The "Static" and "Filters" problem etc.

[daveg4otu]

Well - I heard late today that it is on it's way back - SAW filters fixed.

So- will see how it all goes.

The  antenna ground side is now earthed via a  connection from an earth stake outside the window to the coax  shield.

DavidH - mine failed both times when in use - but disconnecting when not in use can do no harm as long as you don't overwork the rather fragilesocket on the RB.

Ted ...I've had antennas ranging from 40m dipoles down to 70cm  rotatable yagis   up (and down)  for the past 30 years at various locations.

All I have ever done is earth the masts  with a good heavy cable to an earth stake - purely as lightning protection.....when thunder threatens I disconnect all equipment from  any antennas.

This is what puzzles me about the RB....this problem really should not happen

If you are really worried about potential  problems  then  read the other thread (see my remark  above about Karl's gizmo about 3 posts up )  contact Karl and I 'm sure  he'll send you the info .

[malc41]

Dave

Glad to hear the box is on its way back to you.

As you rightly say it should not be happening, but I don't think we have heard the last of it.

Fingers crossed you have no more problems.

[daveg4otu]

Well - firstly a bouquet to W & S for speedy turnaround - it arrived back here at 8.45 am today.

The service note inside said "SAW front end filter changed."


I   put in on at 9.00 am...left it running while we took the dog to the beach....

Immediate noticable differences  even when compared with  it as it was when working "properly" previously.

In one hour it logged 430 flights(running hardware flights only)...but the most noticable diff is the number of flights  on the board at any one time.

Previously - same time of day,  a good count would be 60-70max.... now showing around the 100 mark  all the time - never seen  it up in that range before..as I look now it is showing 116!

EDIT(10.35BST) - now showing 129 - never even in my wildest.........!

I don't think the geographical range has changed(too many terrain limitations for that IMO) - rather that it is  picking up and decoding  more weaker signals

So - now the question - is the difference  in performance because I have earthed the groupd plane side of the antenna ...or is it because the new SAW filter is performing better than the previous.... ?

Any technically minded readers care to offer an opinion? (I know what I think right now!

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Dave, glad you're up and running again - just a theory, I think it's less windy, so the signals aren't getting blown away so much..................

[malc41]

Dave

You have now got me thinking.

When I put my box on I am lucky if I get 20-25 in the log window, and on looking in the message it never goes any higher than about 45

As there is no definitive explanation of what to look for in relation to the problem
I am now wondering if it should go back to W&S?

The box is in the 600's range

[malc41]

But what about the signals that are being blow towards the aerial?

[daveg4otu]

Additional info....

Watching the display carefully for a few minutes confirms that the overall polar diagram is  unchanged with  targets disappearing at exactly the same points as before...just the   total number of  recorded flights within that same polar diagram has increased by between 50% - 80%.

[daveg4otu]

Thanks Jon - I knew a technical explanation would be forthcoming   fairly quickly!

:)

Malc where are you?-  yes that is food for thought.

 ....I'm on the coast at Torquay  facing NE with high ground behind me to the S  & W(yes  I know that sounds contradictory for the South  Coast - but look for Babbacombe)...so my effective capture area is basically a semicircle  between NE & SW(up to 200 miles) with minimal coverage  out to the West and South (max about 30/40 miles)

[malc41]

Dav

Just south of the Humber about 15 miles from EGNJ to the East

Get flow up the country and have 2 airways nearly right overhead

[daveg4otu]

Would have thought you should get good coverage right down  towards the London TMA and out to the east over the N  Sea(depending on you actual height etc)- but I guess the Pennines might block you to the west

[flightchecker]

So - now the question - is the difference  in performance because I have earthed the groupd plane side of the antenna ...or is it because the new SAW filter is performing better than the previous.... ?

earthingh won't do the difference , Dave. (Simply remove it for a while to prove) Anyway, it is one of the first measures to protect against the subject is about.


Kind Regards

Karl

[malc41]

Yes exactly, only using the mag mount aerial outside bedroom window. Get good range to the west at altitude, loose EGCC bound flights at about FL100 so probably Pennines as you say. Get a southern coverage down to about TNT/GAM area.

But as I said before my message arte seems to be quite low?

[daveg4otu]

Yes Karl - exactly my thoughts.

Malc - message count here  right now(94 flights on the board) is running around 200 to 280 per sec.

[malc41]

Dave

oh well, from the look of it, it could well be on the way back to W&S

how did you get in touch with them, direct or via support?

[daveg4otu]

I phoned direct in the first case...second time round I initially  vented my anger at the supplier(up in W Yorks)- the manager there contacted W&S first thing Mondayy -and by 3PM the box was on it's way to them.

I phoned W&S on Tues to confirm it had arrived ...the rest  you know.

So - I'd say that probably your best bet is to phone direct....ask to speak to the service dept.

They are very helpful.