AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: flymee1939 on July 14, 2011, 03:56:59 PM
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Anyone help with range showing a long band of signal only in South Eastern area of Grid.
I know I am surrounded with hills and mountains, is this the reason?
I get one or two flights and these of course disappear on time out in a few minutes.
My AirNav RadarBox 3d supplier says I should see a cluster.
I did expect my box to pick up all from EGPF I have my base 26 miles west of Glasgow down the Clyde.
A bit dissapointed anyone any ideas?
fllymee
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Hi flymee
The ADS-B signals are strictly line-of-sight, so if your aerial can see it, it will receive it, and hills, buildings etc will block the signals, unless you get some lucky reflections.
You can use this tool to see what you should theoretically receive: http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=3335.msg31610#msg31610
Hope that helps.
Rod
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ADS-B Signals that RadarBox uses to plot aircraft on the map are high frequency transmissions so they won't be able to penetrate into valleys and generally we use the term "line of sight".
If your in a valley and a transmission will get blocked by the hills/mountains/buildings.
Try and get your antenna as high up as possible with the best view of the horizon and see whether it improves.
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Hi flymee, can you post a screen shot of your polar diagram (preferably built up over a week or more) and give us a good (or better) detail of your actual location, so we can give you a better idea of what you should be receiving.
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Herewith tonights Polar pic if I can paste it.
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Coastguard Jon from flymee please try this.
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Where is your antenna located? Is it located inside your house? Try to locate it as near as possible to a window or if you have a laptop try to use it outside and see if you get better results, then.
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Just adding to Henning's post, has your aerial got a good view of the sky? Assuming it's indoors, can you try putting it on an outside windowsill or similar?
Traffic will be getting quiet now, so best try in the morning when there's more about.
Rod
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Hi Flymee, hmmm, yes this looks to be a rather poor location, as Rod and Henning have said, can you improve your antenna's "view" of the sky, is there any chance of erecting an external antenna, getting some height to it? You seem to be getting some reasonable distance range to the south east. Can you access the network? If you can, you'll be able to get some idea of the actual traffic around you at any time.
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Hi Flymee going by your polar diagram I presume you are located around about Greenock and on the hillside and quite near the top and I would expect a bit better reception than you are seeing. As other have stated if the antenna cannot see the aircraft you wont get anythin on the screen and I presume that the antenna is located inside the window as you have quite a narrow beam to the south east even if it goes out a fair distance.
Try and get the antenna on the windowsill outside at least as if it is inside you will pick up next to nothing. Try the a window sill on the other side of the hose if you have laptop and see if that its better as it you will probably get better view of the sky with less in the way of hill to spoil the view.
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Henning, and other 'trackers. Just situated aerial nr window and pointing to some clear air, got 3 aircraft almost instantly. polar now shows a south west band and a north band, this most certainly will do for starters.
I have a laptop and can take it outside our home.
PS Do we need a power connector to the car battery when we use radarbox in transit?
I dont think my laptop will last long on its own internal.
Thank you for all your valued help
flymee
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Flymee,
You can buy an inverter from Halfords, Maplins etc, try Googeling for Power Invertors. This plugs into the ciggy lights and converts 12V -240V and will allow you to run the laptop.
Remember to run the car engine now and again as you can easily flatten the car battery if you sit all day with the laptop plugged in. The car roof makes a good base for the antenna and you will be quite surprised with what you can see with the supplied antenna.
Alan
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Hello
As I didn't need 240v for anything else and it was cheaper I have used this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/80W-DC-12V-Car-Power-Supply-Adapter-Charger-Laptop-/110691218961 in the car intermittently for about a year now and never had any problems.
Andrew
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Wow - I didn't know these existed - wish I had known about them before I bought my inverter!
Rod
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Hello
As I didn't need 240v for anything else and it was cheaper I have used this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/80W-DC-12V-Car-Power-Supply-Adapter-Charger-Laptop-/110691218961 in the car intermittently for about a year now and never had any problems.
Andrew
Do not forget to check before you buy this item if your computer needs to 80W or more. And the amps!
Very important before sending a computer to the scrap.
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Wow - I didn't know these existed - wish I had known about them before I bought my inverter!
Rod
Rod, although it is more expensive, you have become best served!
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Thanks chaps for your help with power supply advice, will pop up to maplins at Glasgow.
Meanwhile for Polar Map update Coastguard Jon etc.
Would you say this was better?
Flymee
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Looking better already after just a few hours - give it time to build up.
Rod
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Just situated aerial nr window and pointing to some clear air,
Hi flymee, glad to see some improvement, but can you get the antenna outside the window at all?
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Coastguard
Yes I can, its a dg window that I can open horizontally or vertically, ledge can take base outside and I have cable connected shouldn't fall, no wind at moment, will it make any difference?
flymee
PS when I say base in this instant, I mean antenna base.
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HI flymee, yes, glass can degrade the signals, will the widow open horizontally far enough to be level, try fixing antenna metal base disc with a bit of blue tack to furthest protruding edge and try it, you may be surprised!
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Just remember that the aerial supplied with the RadarBox is NOT an outdoor aerial. Don't expose it to rain or cold for any length of time. If you get good results with it outside, then it will be worth getting a proper outdoor aerial.
There are many threads on the forum with suggestions about good outdoor aerials.
Rod
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Thanks Rod, Coastguard and others for your help.
It seems that I expected this antenna to do wonders. I ought to have learnt that if I have difficulty picking up 119.10 with my Audio Receiver then it means any signals will be blocked by some building, hill or mountain, and yes even double glazing.
I have sent my AR-MINI receiver back to W and S for checking but I think its the position I'm in thats the real problem.
I spent £150 on the AR-MINI and I get better reception on my Steepletone Digital Airband receiver( Bought at Manchester Airport for £50)
Now I've got all that off my chest I feel better, and I'm certainly very greatful for all the
help the forum is giving.
Conclusion is:- An outdoor aerial.
flymee
flymee