Improving covered area

[NHSARainer]

Hi,

I am using a DIY dipole for 1090MHz installed at the moment like shown in the image below.

Any ideas if my range could be increased ? I am at about 200nm at maximum. My antenna is at 1959meters over sea level. I can not go higher as it would disturb my Astronomy photography :-)

Comercial antenna, Ground plane antenna, filter, etc. ?

Changing location of USB Flightstick directly outside on the antenna, BTW, it this enclosure waterproof for outside use ?

Or is this range I have good ?

A bigger receiver ?

Thanks

[Runway 31]

My view is that you have descent coverage.  A commercial antenna would probably give you greater maximum distance.  The Flightstick already has a filter inside it and given your coverage already this is not causing any issue

Hight is king for any antenna but as you state you have to compromise for other interests and 200 miles is a descent compromise

Again the length of the antenna cable run can make a difference as each meter adds to the loss through the cable

Alan

[NHSARainer]

Hi Alan,

Thanks. My cable is not more then 5 meters long. I am using a thick coaxial cable RG59. Would it better to use like RG174 ? or buy the 10meters radarbox is selling ?

As commented in the message of airplane flight height I guess I am covered quite good. Of course I can not compare my location with the location of the station PGANRB400301 located in a flat area like the Peninsula of Yucatán  :-) as that is a real flat pan over hundreds of kilometers :-)

There is another station nearby from mine PGANRB500820 ad I see his coverage is very similar to mine and he reaches up to Mexico city which is in straight air line about 365 km away.

[wiedehopf]

You can build a better antenna: https://www.mictronics.de/posts/G7RGQ-Antenna-1090MHz

Check heywhatsthat for terrain obstructions and how they limit your range.

If you want to checkout graphs1090 for some local statistics or tar1090, have a look here: https://github.com/wiedehopf/adsb-wiki/wiki/Raspbian-Lite:-ADS-B-receiver

[NHSARainer]

Hallo Wiedehopf,

I clicked on your link www.mictronics.de/.... and it tells me forbidden :-)

Yes I was thinking of making a Ground plane antenna with maybe 8 spikes or something like that or maybe a colinear cable antenna from coaxial cable.

Grüße Rainer

PD What is your station number ?

[wiedehopf]

Try the link again, seems you need to link without a / at the end ... which it adds when you visit.

[abcd567]

Guten Tag!

Hallo Wiedehopf,

I clicked on your link www.mictronics.de/.... and it tells me forbidden :-)

When you see Forbidden,  simply Reload browser and the site will appear.

If it still does not appear,  highlight the address in browser's address bar and press "Enter" key.

Yes I was thinking of making a Ground plane antenna with maybe 8 spikes or something like that

3 EASY DIY ANTENNAS FOR BEGGINERS
EASY ANTENNA #3 - HANDY SPIDER

or maybe a colinear cable antenna from coaxial cable.

Coaxial colinear antenna is a shot in dark when made by a hobbyist who lacks costly test equipment.

Grüße abcd567
.

[abcd567]

[NHSARainer]

Try the link again, seems you need to link without a / at the end ... which it adds when you visit.

Hi,

It was the way around. I added a / and it opened  :-)

[NHSARainer]

Thank you Wiedehopf and abcd567

I have a simple VNA so I can test the antenna

Again Thanks for the tips and info

I am retired 69 years old and so I have some time for experimenting :-)

Have a nice day

BTW, I also have a 24/7 Lightning monitoring system connected. So the PC runs 24/7 sending meteor impact as well as lightning information (www.blitzortung.com)

[NHSARainer]

Hi,

Would a different coax cable type make a difference ?

My RG59 cable is ~ 4.6m long > USB Flightstick > 3m active USB 3.0 cable to PC ...

[Runway 31]

Personally with 5M antenna cable I dont think it will make much difference

Alan

[NHSARainer]

Personally with 5M antenna cable I dont think it will make much difference

Alan

Thanks  :-)

[abcd567]

I have a simple VNA so I can test the antenna
I am retired 69 years old and so I have some time for experimenting :-)

In this case try this one also:

DIY V-STUB ANTENNA MADE OF COAX

BTW, I also have a 24/7 Lightning monitoring system connected. So the PC runs 24/7 sending meteor impact as well as lightning information (www.blitzortung.com)

Have a look here:
Lightning Protection Guide




Image 1 of 5:
Thunder Storm Days World Wide


.

Image 2 of 5:
Frequency of Lightning World Wide


.
Image 3 of 5:
Frequency of Lightning in Europe



.

Image 4 of 5:
Average Monthly Lightning Chart in Europe




Image 5 of 5:
Frequency of Lightning in Germany

[Runway 31]

For info abcd, Reiner is in Mexico

Alan