AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: dale001 on November 30, 2009, 02:23:39 AM
-
Newbie question here (just got Radarbox)....
I'm guessing that it does not hurt the unit to keep it plugged into my PC, even when Radarbox is not being used for long periods; is that true?
Secondly, do most of you disconnect the USB during a thunderstorm, even if your PC has a surge protector?
Dale
-
No harm to the RadarBox if you leave it plugged in and not run the software. I run RadarBox software whenever my PC is powered up. That's the whole point of having the RadarBox I guess?
As regards lightning, I unplug everything if a thunderstorm is near. The most damage I suffered was from a very close lightning strike to my underground telephone cable. It blew up my then Home Highway box. And my Sky Sat modem.
-
I had surge protectors at the time of the lightning strike. The direct telephone connection to my Home Highway box and the Sat Box was the weakest link I guess!
-
I woke up this morning (after installing it for the first time yesterday) and the USB and Signal lights (the blue lights) on the unit were blinking about once per second. Shouldn't I be seeing a steady green light? It was working fine yesterday---both locally and network. The only way I can get it working again is to disconnect the USB and reconnect the cable to my PC tower.
-
Yes, while both blue lights still blinking, I tried starting the software and "hardware: unconnected" displays (no data). I checked my drivers and have the latest (2.2.4.0)
drivers.
-
I noticed that at mine RB,too sometimes - It helps to unplug RB from USB and reconnect again.
-
I just wanted to know if there is something I need to download or am I doing something wrong because it was my understanding that when I close out and exit the software, there should only be a steady green light on the unit. I shouldn't have to keep detaching and re-attaching the USB cable---or maybe that's what everyone is doing;
let me know, please.
Dale
-
Check that the USB root hubs are not set to allow power saving.
-
Thanks, Brian. I will try that, restart the software, exit, and then see what happened when I get home later tonight. Hopefully, we will have a steady green.
-
Ughhh!
I put the USB root hubs out of power saving mode and reconnected USB cable and then exited the software--at 1:30. Just got home (8 hours later) and it is blinking blue again---both lights. As such, I am unable to start software, unless I go in the back again and disconnect cable and reconnect it.
Other suggestions?
-
I've experienced the same "hardware unconnected" problem and I replaced the provided USB cable with another one ( from my Nikon D80) and everything works well since.
Liviu
-
Ok, more info in an effort to solve this:
I rebooted my PC, disconnected and reconnected the USB cable, and got a steady green on the box. I intentionally didn’t want to start the software just to see if only the green light would remain lit overnight. Well, it didn’t. The box was back to blinking blue once every second when I awoke this morning: the “USB” and “Signal” lights are blinking.
Need some help guys. Thanks. The responses are appreciated.
---Dale
-
Note that you may need to find all the root hubs and disable power saving on them, not just on one.
-
Did that, and just verified that all of them are not on power saving---the box is unchecked on the "allow this computer to turn off this device to save power" for the four "USB Root Hubs" that are listed.
I just can't figure out why this is happening. Only after a certain amount of time has elapsed do both lights blink: the usb and the signal lights on the box and once per second.
---Dale, on Windows XP
-
What amount of time? Can you measure how long it is? It may be that the time relates to some setting on the PC, it may give you a clue as to what it is.
-
I will experiment with the timing of this tonight when I get home and get back to you and this thread.
Thanks again for your help and the help of the other posters too. ----Dale
-
Hi Dale,
I had this problem too for months. After trying a ton of suggestions, I replaced the originally supplied USB cable with a replacement, and hey presto ! No more disconnections. That was about six months ago.
As I recall Airnav admitted on the forum that some supplied cables may have been suspect. Another user asked how users should claim for a replacement cable, but the request was refused.
Eggplant
-
I will let everyone know what's happening, but IF it is a cable, I'm sure Airnav Systems stands behind their fine product and will make it right.
-
The timed results:
5:40 p.m. unit is set, steady green light.
10:13 p.m. blinking blue.
4 1/2 hours....what PC setting would that be?
---Dale, getting more and more frustrated.
-
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=3292.msg31568#msg31568 (http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=3292.msg31568#msg31568)
-
I will read that older thread more closely, but in my case the blue light flashes, not the red one.
My best,
Dale
-
4 1/2 hours....what PC setting would that be?
Power management settings on the internal USB root hub(s).
-
You may want to read my posting earlier in the thread. I did change all the root hub settings---making sure that box is unchecked (turning off power saving), so that is not the problem. I even have made sure of these settings twice and now three times.
I do thank you, though, for responding because this is frustrating,
needless to say.
---Dale
-
I will read that older thread more closely, but in my case the blue light flashes, not the red one.
