AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: Canonjohns40D on March 18, 2009, 07:38:11 PM
-
I have attached a screenshot of my polar Diagram with the existing supplied aerial. Then as discussed see below, I'll try the DPD internally in the same location for 24 hours.
HI Falcon I'm up for that as my DPD was to be fitted last weekend. Due to a 90th Birthday party (no not mine) and the fitter being "on duty" it didn't happen. I'll change it tonight around midnight and let it run for 24 hours at the window where the supplied aerial presently sits. I'll fit the flylead only into the radarbox for a similar length cable run. It'll be interesting to see what happens and at least the DPD will get usage of some kind.
John
-
Hi John,
What is blocking your signal to the W/SW? Is it the Mournes/Sperrins?
-
Hi John,
I have a watson external aerial on the gable wall running about 20m of Westflex back to the RB. Screen shot attached.
Thanks
Mark
-
That's great coverage.
Tom
-
Thanks Tom,
Around 215nm to the very SW corner out in the Atlantic
-
HI Mark excellent coverage indeed, I'd never leave the screen here with that coverage. Sadly the obstruction is not as picturesque as the Mountains. It's a combination of my own house and other houses around me on that side. That is why I'm keen to get an outside aerial mounted higher.
Having put the DPD up inside as discussed, overnight it collected 112 aircraft. About the average for me with the supplied aerial in a similar position. I didn't look at the polar diagram yet as it was a bit too soon. I'll keep you informed of progress.
John
-
Yes it's very addictive indeed! I noticed a big difference when I mounted the external antenna. It is also fitted with a pre-amp which I know that some people dispute as being of use or not, but in my case it works a treat!
What sort of distance (nm) are you getting out to the NE where you are getting the best reception?
-
Hi John,
Being a pain I know it's just your coverage I thought would be better than what you have on the polar. You don't look like you are getting traffic landing at Belfast International would that be correct?
I am orginally from Newtownabbey and when I connected up at my parents house with the ordinary supplied antenna I'm sure I was getting better coverage than what you are getting and they have Carnmoney Hill right behind them...
I would have thought you would have good line of sight from Bangor right out over the Irish Sea, well into Scotland/IOM and into Wales as well.
Having said that I know each individual user has unique circumstances (trees/buildings etc) so it's hard to know.
I will be viditing friends in Bangor over the coming weeks and will be bringing RB with me. It will be interesting to see what the range is like from where they live in Conlig.
Good luck and keep us posted on your venture.
Thanks
Mark
-
This is where I can stretch to John in the East. Consider that I live virtually on the Atlantic on the West coast (Sligo)!
The Easyjet flight highlighted in Scotland was a distance of 173nm and was in 'my flights' when I took the screenshot
-
HI Mark you are not being a pain it's interesting to discuss the hobby and I'm keen to push the reception as far as I can. I'm just about to leave work so I'll respond from home to the line of sight etc after tea.
John
-
I have a watson external aerial on the gable wall running about 20m of Westflex back to the RB. Screen shot attached.
Hi Mark,
I too have a Watson on the gable end of my house connected with Westflex 103 but mine is on top of a 17 foot pole!
Unfortunately I have had to rig up a temporary extension cable with a dodgy N type connector to the Westflex but I do plan to do a proper job when I do finally get round to it as my range seems a bit down on last year...
I don't have a pre-amp but did consider the Kuhne mainly as a first line of defence against ESD...
I do wonder what coverage would be like with a pre-amp though ;^)
Here is an attached picture of my polar diagram FYI
Just curious as to what you use to connect the Westflex to the RB?
I use an N Type->SMA adaptor but every time I look at that thick cable mated to the tiny SMA of the RB it makes my blood run cold...
Regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi Glyn,
Excellent coverage as good as my own. I think the Watson antenna is well worth the money!!
I have the ELAD pre amp fitted. There are 2 connections that come into the ELAD BT12-DC. One is the thick westflex and the other which goes to the RB is simply a 'flylead' with a BNC connector.
I can post a pic if you want to see it.
Thanks,
Mark
-
Hi Mark, Excellent coverage indeed - is this the same antenna as I've got (but not up yet :-( ) the Watson Radar Extender? Do you find there's any null with A/C overhead or within a close radius?
Hi Glyn, as it sounds as though you're looking at a fair run of co-ax, I'd definitely suggest going for the Elad mast head amp., I don't know anything about the Kuhne or whether it's intended for exterior use .
