New Antenna on the Roof:Toronto Area

[Jetcos]

After receiving my antenna from DPD Productions after a referral from my good friend Neil in Kingston. I installed it on the roof at my shop. Seeing as I spend more time there during the day than at home.

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_vhf_air.html#adsbout

Emailing Dave at DPDP and receiving quick replies and fast shipping I ended up buying the magnetic mount airband scanner antenna as well. Great products!

I also set up my Alerts to send me messages on my Blackberry so I can work and after an Alert I can decide if I need to go out and look at the OTT aircraft. Helps when I get Heads Up messages from our local Group.

Better coverage around Toronto and also running Planeplotter to add to my coverage to the east with Neil's setup.

Enjoying my RadarBox even more with a good antenna and having it outside on the roof has been amazing. Should have done it sooner.


Weekday coverage and on the weekends I bring the box home. Too cloudy this weekend so didn't bother having it on. Back up on Monday morning.


Regards,

Steve
Newmarket (near Toronto) Ontario

[gleff]

Hi Steve,

I'm thinking of buying the ADS-B antenna from DPD Productions as well.   I noticed from your polar diagram above though that the maximum was only around 20nm away.  That's not too good.  Can you advise what the maximum coverage and number of aircraft you generally receive with the antenna?

Also, can you advise the mounting options.  My veranda is where I'd be putting it.  I have a horizontal railing so I'm just wondering if I'd even be able to mount it.  Height is a little bit of an issue but not huge.  While I have a 1.3 metre clearance, I could probably extend that to around 1.5 metre if I extend it on the outer edge of the veranda above me.  Hopefully it's flexible enough to push it out an inch.

Geoff

[Jetcos]

I went from 20 aircraft (RB antenna inside) to 60 (DPD Ant inside) to 120 aircraft with antenna on the roof. Range is almost 200 miles. The antenna is working great and uses to rubber coated gear clamps so any pole should work. I am sure a small "L" shaped bracket would work. I have it mounted on an antenna tripod.

I recommend the antenna if you are after good coverage.

[gleff]

Ahh.. excellent.. just what I wanted to hear.. Now i'll just wait for Dave to get back to me.. I'll be buying 3 antenna's.  One ADSB, and 2 Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Antenna's for both 118-136MHz, and 225-400 MHz.

Can't wait.  Hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg in shipment costs to Australia.

[Jetcos]

He packs them well for international shipping.

I have his 118-136 Mhz antenna as well. Works great, whistles a bit but my wife hasn't noticed yet.  :-)

[gleff]

He packs them well for international shipping.

I have his 118-136 Mhz antenna as well. Works great, whistles a bit but my wife hasn't noticed yet.  :-)

Cool.. I'm actually thinking of getting the http://dpdproductions.com/page_miltenna.html#mtuvomni as per my other thread.  Hopefully it will be okay.

I haven't heard from him yet but I assume it's just because it's a weekend.