My best,
Dale
Red Light?
I have Green for Power, Blue for USB and White for Signal.
Are we talking the correct lights here?
J.
-
In the older thread and older link I was given to look at, the person in that older thread had mentioned that he was getting a red light on "his" box.
That is NOT my issue.
My issue is that I keep getting blue blinking lights when I connect my USB; in other words, the USB and the Signal lights on the box blink when there should only be a steady green. This does not occur immediately, but only after varying lengths of time. When both lights blink, I cannot use the service.
I am hopeful the issue can be resolved. As a college professor, I don't have much time right now, but in the coming days, I would like to enjoy this fine product.
Thanks; the help is greatly appreciated.
---Dale
-
Dale,
I have quite a lot of ham gear running off USB ports and sometimes some of them will not run on a particular port due, I guess, to lack of power.
Have you tried a different port or going direct into the PC rather through a hub?
J.
-
Dale,
Both blue and white lights SHOULD blink (and green light steady) when ANRB is running correctly.
Tom
-
Tom, you need to read the whole thread from the beginning; I am aware that while running the software, they should be blinking, but again, reread the whole thread for the issue I'm dealing with and many others are helping me with.
When I'm not using the software, I should be seeing a steady green. I'm getting blinking blue and am UNABLE to start the software/unit unless I move the PC/desk and disconnect and reconnect and then hurry-up and start the software, before it blinks blue again.
Gotta run to Penn State for my students; be back at this on Thursday----
my best,
Dale
-
Hi Dale, if the RB is connected, the green led should be on and steady, if software not running, the blue will flash continually once a second. When software is running, but no messages being received, the green should be steady and the blue wil flash once a second, as soon as messages are being received, and passed to pc, both white and blue will flash rapidly (and I've found almost continually at times of high message activity). I leave the RB powered up at all times by the Lindy active hub, green on all the time and blue 1 sec. flashes, until pc connected and software fired up. My experiences, hope they help.
-
Page 13 of the AirNav RadarBox Manual details what I should be experiencing regarding the lights . . . . and what I’m experiencing is also detailed—and needs correcting. That’s what I’m trying to do—and all of your help is appreciated, believe me.
Let’s be clear, so that people don’t have to read the whole thread:
1. I connect the box to my PC using the USB cable I got from AirNav.
2. Initially, I see a steady green light, nothing else. That is normal, but . . . .
3. After a brief or lengthy period of time (it varies), the “USB” and “signal” lights blink, approximately one beat per second, and they are steady (The two blue or bluish lights on the box).
4. When this occurs, I am UNABLE to use Radarbox in any capacity.
5. In order to use it, I have to disconnect and reconnect my USB cable and then immediately begin the software because if they blink steady blue again, I cannot connect or use the service.
6. If I am quick enough and connect and then later quit the program, #3 and #4 (above) occur again.
7. I have disabled all power savings and sleep modes on the PC and in all USB root hubs (all four of them); I have double and triple checked this.
That’s where I stand at the moment.
Thanks guys,
-----Dale
-
Tomorrow, when I'm home (not home at the moment), I will look into the possibility that it's the cable and maybe a shielding issue.
Have a good rest of the day, guys, -----Dale
-
Hi Dale, if it's any help, I'll stick my USB lead in the post to you - I know it's a good one - from my old Fuji camera, the one supplied with my RB was u/s! That'll prove if it's the lead or not. PM me with details, you'll have it by Saturday. My RB is stone deaf at the moment and arrived with Waters & Stanton yesterday, so I won't see it back for a few day!
-
Shielding issue . . . .
Through trial and error, I have discovered that it is the USB cable that is being affected.
Get this: when I turn off my PC desk light, the box changes from a steady green to the blinking blue. This does not happen every time I turn off the light, but it happens enough times for me to say, with confidence, that it is the cause. The light is plugged into the same power strip that my PC and other components are plugged into.
Questions: I don’t know too much about electricity, so can someone explain to me how this can happen, especially since Radarbox is not plugged into the outlet (obviously). And why wouldn’t it happen ALL the time when I turn off the light??? It's almost like it's a static issue which, ironically, was the initial reason I began this thread.
More importantly, I need some help and guidance in finding a “shielded” USB cable that will connect and work successfully with Radarbox? Can someone please provide a link on the Internet or give me the name/place of such a cable so I can buy one? It is not practical for me to plug the light into another wall outlet. I need a shielded cable.
Who has purchased one who also uses a power strip for their components?
I think the issue has been diagnosed, thankfully.
Now I need the medicine. . . .
---Dale
-
Shielding issue . . . .
Through trial and error, I have discovered that it is the USB cable that is being affected.