-
The very one Jon. I never get 'null' on any of my flights. Obviously there are some flights that go overhead which don't show on the radar purely beacuse they aren't transmitting a Mode-S signal.
A very good antenna indeed.
-
Hi Glyn,
Excellent coverage as good as my own. I think the Watson antenna is well worth the money!!
I have the ELAD pre amp fitted. There are 2 connections that come into the ELAD BT12-DC. One is the thick westflex and the other which goes to the RB is simply a 'flylead' with a BNC connector.
I can post a pic if you want to see it.
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Excuse my ignorance but isn't the Elad a mast-head pre-amplifier?
Regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi Glyn, as it sounds as though you're looking at a fair run of co-ax, I'd definitely suggest going for the Elad mast head amp., I don't know anything about the Kuhne or whether it's intended for exterior use .
Hi Jon,
I'll pass on the Elad thanks...
I had decided some time ago which pre-amp I wanted and the Kuhne is widely regarded as the Rolls Royce of pre-amplifiers...
It is a mast-head design and as such is intended to go right there...
http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/shop/143_Vorverstaerker/article:342_KU_LNA_1090_A_TM
Regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi Glyn, that's good to know then, in the description :
Features
ESD protection at preamplifier input
Built-in bias tee for remote power supply via coaxial cable
The first is obviously good, but the second I found confusing "Built-in bias tee", as to whether it's for outside use.
Let us know how you get on, I've still to buy a pre-amp, so you could influence my purchase!
I've just looked at the description again, and see it says "Case" German silver installed into a water-tight case and a bit further down, it's referred to as mast-head.
-
Hi Mark Right to answer your questions. I am in Bangor along the South Shore of Belfast Lough. My aerial the supplied one sits inside a double glazed window which faces North. Both Belfast City (BHD) and Belfast Aldergrove (BFS) sit west, of my location. Almost behind my line of sight, if you can imagine literally along my window line. Between me and BHD are the Holywood/Craigantlet Hills so I see BHD landing Aircraft down to about 1500ft before they dip below the hill. BFS sits behind Black Mountain and I see their landing aircraft to about 1200ft. The problem facing South South West is the house and surrounding property. From the shore I would as you suggest see clear to the Isle of Man and therefore could/should reach into Wales with the radarbox. However where it is sited now I get out to just beyond the Ilse of Man. I would get around 280 to 340 Aircraft recorded on My log Daily though I have topped 400 on a couple of occassions usually depending on the transatlantic routes in use on any given day. These are picked up within my Polar Diagram area which was attached to the earlier post.
Today I tried the DPD aerial inside the same window where the supplied aerial sits. The polar diagram is similar to that of the supplied aerial it seems to fall short in some areas. This may be as it has only run for about 12 hours so I will continue with it tomorrow also. So far today 403 Aircraft have been logged this is within my normal range although towards the higher end.
Polar diagram supplied aerial attached for information
John
-
Hi Glyn, that's good to know then, in the description :
Features
ESD protection at preamplifier input
Built-in bias tee for remote power supply via coaxial cable
The first is obviously good, but the second I found confusing "Built-in bias tee", as to whether it's for outside use.
Let us know how you get on, I've still to buy a pre-amp, so you could influence my purchase!
I think there may have been a little something lost in German->English translation...
As I understand it the Bias Tee is a seperate item that can be installed anywhere on the coax - obviously inside in the dry as it is powered by a PSU!
This then 'injetcs' the voltage needed to drive the pre-amp through the coax - no other control wires needed.
The pre-amp is designed to work outside at the mast-head before any signal losses are inmposed by the cable.
Hope that helps.
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Today I tried the DPD aerial inside the same window where the supplied aerial sits. The polar diagram is similar to that of the supplied aerial it seems to fall short in some areas. This may be as it has only run for about 12 hours so I will continue with it tomorrow also. So far today 394 Aircraft have been logged this is within my normal range although towards the higher end.
John
You really need to get that Watson outside John...quick!
Mine pulls in in around 2500 aircraft every day according to MyLog - and that's without a pre-amp!
The design of the Watson I believe does lend itself to being susceptible to ESD IMHO so care will need to be taken...
That's the mainy reason I am considering the Kuhne...
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi Glynn it is all ready to go I'm relying on a friend though to locate it for me. Hopefully this weekend as the weather is forecast to be good. Where are you located? I get local traffic to the two belfast Airports and some around West of scotland. The bulk is then the transatlantic stuff overflying me.
