Antenna Question:

[Johnn]

Hi there,
I was told that the antenna works from a 'line of sight' point of view? is this true?
If I can see the aircraft outside, would the antenna pick that up?
Thanks
John

[jgrloit]

Only if the aircraft is correctly equiped with a mode S or better transponder system.
A number of Civilian Aircraft around me do not have or turn-off the system.
This includes the local Air Ambulance, Police and light aircraft.
Many Military aircraft ONLY send ID's and not locations.

[RodBearden]

Hi Johnn

Yes and yes - as long as it's transmitting a Mode S signal - and you'll see its position on the map as well if it's transmitting ADS-B.

The antenna can see dimly through walls, trees, etc but the range is drastically reduced.

Hope that helps.

Rod

[mt007]

Hi guys,
we can buy kit GP-1090 Antenna separated of RB?
I have RB and how i can buy the kit of Airnav?
Thx.
Best regards.

[besty]

You want to buy the kit from Airnav? it's on the websie on the orders section of the Radarbox page.

http://www.airnavsystems.com/RadarBox/order.html

Just look down the page you'll see 2 options.

Stuart

[mt007]

Stuart,
no, im not the kit i only want the antenna.
Because i already have RB.
Regards.

[RodBearden]

Miguel - under the heading "Antenna Kit" it says "Complete antenna system in case you already have the RadarBox and only need an antenna with pre amplifier and cables. "

These don't include a RadarBox!

Rod

[CoastGuardJon]

Miguel, halfway down the page is the Antenna Kit, available with 10 or 20m of cable.   Have a look here as well http://www.radioworld.co.uk/~radio/catalog/radarextender-external-antenna-radarbox-p-5965.html?osCsid=e5c492f93462c9b41b632a4f73881be4  this is the same as the one Rocket Radio supply http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/radar-extender-external-antenna-for-radarbox--sbs-1-1500-p.asp

Rod, you must be able to type faster than me!

[mt007]

Yes Rod,  
but when you try to make an order, example the 10 meters appear in form RB to buy.

Try and tell me.
If the price is the one that appears in the form so that price is to high.
Thx.
Regards.

[RodBearden]

Yes, the price is quite high, but it does include a pre-amp, and several people have said that it's good gear. There are plenty of alternatives, though. I don't have a pre-amp, so don't know anything about them.

Rod

PS I'm pretty good at copy & paste, Jon!

[RodBearden]

I bought my aerial and wiring kit from here: www.airbandonline.co.uk/kapl_sbs1_aerial.htm, ready to plug in, and I'm very happy with it.

Rod

[EK01]

Miguel,

I purchased my antenna from AOR. They do a BS1110 antenna and 10m of cable for £108 including VAT. I ordered on a Thursday afternoon and the kit was delivered before 10am the next day. I see you are in Portugal therefore will no doubt take longer to deliver. I have installed in the loft and the reception is excellent without the need of a preamp or additional gadgets. I stay in Central Scotland and now have coverage from almost Inverness in the north down to Carlisle in the South. Both West and East directions are over 120 miles.
There web address is www.aoruk.com

Cheers,

Ian

[mt007]

Hi Ian,
i will study all yours opinion.
Thx.
Regards.

[Tramline]

THis is going to sound like a simpleton question, but if I buy an external antenna and put it in the loft and need for example a 7m run of aerial lead - if they come in 5m or 10m or greater how do you get the correct length without cutting and probably damaging the lead.  My fruit knife probably isn't the best option?

Also, and I know this is a very difficult one to answer, but if an external antenna is placed in the loft rather than outside the loft is there much of reduction in range, just as a general rule?

[E14]

Tramline. I got a Radarama aerial the other day with 5m of coax (you can order what length you need) and PL259 connecters pre-soldered. To get through the small home in the window frame I unsoldered the cable, threaded through and then resoldered. At least this way I know my joint is good. At the Aerial end is an "N" type to PK259 adapter and on the RB end its a PL259 to SMA adapter.
Seems to work fine although my box is now playing up which is another story (see timeouts thread)
The loft will almost certainly stop a bit of signal which is why I made every effort to get outside on a pole.