AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: jetset on April 05, 2009, 08:27:39 PM
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Hi all.
I've had my Radarbox for nearly a week now and I'm already looking at ways to increase my range.
I'm about 80 metres above the sea and getting barley 40 mile coverage from the supplied aerial to the north of me with the aerial sitting on top of open window.
I'm thinking about the Radar Rama purely on it's size (quite discreet looking),and mounting on the chimney but am open to suggestions.
So please bring em on.
Steve
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Hi Steve have a look at this thread. I have attached my polar diagram taken just now with the aerial mounted outside for 4 days now.
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=2388.0
John
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Have a look at this http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=2456.0 this is my setup and the range I'm getting from it.
Stuart
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Impressive stuff guys..thanks
These aerials are quite large aren't they..? I'd love to have the balls to put one up on my house but I'm concerned as to what the neighbours will think. (hence my interest in the radar rama, quite small and discreet)
I take it you guys don't have this 'problem'..;-)
Also, I've noticed that ,like you two, most people here use a preamp. Is this a must.? They seem quite expensive and I'm not entirely sure what they do.
I'm on the understanding that height is the main factor.
Cheers
Steve
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Hi Steve,
While deciding on which aerial your going to purchase try and get your aerial as high as possible. I had similar range trouble when I first had my RB. Put the aerial on a biscuit tin lid in the loft and it made a big differance. Currently experimenting with it on a pole with said tin lid fixed to the top outside bedroom window, its just clear of the roof apex. Its been running like that since Friday afternoon and will stay while the weather holds fine.
On the strength of what I've seen on differant threads I am about to purchase a DPD aerial. I to am 80M amsl. Polar diagram attached.
Cheers John Derby/EGNX
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Hi Steve,
While deciding on which aerial your going to purchase try and get your aerial as high as possible. I had similar range trouble when I first had my RB. Put the aerial on a biscuit tin lid in the loft and it made a big differance. Currently experimenting with it on a pole with said tin lid fixed to the top outside bedroom window, its just clear of the roof apex. Its been running like that since Friday afternoon and will stay while the weather holds fine.
On the strength of what I've seen on differant threads I am about to purchase a DPD aerial. I to am 80M amsl. Polar diagram attached.
Cheers John Derby/EGNX
Nice John
I'd love to have that kind of coverage down here.
I'll certainly look at moving my aerial up into the loft and see what that produces.
Steve
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Hi Steve,
If you look in this thread I have posted various screenshots of my experimenting including loft.
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=2422.0
HTH Cheers John Derby/EGNX
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Hi Steve The DPD is about 5 feet in length and coverd in a grey pastic pipe, part of it's weather protection, sounds horrible I know. I have it on a 6 foot pole and this fixed to the chimney stack. It sounds horrible and did attract the attention of the neighbours. However after asking what it was and then "can I see the radarbox" their feedback has been positive.
I must say I arrive home now and don't notice it a friend called today and i had to point it out to him. I don't have any preamp fitted the range is from the DPD and the Westlex cable. As others have said the height seems to be the main factor. I'll try and attach a picture for info.
I am sure you will find a difference even moving the aerial to your loft, be warned though if you are enjoying the box now any increase in range is seriously addictive. Anyhow I hope you get something sorted and continue to enjoy the hobby.
EDIT Picture attached not a great shot but you get the idea.
regards
John
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Not wishing to purchase an antenna at the moment, I made a basic 1/4 wave antenna and mounted it outside. Coverage and antenna can be seen here http://allan.kissack.co.uk/index.php?page=radarbox (http://allan.kissack.co.uk/index.php?page=radarbox)
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Hi JETSET, this is the rig I have from these suppliers.It is mounted on the chimney stack with the TV aerial, not ideal, but not a word from anyone. I also put a discone up for the scanner and the wife some flowers, see photo!
http://whwestlake.110mb.com/
http://www.ssejim.co.uk/26-sseads1090sj.htm
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anorak, How is the discone supported off the main mast? not too clear on that image and resolution didnt allow me to zoom in
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Allan
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Thanks for sharing your setups people..
Not sure the Mrs would be impressed if I stuck something like these up on my roof. lol.
For now.. I'm just going to put the supplied aerial in the loft, but am going to need coax, and plugs to connect it with.
Your advice on that would be helpful.
Cheers
Steve
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It comes of a swansneck, I think its called, at right angles from the main mast. Get enough westflex to carry on to an external aerial , she`ll never know. If flowers don`t work try chocs as well.
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Quick update.
I've connected my Scanner aerial (scan king type) wich is in the loft via RG213 coax.
Currently receiving in excess of 60 flights and improved my coverage to the south coast and beyond.!!!
What will a dedicated aerial mounted on the roof give me..?
John..You're right..this is highly addictive and the neighbours and wife might just have to...well you know..;-)
Steve
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Hi Steve, that is some very interesting and useful info.. Just goes to show that the "suck and see" technique works, but bear in mind, if you're already getting a near optimum signal, things might not improve a great deal more.
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Hello Jetset,
I have been following this thread with interest. I am also thinking of moving or renewing my aerial. Can I ask how you have connected your scanner aerial to your computer, because mine has a BNC socket on the end for the scanner.
Also can i just get a USB to USB extension lead from Maplins, to extend the length of the original supplied aerial and cable.
Thanks
Graham
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You should get far better reception with the supplied antenna than with a scanner type discone. Before I decided to go for an outside antenna I purchased a 20Ft usb extension from maplins which enabled me to piace the supplied antenna at the top of the loftspace.
This resulted in a 360 degree performance with greater range and was a vast improvement on my original window ledge position. Just experiment with the positions until you get a result you are happy with.
Martin
PS. Once you have done that you will start looking at the external antennas. I think we all go down the same road :-)
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Graham, You mean radarbox.? I used an SMA-BNC adapter.
Martin, my next experiment is to try the supplied aerial up there.
Steve
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Radar Rama from location outdoors and loft.
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=2437.0
regards
g
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Wow, that's good to see.
I'm impressed...Thanks
Steve
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Not wishing to purchase an antenna at the moment, I made a basic 1/4 wave antenna and mounted it outside. Coverage and antenna can be seen here http://allan.kissack.co.uk/index.php?page=radarbox (http://allan.kissack.co.uk/index.php?page=radarbox)
Allan was interested to know what your qth ellavation is ??
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Another update.
Swapped Scan King for supplied aerial and dropped from 15 flights to 1 (unit set to show ADS-B only)
I've plugged the Scan King back in and back up to 20 flights.
Now I'm wondering if a dedicated aerial will give me any more.
Steve
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Hi Steve, what is your approximate location and what's around you in the way of natural features, buildings, trees etc.?
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I'm in Watford, nothing much around me apart from houses.
Edit : polar diag with Scan King in loft
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Allan was interested to know what your qth ellavation is ??
Neilman2424, apologies for the delay in replying. I am in SLeaford Lincs and I think that is around 15m AMSL
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Brand new DPD antenna for sale here in the UK. Has not been in the fresh air! Still with it's original USA packaging. £90 + P+P. Contact via profile.
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Hi
I am using a home made dipole from Stansted. It is mounted on pole on the outside of the house.
Dudley