John
-
Day two with the DPD aerial in a similar indoor position to where the supplied aerial was sited.
Yesterday I logged 403 aircraft this is the high end of my usual numbers with the suppplied aerial. Today I have 460 logged. The polar diagram looks similar to that of the supplied aerial but does have some extension in length North and North East the direction my window faces. The distances to the South (through the house) on the polar diagram are shorter with the DPD just getting out beyond the IOM. So far I'd say the DPD and the supplied aerial are receiving out to similar distances and recording about the same numbers of aircraft. As already stated this is an inexact science as the Atlantic routes may well be the influencing factor this past two days. Certainly today I had more USAF aircraft than yesterday also.
I had hoped the DPD would be sited outside tomorrow but this seems unlikely now. Should this remain the case i'll continue with it in it's temporary indoor location. Further updates to follow.
Polar diagram attached for info.
John
-
I think people underestimate the efficiency & coverage of the supplied antenna - mainly because the short cable length effectively 'ties' it within spitting distance of the RB hardware which means it usually ends up on a desk, shelf or at best a window sill.
I keep referring back to testmonkey's experiment (where is he anyway?) where he shows his polar diagram using the supplied antenna from his house and then on his car roof sat on top of a local beauty spot (hill).
The coverage he achieved there puts many base-mounted antennas with masthead pre-amps & expensive coax to shame...
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=1324.0
In fact it rivals my own coverage and I am 460 feet asl with the 1m long, 1 inch thick Watson antenna mounted on the top of a 17 foot pole at the gable end of my house!
By way of comparison here is a screenshot I posted last July - in fact testmonkey had much better coverage West than I did;
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=1324.0
That little antenna must be the bargain of the century - it's not the size that counts you know! ;^)
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi I agree Glynn this experiment has shown me the supplied aerial is very effective. it is located inside double glazed windows yet performs well. I am happy with the 300 plus aircraft i get daily from this aerial.
I want to further enhance the hobby though and that is why I'm keen to have an external aerial. As i feared it wont be erected this weekend either now. Just for information I have Westflex 103 cable atttached to the DPD with a patch lead to the radarbox. The 20metres of cable remain coiled for this indoor experiment. What the last couple of days have show me is if anything just how good the supplied aerial is. It will remain a useful tool when eventually the outdoor aerial is up. I can see it travel to any location I am at for plane spotting, holidays etc etc.
John
-
Hi 343 aircraft logged by the DPD today, day 3. The polar diagram (attached) remains similar but has extended slightly in a couple of places. sadly the aerial will not be erected outdoors this weekend again. I'll keep it up indoors and see how it continues to perform.
The skys were pretty quiet over Northern Ireland this evening perhaps attentions lay in another direction? Congratulations Ireland on the their Grand slam achievement.
John
-
Hi Day 4 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform at about the same level as the supplied antenna. 384 aircraft have been logged today so again within my usual traffic amounts. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) has again stretched a little.
I hope the DPD will be outside this week and then a real test can begin. In the meantime if it isn't boring you all to death, I'll continue running it in the indoor position.
John
-
Hi Day 4 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform at about the same level as the supplied antenna. 381 aircraft have been logged today so again within my usual traffic amounts. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) has again stretched a little.
I hope the DPD will be outside this week and then a real test can begin. In the meantime if it isn't boring you all to death, I'll continue running it in the indoor position.
John
Hi John,
Thanks for the update.
The fact that you are hooked up to 20 meters of cable is very promising. If I want to have some flexibility with my antenna installation and get it in the right spot I need to use close to 30 meters. I wonder how that will work out if I use something like LMR400 http://www.timesmicrowave.com/content/pdf/lmr/22-25.pdf.
There is also another cable in the US called BuryFlex from DavisRF www.davisrf.com that is recommended.
Regards,
Falcon
-
HI Falcon sorry but when it comes to the technical stuff it's time for me to seek not offer advice. I got the Westflex 103 as recommended but as regards other types well!! Perhaps someone else will respond with useful advice.
John
-
HI Falcon sorry but when it comes to the technical stuff it's time for me to seek not offer advice. I got the Westflex 103 as recommended but as regards other types well!! Perhaps someone else will respond with useful advice.
John
No problem.
I was going to mention (but didn't) that I was thinking of starting a thread for cables and maybe another for antennas if I don't see another thread that is very specific on those topics. External antennas and cable are each are a very important part of a successful setup.
