :)
I thought so too but then it arrived a couple of days later so they must have found one ;)
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Tim,
I went straight through you. Glad I did. I wasn't even aware of another dealer?
And I'll certainly pass on the word for you. Excellent customer service.
Cheers,
Paul.
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I will give you guys a little insight as to how we work here at VicScan Computer Solutions.
Being that we are the main dealer here in Australia, we work on a 3 sold in 2 months basis. Basically it means that if we sell 3 or more within a 2 month period, we order another 3 in stock. Also, when we sell the last one that we have on hand, provided it is within the 2 months, we order another 3 straight away, so that we always have some in stock. We currently only have one left in stock, but we are trying to move it ASAP to get our figures up... Any help moving our stock would be greatly appreciated.
With regards to the other dealer, I have heard that he is hard to get in contact with...
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Hey Gleff,
I think I pinched the last one in stock that you were going to buy :)
I thought so too but then it arrived a couple of days later so they must have found one ;)
Awseome eh? Best money I've spent in ages. Although a better antenna is on the cards.
My antenna is in the computer room and I have a 2 storey house on one side, that doesn't help.
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Awseome eh? Best money I've spent in ages. Although a better antenna is on the cards.
My antenna is in the computer room and I have a 2 storey house on one side, that doesn't help.
I actually bought the following antenna from the UK and got it shipped here.
http://www.ssejim.co.uk/26-sseads1090sj.htm
I've got it mounted on my balcony railing (I live in an apartment building in Sydney). I'm facing other office buildings and have very very little sky visible so when I ordered it I thought it was a major gamble thinking it probably won't improve things.
Boy was I wrong. While my polar diagram shows it's very directional, in one particular direction, I regularly pick up aircraft close to 400klms away (That's the furthest I've picked up.. I usually lose the signal at that point). The antenna is brilliant. And i'm not using any mast amplifier or anything. The only thing I did do, is order some Westflex 103 cable from the UK as well.
Couldn't be happier with the results.
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Sounds great gleff,
I imagine you are quite high up too ?
400k is a fantastic result.
Can you get westflex cable here in Oz ?
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Sounds great gleff,
I imagine you are quite high up too ?
400k is a fantastic result.
Can you get westflex cable here in Oz ?
I'm actually not that high up.. i'm on the 13th floor but the ground floor is on floor 9 so realistically, not that high. Having said that, the fact i'm completely surrounded by buildings you would think the signal would suck.
I couldn't find anywhere in Oz to get the westflex cable so I ended up getting it from the UK.
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Thanks Gleff,
Amazing results considering the buildings.
Just had a quick look at that site. What plugs would I need to order for each end of the cable ?
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Thanks Gleff,
Amazing results considering the buildings.
Just had a quick look at that site. What plugs would I need to order for each end of the cable ?
The antenna has an 'N' type Female socket. If you order the patch cable from him as well, it's a tiny 20 inch cable that has an 'N' type Female plug on one end, and the SMA connector on the other end which plugs into the RB. Then all you need is a good quality cable such as the Westflex 103 cable with 'N' type Male plugs on both ends. It's a pretty thick cable. The patch cable to due to the size of the SMA connector and the fact it's more flexible.
Essentially, from the antenna with a Female N connector, you plug in a cable with a Male N connector. The other end is also a Male N connector which plugs into the Female N connector on the patch cable. The patch cable then plugs into the RB with the SMA connector.
Word of advice though.. if you're going to buy a good antenna like this or any other, don't skimp on the cable.
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Thanks Gleff,
I'll look into that.
Cheers,
Paul.