Another Newbie - Well hope to be

[GrimReaperuk]

Hi all,
Not yet purchased a Mode-S/ADS-B Rx box yet but (probably RB); I have been reading through both companies forums for a couple of weeks now and probably confused myself and would like to seek clarification on a number of issues.

1.   Happy about the future of Mode S but has the ADS-B aspect been clarified as to its future implementation and if so how wide?
   
2.   I notice that a site, ‘Bare Bones Utilities’ has some good enhancements, flags, outlines etc.  I seem to have read somewhere on this forum that not all of these are compatible with RB.  Can you clarify what is and what is not and if there is a dedicated RB download site recommended.

3.    It seems that to get good range an outside aerial is a must, notwithstanding good line of site and high quality coax!  I understand that ESD build up can be an issue so what High Gain antennas are recommended and have decent weatherproofing (live on the coast).

4.   For Mode S on military aircraft I notice you can get silhouettes of the aircraft types.  How easy is this to tie in as I have seen references to HEX! blah blah.  Or is there a definitive list regarding military to populate the database and link the aircraft registration to type.

5.   How do you link your scanning activity to the RB usage, what works best.  Initial Contact Frequences, Area Radar?

Thanks in advance.

[RodBearden]

Hi Mr Grim and welcome!

Answers to a few of your questions:

1 - ADS-B looks as if it's here to stay, and will be more widely implemented across GA aircraft, if only slowly.

2 - Many of the Bones utilities, especially the outlines, are 100% compatible with RB. There is a dedicated RB download site here: http://radarbox.gofreeserve.com/index.html

4 - Silhouettes are standard - no mucking about required!

I'll let other members deal with your other points - why don't you download the software and play with the system in demo mode to try it out - link: http://www.airnavsystems.com/RadarBox/support.html
 (download the full version)

Hope this helps!

Rod

[Allocator]

2.   I notice that a site, ‘Bare Bones Utilities’ has some good enhancements, flags, outlines etc.  I seem to have read somewhere on this forum that not all of these are compatible with RB.  Can you clarify what is and what is not and if there is a dedicated RB download site recommended.

5.   How do you link your scanning activity to the RB usage, what works best.  Initial Contact Frequences, Area Radar?

Thanks in advance.

The big difference with RadarBox is that you don't NEED all the add-ons that the SBS-1 needs to get a decent display.

Take a look at the AirNav video tutorials here - especially the "Why RadarBox" video:

http://www.airnavsystems.com/RadarBox/Video/index.html

I've got an SBS-1 as well as RadarBox and I installed the software for it again today having not used it for about 6 months.  I managed to install the SBS Populate programme to get aircraft registrations, but I gave up after that as I couldn't figure out how to get the company logos and silhouettes.  Very frustrating.

There is a YouTube video showing RadarBox and the PCR1500 scanner running together here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBgk1BZpFp4