AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav Radar => AirNav Radar Discussion => Topic started by: JamesH on January 09, 2016, 07:29:18 PM
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If you have applied for a RadarBox24 unit and you are using a Web Based Email Address such as Gmail, Hotmail, etc PLEASE make sure you check your Spam/Junk Folder for emails !!
I have been working hard with Andre to get Australia & New Zealand Data Feeders and we are looking at getting as many Data Feeders up and running as we can over the next weeks, months, etc !!
If you are in a Remote Area or an Area that is not already covered by RadarBox24 PLEASE go to https://www.radarbox24.com/addcoverage (https://www.radarbox24.com/addcoverage) and register your interest in becoming a Data Feeder.
James
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I have just received my box today..Do I just plug it in as I received no instructions etc. Does it just start sending data automatically. Also is it possible for me to read data sent
Kevin Cosgrove
Dunedin
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If you have received a RB Comstation (Ethernet Jack on Front):
1. Setup antenna
2. Make connection between antenna and Comstation unit
3. Setup the Ethernet connection between router (your LAN)
4. Setup energy supply of the box.
As soon as the electrical energy is supplied the box will boot and shortly after it will start receiving and uploading ADS-B data.
How you can see what you are receiving:
- clear text messages: up link to RB24.COM is encrypted.
- you can see your box's name (PGANRB3xxxxx) stated on RB24.com
- if you box is linked with your RB24 account, if you have one, you can click on your box''s name and a new map opens showing traffic received by your box.
- Maybe it''s possible to get login data from AirNav Systems so you can use ANRB V6.00.000 Software to display the airframes received by your box.
Any more questions? Just ask.
Ingo
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Thank you for your reply. I have installed and all working but I need to put it in higher position to get better coverage
What kind of coax cable do I need to buy
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That depends on the distance between the antenna and box that has to be bridged.
In my case (20m) it was necessary to use a low loss cable like the ECOFLEX 15 (+). Cost were about 6€ per metre.
I'm sure that there are equal types of cable available at your place. Unfortunately I don't know their exact type-name.
Ingo
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Thanks Ingo
Distance about the same as yours I will google to see what the same is here in New Zealand
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You can buy ready made extension Cables from this site but make sure you get the right one.
http://shop.jetvision.de/epages/64807909.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64807909/Categories/%22Kabel%20%26%20Adapter%22
James
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From my point of view the cables have a way too high attenuation at 1090MHz for cable lenght of about 20m and more. Especially if no amplifier, placed close to the antenna, is used.
Ingo
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From my point of view the cables have a way too high attenuation at 1090MHz for cable lenght of about 20m and more. Especially if no amplifier, placed close to the antenna, is used.
Ingo
Yes I agree 100% with you Ingo !! I did add an extra 5m to my Antenna and still works fine.
James
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Is there anyway to find out where various feeders are in New Zealand. Im interested to know where 405 is in the South Island. It seems to be able to cover a great range
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Hi
goto http://www.airnavsystems.com/RadarBox/network.php then "right click" and chose
"View Page Source", then search for "New Zealand".
Unfortunately these are rough guess entries of the locations. Futhermore they are not complete or 100% accurate either. You won't get the users name or address unless he unveils himself. Not all users of boxes are active in this or any other forum related to our hobby.
Ingo
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I have just received my box today..Do I just plug it in as I received no instructions etc. Does it just start sending data automatically. Also is it possible for me to read data sent
Kevin Cosgrove
Dunedin
For anyone that didn't get a copy of the instructions you can download them from here : http://radarbox24.com.au/files/instructions.pdf (http://radarbox24.com.au/files/instructions.pdf)
Cheers
James
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waituke
405 is in Winton
Alan
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Thanks Alan That would explain his coverage
Ciao
Kevin
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I just installed my receiver in Auckland. I used LMR 400 cable 14 mtr. Have picked up planes just over 400km away, so can recommend that cable.
Dennis
Station PGANRB300354
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The LMR 400 (-DB) is a good alternative for the ECOFLEX 15 (+) cable. The LMR is usually world wide available. At 1090 MHz the attenuation of the LMR is about 5dB higher than the attenuation of the ECOFLEX 15+ cable. For connections with a total lenght of up to 25m the LMR 400 should do a good job. For higher lenght a low noise amplifier mounted close to the antenna can be used instead of a cable with lower attenuation.
Ingo
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agreed, I could not find ECOFLEX in NZ so purchased the best I could here. At just over 400km range I am happy with the purchase. Just need to get my antenna a bit higher.
