My radarbox has started to experience reduced range of only 20-30 mile recently and aircraft count has also dropped to between 60-80. I live very close to Heathrow and I was/been getting 140+ miles range and aircraft count of 170+ at all times during summer months with a aerial in the loft, reducing in the Winter months as expected.
The strange problem is, if I disconnect the aerial wire and reconnect, the aircraft count and range goes up for few minutes, then reduces again. This has been happening on and off since last year (Jul. 2012). I purchased a new SMA to Ntype pigtail cable from Westlake and still same problem.
I contacted Airnav last year about the same problem, when range reduced to less than 15 miles and was told if SAW filter is faulty they will repair/replace the SAW filter regardless of age of the radarbox, but if it turns out it's static damage, there will be a charge. As my antenna is mounted in the loft and the box has never left my desk, I don't know if static can damage the box. I didn't send it, as I didn't want them to say it's static damage and given a unexpected bill.
Now the problem is getting worse and I don't know if I should send it to get it fixed or should just pack up the box.
I don't know if its the SAW filter dying or the SMA connector on the box has developed a fault. I've checked the antenna in the loft, the connection seems fine. Anything else I can check.