Get this: when I turn off my PC desk light, the box changes from a steady green to the blinking blue. This does not happen every time I turn off the light, but it happens enough times for me to say, with confidence, that it is the cause. The light is plugged into the same power strip that my PC and other components are plugged into.
This certainly isn't the first occasion that a RadarBox has been affected by proximate electrical appliances being switched on and off. There are threads about that phenomenon in the forum, but I have no idea where to look.
Hopefully, those others that have been similarly affected will respond.
-
Shielding issue . . . .
Through trial and error, I have discovered that it is the USB cable that is being affected.
Get this: when I turn off my PC desk light, the box changes from a steady green to the blinking blue. This does not happen every time I turn off the light, but it happens enough times for me to say, with confidence, that it is the cause. The light is plugged into the same power strip that my PC and other components are plugged into.
Questions: I don’t know too much about electricity, so can someone explain to me how this can happen, especially since Radarbox is not plugged into the outlet (obviously). And why wouldn’t it happen ALL the time when I turn off the light??? It's almost like it's a static issue which, ironically, was the initial reason I began this thread.
More importantly, I need some help and guidance in finding a “shielded” USB cable that will connect and work successfully with Radarbox? Can someone please provide a link on the Internet or give me the name/place of such a cable so I can buy one? It is not practical for me to plug the light into another wall outlet. I need a shielded cable.
Who has purchased one who also uses a power strip for their components?
I think the issue has been diagnosed, thankfully.
Now I need the medicine. . . .
---Dale
Dale,
Maplins sell USB shielded cables with gold plated connectors. You can buy online or from your local shop (if you have one). Prices are from £8.99 - £13.99 depending on cable length. You want the ones marked USB 2.0 A to Mini B.
Check their website under'cables' for full descriptions.
Ian
-
Thats where I got mine from when I had RF getting into the RB box and it sorted the problem.
J.
-
Worth noting that according to what I've seen Dale is located in the US.
-
Yes, thanks Brian; I should have mentioned that.
I'm in Pennsylvania, 30 miles from the Philadelphia International Airport, looking forward to getting on the network.
Dale
-
Well done Dale.
Glad you managed to resolve the problem.
-
Thanks.
Well, I diagnosed it; wish me luck with finding a shielded cable here in the States and seeing if that takes care of the issue.
Dale
-
Indeed you did. Very smart of you. Congrats !
And good luck..etc etc.
-
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/00/57/staples-7-gold-series-a-b-usb-cable_359230_100.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.buzzillions.com/computer-accessory-reviews&usg=__OHy9m7yVItCSPq3PSqAbL4bFt78=&h=100&w=100&sz=3&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=C7uaTB5RGYqXLM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3DStaples%2B7%2527%2BGold%2BSeries%2BA/B%2BUSB%2BCable%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/00/57/staples-7-gold-series-a-b-usb-cable_359230_100.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.buzzillions.com/computer-accessory-reviews&usg=__OHy9m7yVItCSPq3PSqAbL4bFt78=&h=100&w=100&sz=3&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=C7uaTB5RGYqXLM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3DStaples%2B7%2527%2BGold%2BSeries%2BA/B%2BUSB%2BCable%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)
Any thoughts on whether this is what so many are suggesting that may do the trick?
---Dale
-
That link simply opens to a page that asks for my zip code Dale.
What you want is a USB shielded A to mini-B cable. Length roughly 1.5m I think.
Look for part number L08BT at http://www.maplin.co.uk, you need to find an equivalent part to that. Scroll down the page a little and look at the "product features" section.
OK, I guessed a fake zip code, and I think that item #503472 should do the job, if you want to get the very best then #559966 but it's more $.
-
Sorry about that; I just tried fixing the link; maybe I didn't.
At any rate that info in the last post of yours, Brian, helps.
Thanks.
-
Yeh, I can take the supplied cable with me to a store, and with the help of someone at the store, find a shielded cable.
I won't get it on eBAY, but here's a link that should work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CTG-5m-Ultima-USB-2-0-A-Style-To-Mini-B-Cable_W0QQitemZ250530520485QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a54c85da5 (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CTG-5m-Ultima-USB-2-0-A-Style-To-Mini-B-Cable_W0QQitemZ250530520485QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a54c85da5)
-
Dale,
Not sure where you are in the USA but try this:
http://www.intermark-usa.com
Theyt are based in San Jose but also have an online store. From there home page click on products and they have the same items as Maplins in the UK have. Exactly what you are looking for. They call it EMI absorber USB cable.
Ian
-
Pennsylvania, so about 2,500 miles east of San Jose.
As Jamie Zawinski of Netscape used to say, San Jose - Hell On Earth....