Static - earthing antennas - specifically earthing Magmount types.

[daveg4otu]

Those reading the ongoing threads  will know that I have a reoccurrence  of the "antenna static  loss of signal/ blown filters" (or whatever) - problem.


So...trying to  minimise the risk of further failures  when the box eventually returns after repair , I'm looking at the earthing situation.

The setup is a  MD1105 Mag mount antenna on a biscuit tin lid - on a brick plinth a couple of feet high on flat roof.

How best to earth this...any practical  ideas ...and please don't suggest  fitting masthead preamps- I already have (normally) a 200 mile range  so don't need the signal amplification and can't afford it anyway.

[bratters]

Magmounts are used on car boots/roofs just as much, if not more, than on the biscuit tin lid type ground planes and wind effect will be considerably more on a moving vehicle.

Where does that leave us with the earthing question for a receiver perched on the passenger seat? 

I'm a bit at sea here.

[daveg4otu]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[AirNav Development]

Explaining again this static problem is related to a very limited number of boxes manufactured before Aug 2008.

The problem WILL NOT happen to any box made after that date. Also all the boxes that are returned come totally protected against static (a new electronic device is added for free).

[jgrloit]

Do you have a serial no. range rather than a date?
Some dealers can have boxes in stock for a month or so!!!

[daveg4otu]

Explaining again this static problem is related to a very limited number of boxes manufactured before Aug 2008.

I'm not doubting  your word but that would seem to indicate that , if this is the problem , then  certain concerns arise.....

1:Mine - delivered to me(brand new ) 3 weeks ago must have  been on someones shelf a very long time.

2:If the fix  is done for all returned boxes - how come mine has now failed again a week after return from "fixing"

3:If  the fix protects , and new manufacture boxes don't have this problem , then presumably  worries about earthing out antenna are groundless(Pun intended!)

[AirNav Development]

Maintaining our way of being totally transparent to our users (you will not find any company doing this nowadays) and from our statistic report:

Serial Numbers:
000001 to 01750: 37 units returned and repaired on a total of 1750 (2.1% of the units). Units over S/N 101500 are protected against static.

10001 to 15000: 2 units returned on a total of 3000 sold. (0.07% return rate).

Hope you find this interesting.

[AirNav Development]

Dave: "1:Mine - delivered to me(brand new ) 3 weeks ago must have  been on someones shelf a very long time."

This is of course your case. The static problem only happens in very specific atmospheric conditions.

[daveg4otu]

The statistics are  impressive - no denying that .... sadly that still  doesn't answer the question of why this one is playing up or why it appears to have a comparitively early serial number in the "Good"  batch given it's  late delivery(to me).

[bratters]

My number is within 30 of daveg4otu    ANRB104xx

New filter fitted in February and another fitted in April. Supplied aerial only inside house or on outside window sill.

Hope it helps your stats.

[AirNav Development]

Dave/Bratters: Our support will be contacting you right now by email. Stby.

[CoastGuardJon]

AirNav Development, many thanks for being open enough to post the serial number series.    But, I for one, am totally confused, my RB marked with the orange circle 2009 software is 6 months old, and has a 5 digit number ANRBXXXX (I don't see any security problem in disclosing my ser. no.) - do I assume this to be one of the 10001 - 15000 batch.

Quoting from your reply above

Serial Numbers:
000001 to 01750: 37 units returned and repaired on a total of 1750 (2.1% of the units). Units over S/N 101500 are protected against static.

10001 to 15000: 2 units returned on a total of 3000 sold. (0.07% return rate).

there would appear to be some confusion in your numbering system, 000001 (6 digits) to 01750 (5 digits), can you add the manufacturing dates for the different batches of serial numbers please.

[AirNav Support]

Yours is the later batch which has the increased protection. It should be 001750 not 01750.

Simpler way if it 1 after ANRB, its the newer batch.

[daveg4otu]

I'll bump this in the hope that someone may be inclined to answer my original question ...how best to earth a magmount antenna.

[dudbaker]

Hi

Data

ANRBXXX
Home made dipole at 40 feet.
No problems to date.

Dudley