AirNav Systems Forum
AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: deaphen on April 12, 2012, 06:00:07 PM
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Hi All:
My standard antenna just broke today after 1.5 years of use, the golden pin at the end of the wire which goes into the radarbox broke off.
Please suggest some new antennas I can purchase to increase my reception.
Thanks in advance.
Nitin
Ps: Please keep in mind I will be ordering this product to India.
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I would suggest a replacement Radarbox one would probably be best in your circumstances
Alan
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Hi Nitin
Do you want to replace it with another "portable" aerial. If you want to increase reception, a pole-mounted fixed aerial will be better assuming you have a good view of the sky, and aren't half-way up a tower block.
Rod
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Waters & Stanton (in the UK) stock a relacement indoor antenna.
http://wsplc.com/acatalog/RADAR-INT_Spare_indoor_aerial_for_AirNav_RadarBox.html (http://wsplc.com/acatalog/RADAR-INT_Spare_indoor_aerial_for_AirNav_RadarBox.html)
I'm sure that it could be sent to India. You may want to confirm the postal rate before committing yourself.
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Hi deaphen, in the meantime get a replacement SMA connector plug and fit, or get one fitted to your existing antenna. Much cheaper option! If you have difficult finding one, let me know and I'll post one out to you.
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Thanks all for your replies, I am looking for an external antenna, I am open to the roof mounted ones so please give your best options.
Also, I am not sure if this is correct, but the reception with the bigger antennas might be better?
If someone could give me some links where I can purchase it online, that would be great.
Thanks again
Deaphen
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Hi Deaphen, Google:- Radar Extender, Radar Rama and SSE 1090SJ :-
http://www.moonraker.eu/Avionic-Antennas-And-Accessories
http://www.ssejim.co.uk/26-sseads1090sj.htm
http://www.dpdproductions.com/#productlist
http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/radar-com-10_radar-extender_antennaa12-1090bt-1210m_coax-p-6280.html
HTH, Jon
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Waters & Stanton (in the UK) stock a relacement indoor antenna.
http://wsplc.com/acatalog/RADAR-INT_Spare_indoor_aerial_for_AirNav_RadarBox.html (http://wsplc.com/acatalog/RADAR-INT_Spare_indoor_aerial_for_AirNav_RadarBox.html)
I'm sure that it could be sent to India. You may want to confirm the postal rate before committing yourself.
Thanks for the interim I have decided to go with the RADARAMA antenna or another stock replacement indoor antenna. However, could someone advise me whether this will include the wire? As the wire is the real problem for me, which has got spoilt.
Regards
Deaphen
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It will have about the same length of cable as the one that came with the box
Alan
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Dear All:
Thank you for all your replies. I have gone ahead and purchased a RADARAMA.
However, either I am completely stupid or it wasnt advertised well but there is no cable for the RADARAMA.
Can someone PLEASE guide me from where and which cable I can buy?
Thanks
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Everyone will have a different requirement for cable lengths.
There are plenty of places to get cable from. Here is one
http://www.powabeamantennas.co.uk/westlake-pdf/cable-wire.pdf (http://www.powabeamantennas.co.uk/westlake-pdf/cable-wire.pdf)
I would suggest the Westflex 103. It is 10 mm diameter. Hence, you will need a "pigtail", i.e. a short length of flexible cable to go from the end of the Westflex to the RadarBox. Also the necessary connectors.
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Let me see if I have this correct:
1. I buy the RG213 cable (more easy to purchase than westflex in India).
2. One end of the RG 213 cable will house an "N" connector.
3. On the other end will be a "N" Connector to SMA adaptor.
4. The SMA adaptor will go directly into the radarbox.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Also, will 15 - 20 meters of the wire work well without a preamp? I do not have a pre-amp, if not, what is the idea length of cable I can use without a pre-amp?
Thanks!
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I use 15m of Westflex without a preamp, and get great results, so I strongly advise you to at least try it without a preamp first - many people say that preamps tend to amplify the noise better than the signal!
Rod
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Deaphen, the RG213 is quite a stiff large diameter cable and you will need a short, say 1m pigtail cable to connect to the Radarbox. The connectors you detail are correct.
Alan
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Thanks, yes regarding the pigtail option, what cable should that be?
I am going to be shopping from www.rfconnector.info who seem to have everything I need, they will be making the cable with all the connectors as per my specs. I need to tell them which cable to use for the pig tail or jumper.
Thanks
Nitin
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Nitin,
If my memory serves me correct i think I used RG58 but if not available a suitable low loss cable would suffice.
Alan
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Hi Deaphen, you need a pigtail / patch lead with a minimum length of 12" I think 18" - 20" is ideal, but you may need a metre or slightly more depending on your individual circumstances, with an SMA plug on one end, which attaches to the RB. Keep this attached as much as possible - these connectors aren't particularly robust and the socket is attached to the RB pcb. On the other end, an in-line N connector would be my choice which'll fit nicely on RG213. As Rod says above, don't dive into getting a pre-amp, until you've trialled the system without. If you do eventually opt for a pre-amp, this needs to be as close to the antenna as possible. HTH
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I experienced today, how do i put it? Hmmm possibly a very grave sense of disappointment! After all the research and the wonderful help I have received here, I purchased the radarama from a store in London, they dont ship to India so I ordered it to a friends house. After placing the order, the smarty pant store emailed saying that they dont accept Indian credit cards (for whatever crappy reason), thankfully my friend was gracious enough to order the Radarama for me.
My folks who were, by coincidence, travelling to LHR, picked up the antenna and brought it back.
Further, I then needed to hunt for good loss less co-ax cable, which I found a store in Delhi who sells the stuff quite cheap. Any how, I purchased 15 meters of RG 213 with a jumper wire of 1 meter comprising of RG 58. The idiots in Delhi sent me the jumper wire and the RG 213, however, they forgot to crimp the second N connector on the cable! It took me a month to get the second N connector, and mind you I bought ANOTHER 15 meters of the stuff to expedite my installation (holidays were and are running out and soon I will have ziltch time to devote to my lovely hobby), which I received today.
Excited, I climbed up to my roof to test the set up, I connected everything (the Radarama needed to be tested before I went and purchased the pipe on which it would rest) and waited in anticipation, however it is NOT picking up any signals!
I have switched between my indoor antenna, which is receiving signals loud and clear, however, when I set up the RG 213 / RG 58 / Radarama combo, bang... the screen goes blank and all planes I was receiving, time out.
What do I do? I feel like shooting myself!!
Regards
Nitin
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Sorry to hear of all your trial, Nitin, so very frustrating for you.
The only thing I can suggest at this time is to re-check all the connections to make sure they are correct, trial and error to see if you can find out where the problem lays. Can you join the Radarbox and 1m jumper to the antenna missing out the 15m cable length to see if you get anything?
Alan
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Hi Nitin, Do you have or have access to a multimeter, if so check across the centre pins end to end for continuity, should be near zero resistance (Ohms). If this is the case, then check for continuity between centre pins and the outside of the plug (screening) which should be ~ infinite/very high resistance, if a low resistance you have a short circuit (usually a frayed piece of screening across in one of the plugs) in one of the plugs. HTH, come back