The antenna that comes with the Radarbox performs very well but I haven't heard anyone mast mounting one of them on the top of a house.
Your setup looks like its going to do very well.
-
Hi falcon have a look at this topic on the forum titled, Improve RadarBox Antenna Instead of Buying 3rd-Party. it is what you are referring to and may be of help.
John
-
Hi Day 5 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform well. 443 aircraft have been logged today at the upper end of my usual traffic amounts with the supplied aerial. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) has again stretched a little.
Whisper this, the DPD should be mounted outside by this weekend. I'll keep it running in it's present position until then.
John
-
Hi Day 6 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform well. 385 aircraft have been logged again towards the upper end of my usual traffic amounts with the supplied aerial. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) has again stretched a little further including south or "through my house".
I'll keep it running in it's present position until it goes outside which remains on course for this weekend.
John
-
Hi John,
I have a watson external aerial on the gable wall running about 20m of Westflex back to the RB. Screen shot attached.
Thanks
Mark
Hi John,
I have a watson external aerial on the gable wall running about 20m of Westflex back to the RB. Screen shot attached.
Thanks
Mark
Hi, Wow, that is quite a polar diagram.
As i've only just received my RBox today, and still using the supplied antenna, could you let me know (roughly, of course!) how much an external aerial, like the one you're using, is, and the spec/model no. of such equipment/cable.
Cheers :o)
Phil
-
Hi, Wow, that is quite a polar diagram.
As i've only just received my RBox today, and still using the supplied antenna, could you let me know (roughly, of course!) how much an external aerial, like the one you're using, is, and the spec/model no. of such equipment/cable.
Cheers :o)
Phil
Hi Phil,
It's this antenna http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_vhf_air.html#adsbout
While it does appear to be a very good antenna and one I am most likely going to invest in, don't dismiss the one that comes with the Radarbox, it's very good. The only reason I am considering this one is because it is external and can be mast mounted. I assume one could configure the stock antenna on a mast, but it really wasn't designed for that.
The location of any antenna is going to be the biggest determining factor as to how your reception will be. There are also other factors as well like length of the cable which will affect you reception which makes it a bit of a balancing act.
Regards,
Falcon
-
Hi Phil
As Falcon says the DPD is an extension to the hobby mounting the aerial outside and higher in my case to hopefully extend my coverage South and East. The supplied aerial in less than an ideal location has proven to be excellent for me and a great introduction to this part of the hobby. The supplied aerial will be replaced by the DPD one when I am at home but will travel with me and a laptop when and wherever I can take it.
I hope you find you get a lot of enjoyment from the radarbox, i'd be very surprised if you don't, enjoy this forum where a lot of good advice from friendly users can be found.
Regards
John
-
Does common sense not tell you a aerial outdoor in free space, is better than one indoors with walls metals and TV,computers,electronics, and all sorts of gadgets.
-
Yes!! But it's nice to communicate.
-
Hi Day 7 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform well. A quieter day today with only 316 aircraft logged. This towards the lower range of the traffic captured by the supplied aerial. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) has again stretched a little further. It also has an exceptional spike South or "through my house". It finishes South West of Plymouth in the English channel. I have had similar spikes before both in the region of this one and off the East coast of England. I have noted they always are over the sea never land and wonder if this is significant, say an AWACS or similar aircraft? I also wondered if they were maybe not in the air but on or in the sea? I realise the lower they would be the range would be affected but as the range is way outside my normal range I'm not sure if that would be a factor. It is possibly just an aircraft emitting the wrong position information. A quick check of my log has not revealed a possible source.
I'll keep the DPD running in it's present position until it goes outside which remains on course for this weekend. I added a closer detail shot of the spike end location.
John
-
Hi Day 8 and the DPD mounted temporarily indooors continues to perform well. A day with 400 aircraft logged. This towards the higher range of the traffic captured by the supplied aerial. The Polar diagram (attached file for info) remains the same as yesterday.
I'll keep the DPD running in it's present position until it goes outside which remains on course for this weekend.
John
-
Hi Day 9 and the end, well of the DPD mounted indoors. 451 aircraft today a really good figure for me with either this aerial or the supplied aerial in the temporary indoor position.
As I type this very strong winds are battering the house, if they subside hopefully the DPD will be mounted outside on the chimney stack tomorrrow. I can't waitt to see how it performs then.