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Can I ask where did you buy that cable in New Zealand, I need to increase the height of my antenna only getting about 15 n miles coverage in Dunedin. Although the hills may be the problem
Thanks
Kevin
371
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That should be 150 n miles not 15
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If the Hills have the same height or be higher than your antenna, they will reduce your reception range. Clear line of sight is needed to receive an airframe.
About the cable: Have you tried the big G? "LMR-400" New Zealand delivers several online stores from NZ selling that cable. Comparing prizes is always a good idea.
Ingo
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Can someone explain why my coverage keeps changing from 150nm to 240 nm is it atmospherics
Kevin
PGANRB300371
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Is the change in range in one direction or is it a variation during a 360 turn? Can you connect the change to special weather conditions at your home (strong rain and wind, long periods of fog/mist )?
At a frequency of 1090MHz the atmospheric influence (lift etc.) is very very low. Sometimes I'm able to receive high altitude airframes at a range were they are one or two degrees beneath the horizon (line of sight). On days with very strong rain I have a reduction of hits on the edge of my range. Further the maximum range is slightly lower than on days with clear blue sky. This is caused by the attenuation due to high amount of water in the amosphere. On days with high temperature I've the same effect as on days with heavy rain, but this is related to the increase of noise of my amplifier.
Jumps in one direction of about 150 and 240nm can be caused by the following(list may not be complete):
- defective part in the reception chain, such as loose connector, corroded connector, temporary water contamination of connector, defect in antenna, colder solder of antenna jack on pcb of Comstation.
- difference in the flight level: as line of sight is needed, the following is valid: the higher the aircraft flies, the longer you can see it, the higher the reception range.
- for long distance range of high altitude airframes a high obstacle that is several miles away can reduce the range.
- corrupt data packet received. It is possible, that a received packed is altered (collision of two or more signals at the same time) in a way, that a false position is generated while the error correction/cecksum (Similar CRC) stays valid.
- airframes that sending out false position data.
- glitches in the data processing of the Comstation. Extremely rare and close to almost impossible to fix, but they can happen. I have mine up and running for almost 6000hours. Until now I haven't seen one.
- On days with high air traffic I have noticed, that I sometimes get a slight increase in the count of airframes that I'm able to receive beneath the line of sight horizon (of obstacles). These airframes haven't performed any position jumps and the whole flight path until reception ended was plausible. These range extention can be caused by reflection of the signal on the metallic hull of other airframes. Typical indications of this effect are, that these range "lifts" are never at exactly the same position, that they never happen at same time of day/week, that they are not predictable and that they have an increase on days with lot of other airframes in the sky. This one is rare, difficult to detect and you need an awful long time in front of your monitor to see one happen.
Ingo
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Cable was purchased from AC Technologies in Auckland. http://www.actechnologies.co.nz/
Only challenge with this particular cable type is that it is not very flexible compared to the cable that came with the unit. However that was way to short.
Dennis
PGANRB300354
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Last night I checked on Radarbox and there were no planes showing around Auckland where I am based. I logged in and my unit is not showing any planes being received. I re-started the receiver but that did not change anything.
What seems strange is that there were almost zero planes showing across the whole country. The situation is the same this morning, which would suggest it is not just my receiver that is having an issue - any ideas anyone?
Dennis
PGANRB300354
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I have a lot of airframes in the sky during the day. But between 2am and 3am the sky clears up to only one or two airframes. Especially on weekends were I have about 1000 less flights than on weekdays. Usually early Saturday morning is the weakest period of the whole week. That's why I'm doing automatic system maintenance (ANRB Software restarts, WIN Software updates) at 2:20 am on each Saturday morning.
Ingo
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Dennis where did you buy LMR400 cable from in New Zealand
Tnx
Kevin Cosgrove
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Hi Kevin,
Dennis gave the answer two replies (reply #22) before mine.
Ingo
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Hi Ingo,
Thanks for all your input and suggestions to this thread.
Regarding the reception, there is definitely something wrong. My receiver has not picked up a plane now for 24hrs. Watching the coverage on the app it seems the whole coverage in NZ is having issues. I have emailed support but heard nothing back yet.
Dennis
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No airframe in 24h. There is definitely something wrong. I just checked FR24. Currently about 30 aircraft over New Zealand. Is the white LED on your comstation flashing?
Ingo
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Hi Ingo,
white light is flashing but error light is on. Just checked an Radar Box is only showing 2 flights over or around NZ, lots more showing on other sites. Over the last week or so as new stations have come on line in NZ, coverage has been good., so it seems other stations may be having similar problems to me.
Dennis
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Seems to be a problem with the connection between comstation and airnav server. If you want to see your own traffic, you can try downloading V6 of ANRB software. As far as I know it automatically cobbects to comstation wich is presenr in local network Ingo
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Support have informed me that there was a server glitch. However things should be OK now.
