AirNav Systems Forum

AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: Direct_Kaleidoscope on January 19, 2022, 02:07:37 PM

Title: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Direct_Kaleidoscope on January 19, 2022, 02:07:37 PM

Hi Guys,

I have just recently reinstalled Flightaware, and RB feeders on my Pi.

I used to see planes constantly then my cat decided to destroy my antenna, I have gotten given a different one from someone else that was working fine, and everything seems broken (I really don't know how to explain it)

https://www.amazon.com.au/AirNav-Micro-RadarBox-ADS-B-Receiver/dp/B01GNGZAIG

That's the specific USB dongle and antenna that I had, and it seemed to work fine, now I'm not getting any distance, nor is the antenna really doing a 360 view anymore. Could it just be the dongle? Does anyone have any other ideas?

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Runway 31 on January 19, 2022, 05:12:48 PM

Is the antenna one specifically for ADSB?  I would presume that the antenna is the issue going by your story.  Where is the antenna located does it have a clear view of the sky, what make of antenna is it

Alan

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Aerotower on January 19, 2022, 07:38:51 PM

Even without an antenna if you are in an area where many planes pass, the sdr would be able to catch something. Probably the SDR has a problem.

We need more informations to help you.

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: abcd567 on January 21, 2022, 04:21:54 AM

To test the SDR (DVB-T dongle)

Code: [Select]


sudo apt install rtl-sdr 

sudo systemctl stop piaware dump1090-fa 

rtl_test -t 



If SDR (dvbt dongle) is good, the last command above should give following output:

Code: [Select]


Found 1 device(s):
0: Realtek, RTL2832U, SN: 00000000
Using device 0: Generic RTL2832U
Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner
Supported gain values (29): 0.0 0.9 1.4 2.7 3.7 7.7 8.7 12.5 14.4 15.7 16.6 19.7 20.7 22.9 25.4 28.0 29.7 32.8 33.8 36.4 37.2 38.6 40.2 42.1 43.4 43.9 44.5 48.0 49.6
[R82XX] PLL not locked!
Sampling at 2048000 S/s.
No E4000 tuner found, aborting



Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Direct_Kaleidoscope on January 25, 2022, 11:41:12 AM

Thanks abcd567.

This has tested fine.

Here's a link to my station.

https://www.radarbox.com/stations/EXTRPI013062

I genuinely don't know what the cause of this could be..

This used to be a 360 degree view as well. :(

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: abcd567 on January 25, 2022, 01:28:18 PM

Possible causes may be

(1) Coax cable connector at dongle or antenna is loose.
(2) Coax cable connector has gone corroded or broken.
(3) Antenna gone bad (ingress of moisture).
(4) Coax cable from antenna to SDR gine bad (ingress of moisture or broken inner wire).

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Runway 31 on January 25, 2022, 02:06:29 PM

Is it the same on Flightaware.  I would suggest that you check out the antenna and all the connections.  As suggested by abcd ingress of water somewhere either in the cable or the antenna may be your issue.  What type of antenna do you have now, are you sure it is suitable for 1090

Alan

Title: Re: Unable to see any planes?
Post by: Direct_Kaleidoscope on January 25, 2022, 09:21:51 PM

I actually plugged back in the old one which did have a damaged connection internally due to my cat eating it, although that was repaired. It seems that it is slowly starting to work again so I'll leave it for a bit

Quote from: Runway 31 on January 25, 2022, 02:06:29 PM

Is it the same on Flightaware.  I would suggest that you check out the antenna and all the connections.  As suggested by abcd ingress of water somewhere either in the cable or the antenna may be your issue.  What type of antenna do you have now, are you sure it is suitable for 1090

Alan