This past few days has shown the supplied aerial to be as useful a piece of equipment as the DPD in the same internal location. They performed about the same on aircraft count and the polar diagram. I bought the DPD for outside though and so it's real test will start when it is on the roof, time will tell. Thanks for enduring these reports hope someone found or finds them useful.
John
-
Thanks for enduring these reports hope someone found or finds them useful.
John
Hi John,
There is nothing to endure. Keep them coming. It will be interesting to see the difference once the antenna is on the roof.
Regards,
Falcon
-
Thanks for your advice on outdoor aerials. Having great fun with RBox. Here's a screen shot with supplied aerial just placed in the attic with all my clutter, lol.
-
The fact that you are hooked up to 20 meters of cable is very promising. If I want to have some flexibility with my antenna installation and get it in the right spot I need to use close to 30 meters. I wonder how that will work out if I use something like LMR400 http://www.timesmicrowave.com/content/pdf/lmr/22-25.pdf.
There is also another cable in the US called BuryFlex from DavisRF www.davisrf.com that is recommended.
Regards,
Falcon
Hi Falcon,
The LMR cable you suggest looks very good...the range of connectors is comprehensive and the install tools would make an easy job of prepping the cable and fitting the plugs.
Not sure where you are based although you do mention US suppliers so I guess you are based somewhere in Obama-Land...
If you were in the UK I can personally vouch for WH Westlake and their Westflex 103 cable which carries similar specs to the LMR-400.
I have no association with the Company apart from being a satisfied customer.
They are fast & knowledgable and seem to carry lots of stock especially those hard-to-find adaptors you can't seem to find elsewhere.
Ordered an N Type Socket->BNC Socket adaptor Friday afternoon and it was on my doorstep Saturday morning...excellent service.
I personally use 20m Westflex 103 with N Type connectors - one of which I had to fit myself as those muppets at Wally & Standoff fitted a PL259 to one end...OK for a lowly CB radio but never intended for 1090MHz...
WH Westlake also supply another cable - Andrews LDF-4-50a which seems to offer half the loss of the W103/LMR-400.
http://www.whwestlake.co.uk
There is also a very useful loss calculator at the bottom of the page which compares the different types.
I am considering moving to the Andrews cable myself and using my existing Westflex for Royal Discone/receiver duties...
Food for thought maybe?
BTW I feel your pain with regard to the freezing menu problem that you posted about - I never noticed the thread until after it had been locked...
I am probably one of the longest suffering users with regard to that and other related issues...
Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
-
Hi Guys finally the DPD aerial sits proudly on top of my roof. i think I'll let the attached polar diagram speak for itself!! It went up about 9.00pm and has been running for a little over three hours when this was taken.
John
-
The LMR cable you suggest looks very good...the range of connectors is comprehensive and the install tools would make an easy job of prepping the cable and fitting the plugs.
Hi Glyn,
The cable does look promising. I think I will be getting it with the plugs already installed as the cost of the tools, especially the Times Microwave are not inexpensive. Its not your regular cable TV tools, very similar, but you need a different size than the average coax around the house. Have you had experience installing plugs on this size of cable? Can you recommend a set of good quality tools that are little less pricey than the Times Microwave that would work? I would really like to do it myself. I am not entirely sure the exact tools I need to do a proper job on this type of cable. Strippers and Crimpers would be two but is there anything else?
Not sure where you are based although you do mention US suppliers so I guess you are based somewhere in Obama-Land...
No. Canada
There is also a very useful loss calculator at the bottom of the page which compares the different types.
The Times Microwave has this calculator here http://www.timesmicrowave.com/cgi-bin/calculate.pl I would consider the Westflex, but I can get the LMR400 locally and it's at least as good.
I am considering moving to the Andrews cable myself and using my existing Westflex for Royal Discone/receiver duties...
I hear the Andrews Cable is very good, but also very expensive. Isn't it quite a bit heavier as well?
BTW I feel your pain with regard to the freezing menu problem that you posted about - I never noticed the thread until after it had been locked...
I am probably one of the longest suffering users with regard to that and other related issues...
I won't go there for the time being :-). I have been in contact with AirNav and they are supposed to be working on it.
Regards,
Darryl
-
Not fully set up yet but very pleased with my coverage. no preamp and antenna (Radar Rama) mounted in the garden on a 6ft fence post plus 6m of westflex. Typical range over the last 2 days is 230-240nm and I have had beyond. My easterly views are over the sea. My westerly coverage is blocked by the garage and house plus sloping ground. This definately line of site stuff! so need to get the aerial up on the side of the house to get better southerly coverage.