Unfortunately not. My station is still not showing up. Downloaded the software you suggested but it cant see the receiver.
All lights seem to be doing what they should but error light is still on. Have restarted several times but no change. Still very few stations showing over NZ so presume the maybe having similar issues.
Have emailed support again
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I will have someone contact you, You are better contacting me direct as support will only forward your emails to me.
Alan
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Hi Alan,
any chance, that I'll get an info about what the problem was as soon as it has been solved?
Thanks!
Ingo
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No problem Ingo
Alan
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I find it hard to believe that there are no flights in South Island or Auckland at this time in New Zealand
Do Radarbox not have feeders in these areas
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Support@airnavsystems may be able to answer
Alan
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Dennis,
Appears OK to me, see attached. Guess it depend on the time of day you look and whether feeders are online at the time and it also doesn't help that yours is defective.
Alan
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Allan sorry but that is not NZ on map but New South Wales and Victoria Australia. I to cant understand why Radar Box does not show aircraft using both Auckland and Christchurch airports. These are New Zealands busiest airports busiest with continuous flights during NZ daytime. Has Radar Box not got coverage of these two main airports. Also with my unit I cannot understand why my range jumps around so much from 250 nm to 54 nm when nothing changes
Just curious
Kevin
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Kevin,
If you scroll the screenshot over you will see New Zealand, use the directional arrows at the bottom of the shot and you will see New Zealand.
Christchurch has been offline for whatever reason since 11/4 and Auckland is defective and is waiting on a replacement unit being delivered. We have units online this time in Dunedin, Napier, Lower Hutt, Rotorua, Winton with Tauranga offline as I type this. Not much in the way if traffic at this time but should get busier soon but here is JST163 inbound Wellington just now.
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Thanks Allan
Understand now but can you explain to me why my coverage drops from 250nm to 21 nm when nothing has changed at my location
Thanks Kevin
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Thanks Allan
Understand now but can you explain to me why my coverage drops from 250nm to 21 nm when nothing has changed at my location
Thanks Kevin
Sounds a bit like you have an Antenna Problem ??
James
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Thanks James. When the weather calms down sometime later in week I will check it. Present weather in Dunedin is Snow, Gale Force winds and heavy rain. so damage may have been done
Ciao
Kevin
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Thanks James. When the weather calms down sometime later in week I will check it. Present weather in Dunedin is Snow, Gale Force winds and heavy rain. so damage may have been done
Ciao
Kevin
Can only hope it's just a small problem and not anything major.
Not to warn over here in Tasmania right now either mate :-)
Cheers
James
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Yes Kevin/James, a sudden drop off in range is usually a good indicator of a problem with one of the component parts. Check for water ingress into the antenna causing a short or maybe even something as simple as the antenna being knocked over to an angle.
Alan
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Water maybe the problem. I suspect With the weather we have had in last two weeks, very heavy rain for days, Any help on how to remedy that. Will I have to replace co-ax Kevin
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Water maybe the problem. I suspect With the weather we have had in last two weeks, very heavy rain for days, Any help on how to remedy that. Will I have to replace co-ax Kevin
Kevin,
I get the feeling it might be a faulty Radar Unit and not your Antenna at all ?
James
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James Would you know how I can return faulty box also would you know if it will be at my cost
There has been a few faulty boxes sent to New Zealand lately
Thanks for all your help
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Hi Kevin,
Yes there have been faulty Units sent to both Australia & NZ with the very same problem you are having !!
I would contact Pedro via email as he looks after returns which will not be at your expense !!
Pedro Sousa: [email protected]
Cheers
James
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Many thanks James .. Will do
Very frustrated
Coa
Kevin
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Kevin,
Yes I understand how you feel and I have also sent Pedro an email in regards to your Uni as I have a full listing of all Units within Australia & NZ here.
You can also contact me via email at [email protected]
Cheers
James
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Ant queries regarding support would be best sent to [email protected]. You are better doing that as the forum isn't monitored by support. Pedro will want to check it out to find out if its the unit or the antenna that needs replaced or if he can give advice to get it online.
Alan
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My new receiver is working well and giving Auckland good coverage. Seeing up to 233nm in some directions. After winter I will get the antenna raised another 2 meters which should improve coverage in some directions.
Dennis
RB300628
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My new receiver is working well and giving Auckland good coverage. Seeing up to 233nm in some directions. After winter I will get the antenna raised another 2 meters which should improve coverage in some directions.
Dennis
RB300628
Great to hear Dennis :-)
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Indeed it is.
On a different note, is someone able to explain how the polar diagram works in the RB system (I know what a polar diagram is). In the my station section I have seen planes fly over areas not covered by the polar diagram and then it changes. At other times I have seem planes fly a long way outside of the polar diagram but it does not change!
Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
did the plane, outside polar diagram, move along the direction of travel or was it moving in north south direction while the airframe icon was "looking" in another direction?
Ingo
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Hi Ingo,
I understand now, I watched for an hour and saw how it worked.
Cheers,
Dennis
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If you are looking for an extension cable for your antenna here is a link to Jaycar in Australia that you might like to checkout ?
http://www.jaycar.com.au/IT-Products/Networking/Wireless-Hardware-%26-Accessories/Low-Loss-SMA-Extension-Lead-5m/p/WC7824
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I recently added an inline filter just before the receiver. Despite an insertion loss of around 2db it made a big improvement to reception. Long range reception increased by around 15%: short range by up to 50%.
Cheers
Dennis
RB300628
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Great news Dennis, I will pass onto Airnav
Alan
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Can anyone tell me why I can log into website using Opera Browser. I must have my settings wrong
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Suppose to be cant. I can get the website but no planes showing at all in New Zeland
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No idea on Opera but on IE lots showing.
Alan
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I use Firefox, never have any problems showing planes.
Dennis
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I also use Firefox and never had a problem :-)
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Here is my current polar diagram. The filter made a huge difference. After winter I will raise the antenna a couple of meters which should improve reception to the north and north east.
Dennis
RB300628
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Try one of these https://store.uputronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=50
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hi James,
I saw that a few weeks ago, and thought it looked good; certainly a good price. My only concern is will it overload or damage the RB receiver. Can anyone confirm it will be OK, if so I will buy one!
Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
From what I have been told they work ok with the RB Units.
You can email me and I could send you some extra info.
James
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Sounds good.
However I don't think the version with the SAW will work well for me: attenuation of cell tower frequencies is not that good. The version with the ceramic filter has very similar attenuation properties to the in-line filter I am currently using. Double the price but still good value. Think I will order that.
Dennis
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Good coverage happening in New Zealand. 6:45 pm at night...looking good.
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I've just gone online in Brisbane. About 1KM 1km from 01 in Eagle Farm.
I feel like such a plane nerd!
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Indeed...welcome to the plane nerd club, aka Nigel no life club!
Hope you enjoy your time watching your polar diagram; its quite fun.
Cheers,
Dennis
RB300628
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Added an Uputronics amplifier (with ceramic filter) just before the receiver. Whilst it did improve short range reception in areas that were previously not so good, it had a negative effect at long range; if there were planes near to me, long range planes within the polar diagram suddenly disappeared. It seems the nearby flights overloaded the receiver thus making it deaf to weaker long range signals.
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Great coverage over New Zealand...looking good!
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Seems more coverage over NZ recently. However many of the flights are not showing a radarbox station, just saying ADS-B. Does anyone have any idea what this means and how the flights are bring picked up?
Cheers,
Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
I noticed the same over here in Germany yesterday evening (around 18:00 CEST, 16:00UTC). Forthermore the map temporaryly went blanc with airframe icon returning after some minutes. I re-checked at 4:30UTC and the effect was gone. So maybe some maintenance work in the background.
Regards Ingo
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I did some further ckecking, and figured out that only Comstations and External Sharers (EXTSHA) were displayed with detailed numbers/names. So maybe ADS-B indicates, that the airframes data was delivered by RBCL (Classic Radarbox hardware / RB1). Furthermore I found several airframes with Station MLAT over here. I checked my own MyFlights list running with classic hardware and these airframes are indeed not ADS-B equipped.
Ingo
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Some MLAT became available over Europe on Friday as has some satellite ADSB coverage in the Pacific area. These also show on the RB network.
The FAA ASDI traffic is no longer time delayed and is now real time and at the same time as the above this was integrated into the network coverage having always been available on RB24. I found this as I was trawling the network for US GA traffic with no details using N1*, N2* etc wildcards for flight ID's and as I was doing N9* the network plots suddenly went from 13 to 42. The network was unstable for a time while they fined tuned it but it soon became stable.
Contrary to what some may say, work is going on all the time to bring improvements and increase coverage.
Alan
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That's great Alan, thanks for letting us know. Coverage over NZ is very good now.
Dennis
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Will Radarbox not show all Helicopter activity around Kaikoura and Wellington due to severe Earthquake
Ciao
Kevin
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Kevin,
They will only show if ADS-B equipped and there is a feeder seeing them
Alan
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I am noticing my coverage moves around a lot from 300km down to 80 km is there a reason for this. Nothing has changed physically
Thanlks
Kevin
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Suggest you ask support Kevin
Alan