Regards
G
-
Hi Guys finally the DPD aerial sits proudly on top of my roof. i think I'll let the attached polar diagram speak for itself!! It went up about 9.00pm and has been running for a little over three hours when this was taken.
John
More like it John well done!!
-
Following on with the discussions on this thread I decided to get an antenna from DPD. I was a wee bit sceptical that it would make much of a difference as the supplied antenna does a superb job. I have it mounted in the attic and can now cover from Inverness / Isle of Skye to Barrow in Furnace and over to Londonderry and Teeside from my home in Motherwell. Well worth the cost of the antenna and the westflex cable etc.
-
HI runway 31 enjoy it. The aerial really does make a difference. Why not attach a polar diagram for us all to see tthe coverage.
John
-
Here you are worked out how you do it, screenshot attached
-
Excellent coverage indeed just think if was moved outside!! Continue to enjoy.
John
-
hi john, thanks for your DPD updates. i found them very helpful. I am currently waiting on my radarbox to arrive. I also live in bangor co.down. I was hoping with the standard antenna you would be able to see them land but at egac you say you can see them up untill 1500ft and egaa you can get them 1200ft.
do you live on a dip or relatively high up in bangor?. do you think i could see them land if i was in a slightly different location to you or would it not make a difference?
Also john, do you have an airband scanner to listen in on them aswell? i have an IC-R20.
thanks
-
Hi Matty
I am in the Cloverhill Area so not in a dip. Not sure of your location but in my case here the City Airport has the Craigantlet Hills between me and it. Aldergrove has the Cavehill between me and it. I can see them until they dip behind these hills. The external aerial has allowed me some improvement but not to ground level. However with the network traffic most days the lower levels are covered from the other side of the hills by other user(s).
On Airband radios, I have the Icom IC-R5 which is handy when out and about and pretty good using an external aerial here in the house. For HF traffic, my Realistic DX-394 is not running presently as I need a new longwire.
Happy to chat if you need anything else. You will enjoy the radarbox it is facinating if very addictive. In this area with the box on 24/7 I get 900 to 1000 aircraft a day. A lot of interesting stuff which sadly we dont see at our local airports. The external aerial has a good coverage into Scotland, England and Wales as well as the Republic see recent polar diagram attached. Enjoy it when it arrives and stay in touch.
John
-
thanks for your reply john. i am totally amazed by your coverage. I defiently have to invest in a DPD.
Would i be able to see your network of traffic on the radarbox. i know its a 5 minute delay which is slightly annoying.
I cannot believe that i just came across someone in bangor, of all places, that has a radarbox. Its also good to know that you are getting awesome coverage compared to the supplied aerial. I live on the donagadee road.
What type of cable are you using for the DPD, i ordered some RG58 cable for an external aerial for icom ic r20 but it has a high loss i think.
What type of connectors do i need to that go into the DPD and also is it a BNC type connector into the radar box?
-
HI Matty You would see my Network traffic as I am sharing it with the network but remember as we are fairly near one and other some of it you will be seeing live anyhow. My coverage with the supplied antenna was getting me about 300 to 400 aircraft a day. The external aerial raises that figure to around 900 to 1000. My coverage with the supplied aerial was Islay to the North, round to about Edinburgh. I could just pick aircraft into here and transatlantic as they approached the I.O.M. to the South, not quite down to Dublin and just about Eglinton westerly.
I still found it facinating and a good chance to learn what the box could do. The forum is also a great source of advice and friendly assistance.
I got the cable fitted ready to attach to the aerial from this source:
Cable is low loss Westflex 103 from http://whwestlake.110mb.com/ Tel: +44 (0)1409-253758 Mobile: 07774 635077.
I gave him a call on the Saturday and it was in the post Monday arrived Tuesday. I also asked him if he could make up the SMA to N plug adapter cable for the Radarbox and he said he had them already made up in preset lengths. He was a really nice guy to speak with and I bet if you say what you want he will know exactly what to make for you as a number of folk on the forum have used him. When it arrived it was all ready to go and it was very good quality.
Hope this helps.
John
-
Hi john,
thanks for the info. Ive just put an airband aerial on the chimney. What kind of reception are you getting with yours to compare with mine. I get alot more traffic with this aerial.
Are you getting scottish 123.775 center?
what about 130.85 ATC city radar, how clear?
do you get aldergrove radar 128.5?
thanks